Things that affect your weight

The big three in weight management

Genetic makeup can determine size and shape

 When we say "genetic makeup," we're talking about everything you inherited from your ancestors, from the color of your eyes or the shape of your toes to the way your brain works and the way your body stores fat.

Your genetic makeup has a very big effect on your weight. 

It affects: Your basal metabolic rate. That's the rate at which your body uses energy (calories) at rest. Some people are born with higher basic metabolic rates than others. These people naturally burn more calories than the rest of us. Regular physical activity can raise your metabolic rate. Very low-calorie diets will lower your metabolic rate. A lower metabolic rate makes it easier to gain weight, because you don't burn calories as fast. Your body signals, such as your appetite and feeling hungry or full. Some people have slim legs, some have heavy legs. You can't change where your body stores fat. Typically, men store fat in the abdomen while women store more in the hips and thighs. As women age, more fat is stored in the abdomen.

Nutrition—what and how you eat—also affects your weight

The average American meal contains too many calories. It also contains too much saturated fat, cholesterol, animal protein, salt, alcohol, and sugar.

It can be hard to make healthy food choices:

• Emotions and easy access to fast foods and snacks are among the many things that influence our food choices today.
• Lack of time leads many people to eat on an irregular schedule or skip meals. People who do that have more trouble staying at a healthy weight than people who eat regular meals.
• Sometimes a food that seems like a healthier choice may not be. A low-fat cookie may have less fat, but usually it is high in sugar and has the same number of calories as a regular cookie. Potato chips that are "cholesterol-free" may still be high in fat and calories.
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  Physical activity—how much you move—is the third factor that affects your weight

  Being physically active is an important part of staying at a healthy weight.

  • Regular activity helps you stay fit. When you're fit, you feel better and have more energy for work and for your family. When you're fit, you burn more calories, even when you're resting.
  • Even if you are overweight or obese, you will benefit from being more physically fit. Improving your fitness is good for your heart, lungs, bones, and joints. And it lowers your risk for heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. If you already have one or more of these problems, getting more fit may help you control other health problems and make you feel better.
  • Moderate activity is safe for most people, but it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program.

  
  
  
  

Winning the battle of the bulge

When it comes to winning the battle, you can make a big difference just by drinking water instead of soda. Yes I know water isn't very interesting and after a couple of bottles I'm ready for something else. Remember if your goal is to lose weight, then all those drinks you consume during the day all have calories. And if your drinking a no calorie drink or low calorie drink they all have chemicals added so adherence the flavor. Very few store bought drinks are really good for you. Manufacturers make these drinks to make money, not to make anything that might be good for you. 

The results from just drinking water can be dramatic; in fact, research shows that cutting beverage calories results in more weight loss than cutting food calories. It’s not just soda, fruit drinks and those Latte’s are all laden with sugar. Drinks like orange juice, apple juice or Gatorade along with the sodas and coffee drinks can account for as much as 2000 calories a day, especially in the hot months when you drink more. All can or bottled beverages except for water contain real sugar or some form of artificial sweetener and they all contain calories except water or tea or black coffee. And even the drinks that say they have 0 calories still have trace amounts. Fructose contained in drinks has also been found to boost fat storage and leads to hormone changes that increase overall food intake.

People who keep sipping those drinks while there dieting will find they can’t shed any weight and they don’t get it. But losing weight is about reducing your calories. Many people who don’t need to diet are still cutting calories, just because now research shows that reducing calories and living on the minimum amount of calories will extend your life. Remember that last sentence, it's the most important part of this post.

So, what’s the magic number of calories?  Well, the number is different for everybody. But one thing scientist know is that the number is less than 2000 calories a day for everyone. And the number is less for women than men. Naturally, the smaller person you are the less calories you need and smaller doesn’t mean shorter, smaller person is a term used to indicate how big you might be if you were the proper size for your skeleton.

This is really where your doctor comes in. He can tell you exactly how much you need to lose, and how many calories to eat to lose that weight. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you shouldn’t put off losing weight. Get down to the right size and you’ll be healthier, live longer and spend a lot less money in the doctor’s office.

