HOW TO PREVENT AND DEAL WITH HOLIDAY OVEREATING

As much as we love holiday meals, there’s an invisible line that can be crossed  if one is not mindful. That line separates a great celebration with wonderful food, from an afternoon of discomfort and regret. I have to remind myself that I live in a land of abundance where delicious food is available year round. So why eat until I’m miserable? Why not enjoy the occasion and still feel good when it’s over?

You hear a lot about how to prevent overeating during the holidays, but what do you do after you’ve overeaten anyway?

Everybody overeats at times; that’s normal. The difference is that for some, an episode of overeating sets off a chain reaction: “I already blew it; I might as well keep eating and restart my diet tomorrow (or on January 1st). I call this the eat-repent-repeat cycle; maybe you’ve seen that pattern in yourself.

People who don’t struggle with food overeat occasionally too. The difference is that although they may feel regretful, they don’t feel guilty and they don’t punish themselves. They just feel uncomfortable so they may skip their next snack, postpone their next meal, feel like eating less, and/or want to take a walk. They aren’t punishing themselves; they’re just listening to their body wisdom so they naturally compensate for occasional overeating.

Mindful eating can help you return to this natural state too. Mindfulness is simply awareness of the present moment. Mindful eating allows you to focus on the immediate effects of eating more than you needed, rather than beating yourself up over the potential long term consequences. That allows you to make adjustments and learn from the experience. Here’s how:

Notice how you feel. Sit quietly for a few moments and become completely aware of your body. Focus on the sensations so you’ll remember them the next time you’re tempted to overeat. Does your stomach feel full, stretched, or bloated? Is there any discomfort or pain? Do your clothes feel tight? Is there any nausea or heart burn? Do you feel short of breath? How is your energy level? Do you feel sleepy, sluggish, tired, or lethargic? You may be less likely to repeat the mistake if you remind yourself how it feels to overeat (kind of takes the fun out of it, doesn’t it!).

Don’t beat yourself up. Overeating is simply eating more than your body needs at that time. Overeating doesn’t mean you were “bad.” It just means that you made a mistake—so don’t miss the lesson!

Turn your mistake into a learning experience. There are a lot of reasons people eat past the point of satisfaction: habits, learned behaviors, past dieting, and mindless eating. Ask yourself, “Why did it happen?” and “What could I do differently next time?” For example:  

“It was a special occasion.” You’re more likely to overeat if you only give yourself permission to eat enjoyable foods on special occasions. You don't need an excuse to have a wonderful meal—so why use a special occasion as an excuse to overeat?

Here are examples of other triggers for overeating.

I felt obligated.
It tasted good so I just kept eating.
I wanted to taste everything.
I was afraid I wouldn't get that food again.
I saved the best for last.
I wasn't paying attention as I ate.
I ate too fast.
I had too much on my plate.
I hate to let food go to waste.

Wait to see when you feel physically hungry again. Rather than continuing to eat by the clock or because you feel like you’ve already blown it, listen to your body. You may not be hungry for your usual snack or even your next meal.

When you get hungry again, notice what you feel like eating. You might notice that you’re hungry for something small or something light—maybe a bowl of soup or cereal, a piece of fruit, or a salad. Gradually learn to trust and respect what your body tells you; as you become more mindful, you’ll naturally seek balance, variety, and moderation.

Last, don’t use exercise to punish yourself for overeating. Instead, be physically active consistently and use the fuel you consume to live a full and satisfying life.