Why do we eat when we are not hungry?

WHY DO WE EAT WHEN WE ARE NOT HUNGRY?

By gently applying the wedge of awareness, it can serve to open the way to gradual change or to disruption of impulsive behaviors. Figure out what is triggering your desire to eat in an uncontrolled way and choose whether that is what you really want or need.

ARE YOU HUNGRY?

  • Did you let yourself get too hungry? Remember that deprivation and scarcity of food cause uncontrolled over-eating, regardless of gender or psychological issues.

  • Have you deprived yourself out of diet mentality?

  • Have you placed your needs at a lower priority than other people?

  • Do you feel uncomfortable feeding yourself in front of others?

ARE YOU PHYSICALLY UNCOMFORTABLE?

  • Is your clothing comfortable?

  • Is there discomfort in you breathing, head, joints, muscles, limbs, belly, gut?

  • Can you identify places of tension?

  • Are you having sexual feelings?

  • Are you tired?

WHAT IS YOUR EMOTIONAL REALITY?

It is important to know the truth of our feelings so that we can respond appropriately to ourself and to the situation. What is the most compassionate response to your feelings?

  • Remember, you are the boss, not your feelings.

  • Are you any variation of scared, mad, sad, glad, bored, shamed?

  • See if you can experiment with letting your feelings take their natural course. Are there other choices and ways to care for yourself than to eat?

THOUGHTS AND BELIEFS

Judgmental thoughts and labels.... not enough, lazy, too much, worthless, FAT?

  • Punishing thoughts

  • Procrastinating?

  • Are you being truthful?

  • Denial, avoiding?

  • Planning thoughts?

  • Worrying about the future?

  • Regrets?

IS IT REALLY ABOUT FOOD?

What might you be aware of if the thoughts gave you some space?

The Conscious CafeComment