Have you ever eaten a delicious meal and wanted to go back for more, even when you’re full?
Maybe you were taught that food should not go to waste or second helpings were common in your family. The reasons can even be related to sights, sounds, smells, situations, locations or emotions. These triggers can make you want to eat, even when you’re not hungry.
I have always firmly believed that losing weight and maintaining weight is not black and white, with the age old “eat less, exercise more” solution. While this of course does contribute to weight loss, there are so many other factors in between the space from the starting line to the finish line.
For me, understanding the “why” with situations helps me stop and recognize what I’m doing, resulting in making better choices. For example, when my kids were little, I used to work very late into the night until 2pm or so. I did this because while everyone was sleeping, I could get my work done without any interruptions. And I admit, it was my time, with no questions being asked, fights to referee, chores to be done….you get it. The house was quiet.
What I found is that I kept wanting to snack during these hours. And it finally dawned on me why. My body was looking for energy. If it couldn’t sleep to restore the energy it was looking to get it from somewhere else.
Another thing that works against us is that we have inborn survival mechanisms to want to eat and store food for a rainy day, when a consistent source of food disappears. However, we all know living in our country, this day will likely never come.
When we restrict caloric intake, it goes against your body’s natural instincts. Dieting with calorie restriction is not natural and only a small percentage of people who succeed have lasting results.
What we should be doing is taking a pause after eating and asking “am I really hungry or is there some other reason I want more food.” Could you be tired and your body craves energy? Could you be thirsty and mistaking it for hunger? Upset or stressed by a situation and want a pleasant distraction? Happy and want to celebrate? Maybe sad and want to comfort yourself?
There are a myriad of reasons this can be happening. Despite all of these inherent reasons for why we do what we do, there are strategies for overcoming eating when we aren’t hungry.
The trick with all of this is to understand you are not undisciplined or lack willpower. You just need to understand and manage the survival mechanisms built into each of us that may no longer apply to our modern world.
I really enjoyed doing the Best Body Countdown Challenge! All of the meals were so good and very easy to prepare. I especially loved how the recipes were all laid out for us in a clear, concise manner with complete grocery lists, which made everything a snap from beginning to end.
Also, I loved how there was so much support from Sohailla via Zoom meetings, email, text, and Facebook. She really stayed connected. It was also good to connect with the other participants as well for inspiration and encouragement.
My family and I enjoyed the meals and we plan to continue with the Best Body Meal plan going forward as part of our daily lives.
I lost 8 lbs and an inch and a half off my hips and waist. I feel so inspired to keep going until I reach my goal weight.
This is the best program I’ve ever participated in and I would highly recommend this to everyone!
Amazing instructors who make you feel welcome and go the extra mile to teach you. The other students are great to work with, and I learned a lot in my first two sessions.
Experienced a huge increase in fitness and confidence from martial arts and strengthening classes. Super flexible schedule, cannot recommend highly enough.