Week two...really missing the comfort food.

montyeva1114

Ok, who can relate? Food has always been more than just a way to refuel. In fact at times it’s been a stress reliever...a friend to celebrate with... a comfort when lonely...and a reward for a job well done. Week two and I’m already missing it. I’m pretty sure that there are all kinds of things I can do to replace the role food has played in my life, but I’m currently at a loss. Any ideas or suggestions?

deannalfisher

Plan some of those foods into your goals

concordancia

I have a whole arsenal of tools in my pocket for these situations now.

-Posting here. I can't type and shovel food in at the same time. I used to be able to snack and type, but being here keeps me on track.

-I am learning a language on duolingo. Helps me concentrate on not food/ distracts me from stress

-Walking, zumba, yoga, hula hooping, biking, swimming - it all takes time away from being lonely or bored. Plus, it makes up for any calories that I do go over...

-Rewards may be harder. I just don't really have a reward system, unless it is seeing my husband's goofy smile when I do a dance fresh off the scale. I did recently put in an order for a subscription box. It is based around my outdoor hobbies and should help me keep up with them.

changeconsumeme

Eat the foods you like, just in moderation. You don’t have to give them up.

zebasschick

i eat cheese crunchies, pizza, ice cream (okay, low fat sugar free, but that's what i ate before), chocolate, tortilla chips and the list goes on. i incorporate them in my meals. it's true that i no longer eat half of a half gallon of ice cream at a sitting, but i can have a serving without a problem. my food scale is my friend!

hixa30

Changing the habits of a lifetime, or a decade are hard. I struggle with this too. You probably have a camera, either stand alone, or on your phone. You have a smartphone and a billion apps that can distract you. Podcasts, games, quizzes. You can identify galaxies for a citizen science project. Pick something you like or find interesting, and learn to identify types. I have an interest in aviation, I can identify 30-50 aircraft types. Maybe do the same for birds, trees, plants, motorcycles, fashion items.

nighthawk584

learn portion control and tweak some of the recipes and you can still eat those comfort foods within reason, staying within your calorie deficit.

LyndaBSS

In order to make your way of eating a sustainable lifestyle, it should include your favorite foods. You just learn to eat them within the confines of your calorie allotment.

goodasgoldilox165

I agree that it is important to include your favourite foods in your new lifestyle; having to use steely will-power to avoid something lovely completely, probably isn't going to work long term.

However, perhaps your question is about something deeper than a 'liking' for certain foods.

Using food as a comfort can be a real problem (unless it is lettuce or celery that you turn to).
Relying on it is what got some of us into weight gain.


INEDIBLE COMFORT
So, what other forms of self-soothing - comfort are there?
- drinking tea - or coffee - or even water (especially from a lovely vessel) can work. Perhaps this is too close to eating ? However, the ritual of making tea is very good.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER LIVING BEINGS
- communicating with other people (on here or in RL) is good. Touch is especially comforting!
- stroking the dog helps (it is rewarding and keeps hands busy)
- Walking the dog somewhere new is very rewarding and relaxing. Dogs are so enthusiastic and grateful; their happy moods are infectious.
- taking time to read something easy and enjoyable creates the same feeling as eating a snack for me
- taking up something that engages the mind - learning something - doing a puzzle is distracting and perhaps comforting.

CREATING
- making something (a favourite craft - knitting - plane making...) keeps mind and body busy and leaves you with something positive afterwards. I find that art is good. Painting/drawing are occupying but also good is looking at lovely illustrations (ones that must not be made sticky with food)

EXERCISE - often works even if you don't like it.
- Men in my family react to being 'down' or irritated, by going to the gym. (I wish that worked for me... but it leaves me needing comfort.)
- other people on here don't like running... but find it works to make them feel better even when nothing in their situation has improved.
- Yoga helps me relax and glow; now I'm better at it, I can do a short session anywhere there is space (and privacy). My yoga teacher will just start in the park or on the beach... but she is a sylph-like thing of beauty and is improving the landscape.


concordancia I like your way of referring to alternatives as your 'box of tools'.

I'm always looking for new comforts/tools to replace the old ones.

TheChristianSimone

Figuring what you need comfort from will snatch those feelings right up. And if it’s something you like a serving shouldn’t kill you.

anthonysdunn

I just started my journey, so I can’t really tell you what works , but right now the only difference in my intake is the amount of food I eat. I’m slowly adding in healthier options, but not eliminating everything I enjoy.

montyeva1114

That sounds like a great start!

unicorngems

Nice bowl of your favorite flavor soup...work it into your calories...yummm

amusedmonkey

Food is comforting, enjoyable, and often used to celebrate. No wonder you're having a hard time. Some people can successfully switch to "food is fuel" mentality, but I'm not one of them. I found that making friends with food was what worked for me, and like any friend, it needs boundaries. For me, it's possible to enjoy food without going over calories, I just need to eat more of the lower calorie foods I enjoy (yes, lower calorie foods can be delicious and comforting), and re-arrange my calories for higher calorie foods I enjoy if I really want it. I need to say no sometimes because when accommodating becomes more stressful than denying, it's no fun. I also celebrate with food, but I plan for that in advance and enjoy every second of it guilt-free.

I found that one question usually solves most issues for me: is this food worth it today? Sometimes the answer is yes, that is, I'm happier if I include it than if I don't. Sometimes the answer is no, meaning, I'm more miserable (hungry, regretful...etc) if I include it. Other times the answer is "later", because I wouldn't be happy if I include it today, but I would be happier and more satisfied with my diet in the long run if I plan for it in near future.

Womona

I think it’s great that you recognize that food brings you comfort. That’s the first step in finding a way to identify what you’re really feeling, and mitigating that, instead of mindlessly reaching for food to make you feel better.

Are you lonely? Call or write a friend. Bored? Do some chores, read a book, take a walk. Angry or stressed? People, plants and animals are a great de-stressor- Pet the dog, go for a walk in nature, weed your garden etc. once you identify what you’re feeling, you’ll realize that food isn’t the soothing solution you need, and that will go a long way toward changing your “relationship” with food.

I put relationship with quotes because we don’t have a relationship with food. Food is an inanimate object.