More support please...

saadler

I wrote something the other day about how I've been stressed out because of a lot of things going on, and how I was having trouble getting back on track after falling off the wagon a bit.

Well, unfortunately, the stress has gotten worse. I agreed to go to Philadelphia on a research trip with a professor and some other students a few weeks ago, before I lost my job, before my boyfriend got his job and decided to move here, before my roommate decided when she'd be moving in, and before I had to rearrange my class schedule for the fall. Now the idea of going to Philly is stressing me out significantly. I decided to write the professor and tell her I can't go, but I made the mistake of saying that I can be there if she really needs me. She is supposed to let me know if I have to go or not. Meanwhile, the idea of having to go is upsetting me and the idea of having let her down is making me feel very guilty.

I almost ate a pan of brownies tonight for dinner. Just. Brownies. Luckily after licking the bowl and putting them in the oven, I realized I was being stupid, made some real dinner, and just had two brownies. But I am worried that I'm going to start eating poorly again trying to eat my stress away. Sometimes it feels like food is the only thing that can calm me down.

What do you all do when life is ganging up on you and you are overwhelmed? How do you make sure it doesn't affect your eating habits?

jvkh127

I feel for you. I am a stress eater too. Just remember you have to do whats best for you...not your professor, boyfriend, friend, roommate or whoever!! Worry about you and your health...physical AND mental!! Don't do something you are truly against or you will regret it. I know its hard to disappoint someone who was counting on you but you need to keep your sanity first and foremost.
Good Luck with your decision. I wish you the best!

kathleennf

1. Pray
2. Talk to friends
3. Take a walk or do some other exercise- it's a great stress reliever and exercise actually releases endorphins.
4. Umm- well OK sometimes I watch mindless drivel on TV too. But ideally after the other three! I know they always say TV makes you eat more - but it has the opposite effect on me. I don't want to get up to get more food until the commercial- and by that time I have often realized that I'm no longer hungry!

BTW- GREAT job on making a real dinner and only having two brownies. That was a supreme act of will power.
Feel free to friend me if you want support.

DropsOJupiter

I agree with jvkh127. I have found that a large majority of over weight/obese folks (me included) are care givers, putting everyone else first but themselves. We don't like to disappoint! Easier to squelch those feelings with food rather than risk a negative response from someone.

I try to talk with friends or go for a walk out of the house to think things over and give myself some away from food time. The take away from this experience is learning that when you deny your true desires/feelings, you eat. You did great by not consuming the pan of brownies...something I'd have done! If you have the opportunity to let the professor know, do so and skip Philly. Good luck!