Anyone else an emotional eater/ drinker?

MelindaBev

I find myself looking for food or liquor when I am upset. I know this is when I need to exercise, but I don't usually want to when I am like this Any tips?

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anitralahiri

I eat when I'm happy, joyful, excited, stressed, worried ... My go-to is ice cream.

I haven't binged in a week and what has helped me is exercising a bit when I feel stressed (or breathing deeply), and committing to my health: my heart, my circulation, my weight, my children.

pie_eyes

Yes I do this but don't have any advice

HeavyHaulin16

I do that too.

PamelaW41

Yes when I'm stressed or upset I want to eat, so I go shopping instead.

joelo_83

Happy = eat all the food
Upset/stressed = zero appetite

Idk how to fix this tho

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jahillegas_51

I mean this comes from a spot of tough love. I used to be an emotional eater myself, I just had to be self-aware of when I felt this way. I know its tough, and I wish I had some secret to give you.

You just can't fool yourself into thinking you can do this, without making an effort to change. Like when we are emotional, we are at our weakest and most vulnerable points to give into our vices, whatever it maybe...drugs, food, alcohol, porn, etc...

I had to learn to acknowledge that state and get to a place were I could retreat from the temptation. Now that could be up to you and I don't know what makes you happy. You need to go do that:)

Over time, you will begin to reduce your need for the vice when you are feeling emotional. You will begin to understand that life has those moments, and that truly 99.7% of things that happen don't matter.

Sorry for the philosophy lesson, but I used to be an emotional eater too, it took me some time to understand all this too.

jaelynsmith

Yes, completely. I do not have a healthy relationship with food. That is why I am here

lorylorybobory

I eat when I'm stressed out or upset but I've found I don't have any cravings or a need for a specific kind of food; eg. sweets. It's more the motion of eating that calms me down. So I try to always have cut up carrots on hand to binge on, especially at work.

rogermedic71

I find when I'm in a relaxed state I'm able to focus on eating clean and working out. I'm able to push myself through the hunger and the pain I have during some workouts. When I'm stressed and tired I sometimes just can't put up with it and give in. I've been off work injured for several weeks and find it much easier sticking to a diet routine. Not as easy working 70 hours a week and being up all night running EMS/Fire calls. Most people gain weight when they go off injured from inactivity. I've lost 20 lbs since my injury. Fortunately I've been able to work out my upper body at least.

RyanRox80

ejinvt wrote: »

jaelynsmith wrote: »

Yes, completely. I do not have a healthy relationship with food. That is why I am here

This right here ^ yep...

@ejinvt

Ditto...

KassiesJourney

Emotional drinker here When I get too stressed out all I can think about is needing a drink DX

futureicon

I snack when I'm bored at work..:(

xWondertje

I've got issues with binge eating from emotional reasons. If I'm happy, I celebrate with food. If I'm sad, I comfort with food. My day and life revolves around when/where/how/what I can eat. I'm working hard on making myself view food as fuel for my body, and not the only friend that loves me. It's difficult but I'm working on it.

jbconnelly

I don't have emotions. I just drink bc I like the taste..and to forget about work!

JensJourney11

Me too. It sucks. I have been trying very hard to work through it and not give in. I don't have any solid tips for you though. It's really about distraction for me. Also, if I haven't already logged my food for the day, I'll log it and try to convince myself that I don't want to ruin my day just because I'm feeling anxious/stressed. That being said...last night I logged my food, had a good day, everything was on track. Then something stressful happened and before I knew it, I've got a margarita in one hand and a box of Honeynut cheerios in the other (not a good combo). So yeah. It's a never-ending battle for me. Good luck

kate141987

I used to drink anytime I felt stressed, emotional or bored but it just made things much worse for me.
I would knock back so much booze until I was completely drunk, in a bit of a state really. I carried on this cycle until I realised it wasn't the answer, plus it was costing a lot of money.
There is a really good app you can download called drinkaware, it tells you exactly how many units your actually drinking and how many calories and you can log your drinking kinda like how this app works, iv found it really good, and it educates you on booze as well so you can make changes even just small ones at the start.
I got a fright at how many units I used to drink and the calories in alcohol.
Alcohol is the only thing that doesn't tell you how many calories it contains on the label because they are so amazingly high

lithezebra

I've started to think of emotional eating as a smothering and distasteful habit that prevents me from doing more important things, a sign that I think my own life is trivial and boring. When I want to eat, and I'm not hungry, I find something more important to do.

jaxCarrie

I do this too....but I've gotten better..what helped me....was being a bit introspective....I had a diary/journal where I would write what I was feeling (before/as I was helping myself to binge eat/eat mindlessly.) I at least figured out the triggers - stress, boredom....and then developed some coping mechanisms to get thru it (i.e. seated yoga stretches, reading a book, calling my mom...anything to keep me out of the kitchen.) I work from home...so it's a big issue for me.

TheProudDadLife

Used to be

tkpetges

Our brain wants reward, and eating is rewarding. It actually stimulates dopamine release in the brain, especially salty fat and or sugary food. We cannot overcome this drive to seek reward by willpower, but we can choose other activities that will reward the brain; they may take longer to achieve the dopamine reward than binging eating. You have to make a conscious choice to choose an alternative activity to stimulate dopamine release in the brain. Some alternative dopamine producing activities other than eating include exercise, meditation, getting outside in nature, being social, singing, dancing, and being creative (got a hobby?). Just keep at the alternative activity until your brain is satisfied.

ckelly5634

I used to do that a lot, like binge eating whenever I was bored or had a bad day. I chew gum all of the time. Taking a walk, reading, playing an instrument, even watching a good TV show is better than reaching for the chips that are calling your name. And its best not to even buy unhealthy snacks or alcohol in the first place (on your weekly grocery trip); if you want something unhealthy make sure that you will have to go to a store/restaurant to get it. I use these methods and I have dropped 20 pounds since February 19.

IamMicah

*raises hand* I used to have a good handle on it. When Id get upset or angry Id leave and go workout. Now my upset angry binges are back and I solve my problems with Large Caloric Consumption. Feeling full makes me feel better albeit temporarily

redesign125

I grew up in a "big, fat Greek family" so I can totally relate. We fix everything with food. Are you happy? Eat something. Are you sad? Eat something. Are you mad? Eat something. And on and on. Ugh

drbuzzard91

hell no, but ill take a drink though...

44to44

Definitely an emotional eater. When my mother was really sick there were times when I'd be eating compulsively and then realize I wasn't even tasting the food. I enjoy food - love cooking/baking, love eating, love feeding others. I am trying to find healthier ways to reward myself or deal with bad feelings - it's a process!

EZDUZIT68

Definitely an emotional eater. What I (try to) do is this: the moment I get the urge to splurge, the first thing I do is pour myself a large glass of water and slam it down. Usually fills me up really quick and I don't feel like eating.

TheProudDadLife

Used to be an emotional eater ., I've never been drinker