Feelings of Anxiety While Reducing Calorie Consumption

kjfhw

i would like to know if others sometimes notice more anxious feelings while not having their 'crutch' of food to help them cope?

rosebarnalice

Anxiety, not really. But it dies make me very aware of situations where I should have formerly turned to food for comfort.

I try to remember that "food is not a feeling", and give myself permission to just FEEL my feelings rather than racing to stuff them down with food.

CrazyMermaid1

When you use food for comfort there will be discomfort when you have to limit it. I recommend counseling to help you with this.

skeller102089

I do. That's the biggest reason I always fail when I try to lose weight. I have always been an emotional eater and when I get to that point where I'm trying to diet and I can't eat all the stuff I'm used to I just about panic. I start realizing that I can't run to sweets when I'm stressed out or upset and I can't grab a burger when I'm having an awesome day. It kills me to realize that I have taught myself to depend on food so much. Now I have to learn that my life shouldn't revolve around food... and that is incredibly difficult...

MarcyKirkton

I felt kind of anxious, I guess, when I started cooking and on a diet. My old meal plans didn't work. It felt a bit like I'd never get to really cook and enjoy meals again. But that's passed. Now I just am enjoying finding some really nice low-calorie dishes that are healthy, filling and extremely great on calories. I think mostly it's about adapting to change.

But I absolutely knew I had to change. I'm older and gosh, adding a few extra pounds a year isn't a big deal. BUT......even so, I hit a point where I was in the unhealthy range, weight-wise. That is not OK to me. So the trade-off......bit of sense of loss in what I viewed as enjoyable part of life........for better health.

I think you're making the right choice too.

jgnatca

You have some good insight. What else might you do to reduce your anxiety instead of reaching for food?

kshama2001

kjfhw wrote: »

i would like to know if others sometimes notice more anxious feelings while not having their 'crutch' of food to help them cope?

I had anxiety last night at 4 AM and took some chewable vitamin C and was able to get back to sleep. Not sure what exactly produced the placebo effect, but I was happy for it

During the day if I have a surprise bout of anxiety, I'll go outside and do some yardwork or gardening. Picking up sticks is surprisingly soothing, as is pruning.

But with regular exercise, my overall anxiety is much less. Exercise gives me the same kick I used to get from a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

VykkDraygoVPR

kshama2001 wrote: »

But with regular exercise, my overall anxiety is much less. Exercise gives me the same kick I used to get from a pint of Ben & Jerry's.

This. I go to the gym if I can't sleep, or if am feeling down. It always acts as a pick me up.

The way I avoid indulging in "crutch" foods is to refrain from buying them. I've never really eaten for comfort, but I did eat a lot of things like chips, cheez its, or goldfish, out of boredom. I stop buying them, so I break the habit.

distinctlybeautiful

You know, I eat at maintenance, around 2000 calories a day, and I have this little bit of anxiety about not having enough food at work. I only work a six hour day, although sometimes due to my husband's schedule and our shared car, I'm actually out of the house for twelve hours, but I always pack enough to eat every two hours. I'm not sure why I feel slightly anxious about it.. I've been hungry before and survived! Honestly now that I've typed this I'm wondering if it comes from looking at food as fuel and being nervous that if I don't have enough I won't be as alert and ready to do what I need to do. Hmm..

sarahdayski

I suffer from stress and anxiety and have found regular exercise helps. I have changed my relationship with food and now see it as fuel for my body rather then the 'crutch' when i need emotional support. I am adamant i will not gain weight again, i have days where i dont log my food and just enjoy a normal days of eating.

lc355

I did eat a lot of things like chips, cheez its, or goldfish, out of boredom.

You ate goldfish?!