My experiences with overeating would all start innocently enough. I was tired and needed some energy. In college, I’d be up late studying. When I worked in public accounting, I’d be grinding it out with my team late into the evening. When I worked in corporate accounting, I’d be working on a project at home while my husband was already in bed and my toddlers were long asleep.
I’d start with a small piece of chocolate or a cookie. Just enough to give me a boost. And then, before I knew it, one Hershey Kiss would turn into 20. One cookie would turn into 6. Not only did school or work have me stressed out, I now felt guilty and terrified because of all that I just ate.
Overeating can feel so shameful.
And, something that no one wants to talk about. Who walks into work on a Monday morning and shares their late night binge shit-show? No one. Ever.
Instead, we hide the wrappers and empty containers at the bottom of the trash can. It would be even more horrifying if someone found the evidence.
Interestingly, a full blown box of cookie binge isn’t the only thing that can be shameful. An extra serving of rice, a handful of chocolate chips, and a roll from the bread basket can also fill us with guilt and shame. The voice in our head reminds us, should I really be eating this? I’m not even hungry. Why can’t I be more disciplined?
After a late night binge, I’d seek redemption in the morning and do my best to make up for my poor eating choices.
How do you try to fix things after you’ve overeaten?
Do you spend more time in the gym that week?
Vow to just eat salads and baby carrots?
Skip breakfast and lunch?
Jump onto Amazon and look for the latest diet book?
Yet, I know and you know that these short term fixes don’t get at the heart of the matter. We may feel better after a sweaty yoga class, but we don’t have any clarity around why we were so driven to food when we know we weren’t hungry.
What I’ve learned, from my own experience, my study as a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and with working with my clients is that there are a few factors that drive us to overeat.
And surprisingly, food is just a very small influence. Diet experts and some health coaches have us believing that it’s the Hershey kisses that drive us to overeat. Diet experts will tell us that if we just took certain foods out of the house, we wouldn’t overeat.
In my experience, overeating has little to do with the food you overeating. But instead, there are many other factors that you may be unaware of.
I’d love for you not to feel shame or guilt around your food choices. I’d love for you to know other ways to soothe yourself. I’d love for you to know how to pick up the pieces after a binge, that isn’t just about punishing yourself.