Compulsive Eater

:flowerforyou: Me too. . . the good news is that you can learn to change this habit. (although I have my days. . .)

Keeping busy is important. It was really hard for me, because I think I had emotions that I'd been "eating" my whole life. And, if you don't eat them, you have to feel them. I would actually have nights that I planned on crying, just like I used to have nights I planned on eating.

For me, exercise helps. It allows me to spend "me" time, and you can't eat while you're working out. It helps me deal with stress in a different, and hopefully healthier way.

Also, and I'm just saying this from my recognition of your screen name. . . I also found out that I have a gluten intolerance. I gave up wheat (hard, so hard) and no longer have screaming simple carb cravings. It might be worth a try for you. (and I know everyone's different, it's just worked so well for me that I can't help but mention it).

Welcome, and good luck.

Hi and welcome, Breadaddict!! :bigsmile:

I used to be a compulsive and emotional eater as well. I gained a lot of weight in college and bartending at a restaurant didn't make it any easier. Not to mention, I live with my boyfriend who can eat whatever he wants and still look great, so there are always tempting foods in the house. But I have finally stuck with dieting and exercising and I have lost a little over 30 pounds. I'm almost at my goal weight!!

They say if you can stick to a diet for three weeks you should be able to stick with it for much longer. And believe me, the first three weeks are always the hardest. So start eating in moderation and only when you are hungry. Eat to live, don't live to eat.

I still get stressed out and want to snack, but instead of grabbing for those french fries, I eat a healthy snack or drink a glass of water. I still eat 5-6 times a day, but the meals are only 200-300 calories at max, if even that. I never eat fried food anymore, and I'm very disciplined about it. I watch my calorie, carb, salt, and sugar intakes. I learned a lot from attending a few Weight Watchers classes. Remember, a diet is not just changing your eating habits, it's a complete lifestyle change. It takes a lot of will power and motivation. I have been dieting for months now and I used to eat all day long, but since my stomach has shrank, I get full faster and I eat less. My body has adjusted to the lesser intake of food and I don't crave food all day long anymore. You will soon do the same. If you can, add exercise... you can lose weight without it, but exercising can accelerate your weight loss and give you more energy. It also makes you feel better!!

When I wanted to eat something that I shouldn't, I would look at old pictures of myself and it would remind me why I was dieting so I wouldn't indulge. Find something to motivate you. I also used to keep a picture of my chubby self on the fridge so every time I opened that door I would remember that I don't want to look like that so I had to eat healthy. You don't have to starve yourself, just eat in moderation and make good choices. Good luck and best wishes!!