Eating Habits Your Parents Got Wrong

I’ve outlined five myths about eating habits.

1. No snacking! You'll ruin your appetite!

Actually, snacking can be healthy, as long as you choose wisely. A healthy snack serves many purposes. I eat a little smaller breakfast because I know I’ll be eating again in 3 hours. I’m not as hungry at lunch because I ate three hours ago and I’ll be snacking again in about three hours. My dinner will be smaller because I’m not as hungry because I just ate something three hours before . If I’m going to be up more than four hours after dinner, I’ll snack again about three hours after dinner.

I know what you’re thinking, what about all those calories?, but it’s not that much, snacks can be healthy and not a lot of calories. My general rule is never go four hours without eating (something small) This keeps your Blood Sugars stable. Fluctuations in blood sugar will cause cravings. And eating more often will avoid that. When your hungry, you over eat and then your blood sugar spikes and when it drops or crashes you’re hungry again.

Tip: Try cutting back slightly on size of meals so you can have three daily snacks between 100 and 200 calories. Good choices include nuts, fruit, yogurt, and vegetables with dip. By snacking, you’ll avoid those big meals.

At first you might have to count calories. When you eat six times a day it’s easy to over-eat. (Consult your doctor for your correct calorie intake for your size.)

2. Finish everything on your plate.

It's fine to leave a little food, get in tune with your body to know when you've had enough. (if your worried about wasting food, save it for later, there's nothing wrong with leftovers) or simply do not fill your plate so full.

Tip: As you're eating, notice how you're feeling. Are you full? Are you eating just because there is still food on your plate? Be particularly careful when you're eating out -- the food is appealing, the plates are huge, and you may want to eat it all because you paid for it. If there are large portions, ask for half now and have them box the other half. Remember the dangers of spiking your blood sugar.

3. Don't eat before exercising -- you'll get a cramp.

You won't want to go running immediately after dinner, but eating a little bit 30 to 60 minutes before exercising can help you maximize your workout. (carbs before, protein after). You'll get a quick boost of energy that helps you optimize the exercise session.

Tip: Choose high-carbohydrate, low-fat, low-fiber snacks with moderate amounts of protein in the 100- to 300-calorie range, such as a glass of chocolate milk, a slice of toast with peanut butter, or a granola bar. Fruit is also fine, although it won't have much protein (add a few nuts for that). Personally, I like a plain yogurt cup and I add dried fruit.

4. Hurry up!

Did your parents rush your breakfast so you were on time for school? If you still eat in a hurry, you might miss your body's cues that you're full. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to register that you feel full. If you eat too quickly, you can scarf down a lot of food in a 20-minute period, and then you feel stuffed.

Tip: Slow down. Take mini-breaks by putting your food and utensils down between bites. I like to eat with other people, I spend more time talking and less time eating.

5. You deserve dessert today!

We never want to use food as a reward; it sends the brain a wrong message. The wires get crossed, and we no longer eat because we're hungry; we eat because we were good and we deserve something. This behavior starts at childhood.  It was a way parents got their kids to finish all their food.  Today we know to leave kids alone, there’ll eat when their hungry.

Tip: It's great to reward yourself, but not with food. How about a movie, a manicure, or time with friends? Soon, you'll realize that you shouldn't just eat because you think you deserve something.

Those five myths were drummed into my head as a child and I'm sure many other kids too. Today, most of us know better and we do thinks differently with our kids.

But the overweight problem is getting worse, not better. Americans' belt size continues to inch up, and women's waistlines are widening faster than men's, according to new government research.

The average waist size ballooned more than an inch -- from 37.6 inches to 38.8 inches -- between 1999 and 2012, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers found.

Based on their waist circumference, 54 percent of Americans were abdominally obese in 2012, up from 46 percent 13 years earlier.

"Waists are still expanding in the U.S., and particularly so among women," said study researcher Dr. Earl Ford, a medical officer at the CDC.

