Feeling down

niamhdean97

Hey all, I've been eating way over my calories for the last week, between 2000-2500 when I'm supposed to be at around 1500. I'm binging and my sweet smooth has been really bad. I have been stressed with uni work as I'm a full time student and single mum. I don't know what to do 😔 im really struggling

Crystalb4747

Every time you won’t to snack jump on here and find an accountability partner to distract u. I’ll help if u need it 🤗 and it’s ok to stumble we all do. You got this!

lemurcat2

Can you figure out your maintenance cals? It might help to be able to reassure yourself that you aren't doing anything other than eating at maintenance (which is what those numbers seem like they could be).

Also, during a stressful period, you might want to take a bit of a break and put maintenance as your goal and then just try to stick under it. That could remove a stressful element.

Beyond that, things that have helped me with stress and emotional eating is to force myself to sit with feelings for a bit before reacting to them -- often the eating is a way to blot out feelings. Or try writing down (on a computer, if you prefer) what you feel when you have an impulse to eat, and why you don't want to right then. Also, try to pay attention to whether you are engaging in all or nothing thinking (if I messed up today it doesn't matter, might as well accept it's already ruined and start up again tomorrow).

Another thing to maybe thing about is if you are using eating as a break for yourself from everything you have to do. If so, try to work in non eating related breaks (listen to a favorite song or surf on the internet for a few minutes or dance around the house or whatever seems possible).

Good luck and hugs!

littlegreenparrot1

Take a breath and be kind to yourself. You have a lot on, and of course general life at the moment doesn't help.

Then have a think about a plan, maybe just for a few weeks to get past the blip.
Could you eat at maintenance for a few weeks over Christmas?
Could you do some batch cooking, a batch of soup is easy and will happily sit in the fridge for a few days. As is chilli, Bolognese etc. A slow cooker makes this very easy.
Would fruit help with the sweet craving? I cook an apple up with cinnamon and have it with vanilla yoghurt, put cocoa or jam in my porridge, eat blueberries like sweeties.
Is there anything specific stressing you out, and can someone help with that?

I found it really helpful to get past all or nothing thinking. I can make better, if not ideal choices. Life sometimes gets in the way, it just means it takes a little longer. I'm still doing better than I was before I started doing anything. So are you, you'll get there.

D4NGmfp

niamhdean97 wrote: »

Hey all, I've been eating way over my calories for the last week, between 2000-2500 when I'm supposed to be at around 1500. I'm binging and my sweet smooth has been really bad. I have been stressed with uni work as I'm a full time student and single mum. I don't know what to do 😔 im really struggling

This time of year never helps. Logging food defo gets you looking at intake. I think once your head is in the right place everything else just falls into line. The support of others on here will help loads.

Bex953172

Sorry to hear you're feeling down, it does sound like you have a lot on your plate. The good thing is you've noticed your bad habit so you have a chance to get it under control.
I think some of the above ideas are great. At times when im stressed rather than struggling to keep my calories down when all I want to do is stuff my face, is I start eating at maintenance. I still log it all but it gives you them extra calories without feeling guilty when you have a snack attack and it also doesn't undo any progress you've made so far.

I totally get the sweet tooth, but sweet things come in healthy stuff too! Just because your body is craving something sweet, it doesn't have to be chocolate etc.

Blueberries, strawberries etc are all sweet too! I also buy sugar free jelly and make a mix up for the fridge (1 pint) which is filling and also low calorie and great just to grab a little bowl and also great for a dessert after dinner. That's if the kids don't get to it first like mine do haha.

It's fine to have a break when you need it, but it's more of a managed break rather than stopping altogether!

Good luck and hope you start to feel better soon!

psychod787

Knock the dust off yourself, grab yourself my the ear, and just get the hell back to it! Would you keep smashing your toe on the table? OR, would you learn a dang lesson and get back to a normal way of eating?!?! Get it done!

niamhdean97

Thank you all so much for your replies! I have changed my goal to 1 pound a week and the calories are a lot more realistic for me.

Thank you all so much! 😊

Psychgrrl

Does your uni have counseling services available? Here in the US, most colleges give a number of free sessions per year to full-time students.

I specified “US,” because your use of “uni” made me think UK/AUS/NZ. 😊 Or, local mental health support, possibly? There are often good local resources, too.

I’m sorry you’re struggling, and please consider not being so hard on your self. Going a little over your calorie goal for a week or two isn’t going to derail you long, if at all. I just call it a “diet break” and get back on track! You’re not alone. No one is perfect all the time. 💗