Anyone Else Stress/Emotional Eating?

[Emancipation 2]

Okay, so 3 years ago I underwent a "lifestyle change" and lost 45 lbs. I changed the way I ate and it really paid off. SINCE I started this "journey" it's been nothing but comfort food and carbs for me.

Anyone else stress eating to make it through this crazy circus?

I'd love to get back on track, but honestly, I know I'd keep going back to the "bad food" for some form of comfort.. so what's the point? Maybe next year in the "nice comfy year" before removing conditions

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Is using ChromPic as a "damage mitigator" OK with you?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Okay, so 3 years ago I underwent a "lifestyle change" and lost 45 lbs. I changed the way I ate and it really paid off. SINCE I started this "journey" it's been nothing but comfort food and carbs for me.

Anyone else stress eating to make it through this crazy circus?

I'd love to get back on track, but honestly, I know I'd keep going back to the "bad food" for some form of comfort.. so what's the point? Maybe next year in the "nice comfy year" before removing conditions

I've found it a daily struggle. Everytime I'm hungry, I have to talk myself out of eating stuff like ice cream or potato chips and settle for a healthier alternative. But don't deny yourself some treats. Remember...moderation in all things.

[homesick_american 1]

You need to find something else to take your stress out on, and you need to dump the unhealthy eating habits. I know that's sort of stating the obvious, but it's true. It's really hard to change your eating habits once you slide into unhealthy habits. Whenever I slip up, I go through the house and throw out the junk food if it's been opened, and give it away to friends if it hasn't. Basically just get RID of it. Don't say "Ooh, I'll just finish THIS tube of Pringles" or "this is the last bag of Peanut M&Ms." No. Junk it. When you go to the supermarket don't even go down those aisles. If you're like I used to be and you browse every aisle, stop that right now. I don't go anywhere near the snack food/chocolate/cookie aisles in the store. If I don't go past the bad stuff, it doesn't find its way into my cart.

I dunno about you but when I'm doing certain things, I find it impossible to stuff my face at the same time. Cleaning the house is a good one. Yard work is another. Wash the car. Take a shower. Go for a bike ride. Go for a jog. Take a swim. The TV and the computer are YOUR ENEMIES when it comes to stress/comfort eating, since it's easy to go through a whole bag of chips or a whole box of cookies while you're vegging. I know, I've done it myself.

[Lou Lou 1]

Is using ChromPic as a "damage mitigator" OK with you?

While Chromium Picolinate will help a few people, it is not really that successful.

If you are a carb addict, try taking l-glutamine before meals to help curb cravings.

HA is right. If the bad food isn't in your house, you simply can't eat it. Shop around the edges of the supermarket. That is generally where the fresh and good foods are. Don't go down the aisles unless you need bog roll!

Another thing I would suggest is to ask yourself whether you are actually hungry and need to eat those foods. Often dehydration can be mistaken for hunger. So when you want to reach for bad foods, drink a pint of water and then ask yourself if you need to eat. It should have at least taken some of the craving away, and given you time to make the right choices instead of giving in to the carb monster.

[ChristinaM 0]

I understand completely. 60lb in 6 months, honey!

It's very hard not to reach for something with vast amounts of sugar in it when you need a pick-me-up because you're tired and stressed out, and let's face it - potatoes and bread are the best comfort food in the world ever!

I agree with HA and Lou Lou; avoid center aisles in the supermarket.

(Coming from the girl who's sat at ther desk eating a Twix and drinking a regular coke )

[Marilyn. 340]

I gained about 40 lbs in about 9 months after I moved to the US.... We ate out more in those 9 months then I ever had in my entire life.... which isn't saying much because I ate out maybe 1 or twice a month before moving here.... but here in the US we ate out 1 or twice a week... some times more.... Hubby was also working evening/night shift and would be home around 10pm-12am and I would usually wait to eat dinner with him....

I haven't really gained any more weight since then (that was about 2 years ago).... my weight keeps fluctuating around the same number....

We have cut back on the amount of times we eat out though... and hubby now has day shift so we can eat at a normal time...

My problem is that I like to snack in the evening... I try to stick to no eating after 7pm and I do good for awhile but then I go right back to my old ways

[Fandango 1,439]

...But how much of a comfort is this food when you're heading towards gaining all your weight back? It's destroying all your hard work.