While men's waists increased less than an inch -- about 0.8 of an inch on average -- women's midriffs grew about twice that, or 1.5 inches, Ford said.

Waistlines larger than 35 inches for women and more than 40 inches for men are considered abdominal obesity, a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.
Waist circumference is a simple tool that reflects the amount of total body fat and intra-abdominal body fat. Like body mass index (BMI), which is a calculation based on height to weight, it is used to predict heart disease risk.

For the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Ford and his colleagues used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) on nearly 33,000 men and women ages 20 and older. The finding that waist sizes are still increasing was surprising, Ford said, since the prevalence of obesity seems to have reached a plateau recently. Even so, more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, according to the CDC.

Why women's waist sizes are enlarging more than men's isn't clear, Ford said.
As baby boomers age, the natural decrease in muscle mass and slowing metabolism leads to more body fat. In addition, given the size of the baby boomer generation, these aging changes will impact statistics. Inadequate activity is probably a factor, too, as it leads to body fat gain.

Getting at least five or six hours of sleep nightly may help regulate hunger and help prevent more weight gain. Also, current guidelines call for at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week, a figure few Americans achieve.

Children and teens in the United States may be faring better, according to another study published in July 2014. For that report, University of Minnesota researchers used the same NHANES data and found the proportion of children ages 2 to 18 classified as obese based on waist size held steady at nearly 18 percent from 2003 through 2012.

For the younger generation research is showing hope that the problem will get smaller in years to come, but in the short term, obesity is on the raise. Today 66% of adults are overweight and in 10 years the percentage will climb to 75%. It looks like the thirty something's and older will have to deal with the overweight problem and the next generation may get a pass. They maybe learning from us and hopefully won't make the same mistakes.

How Long Will It Take To Reach My Goal?

This is a frequently asked question. The answer is different for everyone. If you are only 20 pounds or so over your goal weight then a 200 pound man can expect to loss about 2 pounds a week. If you're a woman who weighs about 140 and wants to lose 20 pounds then 2 pounds every  week might be too much to expect. And it also depends on your age. For instance, a young woman who has had a baby recently will loss her 20 pounds faster than a woman in her late 40's who has carried the extra weight for a few years. If you have been over weight for sometime, it will take longer to lose it.

So several things being considered, 20 pounds may take 2 months for a new mom to lose, or it might take a man 200 pounds age 65, one years to drop the weight. This is what you need to consider; your weight and your age, what kind of physical shape am I in? The better the condition the more exercise you'll be able to do. How motivated am I? You have to stay with it. And don't forget the diet, you can't cheat, if your going to reach your goal.

That's a big problem "cheating". If your on a 2 pound a week weight lose program, it doesn't take much to stop losing and start gaining.  Yes, it will take time but if your going to be thin for the rest of your life, go slow and keep it up. Once you reach 10 pounds of lost weight, you'll start feeling better, but don't stop and don't start cheating. Even after you reach your goal, don't stop. That's how everyone else gains the weight back. And I did have to stop drinking alcohol until I reached my goal and then I could go back to a drink occasionally without gaining. You see, alcohol will mess with your metabolism and that stops the fat burning process. Now after you reach your goal your metabolism is back to normal and an occasional drink doesn't hurt.

I stopped smoking cold turkey back in the seventies and it's just as tough. But when you make up your mind that you must do it, then and only then will you loss weight. Remember it's a change of lifestyle and not about dieting for a few weeks.

How long it takes to lose weight is a question that's impossible to answer. Most people don't want to make a long-term commitment to a new way of living, even though that's what it's going to take.

If you follow this blog, in the archives, there's over 200 posts, all the posts are related to diet, exercise and losing weight. Most people fail at weight loss because they're not really serious, their clothes are starting to get tight and they don't want to buy a new wardrobe. O.K., that's a reason, but not a good reason. They will probably fail. Another popular reason for losing weight is someone is nagging you, maybe it's your spouse or your doctor. Those reason will carry a little more weight and your going to try harder but most people just end up on diet pills. They take the easy way out. And most of them won't keep the weight off.

