Anyone else dealing with a separation?

HUGS

That is a lot to go through at once. I had a husband walk out many years ago and understand how incredibly hard it can be.
Glad you are working on things for now, especially since your boys are so little.
Congrats on keeping up with the Great changes while going through this! Overall it will help you. Your body will feel better which will help it all.

You can do it!!!! One step at a time.

No separation as such but heaps of pressure and frustration at times. Two things. One you are doing already. Sugar destabilises your glucose levels which leads to mood swings. Carbs and sugars lead to increase insulin which leads to increase fat storage, not fat burning. You are off to an excellent start by knocking off all processed sugars and carbs. You do not have to exercise to loose weight if you eat the right foods. Your issue is more about excess fat. Lecithin granules (1.5 tablespoons mixed in yoghurt or dairy) will help emulsify your fat triglycerides so they are more easily burnt. Dropping your net carbs to between 60-80 gm will speed things up further , eat moderate protein (1gm per kilo of your weight approx), eat good fats (low salt butter, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, nuts) as these will more than keep you satiated. Fat is a far more stable fuel for the body to burn which means no mood swings, clarification of the mind, better skin (well oiled). Having too many carbs in your diet is like throwing too much paper on a fire so the logs don't get to burn. You need to get to the logs, ie your fat stores. Be sure to have enough iodine (for optimum thyroid function), plenty of veggies and at least one piece of fruit a day. Also drink plenty of water. Include green tea to speed up metabolism, fennel tea to help suppress hunger if necessary, dandelion root tea for liver cleanse. (Also all these teas are diuretics). Include curry especially turmeric in your diet, it is a great anti inflammatory. If you take probiotics it will improve your gut bacteria so that you absorb the nutrients in your food more (less hungry as a result) and aid elimination of waste and toxins (leading to more efficient burning of your fat stores). Eat only when you are hungry and stop as soon as you are not. This helps your liver manage the insulin load better leading to better fat burning.. Better you eat many small meals this way. Never go hungry. All this alone will lead you to loose weight.

Second (I did say two things), walking is an excellent stress management activity. It channels the distress in your mind and emotions out of your body, and it releases endorphins to help pick up your mood. You don't have to walk hard but you may find that you do as your body and mind better connect to rid of frustration. Try it, you will find your own rhythm and just tune out to tune in. All the best with things, sometimes space is good for both but sounds like you are already reaching for higher ground and consciousness by the way you want to change your ways and yourself for the better. We attract what we give out and you are showing loving kindness to yourself. A good start.

my husband and i went through a brief two month separation last fall. I found that throwing myself into exercise was the healthiest way to deal with the emotions and stress I was feeling.... I figured it was better than the alternatives (excessive drinking, food, poor decision making opportunities).

Exercise is a great stress reliever.