4 Steps To Stop Overeating

Almost everyone overeats sometimes, and that's okay. If you find that you are overeating frequently, it may be hindering your diet efforts. You may want to evaluate your thoughts and behavior so that you are able to control your compulsions. Here are four steps you can take to control and stop your overeating habits:

1. Don't label yourself!

Telling yourself that you aren't able to control your urges can cause you to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Have confidence in yourself, and you can do whatever you set your mind to!

2. Make a change.

Change one thing about your surroundings while you are eating. Switch to a different room to dine. Sit in a different chair. Old habits die hard, but if your environment changes, your won't perceive the situation the same way, and you'll have better self-control.

3. Indulge yourself sometimes!

It's okay to give in to your cravings sometimes. No one has perfect self-discipline, and if you deprive yourself of the things you love, you'll resent your diet, and you'll be more likely to overeat if you cave. Eat the things you love, but in moderation!

4. Be Mindful.

Always stop and ask yourself, "Am I hungry?" before you eat. Don't use food as a coping mechanism for other feelings, because this behavior could cause you to misunderstand hunger and fullness signals.

"End restrictive diets. 'Overeating and restrictive eating are often two sides of the same coin,' May says. 'Deprivation could be a trigger for overeating just like stress, anger, or anxiety.'"

This post was paraphrased from the original article, "Compulstive Eating and How to Stop It," by Jennifer Rainey Marquez. The article can be found here: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder/features/compulsive-overeating-and-how-to-stop-it