Boot camp Melbourne

Emotions, thoughts and feelings like stress, anger, loneliness or just “feeling
fat” can negatively influence your eating habits by subconsciously triggering
you to turn to food when you really need something else to satisfy an
emotional need.
When you feel your emotional trigger being pulled, visualise and verbalise
(say it out loud) a stop sign… STOP! Then ask yourself these important
questions:

• When did I last eat?
• Am I really hungry right now?
• Why am I hungry right now?
• If I eat, will I feel better afterwards?
• Would anything else besides food satisfy me?

Your answers, or simply the time delay for thought, may
help your urge to eat pass.
The key to beating ‘emotional’ triggers is to learn positive ways to nurture your
emotional needs without food.
If you’re feeling bored, find something to occupy your mind. If you’re feeling
tired, take a nap. If you’re feeling anxious, take some deep breaths or go for a
walk.
It may be important to get your feelings out. Write them down in a personal
journal or talk to someone about them. Discussing your feelings with a friend,
family member or counsellor will make them easier to deal with appropriately.
Plan how you might work on managing your ‘emotional’ eating triggers by
filling in the blanks below:

Instead of eating when I feel: ___________________________________________
I can: ______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Matt O'Neill - MSc(Nut&Diet), BSpSc, Dietitian
www.smartshape.com.au