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MyFitnessPal Community

Emotional Eatting (and drinking)

RGonVSH

I am really struggling with emotional eating. I have a 18 year old son who is driving me nuts and now the ex- is pissing me off to the max. Today, thankfully, I was able to walk hard to help burn off some of my anger and frustration. But most days, anger and frustration keep me from exercising.

My emotional eating is not always about eating too much food or eating junk food, like chips, cookies, Big Macs, etc. though that has been a struggle for me in the past. More often, when I am mad or frustrated or afraid, I want to eat too much fat. When I am struggling emotionally, I want meat and I want it fried (or if a steak, broiled). A veggie? bah! A veggie is the last thing on my mind! Of course, topping off that meat meal with a glass of chardonnay or some other kind of wine is ALWAYS preferable. And these are the meals that are best for me! Otherwise, it is going out to McDonald's or Wendy's or some other hamburger place that is horrible for me! Argh!

I would love to hear how others of you deal with the need to put food in your mouth when your emotions are high!

Replies

NH_1970

I started reading this book called Women God and Food, It's just good for everyone I think, it resonates, I recommend it to you. It can be found on the web pretty inexpensively too.

The book has a core lesson, instead of eating emotion. Feel it. Even the crappy stuff that's not pleasant.

kittytrix

I'm there with you today. I have a 10-year-old with ADHD and his father, my ex, is no help.

I just called him to let him know our son's meds have gone for $60 to $155 and he flipped out. I didn't ask him for any money, just for info. It turned really bad and I learned he's been telling my son he doesn't like me. Needless to say I am terribly upset and it's taking everything to keep me from eating an entire bag of chocolate chips and empty out the pantry.

I already went to the gym today but I think I'm going to add another circuit training session.

If you need any support, friend me.

sissy56

I lost most of my weight several years ago when I was going through a terrible time with a teen daughter and relationship problems of my own. Like you, I am an emotional eater, but I decided that I couldn't control my daughter or my husband, but I could control what went into my mouth. So I sort of lost weight despite ( maybe to spite) them. And exercise helps me with the emotions. Good luck to you. You have lots of support here.

kappyblu

The first step is recognizing that trigger. You've done that. I remember when I first recognized my trigger. I was stressed at watching my mother and ex-stepfather arguing (again for the millionth time) during a shopping trip we had and I started downing jelly bellies. I realized I had been doing that my whole life. Now I try to do anything but eat when those moments happen. When I am emotionally stressed, I try to drink water, listen to music, read, write, walk, anything but eat. I know what it's like to have difficult a teenage son and be a single parent. Mine is almost 18 and also pushes my buttons quite often. My three little ones (all under 8) keep me quite busy as well. You have to be stronger than the food. This is not easy. But with time and patience, it can be done. It seems like you used your anger to walk. That's good. Keep trying to do that.

I wonder if logging your thoughts into a diary just like we log our food here would help. Keep track of your negative thoughts for just one day and see how many there are. Here is a link to a good article about ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) This can be really helpful.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/704307/how_to_get_rid_of_ants_automatic_negative.html

Best wishes. Stay strong! :flowerforyou: