Slow Down to Slim Down

One thing I commonly hear people talk about is overeating.  We know better, we all claim, yet there seems to be a constant dialogue regarding how to curb overeating or trick our appetites into quieting down.  Why, even though we know we shouldn’t, do we stuff ourselves to the very brim only to regret the nosh minutes later (mentally, physically, and emotionally)?  How can we avoid the guilt and discomfort of an overly-filled stomach?

Even though it’s said time and time again, one reason we might be inclined to overeat has to do with our society-wide mentality involving cleaning one’s plate.  Sometimes, it’s a habit developed since childhood, when our best-of-intentioned mothers and fathers ordered us to eat those last few bites to “keep us strong.”  Lately, the economics of waste has probably had a lot to do with making sure we get every last morsel for our hard-earned, quickly-spent dollars.  Whatever the case, there seems to be a collective habit of finishing our meals, in their entirety.  We’ve all heard the solutions: boxing up half of a meal before diving in, leaving three bites on the plate, some even suggest throwing out or ruining a portion of the food to ensure that it won’t be eaten.  Whatever the suggestion, I truly think a lot of the problem can stem from portion control.  As a whole, our country has developed a very deluded and oversized sense of portion and serving size.  Just because the bowl can hold 6 scoops of ice cream doesn’t necessarily mean that it should. Easier and healthier fixes: smaller dishes, teenier forks, and a true awareness of what your body may actually feel satisfied with versus what you may think it needs to become sated.

When we take the time to slow down and actually listen to our bodies and not our multi-tasking minds, we might be surprised with the ease at which the problem of overeating becomes a memory and no longer a pain.

One thing I encounter a lot is the mistaken thirst-for-hunger issue.  I’m sure you’ve all heard it, but apparently, it cannot be said enough.  Dehydration accounts for so very much of our “hunger” pangs.  If we truly tuned in to our bodies (something our very busy lives often prevent the time to do), we might find that a glass of water would do the trick and avoid that mid-afternoon energy lapse and subsequent potato chip binge.

As I said, our minds are constantly multi-tasking.  It’s not necessarily a bad thing.  For as long as the world has been turning, people have needed this highly useful skill to live, survive, and enjoy life.  Every day we ask our minds to tune in to several things at once: the audio book as we drive to work, the coffee we sip during the ride, all the while keeping half of our mind on the road, sounds of sirens, sign posts and other necessary signals we must adhere to safely arrive where we need to be.  Multi-tasking can be wonderful.  However, when it comes to our eating habits, it is usually a detriment.  Being mindful of our food and meal intake can not only make food a friend rather than foe, but can greatly enhance the perceived quality of the food we take in.  When we slow down, we can better smell, taste, and most importantly enjoy the food we eat.  Being aware of where, when, and how you’re eating may make you even more mindful of the types of foods you choose.  Instead of slamming down a burger and fries quickly on your drive home, imagine really sitting down and taking account of your body’s true desires and rhythms.  If one actually takes the time to smell, examine, and taste the food, would that hours-old burger and reheated fries actually seem so appealing?  Tuning in to our bodies’ true wants and needs can be an eye-opening experience.  This awakening can serve to better not only our food choices but also help make us aware of the enjoyment and satiety reached—not just mentally, but physically.

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