Overcoming overeating By Joni Hyde of WorkoutsForWomen.com The uncomfortable feeling experienced after eating too much is something that most of us recognize, but the guilt that goes with it, and the reasons why we do it, are often more difficult to understand. Regular overeating, or out of control eating is eating too much or too often without the prompts of hunger or taste. Boredom, stress and depression are among the reasons why many women habitually overeat - food acts as a source of comfort. Ironically, these "comfort foods" can actually lead to both physical and mental discomfort. The pattern is the same: You react to an emotional prompt or need by turning to food, but because eating provides only temporary relief, you continue to eat. Having overeaten, you feel bloated, uncomfortable and guilty about your lack of self-control. These feelings of distress only add to you original stress and in search of comfort, you end up overeating again! The key to overcoming overeating is to develop a positive self-image. The first step in this process is to take a good look at your eating patterns so that you can adopt strategies to cope with your overeating triggers. Each success boosts your self-esteem on a daily basis. Only then will you begin to develop a better relationship with your body, your food and your health. By their very nature, many diets "deprive" you of certain foods. But when you feel deprived, you may be tempted to overcompensate, eating more then you should. As your weight creeps up again, you feel as though you have failed, and so set even tougher dieting goals. Unable to meet them, you set yet others, and the cycle of failure continues. Get out of the diet trap by not depriving yourself of eating. The first step is to adopt a regular meal pattern, with healthy snacks in between. For a complete home exercise program visit WorkoutsForWomen.com. With online audio/video instructions and email consultations, members enjoy the benefits of having a personal trainer at their fingertips and on their own schedule.