Do You Overeat, Under-eat, or Have Other Eating Problems?

Is Food and Eating a Problem for You? - Do You Overeat, Under-eat, or Have Other Eating Problems?

Maybe you are overweight, underweight, or cannot stop thinking about food. Some say there is an obesity epidemic. You can help yourself, even if others around you do not want to eat healthy. 

Perhaps you know how you should eat, but you cannot seem to do it. You try repeatedly, but the results are not consistent. 

Have you ever considered that you might have a thinking problem that exhibits itself as an eating problem? Maybe you need some help. Please consider the following.

Action plan to help yourself eat healthier:

1. If possible, check with your doctor or other health professional. Ask what a healthy weight is for you. Also, ask for an eating and exercise plan, that you can manage long-term. Now you know what to do. All you have to do is to do it.

2. To help you accomplish long-term eating success, investigate the various support resources. Pick one. Do not make it a big deal, since you can always change your mind. Consider what you can afford. Take into account your personality style. Go with your intuition on who you think might be most helpful. Some resources are below.

3. While it is still fresh in your mind, write down how your eating and weight are affecting you. Include how your habits affect others around you. No one has to see what you write, just you. Write down whom you are going to contact for help.

4. Mail this letter to yourself. If you can, tell a trusted person of your intended actions to help yourself.

5. Contact the person or agency, as you told yourself you would. Listen to what they have to say. Make an appointment. If it is an organization with meetings, pick a meeting time and place.

6. Go to the appointment or meeting. Show up. See what happens. Participate as much, or as little, as you want to.

7. If you feel better after going to meetings, it is working. Stick around, keep an open mind, and watch yourself improve.

8. Give it a fair chance, of maybe six meetings.

9. If you have troubles, talk about them. Maybe others have had similar situations and have helpful suggestions.

10. Find someone at the meetings who is managing their eating, as you would like to do. Ask that person what works for them. Learn from them. Ask if they have any suggestions for you.

11. Keep coming back. Watch yourself and others get better. What do you have to lose? 

Takeaways -

• There is always hope. Keep looking until you find something that works for you.
• Associating with others who want to stop overeating might be helpful for you.
• You have a right to be as healthy and happy as you can be.

For more information:

• Eating Disorder - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_disorder
• Compulsive Overeating - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_overeating
• Compulsive Overeating and How to Stop It - A former FDA commissioner explains why people overeat -- and how to end poor eating habits. By Elizabeth Lee, WebMD Feature - http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/compulsive-overeating-and-how-to-stop-it
• Overeaters Anonymous - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overeaters_Anonymous - also http://www.oa.org/

Disclaimer - Article for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.