I'm a massive comfort eater. I am not naturally in shape and nor do I find eating a varied and healthy diet that easy! That's why I know how hard it can be and can empathise. I have to work daily to combat the pitfalls of eating and training that we all fall into! Learn more about my journey to becoming a Coach HERE.
Stress is one of my biggest downfalls for triggering comfort eating so. If I'm stressed, I'm eating anything in arms reach. Here's what I do to combat the stress related eating.
The Stress Free Diet
I realised something yesterday. I don't really spend a lot of time or effort making healthy food choices. But I do spend a lot of time reducing stress, keeping things simple and avoiding particularly stressful situations where possible. And that's because I comfort eat.
When I am happy, 'sane', busy (but not too busy) and doing what I love - I eat well. I don't think about what I'm going to eat and I don't feel like I am 'forcing' myself to eat well. Because I am not fighting any negativity or stress - both of which are drive me to eat!
However, when I'm stressed all I want is junk food. The emotional part of my brain is stressed out (from the stress) and stressed out from trying to force myself away from food. It doesn't take long for my willpower to get really tired, and I become to be unable to stop myself eating junk food.
Elephants
Here's the metaphor that I use. The emotional part of your brain is like an elephant with a rider on his or her back. The rider is the rational part of your brain.
When there is no stress, no temptation, no problems, the rider and the elephant are free to walk along the path towards their destination is happiness, together. However, when something scares the elephant, or stresses the elephant, the rider must hold the reigns to keep him in control.
When there is tempting elephant food to either side of the path, once again, the rider must control the elephant to keep it moving forward. Combine these two things and suddenly the rider is not only tired from holding the elephant in check against stress and fear and all sorts of other emotions, he's also holding the elephant in check against tempting food.
Eventually the rider will get tired and the elephant will run off, with a helpless rider on top, and will eat lots of tasty junk food.
Remove the Stress
If you take away the stress and fear, the rider is going to have a lot more energy to guide the elephant towards the healthy choices and away from the junk food! Scare the elephant and the rider is going to stand no chance of stopping it. Focus more on reducing stress and giving your calm and in control brain a fighting chance of making the right choice.
That's how I approach most of my training and food with clients and myself. I make them as stress free as possible, and avoid stress at all costs. If you comfort eat - stop worrying about what you eat and start worrying about what you feel.
Six Week Health Challenge
If you're here you probably know about my Six Week Health Challenge. If you don't, go and check it out HERE. If will help you get healthier AND be in with a chance to win a bunch of Steem :)
Yours in health,
Coach Ben #coachben
