We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Marcia Sirota

In this course, you'll learn why people overeat - maybe it's you - and how to finally lose your food cravings. You'll learn the psychology and physiology of food addiction and how addiction is a dysfunctional way of trying to cope with emotional needs and losses. Finally, you'll learn the true cure for emotional overeating.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objective

They will learn how to let go of emotional overeating and how to lose weight without ever having to diet again.

Syllabus

Introduction
Preamble
Why Do We Overeat?
Why We Overeat
Read more
Tuning in to Ourselves
The Psychology of Overeating
Becoming Self-Aware
Building Self-Trust
The Reason for Being Overweight
Shame
The Truth About Food Cravings
Letting Go of Food Cravings
Letting Go of Food Cravings, For Good
Why Do We Need to Do the Inner Work?
Why We Need to Do the Inner Work
Step One
Nurturing the Child Within
Step Two
Healing the Child Within
Step Three
Silencing the Inner Critic
Living a Meaning Life
Living a Meaningful Life
Transference of Addictions
Transferrence of Addictions
Rehabilitating the Palate
Why Diets Don't Work
Exercises
Exercise I: Conquering the Urge to Overeat
Exercise II: Nurturing and Healing the Child Within

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the psychology and physiology of food addiction, offering insights into the root causes of overeating and cravings
Teaches techniques for building self-trust and self-awareness, which are essential for overcoming emotional eating patterns
Offers practical exercises for conquering the urge to overeat and nurturing the inner child, providing actionable steps for change
Examines the concept of 'inner work' as a necessary component of overcoming emotional overeating, which may require introspection
Discusses the transference of addictions, which may be relevant for individuals with a history of substance abuse or other addictive behaviors
Presents the idea that diets don't work, which may be at odds with conventional weight loss advice and approaches

