Overcoming emotional eating...

I've always found that exercise is the key to stopping that emotional eating. If you manage to get yourself to exercise on a routine basis -- you'll find that you'll be able to crave exercising as much as you do food. And instead of eating emotionally -- your body will be more aware. The xercise is not as much about burning calories -- but about psychological conditioning. That's the theory -- which works for me -- if I have the time to get to the gym or to the pool.. Good luck!! :-)

Biggest advice that was "asked" of me was: PAUSE ... THINK/ASK YOURSELF ..."ARE YOU HUNGRY? WHAT'S DRIVING YOUR EMOTIONAL ISSUE?"

It's not easy, and I wouldn't say I'm totally over it. Food can be comfort - or a relief - especially around that time of month. I notice when I'm more stressed, tired, or bored I eat horribly. I eat the "bad" stuff a lot more than the "good" stuff. But lately, I've been getting A LOT better at controlling my "triggers".

I've read over and over, been asked myself, and now I take it into thought ... Am I really hungry? Am I stressed? They say to PAUSE and THINK it over before you "stuff your face". I try and remove myself from the situation. Going to the gym, working out, and finding time to spend in other areas of my hobbies has really helped. Journaling too! Whether it's a blog online or writing things down in a book - your emotions, your day, your stressors, etc - releasing that on paper (or screen) can help as well.

Glamour just did an article on this ... The writer has some good tips. Fitness and Self magazines also have some good advice.

Logic doesn't help emotional eaters. Even if you "know" you're eating wrong... you "know" this will make you sick... "know" it is stupid to be done in by an emotional need for food... it happens anyway. I've been struggling and lately fell completely. Ate double the calories I normally eat in a day and all of it (with the exception of breakfast) was garbage. I spent the evening in pain, nauseated and feeling incredibly bad... worse than I was during the day. I am back on track (so far) today... its a new day and a new beginning (again)... but is that false thinking that I can just start over every day?

Exercise is a great idea if you can get yourself motivated enuf to do it. I having been able to do the gym since being injured, then reinjured but am hopeful I can get back at it soon.

I am dealing with anxiety, depression, worry about 2 family members, money, future/no-future and a job that I love but I worry that I'm not keeping up with. I read inspirational blogs, books, listen to ambient uplifting music, try to be a happy fun person in front of other people but I'm a closet eater during and after all this. I tried Overeaters Anonymous but they're too focused on religion solving the problem and not the problem itself and ways of handling it.

What do others do to turn your mind back into something logical? Or can you / do you?

I also deal with anxiety/ depression issues & an incredibly stressful family life. For me, I have done a lot of self examination; mostly through therapy, some journaling, talking with friends, and just plain introspection. Working out does do a lot to help depression (those endorphins released when you work out do wonders). I had to find what got me into the gym first though & that was a friend who taught some classes that I enjoyed. In the end, it is ultimately a journey. The answer is not outside yourself, it's within. I went to a therapist because I couldn't find that "answer" on my own. She helped me to discover it within myself. I still struggle (sometimes more often than I'd like) but I am slowly getting better. You often hear the phrase that weight loss is slow & to think how long it took you to gain the weight; it is the same with the emotional side of things too- think of how long it took you to build that emotional baggage. Be patient with yourself. Love yourself. And if you cannot do that yet, find someone that can/ does. You are worth every ounce of effort, every drop of sweat, every tear... I guarantee you can do it. You can even hold me to that. Friend me if you'd like and I will do my best to help you when you need it. All the best to you.