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.

 

[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.......bored
.....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!!!