Emotional ups and downs and effect on eating habits

squirrelzzrule22

Hello friends-

A few months ago I went through a difficult breakup. I am working through it and trying to move on and I have my ups and downs. Occasionally the whole situation is really upsetting to me still.

I've noticed lately that I have a tendency to eat much, much less when I am feeling upset about my ex. Other disappointments in life don't effect my eating in this way, only the sadness and hurt feelings I experience related to our breakup.

I really do not believe my eating is disordered. I'm in the high end of a normal weight range and my goal is to get to the middle-low end of a healthy weight range, a 15-25 pound loss. I run and lift weights. I'm trying to get more protein. But when I'm feeling really down about my ex and skip a meal or eat less, I get a temporary positive feeling, a weird combination of punishing myself for my screw ups and simultaneously feeling stronger for having that piece of control. But I never eat under 1200 cals and I still routinely have big meals out with friends, have three meals a day (usually), etc so I don't believe it's very serious. But it is self destructive in a way....I find myself having thoughts that maybe my ex would have cared more if I was thinner....which is not at all true, just where my brain goes.

Obviously eating habits are related to emotions. It's how many of us got overweight in the first place. I'm looking for input from people who have also experienced intentionally eating less during emotionally difficult times and how it effected you and what you did to make sure you kept healthy habits. Just looking for emotional insight, not a medical or psychological opinion please.

Thanks for your kind and informed responses!


ETA: most days I eat OVER 1200, usually 1500-1700

squirrelzzrule22

Bump?