People eat because:
- They are hungry
- They are bored
- They are depressed
- It’s sociable
- It’s comforting
- It’s there
The Syndromes - Why People Eat
The Reward Syndrome
When you have had a really bad day, been shopping, juggled the housework and fitted everything in, you feel you need a reward.
The Last Supper Syndrome
I am going to start a diet tomorrow, and I will never eat cake and biscuits again
The Closet Syndrome
Nobody’s looking. They know I’m on a diet, but if they don’t see me they won’t know
The Kitchen Syndrome
I am in the kitchen, preparing a meal and the biscuit tin lid if off and because I’m there I eat them
The I’m Fed Up Syndrome
I’m bored, lonely, cross, angry at myself or someone else, and I’m going to eat something naughty!
The Slippery Slope Syndrome
I missed breakfast; I ate too much at lunch, so a bit more won’t make any difference
So… What next?
Rewards
Don’t need to be food (But it can be)
Action Point: Find 8 rewards for yourself and use them!!
Be Realistic
You will eat a curry again, or a cream cake, who care – Just make sure it is in moderation
Who is the ‘Diet’ for?
Make sure the only reason you are changing your habits is because you want to
Temptation at home
Move temptation, put the biscuits on a high shelf so you have to go out of your way to get them. Place alternative under your nose for nibbling on whilst in the kitchen
Fed Up? – Get active
Action Point: Find 8 activities for yourself to do when you feel bored, go for a walk, clean out the kitchen cupboards or phone a friend
Slippery Slope
Small changes are less to cope with, introduce small changes and you will see a gradual change in your outlook. Not the end of the world anyway and you can start again at any point, i.e. 5 minutes after you slip up.
