Stress Eating!!! Finding calm without food!

TayrayM

Stress sends me to the fridge! Or to the pantry! Or to Chick-fil-a.... for a milkshake 😬!!

I used to run to manage the stress but I can’t anymore so am looking for ideas to maintain calm so I can start to lose weight again!

Fflpnari

I can't run due to an injury but I can walk. Getting outside for a little while helps me with stress

Reyhanaaa

I am trying meditation - just a few minutes of slow inhaling and exhaling can be done anywhere and helps regain perspective if the situation.

Also, have chopped carrots/cucumber or grapes/nuts/apples to hand for stress eating without all the calories.

Another option - tea genuinely calms people and taking a moment to make it gives you a break from work and a moment to relax.

88olds

Sit down in a quiet place. Preferably not near the kitchen. No electronics, books, music, nothing. Just sit down a few minutes.

guil0095

I agree with previous poster, shut down everything, and just breathe. Afterwards, have a cup of hot tea / cold water.

rheddmobile

When I was injured and couldn't run I got a bird feeder and put it outside a window. When weather allowed, I sat outside and watched birds, when not, I watched them through the window.

Music also helps. Anything you enjoy can help - I started doing my fingernails silly colors whenever I needed a boost.

intrigame23

All great ideas! Thank you.

InsertFunnyUsernameHere

Honestly logging every calorie is generally a deterrence to stress eating. If you really MUST satisfy a craving, go ahead. It won't be the end of the world. Log it and a couple of days later, offset it with some cardio or increase your calorie deficit for one day to make up for it.

Walking works just as well as running for burning calories... it just takes longer.

ravengirl2014

Hi Everyone! This technique has been a miracle for me personally. Please just give it a shot and see if it works for you! https://www.livestrong.com/article/74944-b

Kippie44

Food can be my fix to everything. Stress. Happiness. Sadness. Anger. So believe me I get it!! Or else I wouldn’t be on my fitness pal trying to get it all off. Haha. I find if I mess up and stress eat once in a day not to beat myself up over it. It stresses you out more then! Just log what you eat, say F it and move on keeping track the rest of your day. Take the stress of stress eating off your shoulders! Helps a little at least 😉

purplefizzy

I typically do movement-based stuff (run, walk my dog, lift with friends, clean like a fiend to music) and right now am post-operation for a complex hamstring thing and have a torn rhomboid- so I’m being challenged to find other healthy ways to self-soothe, find satisfaction, and access the feel-goods I typically get from movement and stay outta the boredom//stress/frustration eating.

What’s helping:
-Mindfulness based meditation (I use a pain-management specific ap)
-Journaling
-crying when I need to: it’s release and it’s ok!
-staying connected to the people I love via calls, texts, visits
-getting really present whenever I can and trying to look at the challenges of being immobile/on crutches/etc as a game to teach me new ways of doing things - I find approaching challenges as a ‘fun puzzle to solve’ helps me in most situations
-lots of hot tea, bone broth, stuff that feels healing and nourishing

Kimmotion5783

ravengirl2014 wrote: »

Hi Everyone! This technique has been a miracle for me personally. Please just give it a shot and see if it works for you! https://www.livestrong.com/article/74944-b

Yes! I do this breathing/meditative technique as well when I'm in stressful situations and it does work.

Kimmotion5783

Some things I do to relieve stress (that don't involve food):

1.) Journaling
2.) Walking
3.) Coloring
4.) Workout
5.) Planet Fitness massages!
6.) Listening to old records
7.) Venting to a friend or family member. Sometimes its just good to talk it out, and that person can help you put it all into perspective/positive light.
8.) Practicing gratitude! When you find yourself stressed about something, quickly name 5 things that you are grateful for. This actually works! I do it every single day, every time I find myself either thinking negatively or stressed about something.
9.) Watch a movie
10.) Read a book
11.) Go to a program at your local library
12.) Watch relaxing videos on YouTube. There's a lovely Chinese woman who posts the most relaxing videos. I'm not sure what her name is since everything is in Chinese, but her videos are a sheer delight: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoC47do520os_4DBMEFGg4A
13.) Praying. If you are a spiritual person, the power of prayer can be very effective.
14.) Meditation. There are some wonderful guided meditation videos on YouTube. I recommend TheHonestGuys.
15.) Visit a public park
16.) Spend time in nature, very effective in my book.
17.) Yoga
18.) Play with a pet
19.) Gardening
20.) Cleaning
21.) "At-home spa": give yourself a manicure/pedicure!
22.) Dance to your favorite music
23.) Look into different hobbies to try
24.) Try a craft
25.) Creative writing. Google "writing exercises", pick one and write something.

smms0714

Meditation really helped me.