Emotinal Eating

nsking83

Well, everyone, I'm new to this....on this site for a mere 6 days now, and I'm struggling. It started last night....didn't want to cook; we went out for Mexican. Even though I didn't sit and absentmindedly eat half the bakset of chips like I normally do, and didn't finish my entire meal like I might have last week, I was still way over on calories

Weekends are always hard, especially when you wake up to a major fight with your husband (gory details for another time), but for the time being, he packed his bag and walked out. We've only been married for 1.5 years, and here I sit at home............and while how to fix my marriage is at the top of my list - how to not un-do everything I did this past week is right there with it.

I deal with dramatic, emotional things all the time. How do I resist the urge to just go to McDonalds and consume 3000 calories?

I appreciate the insight....

pkgirrl

The fact that you can see all of this for what it is by yourself is the first step, and its a HUGE one, so good for you And congratulations on finding this site and committing to a healthier, happier lifestyle. It's not always easy, but it's well worth it.

In all fairness I struggled with emotional eating for years, even after joining MFP. What really made a difference for me was p90x. It's an intense 3 month exercise and diet plan. While I have yet to finish it, and don't always get through the workouts ( shh! ) It's taught me a lot about nutrition. I still occasionally stuff back a handful of chocolate chips and craisins for no good reason, but for the most part I look at food as fuel now, and I just want to make sure my body has the optimum assortment of nutrients it needs to function its best. It's helped a lot.

A couple other things though, I'm sure you've heard to try and distract yourself, this may work for you, it may not. I find if I go make myself brush my teeth it's a little easier. Really think about the exact food your craving, and why your craving it. Some people find keeping a journal of these cravings and emotions help them. I find logging the food in MFP before I touch it helps me, I can see the damage I'd do before I do it, and a lot of the times it puts me off.

You could even try going for a run? I know it probably sounds like the last thing you want to do, but even a walk, just get out there and pound some pavement, and just try to feel free from it all for awhile. Don't think of it as exercise, just think of it as running away from your problems, leaving it all behind.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband, I'm sure it won't be too long before he sees the light and realizes what a wonderful woman he left at home. We're all here to support you, and feel free to message me if you ever just want to chat

medtrans79

I have to agree with the above writer. I was always an emotional eater and it shows. I have started out on the P90 workouts (1 month in) and I have actually enjoyed doing it if you can believe that. That fact alone helps me keep myself in check as to what I eat. I don't want to lose that feeling of accomplishment and overall feeling good. Being on MFP definitely helps because I am held accountable for everything going into my mouth. I hope you can work through your marital issues soon - I can't imagine what you're feeling - but what you eat and if you exercise or not are very simple things that you CAN control and it took me a long time to realize that so good luck and this is definitely the place to come for support. Best Wishes!!

jdcole67

I recognized myself as an emotional eater several years ago (yes, it happens to men too)...I just went through a very emotionally taxing situation last week (had to stage an intervention with my alcoholic father) and I totally sympathize with your situation...I admit I did hit the Dairy Queen the night after I took him to the VA emergency room...but by the next day, I realized I couldn't let my stress undo my hard work, and kept myself busy cleaning up his house and yard...my advice to you is to stay busy and focus on what is really important (your marriage) and don't let the situation control you...hang in there, all things have a way of working themselves out...

epoeraven

While I know it is hard when you go WAY over to exercise away the extra calories, but when I go over I make myself do some kind of exercise to burn at least part of it off. This has a two-fold outcome for me - 1. I am burning away at least some of the calories and 2. I am out doing something so I have removed myself from sitting at home and eating even more to make it worse.

Weekends are hard for me too. I find myself wanting to run to the fridge. Two things that help me. I try to keep lots opf low calorie things on had so that even when I do damage - it isn't as bad as it could have been. The other thing I did was took up cross-stitching, and scrapbooking to keep my hands busy so they aren't reaching for the food. Anything that keeps your hands occupied would work.....knitting, painting, etc........

bksteve26

The first couple of weeks are the hardest when it comes to losing weight and eating right. If you look at my food journaling you will see the transformation from week one to now. I've only been on here for 5 weeks but already eating right has become a no brainer. Of course there are still times that I get caught up in a bad day, or a great meal, (see the girl scouts got me post) haha, but the longer you keep it up, the less food you need, the less bad food you crave, and the easier it becomes. Your stomach will eventually shrink down and you wont even be able to fit as much food as you could before anyways. And as for fast food...once you start eating healthy and putting veggies and good fat and protein in your body, I dare you to eat fast food. You will literally be on the toilet for a month. haha. It is not worth it. You'll never go back again. haha. Keep up the good work. The hubby stuff will follow. The better you feel about yourself, the better you will feel about your life. Your confidence will shine through to your everyday attitude and it might make a really positive change in your household. Its great that you can see these things for what they are instead of being stuck in a grey cloud. I used to eat emotionally a lot before and one thing that I've found helps a lot and kind of still allows the eating part is to refocus yourself on a healthy binge. Go online when you get upset, find an awesome but challenging healthy recipe, go to the store, and knock it out at home. Cooking can sometimes relieve stress and when your all done you can indulge yourself like you wanted to with no worries about the repercussions. And you will get to accomplish something as well! It might give you the boost you need. Either way, we are all here for you. If you need anything you can message me whenever you like! Hope this helps!

sunshine79

I too am emotional eater and becoming newly single has meant that I have a lot of extra time on my hands so I know where you're coming from. I don't have all the answers but I just wanted to offer a word of encouragement. Remember that you are beautifula and that God has a plan for you and your life. You can put all things to him in prayer and he will her you.

Try your best to keep only healthy snacks in the house and work out as much as you can. It really does take your mind off things when you are going through difficulties. Feel free to add me as a friend and I'll check in with you to see how you're going and to offer any support I can.

nsking83

Thank you all so much for the encouraging words and advice. I feel lost right now and all I want to do is go stuff my face. However, I made a "good" decision earlier and drank one of my Special K Protein Shakes....that way, if I am still feeling the urge to just eat and eat and eat later, at least some of the edge is gone for the moment.

:-/

Although it's not much better for me, I think I'm going to go tan. It relaxes me, I can blare my iPod as loud as I want, and I can pretend I'm on a beach.....at least for 15 minutes.

If it would ever stop raining here in Ohio, I might go hit the pavement.

Thanks again to you all.

cheermom614

Just remember that even if you have a bad day, you can get back on track tomorrow. Having a bad calorie day or even weekend doesn't mean you have to give up on your new healthy eating plan. We all have our moments of weakness, it's what you do to rebound that makes you stronger!

Exercise can help relive stress and tension too. I always feel so much better after I've finished a workout! The rain here does stink but that's Ohio!