Emotional Eating, Stress, and Weight Loss
bluecrush84
Posts: 77 Member
Hi all,
I wanted to share part of my journey with weight loss and what I have found this time around.
I have been a yoyo dieter for so many years. But this time at 29 years old I was tired of going back and forth. Losing weight, getting frustrated with the slow pace the scale was moving, starving myself, feeling deprived. I could not see myself doing this for the rest of my life.
This time around was different. I decided to listen to an article I read about not depriving myself of ANY food. This blew me away because, I always thought if I wanted to lose weight, HAD to give up certain foods I loved. So I spent years of depriving myself and ultimately caving and gorging on food I was NOT supposed to have.
This time I decided I would just eat WHATEVER I wanted but I would count calories. Even if I ate candy all day, as long as I stayed below 1350 calories I was good. I did this, and I lost weight, for the first 3 months of my weightless this year, I ate whatever, stayed under 1350 calories and lost weight. I was so surprised by this. I was sold on calorie counting. Truth be told I did not feel deprived most of the time.
Calorie counting helped as well as really coming to terms that I have anxiety and mismanagement of stress issues. When I started my new job, I worked the night shift. I am nurse and my job is very stressful, especially working in a hospital. Candy and sweets are always available on the floor as well as encouraging voices telling you to eat eat eat them, LOL. Well after a stressful day of work my routine was to goto the grocery store pick up a couple bags of candy and then hit McDonalds for their delicious breakfast menu. Get home, pop on a comedy show and gorge my self into a sweet food coma. I was satisfied as a fat cat after I finished my feast. I would push the guilt and frustration with myself away, by telling myself that it's Tuesday, I can't start my diet until Monday the start of the week, so I can let go for now and wait a few days then start my diet. I had been telling myself this for many months….years…with short bursts of will power where I would lose weight then gain it all back again.
Then one day on may 26th 2013, I was frustrated, over weight, unhappy, and tired of excuses…I decided I would count calories and deal with my stress and anxiety issues. Being more aware of why my stomach was perpetually tight and the only thing that seemed to relive that tightness was candy and fast food. I did a lot of research on signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional eating, etc
I came to the conclusion I have anxiety (this was actually later confirmed by my primary care doctor). I did not want to be on any prescription meds so I decided to try natural remedies. So I tried St.John's wort, 5HPT, and Krill fish oil tablets. I went to the supplements store and picked them up. They worked for me as well as breathing techniques and yoga.
For me I realized the reason behind my over eating was anxiety and food was a quick and easy remedy. Short term solution with long term negative consequences.
For years I denied having anxiety issues or depression, because will power would see me through. The reason I was failing in my weight loss was because i had no will power. But looking back at myself when I was 14 and having weight issues, being a shy girl, and having social anxiety I can see I have had this problem for a long time but just did not realize I had it. I have learned that I need to pay attention more to my feelings and do things that encourage me and lower stress and anxiety.
I am not encouraging use of these supplements. I am sharing my journey with losing weight and getting healthy. Before starting any supplement it is best to consult your doctor. Before taking these herbal supplements, I never took any medication and I am wary of taking over the counter pain killers unless I can help it. SJW does interact with a lot of prescription medications especially birth control and can make BC ineffective.
I find that these supplements have helped to get me started on addressing my anxiety and stress issues, but the breathing techniques are helpful as well as eating healthy natural foods and exercise. I am gradually using less and less of the supplements. My goal is to stop using the SJW and 5htp by mid-end of next year. I will still take the Krill fish oil.
I am encouraging those out there to be more self aware and try to understand the reasons behind why one is over weight. Once you know the reason weight loss becomes a lot more easier.
I just wanted to share my journey and what has helped me be successful so far. I would love to hear other's experiences with emotional eating and stress.
Thanks for reading the long post.
I wanted to share part of my journey with weight loss and what I have found this time around.
I have been a yoyo dieter for so many years. But this time at 29 years old I was tired of going back and forth. Losing weight, getting frustrated with the slow pace the scale was moving, starving myself, feeling deprived. I could not see myself doing this for the rest of my life.
This time around was different. I decided to listen to an article I read about not depriving myself of ANY food. This blew me away because, I always thought if I wanted to lose weight, HAD to give up certain foods I loved. So I spent years of depriving myself and ultimately caving and gorging on food I was NOT supposed to have.
This time I decided I would just eat WHATEVER I wanted but I would count calories. Even if I ate candy all day, as long as I stayed below 1350 calories I was good. I did this, and I lost weight, for the first 3 months of my weightless this year, I ate whatever, stayed under 1350 calories and lost weight. I was so surprised by this. I was sold on calorie counting. Truth be told I did not feel deprived most of the time.
Calorie counting helped as well as really coming to terms that I have anxiety and mismanagement of stress issues. When I started my new job, I worked the night shift. I am nurse and my job is very stressful, especially working in a hospital. Candy and sweets are always available on the floor as well as encouraging voices telling you to eat eat eat them, LOL. Well after a stressful day of work my routine was to goto the grocery store pick up a couple bags of candy and then hit McDonalds for their delicious breakfast menu. Get home, pop on a comedy show and gorge my self into a sweet food coma. I was satisfied as a fat cat after I finished my feast. I would push the guilt and frustration with myself away, by telling myself that it's Tuesday, I can't start my diet until Monday the start of the week, so I can let go for now and wait a few days then start my diet. I had been telling myself this for many months….years…with short bursts of will power where I would lose weight then gain it all back again.
