I keep overeating even when I’m not hungry, and it feels almost automatic sometimes. I’ll tell myself I’m just having a little more, then suddenly I’ve eaten way past being full and feel uncomfortable afterward.
The weird part is that I’m not always upset or stressed when it happens. Sometimes I’m bored, watching something, or just thinking about food, and once I start it’s hard to stop. I’ve tried making rules for myself, but being too strict usually makes me think about eating even more.
I’m trying to pause before getting more food and check whether I’m actually hungry or just looking for something to do. It doesn’t work every time, but noticing the pattern feels like a start. Does anyone else deal with overeating that feels compulsive rather than hunger-related?
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@Jack_Taylor, the boredom eating while watching something is familiar to me. I used to bring a full bag of snacks to the couch and keep reaching for it without really noticing.
What helped a little was putting one portion in a bowl and leaving the rest in the kitchen, then keeping my hands busy during the show. It didn’t stop every episode, but it made the automatic part more noticeable.
@Jack_Taylor, the “just a little more” part gets me too, especially when I’m watching something and not paying attention. I started serving food onto a plate before sitting down instead of eating from the bag. Seeing the portion helped me notice when I was reaching for more out of habit.
I also leave a drink nearby and pause when the episode changes, rather than trying to follow a strict rule. Sometimes I still eat more, but that short interruption makes it feel less automatic.
@Jack_Taylor, the fact that you notice it isn’t always tied to stress makes sense to me. Sometimes the cue is simply being settled in front of a screen, and food becomes part of the routine before I’ve even decided I want it.
I’ve found it helps to pause before the first extra serving, not just once I’m already uncomfortable. Asking myself what I expect the food to do, such as make the show more interesting or fill the quiet, can create a small gap without turning it into another strict rule.
Do you notice whether certain shows, times of day, or foods make the automatic eating more likely?