Overeating: What Do You Really Want?
Adapted from "The Instinct to Heal," by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD
Here is a whole new way to look at the overeating habits that often plague us. This distinguished doctor has found an interesting correlation between our emotional brain and our body's reaction to stress that can shed some light on the overeating phenomenon that many of us know so well.
Find out what you really want—and what you can do to truly help yourself—instead of reaching for that third éclair, here:
In children, the inability to distinguish clearly between different emotional states is common, but Dr. Serban-Schreiber also noticed that when people are stressed, they are just as likely to confuse emotional states.
Your body may be telling you, "I need a break," or "I need sleep," or "I need a good cry," or "I need a hug," but you only hear "I need, I need. . ." and we often react to this demand with the only physical gratification that is instantly available: food.
Here are four things you can focus on instead of opening that bag of potato chips:
1. Identify the original state for what it really is (fatigue, or stress, or loneliness, not hunger)
2. Know how this state develops. It is usually a passing state that occurs off and on throughout the day when the body is overtaxed.
3. Reason with yourself about the problem (eating one more ice cream would be an extra burden on my body; besides, it would make me feel guilty).
4. Take charge of the situation in an appropriate fashion (learn to let the wave of fatigue or emotion pass over, or take a break for meditation or even a 20-minute nap; we can always find time for these alternatives, which are a lot more reinvigorating than yet another cup of coffee or chocolate bar!).
Poor mastery of emotions is one of the major causes of obesity in a society where stress is common and food is used abundantly to deal with it. When we learn how to handle stress, we learn how to listen to our bodies, identify our feelings, and respond intelligently. And we can soothe ourselves in healthier and more truly emotionally-affirming ways than with food.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Now that your yard is cleaned up, the garden fruits and veggies are stored for winter, it's time to sit back, relax, enjoy it all, and do nothing- right? Not exactly!
Did you know that there are more than 600 muscles in your body? These muscles have been given fancy names such as brachialis, gastrocnemius, and sternocleidomastoid. Muscles prove they were designed for action, and help to make up the most incredible and intricate machine ever made.
Overweight? Want to lose those extra pounds? Regular activity and physical exercise are some of the best ways to reshape your body, and successfully keep those pounds off.
Obesity (overweight) can be a risk factor for many diseases such as : High blood pressure, diabetes, depression, heart attack, and cancer.
Although being a few pounds overweight may not be a serious risk to your health, it would be better to keep your weight within a healthy range.
* Do the waist to hip ratio test:
1. Measure your waist at it¡¦s narrow part, just above the navel.
2. Measure your hips where buttocks are largest.
3. Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.
Example: 28"¨ waist, divided by 39" hip = 0.7 waist/hip ratio.
*A waist/hip ratio greater than 0.8 means you are at greater risk.
These weight control tips have many attractive benefits:
- Get regular exercise, preferably out- of- doors. (walking is best)
- Eat a variety of fresh green salads and vegetables every day.
- Eat fruit, nuts and seeds in their natural state.
- Eat more high fiber foods such as: whole grains, cereals and breads
- Pass on sugar, low nutrient and refined foods.
- Keep serving sizes moderate, avoid seconds, and late suppers.
- Drink plenty of pure water.
...........Contibuted by Rosalie Hurd
