Emotional eaters, how do you deal with stress???

Exercise regularly.
Start writing your thoughts down.
Seek support from your fl.
Set short term and long term goals and reward yourself!
Plan your day and meals ahead

I agree the exercise helps me a lot! Instead of running to the cookies I "run" around the neighbourhood.. or walk hehe but it works

Find something you love to do or are passionate about that you can turn to instead of food when you're stressed. I recently took up the piano again and after work I spend at least 30 minutes playing my practice music. It takes me to a different place and when I'm done I can enjoy the rest of my evening without even thinking about work or whatever else had me stressed.

Keep reminding myself that food (or rather, over-eating) doesn't actually solve any of the problems that stress me out. Food does make me feel a bit better (I suspect it always will) but only a little bit. I've learned to make use of that and recognise the point beyond which it makes me feel worse. So, having a cup of tea and a biscuit, or a piece of chocolate may cheer me up a little, but I know that having too much chocolate, or a packet of biscuits, won't make me feel any better than that initial boost, and will actually end up making me feel worse (bloated, irritable, regretful etc).

Additionally, I've found other ways to cope with stress such as having a bath, going for a walk, running, meditation, yoga, talking to a friend, drawing etc. Whatever. Experiment and find what works for you. None of those things have that immediate "hit" that over-eating has, they work in more subtle ways, but they do work.

Distraction techniques also help a lot. If I'm craving something (and I know it's not real, physical hunger) I tell myself to wait ten minutes, or half an hour, and that I can eat whatever it is after that time. I go and do something else, and usually, the craving passes.

Also, sometimes it's about allowing yourself to feel whatever negative emotion it is. Stress, anger, sadness, guilt, regret, loneliness, fear... none of those things are pleasant, but I know that feeling them won't kill me. Sometimes we overeat to stop ourselves feeling anything at all. Learning that you can feel that negative emotion, and that you'll still be ok, is quite a powerful thing. You don't have to block it out.

A few blogs/articles I've found useful along the way:
http://www.aliceboyes.com/urge-surfing/
http://www.thegreatfitnessexperiment.com/2013/04/everything-you-never-wanted-to-know-about-emotional-eating-what-how-and-why-you-should.html
http://bingeeatingtherapy.com/2010/11/08/fighting-urges-to-binge-eat/

I agree turn to exercise, take a walk. I just went thru a stressful weekend and was ordering pizza, going out to chinese, all this stuff was comforting to me. I did not even realize what I was doing but looking back I was doing it to feel better. Next time I will try to ask myself questions Is this a difficult time and write about it. Try to eat healthy or at least subway if I am eating out and tell myself to behave until lets say next week this will be over or better. I was just eating to feel better which of course didnt work and I gained 4 lbs over the weekend and have had to work like crazy to get it off! Yep, I could have had turkey burgers or chicken but No I wanted all those carbs and fats! Making a plan for next stressful time.

ps. also I tend to write when I am upset, it drains the negativity away.

Exercise, definitely. I walk on my lunch breaks to blow off steam. On the days where people really tweak me off at work, I tend to work out harder without trying. By the time I'm finished, the stress is gone.

This also helps me sleep better too. Before working out, the stress would keep me up at night, but now, I'm out like a light.

BUMP! I have final exams right now and am a mess - been eating ~3200+ calories per day for the past week or two, since the start of 'hell week' (which is, as you can tell, actually much longer). My last final is Saturday, but I have LSATS in June. I need to get a grip!

*hugs* Sending calming vibes in your direction.

Yes to Debbe2's answer. I am satisfied if i get to eat fun foods in the context of friends, fun and family. I am NOT satisfied eating under stress and without joy and fun. I regularly plan fun fellowship and food times to enjoy to the full.

exercise is good for stress. I usually go for a run or I go play some softball with friends when I feel like eating from stress. And 99% of the time I feel a lot better after I go exercise.

Exercise and meditation or call a friend. Munch on carrots that will help and you can't eat too many carrots, you will get tired of chewing first, lol.

Working out and exercise. Playing sports and competing. Complete down time like playing video games.

Drinking...probably not the best choice. But a few beers or a glass of wine to unwind helps.

To curb my emotional eating, I look inside my self and check if I am stomach hungry or tastebud hungry. Then I also log the foods I want to eat in the food diary to see if my treat is going to totally ruin my day.