Reclaiming Control in Midlife—As women in midlife, we are on a journey of discovery and awakening, and we are all looking to feel our best physically, emotionally, and mentally. But for many, overeating—especially emotional eating—can feel like a setback when trying to reach our goals. If you have ever thought, “Why do I always have no control when it comes to food?” then you should know that the answer is in your brain’s neurobiology.
1. Why Food Is So Good
Our brains are programmed to ensure that life-sustaining activities like eating produce pleasure. Other chemicals include serotonin, which is associated with happiness and contentment in life, and dopamine, which is associated with pleasure. These chemicals are supposed to inform the brain to encourage the continuation of behaviors that are critical for survival.
When eating, especially foods that are high in sugar, fat, or salt, the reward center in the brain is activated. This means that a lot of dopamine is released, which tells the brain, ‘This is important, do it again.’ Over time, the body develops pathways that lead one to desire these foods even when one is not hungry.
2. The Role of Processed and Refined Foods
The food industry has also refined and concentrated foods in a way that has made them trigger our reward systems. The problem with such ultra-processed foods is that they trigger a higher dose of dopamine than whole foods did to our ancestors.
Your brain will tell you that these concentrated foods are essential, and you will likely crave them. The problem is that this increased resp se can downregulate dopamine receptors, which means that you will need more and more of the same foods to get the same dopamine effect.
3. How Habits Are Formed
Every time you give in to a craving, you are laying down a new neural pathway that leads to that action. The more you engage in this behavior, the more the path is enforced. It finally becomes a habit, and you perform the action without even having to think about it as if you have no control over it.
This is why you may find yourself eating when you are stressed, angry, or even when you are bored. Emotional eating becomes such a habit that it seems like something you were born to do. But the beauty of the brain is that it is plastic and can be reprogrammed.
The key to overcoming overeating is to break these deeply entrenched pathways and establish new, healthier ones. Let me outline the steps I believe will help you begin this process:
1. Identify Your Triggers
First, try to determine when and why you overeat. Are you stressed, lonely, tired? Write down your triggers in a journal to build awareness. Knowing why you are doing something is half the battle in being able to change it.
2. Replace, Do not Restrict
Instead of focusing on what you can’t have, switch your attention to adding nutritious foods to your plate. Certain foods rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats assist in regulating blood sugar and, therefore, help reduce feelings of hunger. This approach provides the body with much-needed nutrients and reduces the desire for highly processed foods.
3. Interrupt the Cycle
When you feel a craving, stop and take three deep breaths. Ask yourself: “Am I really hungry, or am I trying to soothe myself?” If it’s the latter, swap the action for a non-food reward—a walk, a relaxing bath, or a phone call to a friend.
4. Practice Mindful Eating
When eating, turn off the television or other devices and take a seat. Pay attention to the signals your body gives you about when you are hungry and when you are full. This way of eating helps to teach the brain to tell when it has had enough, which makes it easier to stop when you are full.
5. Rewire Your Brain with Consistency
Changing ingrained habits takes time and repetition. The only way to change the pathways is to move to new ones and keep repeating them. Do not rush and pat yourself on the back for every minor achievement.
A Loving Reminder: This Journey Is About Progress, Not Perfection
This article, How to Reboot Your Brain and Conquer Overeating, explains that Your Action Plan is not about being fit, healthy, or even thin. It is about developing a greater understanding, making decisions, and being kind to yourself during this process. Remember that every change you make is a step towards becoming the healthiest and happiest person you can be.
Overeating doesn’t define you—it’s a behavior, and behaviors can change. When you understand the neurobiology of overeating and try to replace unhealthy behaviors with healthier ones, you can take back control of your life and live a balanced and joyful life with self-love.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to share your journey in the comments below. It would be great if we could keep encouraging each other as we wake up and create new lives for ourselves.
If you are ready to move forward, my Instagram has more information, including practical strategies and a community of like-minded women.
Comment below or share on social media if this resonates with you!
Love, Jax
xoxoxo
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