Need a replacement for comfort eating

I am a comfort eater...when I don't feel well I reach for food. I overeat. Unfortunately I have some health issues that are flaring up (AGAIN). I know I shouldn't use these issues as an excuse, but I have gotten back into my old bad habits the past few weeks. The scale is starting to go back up and I am so frustrated with myself. I know I am eating too much of the wrong foods. I just can't seem to stop myself from saying yes to going out to eat with friends and family, ordering that pizza or take-out. I know it is wrong, but food takes my mind off from my pain, at least for a little while. I need to find something to replace food as comfort. Does anyone have any suggestions? My activity is restricted so the replacement can't be exercise related. Most of my hobbies are active- horseback riding, riding ATVs, playing with the dogs, etc. I hate not being able to be as active as I want to be. I have been doing a lot of reading, watching TV and movies and I even tried doing some drawing this evening. I used to be pretty good at drawing but apparently I am out of practice!

Your eye and hand will come back real fast. I'm returning to the piano after a few years away... terrible but improving quickly!

Knitting helps. Handicrafts. Because I'm creating there's a project, a success (reward, emotional high) and an activity.

My replacement for comfort eating is a small chihuahua...I don't eat it though.

It might sound stupid and not something every woman would do but watching sports always helps. I get so inspired to get fit that I don't even want to sit there and watch it while eating crap. What also helps is to go to tumblr and look at inspirational quotes and healthy foods. Always helps.

Or take up a new hobby that can keep you busy. Reading, walking, writing, blogging.

I know how you feel! Yesterday I was moping around about dudes and such, and I was SO HUNGRY the whole day. I just wanted to eat everything! But it was my brain and not my stomach that was hungry.

About going out with friends: I go out with my friends 1-2 times a week, depending on my schedule and I just put in some cardio on my hometrainer for an hour or two before I go and as a result, I won't feel bad about that pizza or that beer I had. Maybe this is something you could do? My mum bought me my hometrainer as a Christmas present for 200 €, but I'm sure you should be able to get it much cheaper off Craigslist and the like. You could even position it in front of the TV, so every time you want to watch something you like, just hop on and you won't even notice you're excercising.

If I can't run (my comfort thing), then I play my piano. Maybe learning a musical instrument? Many people can learn basic stuff on a guitar on their own and with the internet/books.

I learnt how to play guitar on my own. I wont say I'm the greatest but I can play full songs and such. Love music, it's a great way to get the emotions in check!!

The good news is you don't have to be perfect, you just have to be better.

Small sustainable changes.
When inspirations strikes people revamp their whole lives. The only problem being is when stress comes along (and it always does), we revert to comfortable familiar behaviors.
Change a couple of small things until they become habit.
Once they are habit, it's automatic, and you don't have to think about it any more.
Then it's time to make another couple of small changes.

Rather than having to think about everything all the time. You only have to think about a 2 or 3 new things.
In the meanwhile your old habits still provide a bit of comfort and security. Down the road your new habits will become your old habits and they will provide a sense of comfort and security.

So many people say I'm never going to emotional eat again, I kinda think that setting myself up for failure. There will be set backs where I won't make the best choices. Hopefully if you are tracking and keeping a few notes you'll detect patterns and adjust for them. Sometimes I'll be extra healthy if I know an event or stressfully occasion is coming up. And some times they hit by surprise and the trick is focusing on the improving rather then focusing on the set backs gradually you'll have more improvements and fewer set backs.

Cigarettes!!!!!

Maybe I should expand on that.....

My replacement was cigarettes
One bad habit for another

Crocheting worked for me