I always tell people that they have to change their life. Make time to exercise and start eating the right food and quit eating the junk. Stop over-eating and only eat good snacks.

And I go through a list of do's and don't's and they have to stick to it and don't give up. That's why most people fail, they give-up.

Looking for a healthier way to live

I found a great article I want to share with you. I added a few comments along the way. These are the same beliefs I have and I write about in all my blogs. The chef who wrote this is a typical full-time worker who squeezes in family time and a busy work schedule. The whole idea of 5 or 6 small meals a day is not a new concept. In some parts of the world this is the way they eat everyday. But because this country began as a country of mostly Europeans, we adopted their ways and in part we still do.

The three heavy meals per day really became popular as the population became more industrialized. As more and more of the population worked in factories and other types of production jobs, people got use to eating before and at mid-day and in the evening, after work and around the work schedule.

In the day when man was a nomad and traveled with the herds or like some spent their day's fishing, man would eat while on the move, eating more fruits, berries, root type vegetables, nuts and things they could find along the way. Man didn’t farm in those nomad times, but people did fish and most of the population lived around the shore of the seas and oceans.

I believe man started to do damage to himself or damage to his or her health when we fled to the cities for work. The industrial revolution that started in the 1800's in England would change our lifestyle forever. Today, I believe we realize what our lifestyle is doing to our health and we are looking for a better way.

Published on Health and Fitness website:

I'm a chef (and a mom). You might think that eating frequent meals wouldn’t be an issue.

I understand the concept: Five or six small meals a day takes the edge off your appetite, evens out blood sugar levels, and keeps your energy steady. But I confess: I don’t always eat this way.

Although my fitness trainer encourages me to eat healthy food every few hours, my meals usually look like this: coffee, a bit more coffee, lunch at 3 p.m., dinner at 9 p.m. I start over again the next morning.

When I decided to change this habit, I found that doing these five things helped:

Plan ahead. Five meals a day equals breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. To do this right, you need to plan what you’ll eat every day for each “meal.” And you need to schedule eating every 2 to 3 hours.

Stock up. Face it: You’re going to grab whatever food is closest. So stock up on veggies, fruit, healthy carbs, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

Go for taste. Choose snack foods that will sustain you and taste good. Remember, healthy food can be satisfying.

Whip up a smoothie. Blend fruit, milk, yogurt, and a little honey for a sweet, filling snack packed with vitamins, fiber, protein, and calcium. Combine carbs and protein to stay full longer. Try whole wheat toast with peanut butter or a hard-boiled egg; whole-grain pasta with olive oil and cheese; or oatmeal with fruit, milk, and honey. Or make yourself a big pot of soup (like my Tuscan chicken soup) to heat up for lunches or snacks.

Eat foods rich in antioxidants to help fight free radicals -- unstable oxygen molecules that contribute to the aging process. Antioxidants can be found in colorful vegetables and fruits like berries, beets, and tomatoes. For a balanced diet and to help you reduce your risk of developing cancer and heart disease, add at least five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables to your diet each day.

Olive oil is a tasty monounsaturated fat that may positively affect memory. A compound in extra-virgin olive oil called oleocanthol is a natural anti-inflammatory and produces effects similar to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs. One study of men showed that olive oil, especially extra-virgin, increased HDL, the good cholesterol that clears fat from blood vessel walls -- a condition known as atherosclerosis.

Berries are a great source of antioxidants. Strawberries, blueberries, and acai berries are just some examples of polyphenol-rich berries. These powerful compounds may help combat cancers and degenerative diseases of the brain. Frozen berries contain polyphenols, too. Check out the grocery store's freezer case and include berries in your diet year-round.

Top your salad with tuna or salmon instead of chicken. Fish has been called "brain food" because its fatty acids, DHA and EPA, are important to brain and nervous system development. Eating fish one to two times a week may also lower the risk of dementia. Omega-3 fats found in fatty fish can lower cholesterol and triglycerides. It can also help ease the inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis.