Then one day on may 26th 2013, I was frustrated, over weight, unhappy, and tired of excuses…I decided I would count calories and deal with my stress and anxiety issues. Being more aware of why my stomach was perpetually tight and the only thing that seemed to relive that tightness was candy and fast food. I did a lot of research on signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional eating, etc
I came to the conclusion I have anxiety (this was actually later confirmed by my primary care doctor). I did not want to be on any prescription meds so I decided to try natural remedies. So I tried St.John's wort, 5HPT, and Krill fish oil tablets. I went to the supplements store and picked them up. They worked for me as well as breathing techniques and yoga.
For me I realized the reason behind my over eating was anxiety and food was a quick and easy remedy. Short term solution with long term negative consequences.
For years I denied having anxiety issues or depression, because will power would see me through. The reason I was failing in my weight loss was because i had no will power. But looking back at myself when I was 14 and having weight issues, being a shy girl, and having social anxiety I can see I have had this problem for a long time but just did not realize I had it. I have learned that I need to pay attention more to my feelings and do things that encourage me and lower stress and anxiety.
I am not encouraging use of these supplements. I am sharing my journey with losing weight and getting healthy. Before starting any supplement it is best to consult your doctor. Before taking these herbal supplements, I never took any medication and I am wary of taking over the counter pain killers unless I can help it. SJW does interact with a lot of prescription medications especially birth control and can make BC ineffective.
I find that these supplements have helped to get me started on addressing my anxiety and stress issues, but the breathing techniques are helpful as well as eating healthy natural foods and exercise. I am gradually using less and less of the supplements. My goal is to stop using the SJW and 5htp by mid-end of next year. I will still take the Krill fish oil.
I am encouraging those out there to be more self aware and try to understand the reasons behind why one is over weight. Once you know the reason weight loss becomes a lot more easier.
I just wanted to share my journey and what has helped me be successful so far. I would love to hear other's experiences with emotional eating and stress.
Thanks for reading the long post.
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Replies
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Congratulations on your moving forward - not allowing your anxiety to keep you from seeking help to overcome your problem with food.
It is so refreshing to read about people addressing and overcoming their issues with eating.
I have not worked up the courage to share my story though I am sure doing so is very therapeutic.
I wish you the best with your continued progress and know that you are not alone . . . we are all works in progress
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Thank you Adc7225,
I had this fear about talking about personal issues. Now I have thought about it more I am more inclined to speak my feelings to my friends and I am starting to more with my family.
I come from a family that is religious and somewhat conservative. Issues such as anxiety, depression, sexuality are not discussed. Standards are just expected. I have not shared most of my struggles with my family, they just look at my yoyo dieting as a lack of will power or laziness. "If only you lost some weight…you would be perfect…' my mother says at times. Or if I come home and have added 40lbs that is the first thing my mother would focus on, not 'how was the semester?' or 'How have you been doing while you were gone, we missed you.' Nope. My bros would say somethings to me at times. I know they love me but their strategy for encouragement is not always encouraging, lol.
Talking about my emotions and struggles with my family?...I don't know if they could handle it, lol. I get emotional support from my friends who I can talk to, who understand and they share their struggles with me.
I am very glad I finally decided to take a hard look in the mirror and realized perfection is an ideal not reality. It is still hard when I watch television that sells the idea that being a certain size makes you more happy.
I was always the pretty child in my family and extended family. That was all I was ever complimented about, not my thoughtfulness, or intelligence. I know this is kind of screwed up but a lot of my family did not think I could make it into nursing school or get my BSN. My mother even told me she was surprised I did it. And now I am working on getting my Master's. Sorry if it is too much TMI. I think growing up with only my looks being praised left me unconfident and unsure about myself in a lot of ways.
Now I am more confident and assertive. I think becoming a nurse was the best thing I ever did. It has really built my confidence.
I am happier now. I still struggle with my anxiety and self confidence but i am getting better and I am happier now.0 -
Hi BlueCrush84,
Thank for your words of encouragement and strength, it's surprising how much more than pounds we actually care when being overweight.
I wrote out my store in a blog on BWLW but I didn't post it. Writing it out really helped, I realized I am grieving my best friend/lover and while I think I am dealing with it, it's hard without a why as to what happened! But I know I will move on probably with some trepidation, but without him in my life. My weight loss was never to attract a man and honestly their attention is unnerving.
I totally understand about trying to find our weight, that's what led me to look for some support for black women, just like our shapes our issues are different. I thought I would be fine at 150, the gym trainer thinks 130! I decided to keep working out until August 2014 and wherever I am then, that's where I am meant to be.
Congratulations on going for your Masters, and though you still deal with some anxiety and self confidence this also helps to keep you grounded, I struggle with the same things.0
