Catching Yourself In A Binge or Compulsive Eating: Stopping Behaviors

Oh, no . . . You suddenly realize that you are well on your way to eating more than you had intended. Maybe it's a meal that you've already eaten too much of, or perhaps an unexpected binge. How do you stop? It's not going to be easy, and that's certainly an understatement, but it is possible to find a way to put the brakes on.

The first step is always to find some way to wake up from the trance you're in. No matter how much has already been eaten, a person has to be able to snap back to reality before anything else can happen. The trick is discovering how to regain consciousness. You'll have to find what works for you, but some methods of bringing yourself back to the here and now can include:

* Go to a mirror and look yourself deep in the eyes. Say hello to yourself.

* Get a broader perspective of what is happening. Step back and see the whole picture. Acknowledge where you are and what you were doing. Begin to see the whole forest and not just a giant close up of the trees.

* Talk out loud to yourself. Call yourself by name and say "wake up".

* Shake your head to clear out the cobwebs.

* Plant visual cues in your kitchen:

- Place a special blooming potted plant on your kitchen table. Looking at it might remind you of your potential to bloom and prosper.

- Put a baby picture of yourself as a baby on your refrigerator. Look at how pure and happy you are.

List a few methods you can think of to bring yourself back into a mindful state:

_______________________________

_______________________________

___________ ____________________

_______________________________

B. LISTEN TO YOUR THOUGHTS

Now that you're awake - Pause. Consciously notice the thoughts running through your head. Separate yourself from them and just take a moment to listen. Notice what they are saying to you. Are they critical thoughts about what you've already done? Or defeatist? Perhaps they run along these lines:

"Look at what you've done now."

"Everything that you've worked for is now undone."

"It's going to take so much longer to lose weight now."

"Since you've eaten this much, no reason to stop now."

"What the heck, you've already failed. "Might as well enjoy it now that you've given in."

"It's useless. No point now in stopping."

Once you hear your thoughts, stop and acknowledge them. Talk back to them with a non-confrontational style. Something along the lines of, "Yes, I hear you. Notice your thoughts instead of agreeing or arguing with them. You are not required to agree or disagree with them. Simply hear them as an observer. You might say, "Yes, I hear that you're saying . . . (fill in your own blank)." Take a moment and notice the feeling that goes along with the thoughts. Observe where in your body the feeling is, and see if you can give it a name.

C. BREATH

Now, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Breath in through your nose, allowing the breath to go deeply into your lower belly. Breath out naturally. Feel yourself breathing. Allow the breath to enter the area of your body that is holding onto the feeling from above. Slowly release any tightness or constriction in your body. Let go. Breathe. Relax.

D. COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS

Talk compassionately to yourself. No matter what has happened or how much you've already eaten, begin speaking kindly and compassionately to yourself. Yes, I can hear the protests already: "How can I talk nicely to myself when I've just blown it? I hate myself for what I've done." My only response is, will beating yourself up for your actions help you achieve the overall success you want? Has it worked so far? Didn't think so.

Being critical only serves to maintain and reinforce status quo. Taking the time to intentionally feed and nurture what you desire (even if you failed big time) will strengthen that which you are in the process of cultivating. It is choice that will determine your destiny. Choose criticism and you learn nothing, move nowhere. Choose compassion for self and you move forward. One episode of overeating will not affect anything in the scheme of things. However criticism, and feeling defeat, and giving up will turn one episode into an ongoing event.

Now is the time to remember your dreams, relocate your desire, and be clear about your direction. Criticism destroys this. Positive thoughts, even in the face of a setback, will reinforce your destination. Stop and think - are you trying to reinforce failure or determination? It is up to you, and you alone, to make the choice to strengthen your goals.

Here are some examples:

* I forgive myself for what I have done.

* Now is the time to begin again. I do not need to wait until tomorrow.

* I haven't failed. The only failure is failing to learn something from this experience. What have I learned?

* I am back in control now. I can choose my response from this point forward.

List a few sentences or quotes that will begin to bring calmness and control back to you:

_______________________________

_______________________________

_____________ __________________

_______________________________

In advance of such an episode, you might consider putting a positive self-talk speech on tape. If you had such a recording prepared, now would be the time to hit the play button. You might use the following for an idea of what to pre-record:

"Hello Annette. I see that you woke up from the trance you were in. Congratulations. That's something new. Now that you are back to real time, notice what a good job you did of waking up when you did. You are doing so good. I am proud of you. Yes, I can see that you are disappointed in your actions. It's okay to feel disappointment. It's also okay to forgive yourself. So, close your eyes and listen closely. Annette, you are a wonderful person. Yes, you overate, and it's not the end of the world. In truth, it was just one meal. Everything is going to be okay. Remember your goal. (Fill in your goal). You can do this. I have faith in you. I love you."

Copyright 2005, Dr. Annette Colby, all rights reserved.

