There is always much debate surrounding the issue of diet and among the experts, there is still quite a bit of disagreement. Are starchy carbohydrates like potatoes and corn okay to eat or should we limit them? Should we follow high-protein or low-to-moderate protein eating plans? Is it wise to eat foods of animal origin like meat,
overeating
Emotional Eater’s Don’t Just Eat when They’re Sad or Depressed
June 15, 2012 – Posted in: compassion embracing emotions emotional eating identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating overeating, dieting, weight loss purpose of emotions resolving emotional eating self connection self-acceptance self-loveAt a seminar I gave recently on emotional eating, Cyndie, an attractive, well-dressed woman in her late forties came up to me and shared: "Even though I'm obviously overweight, I don't think that I'm an emotional eater because I don't eat at all when I'm sad or depressed. In fact, I can't eat at those
Do you have an inner nurturing voice?
April 28, 2012 – Posted in: compassion emotional eating identifying emotions and needs overeating, dieting, weight loss reducing stress self connection self-love stress and overeating Uncategorized weight lossWhen the adult voices of our childhood are primarily warm, kind, encouraging, hopeful, validating, soothing and nurturing, we begin to develop a supportive voice within that can restore us to emotional balance when needed. As we mature into adulthood, this supportive voice becomes the voice of what I call our Inner Nurturer, our main source of validation, approval and
Are you eating to rebel against someone or something?
February 29, 2012 – Posted in: disappointment emotional eating forgiveness greiving grieving hurts losses and disappointments old pain overeating, dieting, weight loss painful childhood memories rebellion resentments resolving emotional eating unmourned lossesDo you find that you sometimes grab food (and eat even though you're not hungry) because you're angry at someone or about something? Or maybe because you're resenting some situation and feeling powerless to change it? You're mad or frustrated at these times and you certainly need something. In the moment, the food tastes good, calms you down and
Embrace all your emotions
November 9, 2011 – Posted in: emotional eating identifying emotions and needs loneliness and overeating old pain purpose of emotions resolving emotional eatingHave you ever thought about the purpose of your emotions? If you're like most people, you don't think much about emotions (yours or anyone elses) and you just move through them, hoping to experience more of the pleasant, energizing ones and steer clear of the deflating ones. When unpleasant emotions such as loneliness, hurt, disappointment or rejection surface, perhaps you try
Do you tend to emotionally overeat when the days get shorter and darker?
September 30, 2011 – Posted in: brain chemistry imbalances depression emotional eating mood disorders overeating, dieting, weight loss reducing stress Seasonal Affective Disorder stress and overeatingAt this time of year, many of my clients come in complaining of the shorter, darker days. Understandably so. It's not just that the Summer has ended and the longer, lazy days are behind us. With this particular season change, those who suffer from mild to moderate mood disorders (especially depressive and bipolar) can all of
Loneliness and emotional eating–Part I
August 31, 2011 – Posted in: adjusting expectations depression despair emotional eating greiving loneliness and overeating overeating, dieting, weight loss stress and overeating stress eating weight lossMy client Alexis (name-changed), a forty-four year old web designer, has been single her entire life. Without partner or child, she often feels invisible at social gatherings filled with couples and families. Her parents passed away in the last few years and as an only child without much extended family, she often feels a painful, overwhelming and
Are losses and disappointments sending you to the refrigerator?
May 29, 2011 – Posted in: emotional eating greiving hurts losses and disappointments old pain overeating, dieting, weight loss painful childhood memories reducing stress unmourned losses weight loss wounds from childhoodMost of us don't like to spend much time thinking about our losses and disappointments or painful childhood experiences. Yet, without much effort, they are brought to the forefront of our minds when something in our environment triggers thoughts of them. We see a happy couple and think "Oh, yeah, I had a loving relationship with Jack,
Chronic stress can lead to overeating
May 15, 2011 – Posted in: dieting emotional eating flexibility overeating, dieting, weight loss stress and overeating weight lossYou certainly don't need me to tell you to reduce stress. We all feel the effects of it regularly, from tension in our bodies to chronic headaches and illnesses. Stress in small doses can actually be useful. The stress you feel before a big exam may just be the motivation you need to increase your study time. Chronic
Could hormonal havoc be contributing to your overeating?
March 15, 2011 – Posted in: overeating, dieting, weight lossJanet approached me at the end of a seminar I was giving on emotional eating. She was in a state of desperation. In the last six months, she had gained twenty-five pounds and she was afraid she would gain more weight. She was sure her eating had an emotional component to it but was unsure
