"addicted" to eating.... Help?

iamgonnadothisnow

Hi all,

I seem to have a real problem with overeating. I can eat good and(mostly) healthy all day, but then when it dawns on the evening and I'm stressed out from a days work, I always seem to venture towards the fridge.

Can give me advice on what I can eat or tips to make this not a craving? Filling myself up is NOT a problem. All I want is food in my mouth and I can't figure out why.

Thanks!

GamerLady

My sister was like that. When she started to lose weight she'd punish herself with exercises everytime she thought she wanted to go to the kitchen for a snack. She wanted a twinkie? She made herself do 25 pushups, if she still wanted a twinkie, she'd run on the elliptical for 10 minutes. She did things like that and now she's down 69lbs still after over a year at being her goal weight 125lbs. It worked for her.
I'd say get yourself busy, or get a hobby or something to keep you occupied so you're not thinking about food so much. Also, eat more protein and fiber perhaps so you'll stay feelilng full.

mstyer2790

I'm the exact same way. When I was younger and my parents would leave the house, I would eat soooo much. Now I try to distract myself. it's not the easiest, but just find something, even if it not exercise, that distracts you. For me that could mean painting my nails and then not touching anything til they are dry lol And if you can't resist, make sure what is around you is healthy. Lots of veggies and fruit, then maybe yogurts & things like that. Things that make you chew a lot make you seem fuller faster though, like celery

iamgonnadothisnow

Thank you!!

Adah_m

you can read this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/947495-trying-to-lose-100-pounds-in-1-year?page=1#posts-14437783

I posted a LONG response about relearning how to eat and portion control.

Good luck!!!

hiryze

Something that helped me was sipping hot tea with a little stevia in it. You can get really good flavors (I like Celestial Seasonings) and it takes a while to drink it. This didn't help if I was actually hungry but definitely curbed the munchies.

WJZR

The bad thing about food is.... you cant QUIT , like with cigarettes or beer. You have to eat to live. I have the same problem....grazing after dinner..... and when i exercise.. ir seems to make me hungrier....... i have taken up crochet, so that my hands are busy, and i am not opening the fridge as much. I have also decided when i was a snack to drinnk a large glass of water first, then eat a small bit of the thing i crave.... just statted this idea... dont know if it will work.....

NHoughton13

I've started brushing my teeth. When my son gets ready for bed and I'm out of calories to eat, I brush with him. It's weird, but it's like I don't want to ruin the fresh minty clean feeling. Bizarre, I know. But it seems to ward off cravings in the evening. If nothing else, I'll have an improved dentist visit. LOL

DottieNewton

Aren't we all??ugh!! I still struggle with this because it is not ..nor ever has been about whether I was full or not. Eating was my "go to drug". Whatever emotion I might be feeling..good or bad. So, it truly is not about what you are eating but rather "What is eating you?" and sadly even knowing that does not take away that craving.

The advice to get busy doing something...anything to take your mind off of eating for a while will help. Get you a glass of water to drink..or the oldie" chew sugar-less gum" and see if the desire will go away. It usually does if it is not true hunger.

MinnieInMaine

My sister was like that. When she started to lose weight she'd punish herself with exercises everytime she thought she wanted to go to the kitchen for a snack. She wanted a twinkie? She made herself do 25 pushups, if she still wanted a twinkie, she'd run on the elliptical for 10 minutes. She did things like that and now she's down 69lbs still after over a year at being her goal weight 125lbs. It worked for her.
I'd say get yourself busy, or get a hobby or something to keep you occupied so you're not thinking about food so much. Also, eat more protein and fiber perhaps so you'll stay feelilng full.

While this is a fabulous idea, I really don't like the idea of referring to it as punishing yourself!! It's not punishment, it's an alternative. It's a way to retrain your thinking process. It is not a punshiment!

Boredom and emotional eating are very common but there are ways you can retrain your thinking, it's not hopeless. I've had to struggle with this myself and while it's gotten easier with time, I still have trouble now and then because it's a lifelong bad eating habit. Most of the time, I just have to convince myself that if I can just wait 10 (or 20 or 30) minutes, I'll be just fine. Sometimes, it's that confused signal where the body actually wants water/hydration, not food so drinking something can help. Finding something to distract yourself - exercise, read a book, watch a movie, call a friend, go online, play a game, go on Pinterest (I've not done this yet but hear it can keep you distracted/occupied for hours).

But sometimes you just have to eat something or you'll go crazy or won't get a good night's sleep. Get any junk out of your house if you can. Replace it with healthier snacks - fruits, veg, nuts, light popcorn, 100 calorie snacky things, whatever you think will satisfy you.

And maybe you're getting full but not of the right things. I can get full on a muffin but because of the way my body process that kind of food, it won't keep me full and therefore I'll be more likely to give in to a temptation because I'm getting hungry again. Make sure you're getting plenty of protein and healthy fats in your diet to keep your body satisfied longer.

CupcakesAndRazorblades

Before you eat get out a book and write out your feelings. Why you want to eat, what's bothering you, things like that. Sometimes seeing your feelings on paper helps you to deal with them better. Also, even if you are eating healthily you may not be getting enough calories (I didn't check your diary or anything I'm just going on personal experience).

iamgonnadothisnow

Thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. I tried the exercise alternative to food, and it worked. 30 minutes of just dance, and all I want afterwards was water. Fantastic idea, thank you!!

benflando

Definitely a hobby to distract you. It's the best.

magerum

Eat less during the day and plan on eating at night. I consume 2/3rd of my calories 2 hours before going to bed, it's a control measure of mine. (1/2 my calories within an hour of bed time)

felice03

since you arent logging your food it is hard for us to tell you where you can improve and possible have higher density foods that will help you stay full longer. You may not be eating enough. You may be eating "healthy" in your mind but still eating empty calories. You may need more protein. without knowing what you are consuming and how much it is pretty tough to be able to offer advice except to start logging and ask again in a few weeks.

AlongCame_Molly

Brush your teeth. The last thing I want is to put chocolate in my mouth at the end of the day if it's going to mix with the minty-fresh flavor in my mouth. Gross.