How do you deal with stress/loss while dieting?

xowyomingox

Well I'm about 4 weeks into my diet and I've been doing really well and have been very happy. I'm generally a happy person as well. But when something drastic happens (found out the love of my life who I am not able to be with because of distance, is very sick and one of my classmates died today, the 3rd classmate to die in 2 years) I shut down. I was over my calories today, even with my exercise calories, not by a whole lot but if I continue this path it might be dangerous.

I was supposed to continue my training path today and run a mile at my target time. Needless to say that didn't happen. I wasn't close to the guy that died, but I'm the kind of person that is very sensitive to this kind of stuff (especially since he was one of the really good kids in school and was very nice to me). I'm more affected by the boy I can't be with. I can barely get through the day without crying and can cry on a dime if I think about it. How do I cope with this without my past comfort (see: food)? How do I motivate myself every day when this stress is constantly pulling me down? How do you cope with this kind of stress without going to food?

SoLiveItUp

Just think what would he want for you? I bet he wouldn't want you to be filling your face with food but rather live life while you can. Death is hard but you got to keep going no matter what. Time will eventually heal it won't forget but in a way numb the pain. Food is not your friend in dark times. That hope that you have that wants you to live a healthier life is your friend, those that have passed are your friends. Exercise and keep going. The pain is your drive and will make you stronger. Use that while exercising, let go of the hurt and embrace what you have now because eventually when you grow older you may not be in peak condition. The time is now to prove to everyone that your not giving up you are going to fight, fight for your right to live a full life.

hazyjel74

Dieting helped me. It was/is is something else to think about and takes up a lot of my thoughts. Health is now and interest for me and I'm wanting to do more with my life so... that's how

millyvanilli321

Hi, I am going through a pretty stressful time at the moment too, and I often wonder whether to give myself a break from mpf and focus on myself. My dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery 3 weeks ago to remove it. This was upsetting enough really. Then this week his uncle, who lives about an 8 hour drive away in Inverness, Scotland, fell in his nursing home, went into hospital and passed away on wednesday night. My Dad couldn't get to inverness to say goodbye because he is not well enough yet from the surgery.

Suffice to say this last month has been a very stressful and emotional time for me. HOWEVER, I keep going. Before mpf and my weight loss journey, I wouldn't have had the coping mechanism of going out for a run. I have maintained my exercise this week because there is nothing quite like running outside, breathing heavy and getting a sweat on to really cleanse my head. Exercising, especially running for me, is very cathartic.

Food-wise, it has been very difficult. I stress-eat, I find it comforting. I've stopped myself (mostly :ohwell: ) this week because as awful as my heart is feeling, making my body feel worse is not going to help. Feeling emotional and lethargic from stress will only be exacerbated by eating junk and filling my body with food that will make me feel lazy and sluggish. In a way, it's something I feel I can control when life is uncontrollable.

I hope you don't mind me sharing my story, but I hoped it might help. You are not alone. The best advice I could give you is turn to exercise, rather than food, for solace. The endorphins, if nothing else, might make you feel a little better.