[Emancipation 2]

*sigh.. it's good not to be alone... My problem is not that I don't know how to eat well, and to eat to loose weight (cut out sugar, carbs and dairy), but it's the willpower that has gone by the wayside these days. With all the stress and the strain of the move and starting over my resolve to be good to my body and to eat right is gone.. vanished...

But... I'm not as bad as I USED to be.. ( I could eat a big bag of Doritios and think nothing of it), so progress is being made I suppose And I'm walking every morning now. It is good to get out, makes you want to take care of your body more when you get it moving (and realize how out of shape it is).

Edited April 25, 2007 by Emancipation

[Nessa 23]

Try to substitute the eatting to going to the gym, find yourself something to do, read books, exercise. I lost weight during the K1 process, but I had in mind I wanted to look gorgeous on my wedding day for my husband. I was going to the gym 6 days a week, watching my food and all. I had something to look forward to.

But then, since I've been here i gained weight the first 3-4 months, so bored, without nothing to do. Then I decided it's time to change, I'll go back to going to the gym 6 days a week and I'll start watching my food again. So that's what I've been doing, I already lost some weight and I've been feeling great.

It's alll a matter to focus your frustration to either do something that will hinder you, like overeatting, or do something that will benefit you, like eatting properly and exercising.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

If it's not in the house I won't eat it. The problem is my wife will buy a bag of doritos, eat a few and I'll eat the rest.

I have been exercising so my weight is stable and I feel great.

[Alex+R 0]

Hello, add me to the "yes, definitely yes" column. Never been such a porker in my life. NOTHING fits. Argh. It's tragicomical. Trying to do something about it... So I gained a ton of weight my last bit in Brazil (quit smoking) and lost a ton when I came home, then gained a ton between visits to Rey, and lost a little, then he moved here and I keep gaining. It's terrible! I feel so old, dealing with all this...

[doodlebug 3]

Having a goal has always helped me keep it in check. I definitely eat due to stress but like now, for example, I know I will see hubby in about 3 mos or so so I keep on thinking of how I want to feel good about myself when I'm with him.

Also I agree with keeping the junk out of the house. It's hard with me 'cause I have two skinny daughters so I do keep chips, cookies, etc. but I buy the single serving sizes so that I can't in a weak moment just open a big bag of Lays and eat the whole thing. (oh I've done that!!!)

Instead once I go grocery shopping I chop up veggies to munch on. All I need is that CRUNCH for my stress and celery dipped in salsa or english cukes chopped up with a little salt does the trick *most* of the time. I always make sure I have those types of munchies in abundance so that I have no excuse to eat those sour cream n onion pringles!!!! Also I stock up on sugar free popsicles so when the girls are having their Ben n Jerry's NY Super Chunk Fudge ice cream I can feel like I'm not depriving myself too too much.

Exercise is key too. Anything. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Don't try to park so close to that building. Go for a 20 min walk at lunch, etc.

[MissStacey 1]

Now that I have the approval notice the race is on for the diet! I do good during the day time- I bring healthy food for lunch and then I am bad at night! I gain fast and I lose fast. If my petition is going to Vancouver and it is as fast as they say it is- I have to get on it. Now.

Plus I feel so crappy and tired when I eat lots of junk.

Being at home right now it hard- my family are junk food junkies. There is always so much junk food in the house.

Edited April 26, 2007 by Stacey33

[one...two...tree 2,762]

*sigh.. it's good not to be alone... My problem is not that I don't know how to eat well, and to eat to loose weight (cut out sugar, carbs and dairy), but it's the willpower that has gone by the wayside these days. With all the stress and the strain of the move and starting over my resolve to be good to my body and to eat right is gone.. vanished...

But... I'm not as bad as I USED to be.. ( I could eat a big bag of Doritios and think nothing of it), so progress is being made I suppose And I'm walking every morning now. It is good to get out, makes you want to take care of your body more when you get it moving (and realize how out of shape it is).

Get yourself a copy of this great reference book,

Cravings can tell us something about our diet - Dr. Mindell believes it is our own body craving for what is missing in our diet nutrionally. For example, if you crave peanut butter, your body could be short on B vitamins as well as sodium.

I think the biggest set up for failure is when for example, you are craving ice cream but then force yourself to eat steamed broccoli as an alternative. We need fat - but it's the certain kinds of fats (fish oils, olive, vegetable) that we need and if we go on some radical diet trying to cut too much (animal) fat out - we'll eventually fail as we give in to our cravings.

Same goes for carbs - our bodies need carbs...but quality means everything (Doritos vs. bran muffin).

Edited April 26, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky