Why do I eat so much?
It’s a question we’ve probably all asked ourselves at one point or another.
After all, eating too much is what is keeping most of us from having the bodies we want.
Sure there are a lot of different answers, ones that make it sound like it’s not our fault (hormones like ghrelin and adiponectin), some that make it sound like its ALL our fault (complete lack of will power), and a bunch that are somewhere in between.
So here’s a list of 5 little known reasons why you may be eating more than you want to…some are blunt, but it may help if we finally open up and consider these as possibilities.
1 . You are thirsty – Lots of us mistake thirst for hunger.
- Quick fix – Drink some water first…can’t hurt.
2. You are covering for something – OK…honesty time…most of us eat because we need the stimulation. Think of it this way – If a person is skydiving for the VERY FIRST time, and finally makes the decision to step out of the plane the thing going through their head is not “Gee, I could really go for a muffin right now”. If you find you are constantly eating, it may be time to look at your life? Are you bored at work? In your relationship? with your friends? More stimulation may mean less food.
- Quick fix – When eating at work ask yourself “am I hungry, or bored?”, if bored is the consistent answer, instead of eating, pass the time by fixing your resume and looking for a new job.
3. You are trying too hard to be healthy – Let’s face it, if we ate ALL the foods that we’re supposed, we’d be overeating. Take your standard low calorie diet, but then add in some almond butter, some goji juice, coconut oil, maybe a organic-fair trade-wheat grass shake, and you can see how the numbers start to sneak back up on you.
- Quick fix – Ignore any lists of ‘super foods’. If you do want to try a new food, replace an old one, don’t just add it in..
4. You are being mindless – Ever sit down in front of the TV with a plate full of food, then reach for the food only to find you plate empty? It might be tempting to blame the cat, but chances are you ate the food and didn’t even realize it.
- Quick fix – Don’t eat in front of the TV or Computer.
5. Your paying too much attention to your pre, -during, -and post workout nutrition – Look, I know the theories and ‘science’ behind the magic that eating during your workout, our before your workout or right after your workout can cause, but if your goal is weight loss…these meals could be keeping your from reaching your goal.
- Quick fix – cut back on your ‘around workout’ meals and see what happens.
BP