Add fiber-rich beans to your diet three to four times a week. Fiber may help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, prevent constipation, and help digestion. And because you feel full longer, eating a diet high in fiber can help you lose weight. Top a salad with chickpeas or use beans in place of meat in soups. Beans contain complex carbohydrates to help regulate glucose levels, which is important for people with diabetes.

Veggies contain fiber, phytonutrients, and loads of vitamins and minerals that may protect you from chronic diseases. Dark, leafy greens contain vitamin K for strong bones. Sweet potatoes and carrots contain vitamin A, which helps keep eyes and skin healthy and protects against infection. Studies suggest having a serving of tomatoes or tomato products every day may prevent the DNA damage associated with the development of prostate cancer.

People living near the Mediterranean regularly incorporate olive oil, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and an occasional glass of red wine into their meals. Instead of salt, they rely on spices and herbs to flavor their foods. This "Mediterranean diet" can be beneficial to heart health, can reduce the risks of mild memory impairment, and may ward off certain cancers.

Whether eaten whole or ground into paste, nuts are packed with cholesterol-free protein and other nutrients. Almonds are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the body from cell damage and helps boosts the immune system. Pecans contain antioxidants. The unsaturated fats in walnuts can help reduce LDL and raise HDL cholesterol. But nuts aren't fat-free. One ounce of almonds -- about 24 nuts -- contains 160 calories. So eat nuts in moderation.

Drinking vitamin D-fortified beverages like milk helps increase calcium absorption. That's especially important for bone health. Vitamin D may also help reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers. Eat yogurt with live cultures to aid digestion.

Eating whole grains can reduce your risk of certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Choose whole-grain breads and pastas and brown or wild rice instead of white. Drop barley into soups or add plain oatmeal to meatloaf. Whole grains are minimally processed, so they retain more nutritional value. The fiber in whole grains helps prevent digestive problems such as constipation and diverticular disease.

Keeping off extra weight puts less pressure on your joints, less strain on your heart, and can reduce your risk of certain cancers. It gets tougher to do as metabolism slows and as you lose muscle with age. Select proteins like lean meats, tuna, or beans. Include vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. It takes more energy for your body to break down complex carbs, and the added fiber will help you feel fuller.

Sometimes as people age, it's difficult for them to keep weight on. You may have a harder time recovering from illness or injury if you're underweight. Eat three meals a day, with healthy snacks in between. Try whole milk instead of skim but limit your overall saturated fat to avoid high cholesterol. Eat the most calorie-heavy item in your meal first. If needed, add a meal supplement until you reach your desired weight.

The concept of small meals throughout the day made my weight loss easy and with almost no exercise, now I wish I had done more but with a hectic work schedule exercise for me was off and on as time promoted.

I found the trick to several small meals is planning. You have to stay less than 300 calories per meal, so at first it took a lot of research and making notes until I found 6 small meals that gave me enough nutrition for the energy I need and still stay under 1800 calories a day. The first meal was at 7 a.m., then 10, then 1 p.m., then 4 and finally 7p.m. I try never to eat the last two hours before bed. Now that schedule worked good for me, but some people are active till late in the evening and they might get hungry again, so hours have to be adjusted to your schedule.

I still follow the small meal plan even today and I'm not trying to lose weight, I just want to maintain and after your body is use to a different schedule you'll like it. I never have any of those problems caused by over-eating. I do pack my own food more than before so I'm not eating from the snack machine. But I can go to lunch with friends and have something small, but still healthy and not feel left out. At first you will be eating the same things over and over, but you can vary your diet by doing more research and trying new foods for the first time.

Dread The Gym? Your Not The Only One

This is an article from WEBMD, I made a few comments.

Want to hit the gym, but can't quite seem to make it there? Your schedule might not be the only reason. If you're feeling bored or self-conscious, afraid of injury, or just plain uncomfortable, there are solutions for all of those.                

1. “I’m too heavy for the gym.”

Maybe you think that people who go to the gym are already in shape. Not so! 

The first time I went it was late morning and I thought it was a hangout for Seniors. 

