New thread- emotional eating

[50sjayne]

Would just post on the spring challenge board, but it's so busy now, I would just get lost and it would crowd it up more. Tried posting on a coping board on Dis boards but got no response so here. (not expecting anything here really- I am Susan, the amazing thread killer)
What does everyone do to cope with emotional stress etc.? With anger it's easy- I will just get on the treadmill pushing harder every time I thought of my problem-- which was generally my teenage daughter. This is different for me. It's just shock and devastation. And I'm eating. No one died, it's just someone I cared a lot about is gone forever. For me anyway. I've talked to some friends, it helped, I've rethought my favorite motivational thinker/psychologists thoughts on a similiar subject and it helped. Thank god I watched him for 2 hours New Years Day (OPB) before work when the bomb happened to drop. But I'm still eating. I know I'll heal eventually but right now it is just so severely painful. For those of you who may remember me from the spring challenge last year(and the rest of the following challenges)- this is regarding my same problem from then. I dunno- I think I'm ok except for the eating part right now and the complete loss of motivation to exercise. It is actually like I am experiencing shock symptoms right now. Anyone see Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind? I'd like to do that.
Anyway if anyone out there would like to share some of their ways of coping with great sadness without eating-- please do... -- I need to watch Gone With the Wind. Hmm Maybe I'll read it. Lost my Ashley....So what the heck did she do then? I need to know. Tara. Right.

 

[FireDancer]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I have no real mechanism for dealing with emotional eating but I think the best way to handle it is a shift in the way food is viewed. As I often post on threads here, and many others as well, the key to controlling emotional eating is to look at food as fuel and nothing else. It isn't a friend or a way to fill a void (well, other than the one in the stomach ) or to just pass the time. Food is fuel and not a friend. Of course I realize that this is easier for some than others, but consciousness of the situation is the first and probably most important step.

Before anyone can deal with emotional eating they first have to recognize that they are doing it and it seems like that step is handled. There are probably others who have dealt with this particular issue and can help you better but the way I would handle it is in stages. I mean maybe at first you realize you are eating for an emotional reason and make a better food choice. This would be a logical first step and can then be stepped down to eating less of that better choice until you have kicked the habit.

For example, I knew that I had to do something about all the sugar I was putting in my coffee. I knew I couldn't go from the multiple table spoons to nothing but wanted to step down. I bought sugar in cubes and went from 3 to a cup to 2 to 1 to none. It was more gradual and more realistic than cold turkey. To correlate it to your problem I would get something filling but not really bad and have it around. When you recognize that you are about to eat for emotional support instead of grabbing the ice cream or chocolate grab some rice cakes, almonds, or no sugar added dried fruit. Once you are in the habit of doing that the next step would be to grab a hand full of the food instead of the whole bag and step it down from there.

The key is to want to quite, just like smoking, drugs, or alcohol, and it seems like you have that part down.

Good luck, you will find a lot of good advice here.

 

[disney_mommy]

You recognize that you have an issue with that, so I think that's an important first step.

For me personally, if I keep my hands busy then I tend to stay away from the emotional eating. When I sit and watch TV, my hands are empty so I feel like I should be munching on something. But if I'm reading a magazine 2-handed, or scrapbooking, or typing on the computer, or giving myself a manicure, then my hands stay busy and I don't go for the fridge. I have also been known to go out to the mall to window shop just to get away from temptation.

Just stop before you eat something, and say to yourself, why am I eating this? Will eating this make me happy? Will eating this solve my problems? Will I regret eating this?

That technique has worked for me many times.

 

[TammyNC]

Like has already been said, the first step is you are recognizing that it is an issue and that is a great accomplishment. The next step is finding what works for you because we all are different.

I am also one that finds if I'm keeping my hands busy even if my mind isn't into a project that helps me not keep putting the food in.

I love the ideas others have shared as well and loved FireDancer's food is fuel, not your friend.

Good luck and lots of 's coming your way!!

 

[50sjayne]

Thank you. Came here to actually delete my post today but found a lot of sense. Staying busy is going to be very important right now, as well as filling up on good stuff. I need to seriously start planning our trip too, making reservations etc. Think I'll throw myself into the very busy spring challenge board as well-- that'll help! I might email a friend of mine who moved to Hawaii a few months back who knew all about my particular situation--the truth of it anyway. And thanks again, I know what to do, but it's like I'm moving in slow motion right now, not thinking right. That could also have something to do with lack of sleep...lol. I'm reading Steven King's The Dome right now. Reading his books are my favorite thing in the world- especially new, but even as I'm enjoying it, it was one of the things we had in common. I cannot tear myself away from the book, that's not possible, but at the same time I probably am thinking of him a lot more than I would be otherwise....that's ok, it forces me to get this all out of my system I guess instead of cramming it away somewhere. I am so glad the Biggest Loser is starting tonight. I need to find out which of Jillians books was the best on the psychological tilt and Buy it. I need Jillian...

