I've doing well until I discovered a trigger today. please h

skinnybitch1987

I have been doing quite well with my weight loss for the past 2 weeks, and am super pumped and motivated to accomplish my goal once and for all, but suddenly tonight, I feel myself slipping.

This past year, I have been working as a freelance hairstylist. I do tv, photo shoots, wig styling, and theater, and I LOVE it. The downside is it is very fickle and I could go weeks and weeks without a gig, and no money, so I decided to take on a steady gig at a salon.
Here is where the problem starts. Every time I get a regular job, you know, like a normal person, I can never stay for longer than a few months because I feel overwhelmed, anxious, and regularly binge on a daily basis. At 24, I have had more jobs than I can remember, and I KNOW this is a reason for my huge weight gain, and I'm sick of it. I told myself that this one was the last one, but I already feel the urge to just not show up tomorrow and spend the day at taco bell instead. I didn't go over my calories today, but I DID have 3 carb smart chocolate bars, which is a definite sign that tomorrow could be tragic.
Yes, I have a little bit of emotional baggage that I'm working through, and doing ok at, but in the mean time, I NEED to figure out why I get so anxious about having a regular job, and why the mere thought of it makes eat and eat as much as I can.

I guess I'm not really looking for "you can do its!" as much as I am looking for advice on how others combat their emotional eating and how to power through anxiety and binge triggers.

Love you guys. XOXO

absie107

Well... I saw a therapist for a little while, but that more just helped me be observant and take note of what I binge on. For me it's carbs, grain-ridden carbs: bread, pasta, cookies, crackers, cake, also white potatoes and sugary fruit for the most part... all that.

The solution isn't easy and isn't fast... I'm trying to give that stuff up for a month and see how I feel. I'm eating a lot more fat and protein (the healthy stuff... animal fat, butter, coconut oil, wild fish, stuff that is less processed).

You definitely need to do some soul searching about the anxiety... that's something I completely understand!!! I was anxious a lot because I'm a control freak, and as much as I try to embrace change... I fear it. I fear not being in control and I feared hunger for a while, almost forgetting what hunger was because I confused it with loneliness or stress. Facing this and learning to live more simply and think about food less has helped me.

Also... I have a bet going with my mom about this and I don't want to lose... competition is good motivation!

ESVABelle

Stop. Write down why you're anxious. If you don't know, just start writing in "stream-of-conscious"...it'll come out.

As far as binge eating...been there. I used to "clean out the fridge" and would stand over the trash can or garbage disposal eating the food I was supposed to be throwing out. Reason? I was taught to never waste food. I still struggle with this. But I haven't binged like that in a long time. I prepare smaller portions, have less leftovers and plan my meals to eliminate a huge pile-up of things to throw out.

In addition, when I'm feeling anxious (I have panic attacks), I get really jittery. So. Much. Energy. And nothing to do with it. Take a quick break. 15 minute walk. Breathe. Start walking or running or working out. But keep a positive attitude. "I'm going to walk to get some fresh air" not "I gotta do something cuz I'm freaking out". Try to associate positivity with exercise. When you create that correlation, your body starts wanting to work it off.

With me, and many others on here, exercise has reduced my appetite. On my heavy exercise days, I struggle to make my calorie goals. That could be another added benefit.

Long story short, find the root of the problem - work on a solution. Figure out what works for you - and do it.

We're all here to help along the way! :-D

rraallpphhccuurrtt

Go to an OA meeting and deal with the underlying causes. This is not about winning a battle of wills - it is about using your will the right way. Email me if you'd like to know more! Seriously.

newkay

buuutt... you CAN do it. just step away from the fridge! haha, or make something delicious and healthy. make a low fat lasagna. it feels like you're being bad but it will fill you up and even if you eat a little extra, its SO much better than a t-bell binge. take a walk somewhere without your wallet. no money = no food.
about the anxiety... that sucks. i get anxiety about certain stuff and only certain stuff... which makes it so much worse because its unavoidable. if you have an i phone or droid, download an app with calming sounds. theres a bunch of free ones. it sounds really stupid too, but taking 10 long, deep, slow breaths can really change your tension level.
good luck, chica.

Wuggums

Whenever I get the urge to go on an emotional eating binge, I have to physically stop myself from eating whatever it may be ( ice cream, chocolate, and chips are the biggest culprits) and ask myself "why are you eating this". Do I have a particular craving or am I eating to avoid feeling something - anxiety, boredom, anger, stress. Then if I truthfully answer that it is an emotional thing, I try to make myself confront that feeling - why am I stressed and will this piece of chocolate really relieve that? Lately in order to get past that initial irrational "i must eat this NOW" feeling, I come to MFP and start reading the message boards. Before I know it I'm engrossed in the boards and the need to stuff my face in order to avoid whatever is going on in my head has passed. Good luck - I know how much of a struggle this can be.