Stress Eaters... Coping Mechanism Ideas Please!

wow so I came on MFP to asking something similar. While i have never been a closet eater I have been one to eat when stressed. I thought about going to the gym but really I don't have the energy to go there. Any case i just was supprised to see your thread at a point when I so much feel like doing this.

I use those crystal light packets that you mix in with a bottle of water. When I get bad cravings I can drink as much as that as I want and it gives a sweet taste to fulfill and take away the craving and it's only 5 calories. I love the raspberry lemonade flavor and fruit punch. It's been tremendously helpful in coping with my stress eating and it gets me through the day without sabotaging myself!

When I am stressed, I find that going to the gym helps, or even just working out in other ways that are fun for me like pilates and dancing. It helps keep my mind occupied - especially when I am working out to some music I really like. I feel very good afterward and despite the fact that I might still be in the same situation that is stressing me out, I have expelled a lot of energy and negative emotions by running, dancing, or whatever I choose to do to get my heart rate up. It also makes me feel like I have done something more positive for my body in the long run, rather than setting myself back from my goal by binging.

If I have already worked out, I try doing something productive when I get the urge to stress eat - sometimes I clean, or reorganize rooms, i paint my nails (that might sound a bit silly, but I find it very distracting/calming), and sometimes I will just call a friend or family member if I need to vent, or get advise. Sometimes other peoples' insights on our situations can help us self reflect and assess the things that are making our lives stressful.

i know how it feels to move to a new city and not have many friends, so that can be very tough. I'm not sure if you're into the gym scene, but if you like going, sometimes people look for workout buddies, so that is one way to meet a new friend who can also motivate you!

Also, I'm sorry to read about your boyfriend situation - having issues arise with someone you love is one of the most stressful things to deal with and I am sure many of us can relate. It sounds like you are a very understanding person, but don't forget to take care of yourself while he is trying to figure out his emotions.

Everything doesn't have to be difficult, everything is easy when it's the right one trust me x

I find it hard to overcome my stress eating but the one thing that does take my mind of it is cleaning and organising. Doesn't sound like fun but it takes my mind off the stress and focuses me.

Good luck x

I ditto what the other girls have said. I find just going for a walk or quickly gulping down water helps. I tend to want to eat all my emotions, like stuff myself quickly to numb myself. At 210 pounds, thats a lot of stuffing! I end up feeling worse off emotionally and physically, but I totally understand where you are coming from.
Come on these boards for a quick pick me up. I know looking at success stories helps me refocus.
I am not going to bash your boyfriend, but let me say this. If you are not the center of his universe, the most precious thing in the world to him, you should move on until he figures it out. DONT wait for him to REALIZE how precious you ARE! THat gives him WAY too much power. If he knows you are waiting for HIM. you will never get the respect you DESERVE. Good luck beautiful!

I always try to acknowledge how I feel before I eat- I think 'How am I feeling and am I eating because I'm hungry or something else?'
If it is something else- I sort that out, or write a list of things I can do to sort it, or talk to someone about it.
Just try to address the problem first!
EG: I'm about to stress eat- why am I eating? Because I have these 3 things to do and not enough time- I write down when I'm going to do all 3, then break the 3 down into smaller jobs, and more often than not find myself sorting out the problem.
More often than not if I'm aware of it, I can stop myself!

I like to turn on some happy music and sing along at the top of my lungs or pop in a comedy. Somehow, smiling and laughing makes me feel better...even if I don't start out in a smiling and laughing mood. Engaging in an organization/cleaning project around the house helps relieve stress as well. It helps me feel like I am still in control of SOMETHING, even if I can't control the circumstances of my life...which is really what emotional/stress eating is all about.

Get rid of your "stress" and wala.. great "coping mechanism!" (seriously though, if he truly loves you, you would be his first priority. Im 40 yrs old and didnt believe in love, well.... )

I say like on Saturday pre-log all meals from Sunday-Saturday. LOG EVERYTHING. On Sunday prep those meals and store them in container in freezer/fridge. This will really help keep you focused.

DONT bring any of those foods in the house.

When you feel stressed, put ur music on and hit the gym or walk.

When you cheat, youre cheating yourself. I wont gain weight when you binge and feel depressed AFTER...SOOO....

.... LOVE YOURSELF.. Love yourself enough to make yourself happy. GREAT things will happen when you do. Youre a beautiful, young, and im sure strong woman. We have all been there and nothing gets better until YOU want it to.

You know u got this... Good luck.

I would suggest renting a movie called " He's just not that into you" and then read the book...maybe twice or three times... and then you might see that you deserve to be a priority in a relationship. Give hime the space he's looking for and don't cling on to him. Take the time to find yourself and look after yourself. Go to the gym, focus on healthy eating, join a new club (volleyball or something like that) and get out and meet new people. When he calls to see how you're doing you will then have new things to talk about and will be having a great life without him.

Remember to make yourself a priority and look after yourself. If he's not there to be a supportive partner to you in this journey of weight loss and healthy lifestyle then move on and find somebody who is currently in the journey or wants to be a part of it with you. It's hard but you'll be happier. (I've been there... and I've lost about 200 lbs twice... they're called ex boyfriends and in retrospect, I'm now very happy those relationships are over. Allowing those relationships to end enabled me to find the right one with a supportive partner who is supporting me in my weight loss journey.

I'm a stress eater, and honestly - these days I'm just toughing it out and letting myself experience my feelings. It seems that I cry a lot more since I stopped seeking comfort in the kitchen. As much as I can, I try to distract myself with non-food things, like taking the dog for a walk or doing maintenance on my aquarium - anything I can summon the energy for.