How can I avoid emotional eating?

Aeriel

I have been doing well for almost 2 months and have lost 19 pounds. However, my husband and I separated last night and while the last thing I feel like it eating now, I know it will come, as I have always been an emotional eater in response to stress in my life. Any advice or tips on how to keep myself on track? Thankfully it is not a nasty situation, as we are being mature for our two children, but still a huge stress.

nathaliexol

I am very sorry to hear you are going though a separation. It is very hard to not mix emotions with food for some reason. I recommend you to buy Fiber Choice's weight management chewable fiber supplement, it doesn't only control your carving but it also gives you the daily fiber intake you need. Take it before your main meal. Also you can probably eat fruits and vegetables, yogurt, raisins. They also sell Slim Quick protein shakes and if you blended with ice it makes a delicious snack (i'll control your sweet cravings).

kah78

Sorry about the seperation. Havign a list of other things you can do when you feel like eating helped me, and having healthy snacks, so that if I couldn't resist, at least I made a "better" choice, and worst case scenario--duct tape. It's hard to eat with your mouth taped shut!

lilay

I’m sorry to hear about you and your husband. I use to eat when I was sad, and stressed. Now I try to exercise or read anything to get my mind off of eating. One of the best things for me is to put on some music and dance with my kids or by myself. It lightens my mood and distracts me. If I choose to eat I try to make better choices like an apple sliced up and microwaved until tender then sprinkle on some cinnamon and sometimes I add a dollop of Cool Whip.

Ashia1317

Best thing: channel the anxiety or stress somewhere else. Call a friend to chat or go for a walk with them. Find yourself an activity in which you could enjoy by yourself for alone time or with the kids. Keep a journal and write your emotions instead of eating them. That way you know better how to handle or identify the stressers. Use exercise as an outlet.

I'm an emotional eater myself. PMS, stress, occasional bad day. It's hard to avoid. Somedays aren't great, and I give in to my emotions, and others I find areas where others can help me, or a good walk/run, even singing out loud in my car.

And if you have to, allow yourself a good cry, yell, scream. It's not easy going through what you are. And you have to give yourself those moments. Suppressing emotions or hiding it behind food only makes it worse.

Keep strong. You are amazing!

sjcply

a great kick *kitten* workout always keeps me from eating bad if I am in that mode. plus having only healthy food choices in the house helps too, that way you dont have bad food available.
Good luck and sorry to hear about your seperation, keep your head up and focus on YOU!!

sportygal

When the urge to eat for the wrong reasons starts...first take a walk around the block before you make a choice to eat. The endorphins from the walk might make you feel better and more apt to not eat. Also if you do eat...eat something like celery w peanut butter. REmember it is YOUR choice to fall into that trap. I know it's not easy.....we all have comfort foods...but will poor health make you feel better in the long run? I was at a break up when I started my journey....I fueled my energy into exercise!

Marla64

Sweetie-- let me share something with you--

" To feel good about myself again, to see myself accomplish something that has been a challenge all of my life and to have the energy to play with my two kids. I never intended to be a size 6, as I know it is not realistic for me, but if I could be back in a size 10-12 again, I would be right back to a healthy weight and enjoying life again. I realize now that my battle will never end, but this is the easiest and most effective way I have found so far to get results and I see myself following it for the rest of my life. "

Those words are taken from your profile.

Don't lose sight of them. Don't sabotage your efforts. You've come too far for that.

I'm so sorry for your situation, but you will be so empowered coming through this if you know that in an otherwise out of control world right now, you're controlling that which you can-- namely, what you put in your face.

You can do this--