 

[LuvBaloo]

Sorry you are struggling right now.

When I'm dealing with sadness, I will often have a hot shower and a good cry in the shower.
I also will go read a favorite book in the bath.

I also try to keep busy, and do more hobbies (cross-stitch usually).

I will also try to eat foods that feel like a treat, yet are healthy and take time. For example, I'll buy a pineapple because it takes time to cut it up and it is a treat, but much better than chips or chocolate.

 

[jbm02]

Susan,
I can't add anything to help you through it. Lame, I know. If I knew how to conquer my emotional eating, I'd be a size 2. So we're all there with you. Just know that we are sending you virtual hugs of encouragement.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

For sadness or things I need to work through in my head, I walk. Not a fast paced treadmill walk but a walk in the woods, on a trail, on our green. Usually with an iPod.

 

[fashionista311]

emotional eating/eating out of boredom used to be a favorite occupation of mine. i'm not means perfect but here are some ideas that ive come up with that have kept me on track...
1) i ask myself am i REALLY hungry or am i just eating to eat? i drink water. i wait 15 minutes. if i'm still hungry, fine, i'll go look at my healthy options. if nothing turns me on....eh i'm probably not that hungry.
2) i don't keep junk in the house. period. that's how my mom ran her household when we were growing up...and although i hated it as a child, it's such a useful practice now. it's much harder to eat a chocolate bar when you have to go outside in the freezing cold.
3) i go grocery shopping once a week, and make sure i have enough food for dinners. after i spent x amount of money on food, i'll make sure i eat it. it's so easy to order take out in the city...but whenever i get a craving/really tired from work, i ask myself "is that greasy food really worth the $12 plus the 900 calories?" and i usually find the willpower to cook a healthy alternative.
4) as soon as i buy anything, i make sure to divide into individual portions. although i spend about a half hour or so in the kitchen prepping for the week, it sure beats having a box open that i can mindless dig into.
5) stay busy. less time sitting around, less idle time, less time spent eating.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

and, when I am going through emotional eating and realize that is the case, I log everything on sparkpeople. You know when I require accountability of myself for the digressions, it seems to be harder to keep going to the kitchen. I also am a big fan of those walks when I can get out somehow for the diversion. Anything to get moving or out of the food area.

Good for you recognizing your need. Hugs to you as you get through it. You will get through it. You will!

Take a deep breath, look in the mirror and smile at yourself.

 

[50sjayne]

Sorry you are struggling right now.

When I'm dealing with sadness, I will often have a hot shower and a good cry in the shower.
I also will go read a favorite book in the bath.

I also try to keep busy, and do more hobbies (cross-stitch usually).

I will also try to eat foods that feel like a treat, yet are healthy and take time. For example, I'll buy a pineapple because it takes time to cut it up and it is a treat, but much better than chips or chocolate.

You know I think you guys have it right, indulging yourself in healthy ways. Walks. I thinks I'll start walking at night again, I have tons of Dr. Wayne Dyer tapes I can pop into my ancient walkman. And I need him right now. I was very happy my husband actually watched Biggest Loser last night with me..never thought he'd watch the whole 2 hours but he commented at the end how quickly the time went by. Then Jillian and Guy Fieri were on Leno... that made me sooo happy. 2 of my favorite people right now. this will be a battle for me, but I am hitting the ground running. Slept 10 hours last night. I know this all seems extreme but I am prone to severe depression and those long winter months here in the rain drenched Willamette Valley kill me. I'm using my sunlight light though and I know what works with fighting depression-- I just have to do it.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

You know I think you guys have it right, indulging yourself in healthy ways. Walks. I thinks I'll start walking at night again, I have tons of Dr. Wayne Dyer tapes I can pop into my ancient walkman. And I need him right now. I was very happy my husband actually watched Biggest Loser last night with me..never thought he'd watch the whole 2 hours but he commented at the end how quickly the time went by. Then Jillian and Guy Fieri were on Leno... that made me sooo happy. 2 of my favorite people right now. this will be a battle for me, but I am hitting the ground running. Slept 10 hours last night. I know this all seems extreme but I am prone to severe depression and those long winter months here in the rain drenched Willamette Valley kill me. I'm using my sunlight light though and I know what works with fighting depression-- I just have to do it.

My DH watches with me too. He's amazed at the transformation of everyone.

I take vitamin D over winter for my seasonal depression. My brother uses a light too.

