New Strategies for Stress + Skipping Meals

kiela64

I've noticed my calories jump significantly as school has gotten closer and started this week. As I get more stressed, it seems like my willpower wears thin. It's a problem I really need to get a handle on, especially with convenience options in my school that are tempting. Those foods are calming for me, which is not a good pattern to be in. Does anyone have strategies they use to manage eating while underslept and stressed?

This is a side note, but I skipped breakfast on wednesday because I got so little sleep I was moving too slowly to leave on time otherwise. But I felt ill all day, all foggy and unable to focus or hold a conversation even after I ate lunch and dinner. I got a massive headache and couldn't shake the wrong-feeling until the next day. Yet I see so many people not eat breakfast without any problem with Intermittent Fasting - does anyone else have this difficulty? It just seems unusual compared to what I've read

callsitlikeiseeit

i dont really fast, but i often skip breakfast (just not a breakfast person). the only time i DO have breakfast is before my zumba class cause I'll get too dizzy and lightheaded otherwise.

And I'm one of those who stops eating when I'm stressed. I also stop sleeping but whatever LOL

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

I need breakfast or I'm a mess all day. Everyone is different.

Do you have a slow cooker? There are recipes for overnight steel cut oats that are great. Actually a slow cooker would make your life a lot easier.

PinkPixiexox

I don't think there's a definitive answer to stop emotional eating - it really does come from within. I'm sorry if this is the most unhelpful answer ever, but somehow you need to dig deep and ask yourself how important your goal is. Chances are, the stress eating will make you feel even MORE stressed. I'd say, when stressed - take yourself out of the situation. Read a book. Watch a film. Go for a walk (De-stressing AND exercising!). Surf the net. Phone a friend. Eating isn't the only method - it's just something to do, right? Certainly not the only thing to do. You'll get there. Good luck.

terar21

People are just different.

The things you're reading on IF are probably written by people who have been successful and didn't have issues. Those that weren't successful on it just stop doing it and don't write about how you do IF. So that would be why you haven't read about many people struggling on it

I personally can't do it. My stomach gets knotted up and I get light headed going without food or on less-than-normal deficit calories for an extended period.

I would really try to tackle the stress you're having so that you can continue with the process you know works for you.

Might be good to also take a good look at those convenient options at school and see which ones would be a good fit in your diary and which ones will throw it off.

Strawblackcat

Different strokes for different folks. I've tried eating breakfast countless times over my life since I've always heard how it was so important, but I just can't do it. Eating as soon as I get up just makes me feel sick, no matter what it is or how little it is. I do much better on a cup of black coffee for my morning "meal".

You and I seem to have to opposite problem in relation to stress and eating. When I'm stresses, I lose my appetite. I tend to get anxious, which just makes everything taste like sand and sit in my stomach like lead. That would be great if I was trying to lose weight, but it's not so great considering that I'm sitting on the very bottom fringes of the 'healthy' bmi category. Then again, when I WAS losing weight, I was the kind of person that could eat 1200 calories and be perfectly satisfied and happy.