SOMA GET FIT.

Holiday_Mix

by Melissa Beaugrand, Personal Chef SOMA GET FIT

Why do we overeat?

There are as many answers to that question as there are people that overeat. Sure, there are some repeating themes, but, for me the answer revolves around comfort, good food, and the joy of celebration and being social.

How does one not overeat? The answer to that is easier. It is about awareness and intent. You must be aware of why you do what you do before you can change it. If you are not sure about yourself, give yourself a pass this year. Just behave as you normally would while you go to holiday parties and eat out. Become “a watcher” of yourself. No judgment, no beating yourself up, no sacrificing. Just do as you wish. The only caveat is that you have to then think. Your job is to watch yourself closely. Then later, think about how you felt before, during, and after your actions. Was it a compulsive non-chewing-get-as-much-down kind of eating, or was it more of an oh-my-god-this-is-so-good-I-want-more kind of eating, or perhaps it was a where-did-all-that-food-go type thing. It might have even been an instance where you were having so much fun you forgot to eat. We have to figure out why and when we eat and learn about ourselves before we can make any kind of decision as to how we want to change our behaviour.

Once you are clearer about your emotions and actions, you can see if they are in balance with what your body and your mind want/need. Hopefully, they are the same with you (they are NOT with me). If so, your job is easier, because the process becomes then about intent. It is much easier to be mindful when you are clear as to what you want. Walking into a party where there is your favorite food is a different experience when all you can think about is how you DON’T want to eat that whole vat of nachos. If your intent is broader than that in perhaps something like, “I want to have a good time tonight and I don’t want to obsess about the nachos, so I will concentrate on dancing as much as I can and talking to _____ (in other words – fun!) because otherwise it is going to feel like a weight around my neck.”.

As I get older, I realize that it is not so much that I have to eat more to enjoy more during the holidays. Sure, there is only one Thanksgiving feast a year, but it is EVERY YEAR! I can enjoy it a little bit without feeling stuffed like the turkey was. It is not a matter of more is better. Actually, I have found that I enjoy it MORE when I eat LESS! It is not my last meal after all, and I used to eat like it was. Food is a gift, and I love it, but you definitely can have too much of a good thing.

It takes some mental work to become a watcher, then to have the consciousness to want to make changes and the fortitude to make them.

Happy Holidays to all of you.

Share this!