Emotional Eating Struggle :(

fitmommy1088
fitmommy1088 Posts: 7
in Food and Nutrition
I lost 30 lbs last year, & haven't reached my goal weight yet. I'm approx. 20 lbs from it. Before, losing the first 30 wasn't that hard honestly. I mean it wasn't easy, but nothing compared to how hard it is to get this last 20 off. It seems like I have the appetite of a horse and CANNOT get full at night. I want to eat and eat until I literally almost can't breathe. :( Also, I have a problem with turning to food for comfort. If I'm happy, I turn to food. If I'm upset, I turn to food. WHY!!!! I feel so out of control.

Does anyone have any advice on emotional eating and losing the last 20 lbs?

Replies

  • karenhray7
    karenhray7 Posts: 219 Member
    I can't speak to the last 20#, I've still got 90# before I reach that hurdle. That being said, I have been a chronic emotional eater my entire life. Mad, sad, whatever, reach for something starchy and/or sweet. Eating those simple carbs results in a serotonin release which is why those foods make us feel better. And sleepy. That's been my problem of late. I've been getting the emotional part under control but I still have a tendency to want to put myself into a food coma before bedtime.

    The best advice I can give is this: When you find yourself in an emotional eating spiral (I spiral, not sure if you do, but I digress...) stop. Whatever stage of emotional eating your in, whether you're thinking about eating when you're not hungry, reaching for a cupcake, or in the middle of eating an entire pizza, stop and take a breath. Think about why you're eating what you're eating, and then ask yourself if that's really what you want to do. That action right there, the stopping and breathing part, will help you feel a little more in control. That I can promise you. As for ending the ugly cycle, all I can say is practice makes perfect and eventually you'll find yourself stopping to think before you start to reach for the food.

    As for the night eating, the only solution I've ever found to be helpful is to have a relatively large, protein heavy breakfast as soon as I can in the mornings. If I do find myself just wanting to eat in the evening, I try to go for protein (cheese works well for me). If I want something sweet I have a big mug of chamomile tea. It tastes sweet to me without adding sugar. I still find myself purposefully going for the food coma once in awhile, but if I can really remember how craptastic I feel in the mornings, it makes it easier to put down the popcorn and go take a bath.

    Good luck to you, and congrats on being so close to your goal!!
  • fitmommy1088
    fitmommy1088 Posts: 7
    Thank you so much. You really helped :)
  • bjean1964
    bjean1964 Posts: 29 Member
    I've been an emotional eater as well...same thing...happy i eat, sad i eat!

    I try to distract myself with some good music or a quick walk outside. Or anything else nonfood that helps you feel good. Polish your toes or nails.

    another thought. Make sure you have healthy snacks on your counters that you can grab and eat. I just bought a bag of fresh mandarins and they are sweet and fun to peel and only 40 calories. plus they are good snacks for the kids too if you have kids

    Good luck :wink:

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