If you're afraid that people will judge your appearance, “remember that everyone is there to improve how they look and feel,” says Anika Christ, a program manager with Life Time Fitness. The first gym I joined was a 24 hour fitness center. They’re popular because not everyone likes to workout with the crowds. I like to visit a gym a few times before I commit. See for myself when it's slow and you can work the machines without waiting. I also like a gym with a pool. I like to swim on alternate days, you can’t do the treadmill or lift weights everyday. A gym membership can be beneficial if your new at this. A trainer can help you get started. You don’t need them forever, but they can help you get on the right track.

Try these ideas:

• Buddy up. To make yourself feel more comfortable, bring a friend with you.
• Pick your spot. Go for a machine that’s away from the action (and, perhaps, far from a mirror, if you don't want to see yourself while you're exercising), or nab a spot in the rear corner of a fitness class. Do whatever makes you feel at ease. You are in control.

Working out regularly can make you feel more confident. It's also a mood-booster. “One session at the gym can enhance your mood for up to 12 hours,” Christ says. It’s true, a good workout gets your engine running and can workout the aches and pains. You’ll feel like you accomplished something.

2. “I don’t know how to use the equipment.”

Never seen a kettlebell? Stumped by the settings on that rowing machine? That can feel intimidating.

Try this: Prep yourself ahead of time so you know what to expect.

“A quick online search will give you dozens of pictures, videos, and articles explaining the proper ways to use a piece of equipment or perform an exercise," says Aaron Maibach, a certified personal trainer in San Francisco.

If you still feel unsure once you start your workout, ask an employee or someone else who’s around for help. “Feeling lost in the gym happens to everyone,” Maibach says.

3. “I get so bored!”

Putting your head down, blasting your iPod, and focusing only on the exercise at hand is motivating for some people. For others, it’s not enough to beat boredom, says psychologist Patricia A. Farrell, PhD. Generally this happens to people who do the same machine for extended length of time. I can understand, I use a stationary bike for more then 30 minutes a day. I find a bike near a TV and I watch TV or sometimes read.

Try this: Shake up your routine. Try a group fitness classes -- from tai chi to Zumba -- most gyms offer. Yoga is popular now and you can usually find a beginner class if you go in the morning or after work.

"Working out with other people gives you camaraderie and pumps up your enthusiasm," Farrell says. "You get a sense of 'We're all in this together,' which eliminates the feeling of 'I have to do this alone.'" 

Try to smile while you're getting your sweat on: Smiling releases endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals, and lowers stress, according to a study from the University of California at Irvine.

4. “I don’t have anything to wear.”

Workout clothes can be super-tight, trendy, and expensive. But they don't have to be.

Try this: Choose an outfit that fits your shape now, not what you hope you’ll look like after you’ve been hitting the gym for 6 months, Christ says. 

Pants and a loose shirt are a good choice. Dark, solid colors will help you blend in. “Buy something comfortable that makes you feel confident,” Christ says. 

No need to make a huge investment. If you're working on weight loss, you may need to buy a smaller-sized outfit soon.

5. “I’m worried I’ll get hurt.”

Forget the old saying “no pain, no gain.” “Exercise shouldn’t be horrible and difficult,” says Erin McGill, director of training and design at the National Academy of Sports Medicine. 

If your last trip to the gym was torturous, you likely overshot your abilities, or your body alignment was off.

Try this: Sign up with a personal trainer who can show you the correct way to move and ease you into a program that’s right for your fitness level. Some gyms offer a complimentary session to new members.

If you’re working out on your own, remember: Less is more. “Quality of movement is far more important than doing X number of reps or spending X amount of time on the treadmill,” McGill says.

6. “Why should I even start? I’ll never stick with it.”

Thinking like this defeats you before you even step into the locker room. If you’re serious about losing weight, exercise is as important as your diet. 

“Many people assume they need to put in excessive hours at the gym and overcommit right from the get-go,” Christ says. “When you do too much too soon, you won’t be able to stick to it.” So take baby steps.

Try this: Exercise one time this week for no more than 30 minutes (and make it as fun as possible). Add another workout the following week, and slowly build in more sessions from there. 

