Overthinking is a symptom of fear. Tabitha Farrar had a recent video about that. It's so true but I'd never really thought about it that way. When we're comfortable with something, we do it and don't even think. When someone is afraid of flying or afraid of going outside, oh, the thinking! Pros and cons, worst case scenarios, preparation, bargaining, endless debate. It's the same thing that happens when a dieter's brain melts over whether to have a snack or what to eat in a restaurant. For someone who’s not afraid, the choice is easy and inconsequential. For someone terrified of weight gain, it feels like you're about to jump out of a plane. Her advice when your brain starts grinding its gears like that is to recognize the thinking as fear-driven, and then if it's a food choice, to go ahead and do whatever is scaring you. That's how it becomes not scary.
I've noticed that I'm still in all those same situations that used to flip me out: plans changed at the last minute, wanting more of something, eating out, etc.. I still make a choice, but the choice isn't based on fear (of weight gain), so it's quick and painless. I eat it or I don't. I can see how I thought the fear of weight gain helped me not gain weight. In fact, it helped me eat like an idiot. 😄 I'm far more likely to relax and eat in line with my values when I'm not panicked and beating myself up.