how do you cope with stress? does it effect your diet

My mum always has a big 360g bar of chocolate lurking in the fridge - whenever I'm stressed I find myself taking chunks of that in an attempt to make me feel better. Unsurprisingly, it never works!

Eating use to be my coping mechanism till I committed to a lifestyle change in December 2011. Now I use 10 minute walks or drink more water or close my office door and do 10 yoga sun salutations.

It was a lot of moments thru the first six months. I just had several mantras - "I can't correct one stress creating situation with another stress creating action".

I haven't been perfect with my excercise or nutrition plan and I have goals, but eliminating recreational and stress eating is one lifestyle change that is my foundation.

It depends on the situation. I try to exercise when that is an option, but oftentimes it is not - like if I'm at work. As much as I try not to, on some occasions I do still turn to food during stressful times - but not as often as I once did. The other thing is I'm trying to look at the stressful times in life from a different perspective - like "what will getting myself worked up about this do for me" - typically the answer to that is "nothing". Most of us are human and will slip up on our journeys to good health. We just have to recognize and continue to try to improve / break bad habits. Best of luck to you and everyone! :flowerforyou:

I don't know really. The other week I was really stressed and I ordered a Chinese takeaway, but it didn't make me feel better.

If I'm really angry and wound up I need a cigarette and some alcohol. I don't really get angry very often, but cigarettes have always been the thing I reach to that actually make me feel better. I probably smoke about twice a year.

I never have an outlet for my anger and stress, so it festers inside me which isn't a good thing!

Scream. Punch/break something. Violent video games.

sadly, I get angry and yell. a lot. It's not good. eta: yes it affects my diet because I fin I often try to redirect the rage into stuffing my face. After all, if my mouth is full I can't yell! :sigh:

I used to eat something that was comforting. Now I try to take a walk, breathe deeply, then when I get back if I really feel the need to eat the choice is usually healthier rather than a quick fix.

I use it to my advantage....I run faster, I run further, I lift heavier. **** stress, don't let it **** you

Usually what makes me stressed is when I have a whole bunch of things that I need to get done before I leave to go somewhere...instead of snacking in front of my computer and procrastinating, making the stress worse, I make a quick list and start at the top. If I'm getting things done, my hands will be too busy to shove food in my mouth.

I'm also a big fan of yoga. I keep my mat out so if I need a moment, I can spend some time stretching or attempting that pose that eludes me.

Three months ago I had an epiphany- I was away for two weeks and - though I ate more junk ( donuts/candy/pizza) in those two weeks than I usually eat - I came home six lb lighter. So I asked myself why am I letting the stresses get to me, why am I letting stress control me. I need to control * it*, not the other way around.

I guess my two main stresses are * my life in general* which is mainly my adult special needs son and my lack of money and inability to move and get better job, and my job. So I'm slowly but surely doing what I cans to accept what I cannot change and fix what I can. Nothing is easy, but the alternative of weighing over 200 lbs and having high bp and bad cholesterol aren't easy either. And weirdly enough, now ( in this past month since I've started here) I have tons more energy due to my better managing my exercise and food, so work is, actually, more fun and effective which means that I am doing less 'eating out of boredom' at work. On Thursday I was so busy that I skipped my afternoon snack- that never happens! I'm always counting the minutes till I can eat again!

So basicaly - keep busy and deal with the triggers, either accept the problems in your life or fix them

**Flashback**
I would get stressed and inhale every fattening, salty, sweet, delicious thing in sight.
I would leave those sessions (after the high wore off) with overwhelming guilt and depression and overall weight gain.


**Flash Forward**

If I try to "eat my stress" it totally doesnt work. I was shocked the first time I tried and failed. I was sitting there, in my car, empty McDonalds food wrappers in my lap, crying my eyes out because I was stuffed full of sodium and genetically modified food and I still felt like crap. Where was my high?
UGH
But NOW I listen to music, loudly
I sing, loudly (off key)
I dance, terribly
I walk, fast
I write in my journal or I write letters to myself or to whoever it was that hurt me
I pray
I hug people (anyone who is near me, but my kids are the best huggers)
And, if I need to, I cry

But food doesn't work anymore. I am kind of relieved because my past binges were a huge part of my weight gain.

I Run..............and run............and run some more.

Having lots of sex generally helps with stress I find.

My reaction to lots of stress was wine and chocolate a few months ago.
Thankfully, I've been able to re-program my habits.
Now if it is "angry" kind of stress I do some kickboxing, and if it "upset" kinda stressed I go for a long walk and pray.
I have to say, that both make me feel way better than the wine and chocolate used to.