Are you an eating enabler?

Food can be an addiction just like drugs or alcohol, and as with those addictions, overweight people often have enablers around them who are making it too easy to overeat and too hard to stop this destructive behavior. Think about whether or not you may be enabling someone else's weight problem or if perhaps someone is enabling your bad habits. Are you a mom? Have you ever forced your child to clean his plate even after he insisted he was full? I have seen parents serve children ridiculously large portions of pasta or mac and cheese and then complain when it does not disappear. Just because most of us adults have lost the ability to listen to our bodies does not mean we should not respect this enviable talent in our children. Or have you ever said to a clearly overweight friend embarking on a diet "You don't need to lose an ounce." Enabler! I'm not suggesting you say "It's about time; I can see you from outer-space," but an upbeat "Good for you, let me know how I can support you" is a much more appropriate and kinder response. Or perhaps you have been enabled by someone - a parent, a spouse or a friend who does not want you to lose weight because then he or she would have to eat nachos and ice cream and feel guilty alone. Anyone have that friend who only remembers to bake for you and invite you out for margaritas after you announce you are on a diet? Here is a tip (and I mean this): do not tell that person(s) next time you start a diet or try to make any positive change. Who needs enemies when you have friends like that, right? It doesn't take a psychologist to figure out why some people might want others to fail at losing weight. Just make sure you are not one of those people on either side of this equation. If you are taking care of yourself and feeling good, you will be happy for others who do the same. If you are listening to your own body and nourishing it properly, you should want to give this same gift to your children, spouse and/or other loved ones. If you do find yourself trying to steer a loved one off a positive path, take a good long look in the mirror and ask yourself why. Then call a health coach! To learn more about health coaching, visit my website www.inhabithealth.com.