Parties and Overeating
Ever found yourself putting good tasting food in your mouth even though you're not hungry at parties?
Or eating or drinking more than what you need or want, simply because you're in a soical gathering?
Changes in Our Eating Behavior Patterns
What causes us to alter our normal patterns of behavior around eating in social circumstances?
Not everyone overeats Some don't eat at all but the point is that even in comfortable times when amongst friends a change in eating pattern such as overeating can occur
And the reasons for such pattern change may be many superficially but I think anxiety is the initial major contributing factor to produce overeating that later becomes a comfortable habit
What to do
Simply observing the pattern is a significant step It may not change what we are doing but it brings the overeating to conscious observation
Talking about the overeating or journaling may help in bringing about more observation for the future I think that seeking the reasons for what triggers the alteration is not as important as the simple observation and how we feel after the event
The contrast is important We felt good before and now we don't feel so good either emotionally, physically, or both
But here's the key after taking note of what's went on It's the observing of watching ourselves do the overeating the next time it comes up with the expectation that nothing will be done about it The contract with yourself is that simple observation will occur
This avoids judgment, self recrimination, and self criticism that the mind may react with when dealing with the comfortable habit or fears that trigger the anxiety
As said earlier it's not important what triggers the overeating
The Solution
It's not a priviledge to know others Know yourself That's a priviledge
Simple observation allows us to study ourselves This is the sentinal point in self discovery In so doing contrast can be very helpful here
Eventually we get tired of feeling bad especially if we consistently observe the overeating Because as we watch ourselves in the act we will become aware of subtle sensations that tell us that the overeating is happening and will trigger the memory of how we feel the next day
For example in observing the overeating we may notice that our stomach is feeling very full and that triggers the memory that we have experienced in the past of feeling poorly the following day
In the end it's all about observing the consequences of our actions and if we don't like the results, making a change
Until tomorrow To health as a Skill Love DrBill