 

[LuvBaloo]

You know I think you guys have it right, indulging yourself in healthy ways. Walks. I thinks I'll start walking at night again, I have tons of Dr. Wayne Dyer tapes I can pop into my ancient walkman. And I need him right now. I was very happy my husband actually watched Biggest Loser last night with me..never thought he'd watch the whole 2 hours but he commented at the end how quickly the time went by. Then Jillian and Guy Fieri were on Leno... that made me sooo happy. 2 of my favorite people right now. this will be a battle for me, but I am hitting the ground running. Slept 10 hours last night. I know this all seems extreme but I am prone to severe depression and those long winter months here in the rain drenched Willamette Valley kill me. I'm using my sunlight light though and I know what works with fighting depression-- I just have to do it.

Lack of sunlight is really hard! Glad you enjoyed BL last night and got so see Guy & Jillian in Jay! I've never heard of Wayne Dyer, I'll have to google him. Hope you get another good nights sleep tonight.

 

[TxRabbit]

I'm not an expert... There seem to be two aspects to emotional eating. The first is simple. There's a physical reaction that your body has when you eat. Especially depending on what you eat. It's why people crave different foods. What you eat when you eat emotionally could be an indication on the physical reaction your body is looking for. I heard some different things on a radio program, chocolate means your body is craving endorphins. Physical activity to overcome that craving. Salty food is a need for sodium. Recommend celery and cucumbers (both with a high level of natural sodium) to satisfy the craving.

You may not be dealing with a craving, but if you typically gravitate toward a certain food when you eat this way, you can figure out something that you could do that would be a healthier choice that would give you the same physical satisfaction that the emotional eating would have.

Second, are obviously the emotions. I think the eating comes because it's easy. The kitchen is there. The fridge. The pantry. Like the TV. Out homes are totally set up to be able to eat and watch tv. We struggle to make room in our homes for other activities. And that would be my suggestion for the emotion. Like PPs who said that they keep their hands busy, it would be a great motivation to start something that you always wanted to do but didn't make time for before.

Scrapbooking. Cross stitch. Photography. Web Site Development. Organizing your music collection. I don't know. Then spend some time to make it EASIER for you to do this. Make it as easy to do as it is to go open the fridge. Then, when you feel that urge to eat, you can do a couple things. You might actually eat something, but something that would be a better choice than your typical, and you DO something that you have designated to do when these feelings hit.

HTH.

 

[50sjayne]

I'm not an expert... There seem to be two aspects to emotional eating. The first is simple. There's a physical reaction that your body has when you eat. Especially depending on what you eat. It's why people crave different foods. What you eat when you eat emotionally could be an indication on the physical reaction your body is looking for. I heard some different things on a radio program, chocolate means your body is craving endorphins. Physical activity to overcome that craving. Salty food is a need for sodium. Recommend celery and cucumbers (both with a high level of natural sodium) to satisfy the craving.

You may not be dealing with a craving, but if you typically gravitate toward a certain food when you eat this way, you can figure out something that you could do that would be a healthier choice that would give you the same physical satisfaction that the emotional eating would have.

Second, are obviously the emotions. I think the eating comes because it's easy. The kitchen is there. The fridge. The pantry. Like the TV. Out homes are totally set up to be able to eat and watch tv. We struggle to make room in our homes for other activities. And that would be my suggestion for the emotion. Like PPs who said that they keep their hands busy, it would be a great motivation to start something that you always wanted to do but didn't make time for before.

Scrapbooking. Cross stitch. Photography. Web Site Development. Organizing your music collection. I don't know. Then spend some time to make it EASIER for you to do this. Make it as easy to do as it is to go open the fridge. Then, when you feel that urge to eat, you can do a couple things. You might actually eat something, but something that would be a better choice than your typical, and you DO something that you have designated to do when these feelings hit.

HTH.

Well I read the book (The Dome--not a quick read) so I am done with that and it'll all be downhill from there. I understand now why he wanted me to read it so bad...So it's ok-- I do get a little closure.
Immediately threw myself into organizing all of our cupboards and I'm making completely detailed lists of what is in everything and how much. I think I'll do the freezers too. I did this listening to middle eastern pop-- something I love that I forget I love. Discovered it in a little shop in Seattle years ago.
I've also got our trip down pat. It did take a little extra effort because of the give a day thing and the fact that we are going with my husbands family and it's peak summer. We've never gone during the busy season. I went to see Princess and the Frog with my Mom and son-- it was wonderful, we loved it. I'm gonna take son to see Fantastic Mr. Fox today-'sposed to be pretty good and it's at the $1 theater so cool. I think the more things I do right now that feel good instead of eating will be good. I'm down #2 pounds this week actually so thank you for swinging me your lifevests-- it is much much appreciated.