Dr. Annette Colby, RD
Nutrition Therapist & Master Energy Healer
"Opening Creative Portals to Success"
972.985.8750
annette@annettecolby.com

For free inspirational newsletter, articles & info visit: annette@annettecolby.com

family-safe home cleaners Lincolnshire ..
In The News:

Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.
Unlock richer audio from your streaming apps with simple tweaks to volume normalization, equalizer settings, and quality preferences for cleaner sound.
Scammers are sending fake Facebook settlement payout emails that mimic legitimate notices from the privacy settlement administrator to deceive users.
Holiday shopping scams surge as fake refund emails target distracted consumers during Black Friday and holiday seasons, costing Americans billions annually.
The AI-powered IRMO M1 exoskeleton features four modes, including turbo, eco, training and rest for hiking, running, cycling and sports with eight-hour battery life.
OpenAI announced upgrades for its ChatGPT Images platform on Tuesday, saying the program can now make more precise edits and produce images more quickly.
Chrome for Android now turns web articles into AI-powered podcast conversations. Get hands-free browsing with Google Gemini's natural audio summaries.
LastPass faces $1.6 million fine from U.K. regulators after 2022 data breach exposed 1.6 million users. Password manager failed proper security controls.
Petco disclosed a data breach exposing customer Social Security numbers, financial account details, and driver's license information due to a software error.
Baseball teams can now analyze complete swing mechanics in normal training environments using Theia's markerless AI system that processes standard high-speed footage.
Smart home hacking fears overblown? Expert reveals real cybersecurity risks and simple protection tips to keep your connected devices safe from hackers.
MIT develops needle-free glucose monitor using light technology. Revolutionary device could replace painful finger pricks for diabetes management.
The ClickFix campaign disguises malware as legitimate Windows updates, using steganography to hide shellcode in PNG files and bypass security detection systems.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University designed a 21-foot dome that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-sustaining urban food system.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
ChatGPT data breach exposes personal info of users through partner Mixpanel. OpenAI confirms names, emails compromised in security incident.
Android rolls out Emergency Live Video for 911 calls, letting dispatchers see real-time scenes during emergencies. Great for holiday travel safety.
Malicious Chrome and Edge extensions collected browsing history, keystrokes and personal data from millions of users before Google and Microsoft removed them.
Google's new Call Reason feature lets Android users mark calls as urgent before dialing, displaying an urgent label to recipients using Phone by Google app.
Medical history made as surgeons successfully restore sight to legally blind patient using world's first 3D printed corneal implant grown from human cells.
Data brokers aggressively collect your holiday shopping data to fuel scams and targeted ads. Learn how to delete your digital profile before 2025 starts.
Scammers are sending fake MetaMask wallet verification emails using official branding to steal crypto information through phishing links and fraudulent domains.
Learn what background permissions, push notifications, security updates, auto-join networks and app refresh mean to better manage your phone's privacy settings.
Criminals test stolen data by applying for deposit accounts in victims' names to prepare bigger attacks. Learn why banks won't share fraud details.
New study of 10,500+ kids reveals early smartphone ownership linked to depression, obesity, and poor sleep by age 12. Earlier phones mean higher risks.

Tips for Weight Loss

For a healthy body, it is very important to have... Read More

Best Weight Loss Strategy

If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More

Are you Making these Weight Loss Mistakes?

There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes... Read More

Diets, Diets, Diets?Do They Work?

Almost everyone has attempted to follow diets and weight loss... Read More

Acupuncture Weight Loss? Plus 5 Step Weight Loss Plan

I remember back in my senior year of high school... Read More

Three Easy Ways To Prevent and Suppress Cravings on a Low Carb Diet

If you've been on a low carb diet for any... Read More

A Clean Diet For Permanent Weight Loss

Getting Started on The Clean DietIf you want to lose... Read More

Weight Loss: The Strength in Setting Goals, Achieving Objectives, and The Power of Intention

The act of taking the first step is what separates... Read More

2 Simple Steps to Effective Weight Loss

It's agreed that if you raise the amount of calories... Read More

Basic Approaches To Weight Management

Being over weight is usually being 20 percent or more... Read More

Weight Loss Programs: Which Weight Loss Program Will Really Work?

Weight loss programs often have big claims. Understand the "science"... Read More

A Look at Bariatric Surgery Complications

Although many patients have few problems after bariatric surgery, there... Read More

Hunger Free Eating - How To Eat Less And Not Feel Hungry

There are many diets, all of which boil down to... Read More

To Lose Weight or Not to Lose Weight... A Guideline for Men!

To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More

How The Motto Be Prepared Can Help You Lose Weight

Be Prepared. For the Boy Scouts it means you are... Read More

Dieting Torture By Another Name, It Doesnt Need To Be That Way

I have tried many "diets" here in the USA and... Read More

Weight Loss for Life ? How to Overcome Speed Bumps!

Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the... Read More

Hispanics and Obesity - The Worrying Truth

What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people... Read More

Why You Must Eat Before Going to Bed?

You have probably heard the old myth, that you should... Read More

Your Weight Loss Problem: How To Cure It By Watching Movies Or Reading Books!

I don't know anything about you but if you're anything... Read More

Losing Weight is Like Eating Ice Cream

"Life is like a box of chocolates," drawled Forrest Gump.Metaphors... Read More

Top 10 Diet Tips From Diet Winners

Use these tips to turbo charge your weight loss program.Take... Read More

The Magic Formula Works its Wonder Today Part 4

The people of earlier times depended on the rich resource... Read More

Cruisin to Lose

Recently, I won a family cruise on the Regis and... Read More

After WLS Patients Must Give-up Coffee, Tea, Soda and Alcohol to Sustain Weight Loss

Dieters are often told ? drink water. Drink a minimum... Read More

maide service in Buffalo Grove ..