Weight loss isn’t about going as hard and fast as you can, Christ says. “It’s about behavior change and building [good] habits.”

7. “I really hate the gym.”

You absolutely -- hands down, no doubt about it -- can’t bear the thought of going to the gym. So don't go. “You can accomplish plenty of goals outside the gym,” McGill says.

Try this: You still need to exercise, but you can pick where you do it. 

“Tennis, hiking, walking, and/or biking can all burn calories and help you get in shape," McGill says. "Think about what activity you like to do; then do it more."

Whatever you choose, don’t push yourself too hard. Overdoing exercise will just make you more likely to hate your workout.

Emotional Eating; What Help?

This is a great article about the number one biggest problem that causes over-eating.  

By Joy Manning, Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS 

Does stress, anger, or sadness drive you to eat? Do you turn to food for comfort, or when you're bored? Many people do. If you often eat for emotional reasons instead of because you're physically hungry, that can be a problem.

Obeying the urge to eat more than you need is a sure-fire way to gain weight. It’s an even bigger problem if you already have health conditions like diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure.

You can get back in control of your emotional eating. The surprising part is, it's not really about food at all.

You might not even realize you're doing it. One of the biggest clues: “Eating until you are uncomfortable and stuffed is a sure sign something is going on," psychologist Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhD, says.

Another clue: You're gaining weight and you don't know why. Don’t assume that it’s just that you’re getting older or slacking on the treadmill. Consider how you're doing emotionally, and whether that might be affecting your eating.

Foods That Help Tame Stress

“Self-compassion is the first step toward learning to comfort yourself in other ways." -- Leslie Becker Phelps, PhD

Be Kind to Yourself

Once you’ve realized this is happening, the first thing you should do is give yourself a break.

“Greater self-compassion is the first step toward learning to comfort yourself in other ways,” Becker-Phelps says. Beating yourself up over it only adds to your stress, which can lead to more emotional eating.

Next, pay attention to the thoughts and feelings you have before you eat. “The more aware you are of your inner experiences, the more you can choose how to cope with them,” Becker-Phelps says.

Seek Solutions

The solution to emotional eating is less about eating than it is about emotions.

You can start with a simple step. “Make a list of what is stressing you, and make a plan to take control of the situation,” New York psychologist Patricia Farrell, PhD, says.

If you can change the situation, go for it. If the problem is out of your control, you can manage the way you think about it. If you can notice your stress in the moment, you can choose how you respond, rather than reacting the way you have in the past.

Consider talking with a counselor so you can better understand what's going on with you and the best ways to handle it. Even a few sessions may help.

Press Pause

It helps to add a delay between the urge to eat and actually eating. That gives you time to check in with how you're feeling and why you want to eat.

When you get the urge to eat a cookie out of sadness or boredom, remember that you have the option to wait it out. “Saying to yourself ‘I’ll have it later’ gives the impulse time to pass,” Farrell says. Even if it doesn’t, successfully delaying the snack helps you feel more in control.

“Wear a rubber band around your wrist, and snap it whenever you reach for the jelly beans,” Farrell says. The snap is your cue to be mindful about what's about to happen.

Get Moving

When you’re tempted to snack for emotional reasons, try moving instead.

“Just walk in place for 10 minutes,” Farrell says. Even a quick burst of activity refreshes you, and moving is a proven stress-buster. You've replaced the urge to eat with something else.

Keep It Real

The truth is not all emotional eating is unhealthy. It’s normal and natural occasionally to eat to celebrate with friends or because you’re feeling blue. “It only becomes a problem when it is used frequently and even in the face of unhealthy consequences, such as medical issues,” Becker-Phelps says.

Some of us snack when we watch TV, that's not really hunger pains, your not hungry, your bored. Then others will snack or binge eat when their worried or depressed. This is something I wrote about a few months ago. If your going to lose weight you'll have to first realize what is causing your weight problem. That's the hardest part, admitting your problem and knowing what your doing wrong. After that you can working on making changes that will help you lose weight.