Sad...now I just want to eat everything I can get my hands o

LolaGotThin

So in October 2010, my dad died. He didn't leave a will and unfortunately, a lot of things that he wanted to go to me, his only child, are still in the hands of his wife.
Last night I was thinking about it and today, my husband and I went through some items that used to be my father's. I started getting really sad. Then I really wanted french fries, pop tarts, a hot dog, basically a bunch of food I haven't touched in months. I KNOW I am an emotional eater but it's been a while since I've really wanted food to just put in my mouth instead of deal with feeling sad and angry. I gained about 20 to 30 pounds of my weight after my father died, in fact.
Basically. I am sad.
I want to eat.
I am trying to instead eat some other stuff like carrots and popcorn and drink water but it's not really TOUCHING it, ya know? What do you do to curb your emotional cravings?

wifeyy

Hi,

sorry for your loss and all you are going tru. i also had a very bad and awful day last friday and insdtead of dealing with my emotions i again turned to foods i have not touched for WEEKS things like chocolate cakes, chocolate bars, french fries and many other things and ate more than 5000 calories just in ONE DAY! i don't know why some of us turn to food in such situations and others don't.

keep your head up and keep in mind that your health come's first.
same apply to me too.

christypaxson

I lost my Mom is May 2011. It's been an emotional roller coaster since. My step-father walked away with everything and 28K. My mom didn't have a will either. I look at losing all her belongings as someone who has lost everything in a fire. It helps, it at least lets me concentrate more on the memories that I have.

Plus my job etc. I stress eat and pick fast foods. I have to get on track and just in the last two days reached for my "crappy" foods...the carbs, sugars...everything I shouldn't eat. My daughter who is 15 years old had a writing prompt on "Perseverance" it was about me. I was in tears when I read it. I can't give up and she looks up to me. If for anything I have to lose weight so I can be around as long as I can for my children. God Willing. Feel free to add me. I know the feeling and I work a program that is 12 steps but I use it in my everyday life!! It helps I turn things over and let them go. Each day I start anew and I don't look into tomorrow. I hope things get better for you.

teasdino

It's comfort, pure and simple. When you eat 'bad' foods the chemicals go straight to your brain and give you a comforting feeling. It is something that we....speaking for all who emotionally eat.....have done for years. It's our habit and proven to give us the good feelings. It is temporary,but it does work. Why else would so many turn to the junk if it didn't work. Right now you are emotionally raw and turning to you proven comforts. It's a high stress situation and this is your coping devise. Understand that and realize it is your devise. It is addictive, pur and simple. If you were a smoker that decided to quit, and then went through this trauma, and picked up a cigaret for the comfort it would be understandable. So yes, you crave your comfort food. If you trip up and eat some except it, but move on. You don't have to feel like this is a failure. It is what it is, and these things happen. Pick something that you have found to be comforting, and start doing it allot. If playing the guitar brings you comfort, do it more. If walking helps you sort out these emotions, walk more. If you have all these feelings and need to express them, then maybe start a journal. I have heard therapists tell people to write a letter to the person/people who are causing them pain. Let it all out. Write your dad, his wife, etc. tell them all that is in you. Now, just because you wrote them doesn't mean you have to send them. Obviously you can't send one to your dad. But writing it out and getting it out of you might just help you heal. Maybe think of those things of his you liked, and write about those memories you attach to those things. Describe them and explain the memory behind them. Then you will own them in a way his wife never could. You will have those memories in a journal forever.
Don't be hard on yourself. Death of a loved one can only be healed through time.
Thinking of you and hoping to give you some comfort.
Jac

LolaGotThin

Jac, that sounds like a really good idea. I think I might do that.

Thanks guys for sharing your own stories and listening (well, reading).

greekygirl

It's comfort, pure and simple. When you eat 'bad' foods the chemicals go straight to your brain and give you a comforting feeling. It is something that we....speaking for all who emotionally eat.....have done for years. It's our habit and proven to give us the good feelings. It is temporary,but it does work. Why else would so many turn to the junk if it didn't work. Right now you are emotionally raw and turning to you proven comforts. It's a high stress situation and this is your coping devise. Understand that and realize it is your devise. It is addictive, pur and simple. If you were a smoker that decided to quit, and then went through this trauma, and picked up a cigaret for the comfort it would be understandable. So yes, you crave your comfort food. If you trip up and eat some except it, but move on. You don't have to feel like this is a failure. It is what it is, and these things happen. Pick something that you have found to be comforting, and start doing it allot. If playing the guitar brings you comfort, do it more. If walking helps you sort out these emotions, walk more. If you have all these feelings and need to express them, then maybe start a journal. I have heard therapists tell people to write a letter to the person/people who are causing them pain. Let it all out. Write your dad, his wife, etc. tell them all that is in you. Now, just because you wrote them doesn't mean you have to send them. Obviously you can't send one to your dad. But writing it out and getting it out of you might just help you heal. Maybe think of those things of his you liked, and write about those memories you attach to those things. Describe them and explain the memory behind them. Then you will own them in a way his wife never could. You will have those memories in a journal forever.
Don't be hard on yourself. Death of a loved one can only be healed through time.
Thinking of you and hoping to give you some comfort.
Jac

This. I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my dad when I was 12. I gained at least 20 pounds after he died. I had no idea what was going on then but now I know that I ate to feel better. I had no tools or coping skills. Now I know why I eat and what to do but still use food more than I'd like to. These would be helpful for me too.

christypaxson

It's comfort, pure and simple. When you eat 'bad' foods the chemicals go straight to your brain and give you a comforting feeling. It is something that we....speaking for all who emotionally eat.....have done for years. It's our habit and proven to give us the good feelings. It is temporary,but it does work. Why else would so many turn to the junk if it didn't work. Right now you are emotionally raw and turning to you proven comforts. It's a high stress situation and this is your coping devise. Understand that and realize it is your devise. It is addictive, pur and simple. If you were a smoker that decided to quit, and then went through this trauma, and picked up a cigaret for the comfort it would be understandable. So yes, you crave your comfort food. If you trip up and eat some except it, but move on. You don't have to feel like this is a failure. It is what it is, and these things happen. Pick something that you have found to be comforting, and start doing it allot. If playing the guitar brings you comfort, do it more. If walking helps you sort out these emotions, walk more. If you have all these feelings and need to express them, then maybe start a journal. I have heard therapists tell people to write a letter to the person/people who are causing them pain. Let it all out. Write your dad, his wife, etc. tell them all that is in you. Now, just because you wrote them doesn't mean you have to send them. Obviously you can't send one to your dad. But writing it out and getting it out of you might just help you heal. Maybe think of those things of his you liked, and write about those memories you attach to those things. Describe them and explain the memory behind them. Then you will own them in a way his wife never could. You will have those memories in a journal forever.
Don't be hard on yourself. Death of a loved one can only be healed through time.
Thinking of you and hoping to give you some comfort.
Jac

Well Said...