Triggers and Cravings

Why we overeat and/or over drink has many facets. Some reasons stem from a psychological aspect, some emotional, some physical. But all are “triggered “in some way. Triggers have a spontaneous effect on us. A cigarette after a meal or while drinking. A dessert has to follow a meal. A drink upon returning home from work. All of these trigger mechanisms are a product of our routines or just the natural path we follow after certain circumstances occur. There are three types of triggers: internal. external, sensory. Internal triggers: are feelings that people have before or during drinking or overindulging. For example, because some people drink or overeat when they feel insecure, that feeling becomes a trigger to then drink or overeat. The same holds true for loneliness, depression, or even anger. External triggers; are the people places and things associated with drinking or over eating. The people you hang out with all drink, so you do too. Every time you go to a sports bar you need to drink and eat high fat foods. These all act as triggers to pull you in to an eating or drinking funk. Sensory triggers: are related to the senses of sight, sound, taste, and touch. How often, while walking in the mall do you pass by a Cinnabon store and the smell of whatever they sell in there overwhelms you. The first step in dealing with these triggers is IDENTIFYING them, the second step is AVOIDING them, the third step is INTERRUPTING them, and the final step is TALKING about them. Identify: Take a close look at the patterns of your life. Identify what triggers your cravings. Why did you eat that pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream? This might be difficult and very soul searching but it has to be done first. Avoid: Once the hard part of identifying is done , then the next natural phase is to avoid what makes you fall. Don’t walk in front of a Dairy Queen if you know that you want to go in. Interrupt: For some people, weekends, holidays or even nighttime (after work) are triggers that can’t be avoided or made to go away. But you can interrupt that trigger by doing a healthy activity that keeps you occupied. Instead of going directly home after work and having a martini, go to the gym, get some cardio or lifting done. Maybe after the endorphins kick in and you’re feeling good about what you just did, you might not want to ruin that feeling by drinking. Talking: Triggers remain powerful because they are not spoken about. We suffer through our cravings silently. But there is no need anymore. There is strength in knowing that other people are struggling too. We, your trainers, are very good listeners. Coming soon on Sunday mornings Edna is holding an informal gathering at Roberts. Under her professional life coach guidance (called Awakenings) you can talk about anything that is on your mind, anything that is holding you back from becoming the person you want to be. You are not alone, there are people here that will help!