We overcome various obstacles during our lives. Overeating is one of them. Don’t label overeating as a bad thing. We are stronger at the “other end of the battle”.
Overeating comes to teach us something. We don’t want to see anything about ourselves at first glance.
We must realize that overeating is just a symptom of a hidden cause at first glance.
Overeating is very often used to release tension and dull emotions. But not only that.
During overeating, we may feel out of control, followed by a lot of shame and guilt.
Then very often there are other restrictions on how we try to compensate for the consequences of overeating. And so we spin in a circle all the time.
But let’s look at what causes it and what we can do about it.
Step 1: Admit it
We must first admit and realize that we are going through this.
Let’s recognize at a deep level what we are going through. And that’s because we have a problem with overeating.
We are obviously ashamed of it, and that is why we are suppressing it and we do not want to face this problem.
We have to bring it to the surface, shine it through the light of consciousness and admit that it will not solve itself.
We have to say out loud that we are going to change. Break the false belief that we have lost control of our behavior and take back our power.
Step 2: Uncover the hidden cause
This is a very important step and its basis is to realize that overeating is only a symptom of a hidden cause. And then all that remains is to find out what the hidden cause is.
This step is crucial, because until we address the root cause, we are likely to return to our inappropriate “behavior.”
The hidden cause can be unresolved stress, emotions, non-fulfillment in one part of our lives, or lack of nutrients due to endless diets or various dietary restrictions.
There may be layers and other layers on top of each other and their various combinations, which should gradually unfold.
For example: we have an unresolved hidden emotion, which we “stick” with the diet. The diet can then result in a lack of nutrients, which makes binge eating even more severe.
I will give an example from my practice: my former client came to me for an evening overeating. Together we found that during the day she kept her caloric intake so strictly under control that in the evening her body screamed for food and she lost her firm hand over and overeat. When asked why she limits her income during the day, she answered so strictly that she wants to lose a lot of weight in order to gain a slim figure.
My next question was: why does she want to have that slim figure. Although she was a little overweight when she came to me, we did not decide whether or not her condition was normal by current standards. We needed to find out the root cause first. The one who drove her to a diet when she didn’t have a problem with being overweight. We have found that she has problems with self-esteem, self-love and that she does not feel good enough.
The next step was to find out why she doesn’t have confidence and doesn’t feel good enough. We found out that the cause was a breakup with a partner who was the center of her life for her. Now, without him, she had lost her way in her own life. So she used food to dull the feelings of losing control of her own life.
This is just one of many cases. But in this way, we discover, layer by layer, the main cause of overeating, and only then can we really work to eliminate it.
Step 3: Healing the root cause
If overeating is the cause of stress, we may realize that we need to change our jobs. Or maybe we feel that there is a lack of meaning in our lives and we need to find our mission.
If we overeat our boredom, we may also realize that we need meaning and purpose in our lives.
A dissatisfied relationship can also be the cause. In this case, we can talk to the partner and clarify our needs, or in the extreme case, leave this relationship.
If you are constantly comparing your body to other people and you do not get the best out of that comparison, realize that each of us is unique.
But again, the crucial question is why do you have to compare yourself to someone else?
With someone who has a different life, a different life experience.
The media gives us the illusion that handsome people in advertising also have amazing lives and are happy. But it’s just an illusion.
We know nothing about their real lives. The only thing we affect is our life. Eliminate the temptation to compare (for example: Instagram, watching different idols, influencers in different social channels and media, etc.). Be yourself.
I know that some of these changes may sound very frightening, but be aware that overeating is just an early sign of these real causes.
Sooner or later, we will have to make these changes anyway. Life moves us to this and overeating is one of the (so far) harmless symptoms.
It’s hard but it works. You can try it yourself or with the help of a coach who will give you support and advice on the way to healing.
Step 4: change eating habits.
We can start with new eating habits right away, but the successful implementation of the above steps is necessary for their successful implementation, otherwise the new eating style will not be sustainable.
It may not be easy at first, but with new eating habits that you set yourself or with the help of a coach or counselor, you will gradually get there.
Once you understand this, you will become gentler to your soul and body and make friends with food again.
The researchers found that we had two brains, one in the head and one in the intestines.
Intestinal bacteria and brain cells exchange information in both directions. This is why emotions affect our eating habits, and also the food we eat affects how we feel. Some foods change the brain in a chemical and physiological way.
The biggest enemy of intestinal bacteria and consequently our emotions are mostly industrially processed foods.
Processed food triggers chemical processes in our brain and body that promote addiction to those foods. They are also empty calories, which means your stomach is full, but your body is depleted and lacks enough nutrients.
Changing eating habits is one big chapter and we must realize that change does not go overnight, it is a journey. This may take several weeks or months.
Deeply accept yourself as you are now, and be considerate. Acceptance means taking responsibility. Accept that, the situation is as it is, while creating room for improvement.
Tell yourself you have control over your life. Try to solve it not with strong will (it won’t take long enough if your soul doesn’t support it), but with a hidden cause.
And you also have to go through a transition period when you actually nourish your body with real food, so it won’t crave essential nutrients.
