How many out there are stress eaters???

[karebear1]

And what do you do to distract yourself from eatng in those times of stress? I found my self VERY moody and stressed out today for aome reason- I mean EVERYTHING was bugging me. And I wanted to EAT!. Fortunately for me I wasn't home. But if I had been , I'm afraid I would've pigged out.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well, I do tend to want something "sweet" when I'm stressed out. I'm not exactly sure how to give you ideas on avoiding that though- since I have the same problem.
For instance, yesterday my 5yr old son fell off the monkey bars and fractured his right arm. I almost made it in time to catch him once I realized he was doing this- but he went right past my fingertips. :( Talk about stress.... does anyone like their baby hurt and dealing with the ER for hours?

The only way I can keep on track (since I'm doing Atkins) is to have something "legal" in my diet. I don't know what weightloss program (if any at all) you are doing so I can't give you any suggestions of what to help. For me it just means having something like SF chocolate (although very rarely on those) or since I've moved past induction now I might have a strawberry with whipped cream I've made... something like that. I haven't learned how to TOTALLY avoid those cravings when I want something out of "stress". Good luck to us both I guess. LOL

[tiggerlover]

I am a stress eater too. I am not too sure how I handle it now because I haven't had reason to stress eat since I started WW in February. I would like to think that I can handle it better now that I've adapted a healthier life. However, the potential exists and I can't say for sure until a little stress comes my way.

[nativetxn]

YIKES! 3B how scary. Bless his little heart, I hope he isn't having too much pain. How about a {{HUG}} from another mom who's been there with the broken bone thing?

I'm a stress eater, Karen. I will eat slices of ham with cream cheese or slices of turkey or roast beef with mayo. Sometimes I will eat green olives, deviled eggs. If I'm desparate for something sweet, I'll eat a carbolite bar. If I'm <i>really</i> upset I'll eat macadamia nuts.

I find it much easier to not do damage with my stress eating now that I follow the Atkins nutritional plan.

{{{HUGS}}} I sure hope you are less stressed tomorrow, Karen.

tiggerlover, if that stress day ever comes for you just run to WISH, we'll help you through.

Katholyn

[blanq]

You are not alone...I am a big time stress eater! I have been doing WISH for only 4 weeks, but there have a been a few stressful times during that 4 weeks and I have gotten through them without eating. I am trying to get in better tune with my body and emotions. Before I eat anything I have been trying to ask why I want to eat, and only to eat if it is for the right reason (i.e., I AM hungry). This little exercise has been helping, and has made me realize that sometimes I am wanting food when really I am tired, or thirsy, or stressed. I try to find another diverson to food when I know it is not really food my body needs at a particular moment. One think I do a lot when I get to that point is post here...it really helps!

Linda

[anniet]

I used to be a big stress eater, but I've changed my behaviour and become a stress cleaner; closets, windows, walls, floors.....I must not be under much stress lately. My apartment could use a good cleaning.:eek:

[KathyFP]

If I didn't have stress I would probably be a very small size. I have a lot of stress at my job. Every day!!!

What I have been trying to do when I get that urge to eat was focus on something I need to do and try to distract myself from thinking about food. This week at the office I would click on the board and read a little before moving on to another challange.

This has been working so far, but I am looking forward to others suggestions.

[Luvinit]

I go shopping...like to target or walmart..the more stressed I am the more money I usually spend. Once my little shopping rampage is over...I usually feel better. I did this last Sunday, I took my 6 yr old daughter with me...it was very relaxing. (for me)

Sometimes...when I don't have the extra cash to spend...(I know this is BAD...so PLEASE dont blast me..!!) I would shop around walmart or Target fill up my shopping cart with things...and we are talking like 1 - 2 hrs here....and then just leave my cart and go home. I know its strange, but when my kids were young I could barely afford toothpaste...but I needed to get out and be alone for a few hours...and walmart was open 24hrs across the street.

Good Luck!!!

[PAdisMOM]

I agree with blanq. I am a stress eater also. The only thing that helps me is realizing that I am a stress eater. Sometimes I can talk myself through it by realizing that I am not hungry, just stressed out.

I have to admit, this doesn't always work. But it works more now than it used to.

[airhead]

I eat when I'm stressed.......anxious.....sad......happy.......bo red
.....mad. Did I leave any emotion out?????


airhead

[JESW]

I am a very big stress AND pms eater. Last week was the absolute pits for me and I ate soooo much junk! I craved chocolate and salt. And so I ate. DH & I had been going through some issues but we finally found some time to talk so things are MUCH better. AF arrived this morning so that's over with too. I am planning on having a much better week.

Jill...who is sitting here drinking water with lemon instead of snacking

[TigH]

I am a former stress eater! :) I'd like to think I've broken the habit. My main form of stress came from my mom, but she has been much easier to be around lately (phew!) :) I'd always call DH and say we HAD to go to dinner (usually Mexican or a pub with good burgers). I have had such great results with WW and exercise since I started on WISH, so I haven't wanted to go off plan very much. It must be the exercise, because I just don't feel stressed like I used to. Maybe that and losing my old body image too.

Good luck to all you stress eaters. Think of it as a habit you CAN break! :) Next time you feel stressed, take a walk if you can. Just change your surroundings if possible. Don't let food be your comfort. Remember, you can do ANYTHING!!! :)