Stop
Overeating and You'll Lose Weight
Yes, it sounds simple: eating more food than your
body needs prevents weight loss and causes weight gain.
But how much is too much? That's difficult to gauge,
which is why many diet programs give you recommendations
for amount of calories, amount of fat, or amount of
carbohydrates.
Let Your Body Guide You
Your stomach has a limited capacity for food, so the
best indicator of overeating is having a "stuffed"
feeling after meals. Your stomach is about the same size
as your fist. Yes, that's as much food as you need to
eat 3 or 4 times a day.
That doesn't seem like much food until you imagine the
food as it is in your stomach -- chewed.
Identifying Overeating
Ask yourself this when eating:
- Are you trying to fit in just one more bite because the
food tastes good?
- Are you eating everything on your plate because you paid
for it?
- Because you don't want to waste food?
- Because you've been taught to clean your plate?
- Because you need an emotional lift?
Add up all those extra bites, and you can easily see
where weight gain comes from.
The Solution
Stop eating when your stomach has enough
food, but not too much food. Never eat until you're
full. Rather, stop eating when your hunger is satisfied.
And never eat until you're stuffed. You can learn
more about this excellent way to eat at
Eat
0-5.