Overthinking And How It Kept Me Fat

If you’re anything like me, overthinking can feel like a sneaky little menace that’s always lurking around. It shows up when you need to make a quick decision or when you’re ready to try something new, and it can leave you feeling stuck. In today’s episode, I dig into how overthinking has played a massive role in my health journey. I also share what I’m changing this year to regain balance.

We explore the powerful grip overthinking can have on dyslexic and ADHD minds. There’s a reason it’s so hard to switch off at night or take simple steps toward a healthier lifestyle. My hope is that, as you read this, you’ll feel a bit more understood and better equipped to make tiny but meaningful tweaks in your life.

Understanding Overthinking for Dyslexia and ADHD

We’re wired to process the world differently. That’s not news. But sometimes this alternative wiring leads us to cycle through thoughts more than most people. Overthinking becomes a mental hamster wheel. We try to solve problems in our head and end up stuck in a loop.

I often see this happen when I focus on my next big goal. I want to do it right, so I break it down into endless possibilities. Then I can’t do anything at all. This is one of the main points I touch on in the episode:

“Overthinking is like the devil for those of us with Dyslexia and/or ADHD. It plays tricks on us.”

It’s pretty powerful stuff. When you let your mind wander too far, it’s easy to forget the real world outside your head. Overthinking can shape how you see yourself, how you talk to others, and even how you manage your health.

How Overthinking Affects My Health

Any time I start a new plan to get fit or eat better, my brain initiates a rapid-fire evaluation. Is this the right plan, or do I need a different programme? Will it work with my schedule? Is there a catch I haven’t spotted? I go in circles so much that I forget to just begin.

This pattern impacted my physical health in small but critical ways:

• I’d stress about making the perfect meal choices and end up eating nothing helpful at all.
• I’d question if my workout routine was optimal and decide to start “tomorrow.”
• I’d research every new diet, from Keto to intermittent fasting, and remain stuck in research mode.

It wasn’t until I realised the cumulative cost of this endless mental debate that I decided to simplify. I didn’t want to burn out before I’d even started. The truth was that a simple, imperfect plan was far better than over-researching, never choosing anything, and doing nothing.

Building Mindful Habits

Sometimes, the simplest way to handle overthinking is by doing little things that keep your mind and body on the same page. When I wake up, I skip the complicated question of “What’s best for me today?” Instead, I follow a short routine.

That routine might look like:

1. Hydrate with a glass of water – first thing in the morning.
2. Spend five minutes stretching or breathing, no phone involved.
3. Write down what I’ll eat for lunch – no second-guessing.

Each small step reduces the noise in my head. Instead of ruminating on whether I need a 12-step routine or a personal trainer, I start moving, quite literally. I talk about this in the episode as well, how small functional changes can keep you from spiralling in your own thoughts.

The Way Forward

One of the goals I’ve set for this year is to channel my energy more effectively. You don’t get rid of overthinking overnight, but there are things we can do:

• Stop Chasing Perfection – It’s impossible to predict every outcome. Accept a bit of trial and error.
• Set Tiny Goals – Focus on manageable, bite-sized targets so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the big picture.
• Seek Accountability – Ask a friend or professional to keep you on track and out of your head.

By exploring these options, we can start injecting real change into our lives. That might mean making small improvements to your diet or exercise routine, or just finding a more forgiving way to talk to yourself when anxiety creeps in.

Small Reminders for Combatting Overthinking

I’ll be honest, changing these habits isn’t easy. But it’s definitely not impossible. If I could give you a grounded tip, it’s this: trust yourself more. At some stage, you have to believe your initial instinct is good enough. That doesn’t mean ignorance. It means quieting the roar of your mind long enough to move forward.

When you do catch yourself overanalysing, imagine it as a quiet alarm bell. Acknowledge it, then step away from the panic. Do one concrete thing that moves you along. Even if you’re wrong, you’ll have learnt something about the next step. In many ways, that’s more helpful than getting it “perfect” the first time.

• Your feelings are valid, but they don’t always get the final say.
• Thinking helps, but doing teaches you faster.
• Celebrate even the smallest wins – small steps add up over time.

At the end of the day, what we want is to feel more at ease. If you reduce the mental chatter by just 10 percent today, tomorrow will likely be a bit better. Keep in mind that our dyslexic and ADHD brains want stimulation. Sometimes that inclination for fresh ideas can sabotage us. With practice, though, we learn to channel that creativity more productively.

• Overthinking can sabotage your health journey by paralysing your ability to act.
• Small daily habits are easier to manage and keep you moving.
• Accepting imperfection frees up mental space for growth.
• Mindful routines reduce the noise that often leads to inaction.
• Progress thrives when we trust ourselves and take small, consistent steps.

Ready to dive deeper? The full episode is packed with stories and practical tips to keep you on track. Scroll up and press play to hear it all for yourself. Let’s learn how to outsmart overthinking, together.