Save this course

Save How to Stop Overeating, Once and For All to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Stop Overeating, Once and For All with these activities:
Review Basic Nutrition Principles
Ensure a solid understanding of basic nutrition to make informed food choices.
Browse courses on Nutrition
Show steps
  • Review the basics of macronutrients.
  • Understand the role of micronutrients.
  • Learn about portion control and balanced meals.
Brain over Binge: Why I Was Bulimic, Why Conventional Therapy Didn't Work, and How I Recovered for Good
Understand the neurological aspects of overeating and explore alternative recovery strategies.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes.
  • Identify key concepts and strategies.
  • Reflect on how these concepts relate to your own experiences.
Food Journal and Emotional Log
Track your food intake and associated emotions to identify triggers for overeating.
Show steps
  • Record everything you eat and drink.
  • Note the time, place, and your hunger level.
  • Describe your emotions before, during, and after eating.
  • Look for patterns and triggers over time.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Mindfulness Exercises for Craving Management
Practice mindfulness techniques to become more aware of cravings and reduce impulsive eating.
Show steps
  • Find a quiet space to sit comfortably.
  • Focus on your breath and body sensations.
  • Observe cravings without judgment.
  • Practice daily for 15 minutes.
The Diet Myth: The Real Science Behind What We Eat
Learn about the gut microbiome and its influence on food cravings and weight management.
Show steps
  • Read the book and highlight key points.
  • Research the role of gut bacteria in cravings.
  • Consider how to improve your gut health.
Create a Self-Soothing Toolkit
Develop a collection of activities and strategies to cope with emotional distress without resorting to food.
Show steps
  • Identify your common emotional triggers.
  • Brainstorm alternative coping mechanisms.
  • Gather materials and resources for your toolkit.
  • Practice using your toolkit when cravings arise.
Explore Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Techniques
Learn and apply CBT techniques to challenge negative thoughts and behaviors related to overeating.
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials or workbooks on CBT.
  • Research CBT techniques for emotional eating.
  • Practice identifying and challenging negative thoughts.
  • Apply CBT techniques to manage cravings and emotional distress.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Stop Overeating, Once and For All will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Eating Disorder Specialist
An eating disorder specialist helps individuals who are struggling with disordered eating patterns. This course is relevant to the work of an eating disorder specialist because it provides a deep dive into the psychology and physiology of food addiction. It also examines the connection between emotional trauma and food cravings. The program's emphasis on inner work and healing the 'inner child' may be helpful in addressing the root causes of disordered eating. By understanding the mechanisms of emotional overeating, eating disorder specialists may be better able to provide tailored and effective treatments.
Therapist
A therapist provides support for people experiencing emotional and mental health problems. This course may be helpful to a therapist because it explores the common issue of emotional overeating. The course examines the connection between food cravings and unresolved emotional needs. This course also guides its students to self-awareness and inner work, which may be helpful for therapists seeking to improve their ability to treat patients. This course's focus on the root causes of overeating can inform the therapist's approach to many patients.
Psychologist
A psychologist studies the human mind and behavior, often providing therapy and counseling for mental health issues. This course may be useful for psychologists, particularly those who work with people who struggle with emotional eating. It provides an understanding of the psychology of overeating, including its connection to emotional needs and losses. The course focuses on techniques for addressing food cravings and inner work, and this may be valuable in developing therapeutic interventions. A psychologist who understands the dynamics of emotional overeating may better address the needs of their patients.
Substance Abuse Counselor
A substance abuse counselor provides support and treatment to people struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. This course is especially relevant because it describes addiction as a dysfunctional way of coping with emotional needs, which is directly applicable to substance abuse. This course's deep dive into the psychology and physiology of addiction is helpful to those in this field. The course also addresses strategies for self-awareness, inner work, and habit change. These approaches may be useful for a substance abuse counselor in guiding patients toward recovery.
Addiction Counselor
An addiction counselor provides support and treatment to individuals struggling with various forms of addiction. This course may be useful to those wishing to become an addiction counselor because it examines how food addiction, often a way of coping with emotional needs, operates. This course explores the underlying emotional drivers of overeating. The course material on self-awareness, self-trust, and inner work may help addiction counselors to guide clients toward healthier coping mechanisms. Through understanding the nature of food cravings and how to let go of them, an addiction counselor may assist clients in developing strategies for recovery.
Behavioral Therapist
Behavioral therapists work with clients to identify and modify unhealthy behavior patterns. This course may help someone who wants to be a behavioral therapist because it focuses on the psychology and physiology of food addiction. This course also examines emotional overeating and its impact on behavior, which is central to the work of a behavioral therapist. The course's detailed exploration of self-awareness and inner work may help therapists develop effective strategies for supporting clients who struggle with overeating or related compulsions. Moreover, the course's examination of shame helps the therapist understand the emotional landscape of patients struggling with food issues.
Mental Health Counselor
A mental health counselor provides therapeutic support to individuals dealing with various emotional and psychological challenges. This course could help an aspiring mental health counselor, as it explores the underlying psychological reasons for overeating. It discusses how overeating is often linked to emotional needs and losses. This course provides a framework for understanding how unhealthy coping mechanisms develop. The course's emphasis on self-awareness and inner work may help counselors guide their clients toward deeper self-understanding and healing. These skills are invaluable to mental health counseling.
Wellness Coach
A wellness coach helps individuals achieve their health and well-being goals through personalized guidance and support. This course may be useful for aspiring wellness coaches because it helps build an understanding of emotional overeating. This directly relates to how some individuals approach their health goals. The course provides a detailed exploration of the psychology of overeating, as well as methods to address unhealthy patterns. Understanding these patterns may assist a wellness coach in designing effective interventions for their clients, particularly those who struggle with food-related issues. The course's emphasis on self-awareness and inner work also helps coaches develop greater empathy when working with clients.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist advises people on what to eat to achieve specific health goals. This course may be useful for a nutritionist because it offers insights into the emotional and psychological aspects of overeating. A nutritionist helps individuals develop healthy eating habits. Although the course does not focus on specific dietary recommendations, it does address why people overeat. This exploration assists nutritionists in creating personalized plans that may account for emotional factors. The course's emphasis on letting go of food cravings may also help nutritionists guide their clients toward healthier relationships with food.
Personal Development Coach
A personal development coach helps people identify their goals and then achieve personal growth and empowerment. This course may be useful because it provides a framework for understanding many patterns of behavior. This course's exploration of the psychology behind overeating and unhealthy coping mechanisms may help a personal development coach guide their clients toward positive change. The course also emphasizes self-awareness and the importance of inner work in achieving lasting transformation. The course provides valuable insights into emotional regulation, which is helpful for personal development.
Registered Dietitian
A registered dietitian translates the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. This course may help a registered dietitian because it explores the psychological aspects of overeating. It also examines how emotional needs impact eating patterns. This may assist a dietitian in creating effective nutrition plans that consider the mental and emotional health of the individual. The course's emphasis on self-awareness and addressing the root causes of overeating may help dietitians develop more targeted strategies for lasting behavior change.
Life Coach
Life coaches help clients identify their goals and develop strategies to achieve them, often focusing on personal development. This course may be useful for a life coach because it examines a common struggle: food cravings. By understanding the psychology of overeating and its connection to emotional needs, a life coach may be better able to guide clients in addressing underlying issues that may be impeding their overall well-being. The course's approach, which emphasizes self-trust and inner work, may help a life coach facilitate a client's journey toward meaningful self-improvement. This course also helps build awareness of common pitfalls.
Health Educator
A health educator develops and implements programs to teach people about health and wellness. This course may help someone who wants to be a health educator because it provides insight into the reasons behind overeating. This course also presents methods for overcoming this. A health educator works to promote positive health behaviors and prevent unhealthy patterns. This course may help them to understand the psychology and physiology of food addiction, which may be essential to educating individuals on the impact of emotional eating. This course also helps build a framework for helping people make positive changes in their lives.
Corporate Wellness Specialist
A corporate wellness specialist develops and implements programs that promote health and well-being in the workplace. This course may help an aspiring corporate wellness specialist because it examines how emotional issues relate to food cravings and eating patterns. This course provides a detailed analysis of food addiction and its psychological underpinnings. This may help in the development of comprehensive wellness initiatives that address the emotional side of health. The course's focus on self-awareness may give corporate specialists greater empathy and help them create plans that are more likely to succeed.
Health and Wellness Consultant
A health and wellness consultant provides guidance to organizations seeking to improve the health of their employees. This course may help someone pursuing a career as a health and wellness consultant. The course's focus on the psychology of overeating and the impact of emotional needs on eating habits may be a useful resource to inform the consultant's wellness strategies. The course may also help the consultant develop effective programs focused on promoting long-term behavioral changes. This course helps build an understanding of the individual's connection to food.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to Stop Overeating, Once and For All.
Offers a unique perspective on overcoming overeating and bulimia by focusing on the brain's role in perpetuating these behaviors. It challenges conventional therapy approaches and provides a practical, step-by-step guide to regaining control over eating habits. It complements the course by offering a different, yet compatible, approach to understanding and addressing the root causes of overeating.
Explores the complex relationship between our gut microbiome and our eating habits. It challenges conventional diet wisdom and highlights the importance of a diverse and healthy gut flora for weight management and overall well-being. This book provides a scientific foundation for understanding how food affects our bodies beyond simple calorie counting, adding depth to the course's focus on the psychology of overeating.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser