According to Dr. Rossi, in "The 20-Minute Break", there are 4types of overeaters. See if you recognize yourself.
1. Stress Overeater - You overeat and oversnack at any time ofthe day in direct response to the stresses of everyday life.
Solution: Recognize your stress limits and learn how to say nobefore you reach them. Break the stress syndrome by takingbreaks, which will help you gain perspective on those situationsyou need to cope with more creatively.
2. Fatigue Overeater - In a futile effort to overcome stress andfatigue, you snack almost continuously after 3:00 or 4:00 P.M.,even after a full meal, until bedtime.
Solution: Pace yourself better throughout the day with severalbreaks and a midafternoon rest to avoid fatigue buildup. Checkin with yourself many times during the day so that you are awareof when you need to start restoring your energy level.
3. Addictive Overeater - You are a cyclic overeater or drinkerwho regularly consumes addictive substances, such as caffeine(coffee, tea, chocolate, soda) or alcohol. You may also usesugary foods for their mood altering effects to stave offdepression.
Solution: Study the patterns of your addictive behavior. Howlong is it between when you indulge and when you need anotherfix? When you have the urge for these substances, use the20-Minute Break to rejuvenate yourself.
4. Escapist Overeater - You often eat alone in an effort toescape unpleasant realities that you don't know how to cope with.
Solution: Use the time that you would be eating as an escape tomake an inventory of your life and what you are using food for.What is it you want to escape from?
Remember, it's not food that is the problem.
It's what we use food for.
About the author:Carol Solomon, Ph.D. is a psychologist and personal coach whospecializes in helping people who want to lose weight andeliminate food and weight issues.
She is the author of "Lose Weight Now Stay Slim Forever," apractical "how-to" manual for learning to lose weight withoutdieting.
Go To: Lose Weight Nowto get your FREE copy of SLIM FOREVER.
