Put a Stop To Out Of Control Eating!

I was just talking with some of my personal training clients and friends yesterday during our session, and we were discussing our snacking habits, and how easily it is to get caught up shoveling tons of food in your face and not realizing how many calories you are really taking in.

I, for one, am guilty of this at night time. I finally get to semi-relax after my two year old goes to bed and my hubby and I can tag team with our 12 week old daughter as we watch some of our favorite DVR'd shows.

It may sound all well and good up until there, but then we both get out our favorite snacks and start shoving our faces full for a good long time. Sure, it feels fulfilling in the moment, but after I realize how much I ate, I feel downright guilty. I do think it is ok to snack in moderation and eat treats in moderation, but you know when you are crossing that line, and I cross that line! Ughh!

So, if you find yourself in that same situation, I want to give you a few tricks on how to handle it.

1. Take notice of how hungry you ACTUALLY are before you start snacking. Take a few deep breaths and tune into your body. One a scale of 1-10, evaluate where you are in terms of hunger. Now, you don't want to be at a 9-10 before eating, but probably at about a 7-8.
2. While you are eating, stop for a second and check in with yourself again on that hunger scale. Remember, it takes your body a little time to register feeling full. Try counting to 10 and just think about what you are doing.
3. Pay attention to and enjoy what you are eating. Savor it! Smell it! Feel the texture in your mouth! Don't just wolf it down like you haven't seen food in days. (I wonder what I would look like sitting on my couch pigging out at night.  Maybe I should set up a video cam just to scare myself into getting a hold of my snacking)
4. I also read that if you stop for a moment when you are snacking and flex your muscles, it will help you feel empowered to stop and remind yourself of your healthy goals.(Hmmm... that would really be cute for the video tape)

Now, if I could only follow my own advice. :-)

Do your best for each day, and don't get too hard on yourself.

To your health,
Cara