Lifestyle Selections: Learn How to Overcome Emotional Overeating

Overcoming emotional overeating can be overwhelming, and setbacks should be expected. Nevertheless the good news is, you will find lifestyle choices that you could make to help get over this problem.

The key word is choice - it is possible to decide to follow a healthy lifestyle. It sometimes helps to break things down into small, specific things you can do (just aiming to lead a "healthier lifestyle" is a little vague!). Following are a few of these specifics. And don't forget, problems and relapses aren't unusual. Never beat yourself up; just start fresh tomorrow.

Exercise

Experts are in general agreement that regular exercise three to five days a week is most beneficial. This exercise should consist of at least 20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (such as vigorous walking, jogging, biking, etc.) followed by some light toning or weight training. Committing to this regimen full-force is not necessarily the best way to go; if you can only exercise once or twice a week, that's still better than nothing and will hopefully pave the way for more in the future.

Exercise is said to relieve emotional overeating in several ways. For one, exercise produces endorphins which are the body's natural "feel good" hormones. For another, exercise prevents boredom and mindless eating, which is what you might be doing if you weren't exercising! And finally, exercise will likely boost your self-image, helping to break the cycle of low self-esteem and poor self-image that "feeds" emotional overeating disorder.

Nature

Never underestimate the healing power of nature! For those with emotional overeating disorder, choosing to spend more time out in nature may be particularly beneficial. After all, in the natural realm there isn't any media messages to mess with your self-image, and being in nature connects you to your origins and also the origins of food.

Many experts theorize that detachment from food and its natural source plays a role in emotional overeating disorder. Getting involved in nature and exploring and understanding it can go a long way toward reconnecting with our biologically normal view of food. Maybe you can kill two birds with one stone and do your regular workout outdoors!

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