A more common reason for weight gain is impulse eating. We are all, one time or another, guilty of eating mindlessly. Most especially during special occasions, we end up eating much more than necessary, taking in an extra handful of peanuts or munching on chocolate-coated raisins.
According to this article that I found at GoodHouseKeeping.com:
You can’t count on your body to send you signals like a stomach ache to stop you from overeating. When you consume only 200 or 300 extra calories a day, your body doesn’t get upset — it just gets bigger.
It is best to be aware of the surroundings while we are eating so as not to fall into the trap of impulse eating. Eating around family and friends is a common pitfall. Families who usually enjoy chatting on the dinner table tend to munch on more food. Somehow, a good story or two goes well with some coffee and cake. Then as the conversation gets more interesting, we think of more food to munch on. It’s a vicious cycle that we are all guilty of.
The article also speaks of helpful ways to arrest the situation without compromising our presence during family dinners. According to the article:
You don’t have to eat alone to watch your weight. When you show up at a holiday dinner, snack on some healthy veggies immediately, so you won’t be ravenous when the meal starts. Portion-control trick: Instead of waiting to accept the humongous piles of food your great-aunt dishes out, offer to serve everyone at the table.
By heeding this advice we can avoid impulse eating and at the same time not break great-aunt’s heart. Portion-control can help us avoid the extra food servings. This can also spare us from feeling over-stuffed. It is always good to remember that family time is bonding time and the best way to bond is through heartfelt conversations.
It is best to be aware of the fact that we are all capable of impulse eating. The challenge is avoiding such unhealthy habit without jeopardizing any social interaction. But as a motivation, keep in mind that:
If you outsmart the traps that keep you nibbling, you could lose up to 10 pounds a year, without any dieting or exercising.
Knowing that we can lose about 10 pounds a year, it’s best to avoid impulse eating.
Are you guilty of impulse eating? Do you have any tips to help others control impulse eating? Feel free to share.
I guess you’re right about portion-control. But it’s really hard to think about portion-control especially when grandma’s pumpkin pie is only available once a year.
You can enjoy your grandma’s delicious pumpkin pie since that’s available only once year. Just make sure to go back to your Medifast system afterwards.
I don’t let my body starve, I seem to eat more on a very empty stomach.
I really feel awful after I pig out. I need to tell myself to stop in order not to feel bad after eating.
For me, the Christmas season is the time when I eat so much.
I used to really eat until I’m stuffed. That explained why I gained so much weight. Two months ago, I decided to try out Medifast just so I could taste the food. It turned out that the food was good. Now, I eat in a more regimented and healthy manner. That way, I avoid eating on an impulse.
Somehow eating and chatting with friends and family just go so well together. It’s quite hard to avoid it. But ever since I got on the 5&1 Plan, I’m more disciplined. I can actually control my impulse eating effortlessly.
Family reunions are pig out time. There is just so much food that it’s hard to resist. Honestly, I would sometimes stuff myself to the brim. But I avoid the soda. (As if that’s a big help 🙂 )
I drink a lot of water. This keeps me full all the time.
Every time I end up eating a lot in a family get together, I make sure I exercise and get back on my Medifast meals soon after.
It’s really easier said than done. But you made a good point there.
It’s really fun to eat with family and friends. I find it hard to stop eating. But you’re right about portion control.