Emotional eating?

Licacorona
Licacorona Posts: 118 Member
edited September 27 in Motivation and Support
How do YOU fight the urge to eat just because you're _______ (happy, sad, angry, excited)

I know I'm not hungry. I know how to point out when I'm eating, or trying to eat emotionally. But when it hits and I say "no" the urge to splurge continues throughout the day. It may sound crazy but that's how it feels for me. Falling off the wagon seems so much easier these days.

I want to end the day today feeling like I conquered this. Agh.

Replies

  • christina_michelle
    christina_michelle Posts: 225
    FIND other things to do (:
    You can't eat the food if you are not around the food!
  • Mishy
    Mishy Posts: 1,551 Member
    gum! lots and lots of gum.

    And it's empowering when those battles are won so I try to focus on that.
  • thecanface
    thecanface Posts: 1,180 Member
    the only way for me is to literally stay away from food. like go somewhere where i can't get a hold of it or crave it.
  • SheliaN1960
    SheliaN1960 Posts: 454 Member
    Hello! Insome cases like you and me it is one minute at a time! Hang in there and you keep your chin up! This is a tough journey especailly for those of us that are emotion eaters!! Best wishes!!
    Shelia
  • Missashley9
    Missashley9 Posts: 29
    I am a severe emotional eater as well. I eat when I am happy, sad, depressed, bored-- you name it. I have only been doing this for a month, so I am still trying to feel out my "triggers." For me, the worst time is in the evenings, at home, sitting on the couch, bored. And it's raining like hell outside, again, for the 40th day in a row, so I can't go for a walk. You just have to find something distracting. I will often get online & play games, or I will read a book. If it's after 9 pm, and I am feeling the urge to snack, I go brush my teeth and start getting ready for bed. I figure it's better to get an extra 30-60 mins of sleep than it is to eat something, late nite, that I will regret in the morning. I, too, am interested to find out what other emotional eaters do.
  • Licacorona
    Licacorona Posts: 118 Member
    You're right. I'm gonna get out of the house and get a run in. Im a stay at home mom of a 1 year old. Im almost always home. Thanks for the advice!
  • Licacorona
    Licacorona Posts: 118 Member
    I am a severe emotional eater as well. I eat when I am happy, sad, depressed, bored-- you name it. I have only been doing this for a month, so I am still trying to feel out my "triggers." For me, the worst time is in the evenings, at home, sitting on the couch, bored. And it's raining like hell outside, again, for the 40th day in a row, so I can't go for a walk. You just have to find something distracting. I will often get online & play games, or I will read a book. If it's after 9 pm, and I am feeling the urge to snack, I go brush my teeth and start getting ready for bed. I figure it's better to get an extra 30-60 mins of sleep than it is to eat something, late nite, that I will regret in the morning. I, too, am interested to find out what other emotional eaters do.

    I'm a stay at home mom but like you I find that the worse time is evenings. Or like right now that my sisters went to dine out and invited me. I came close to going but stopped myself and came in to MFP to write about it. So I'm assuming that writing about how you feel at the moment it's happening can be a huge help.

    Some days it's easier than others to say no.
  • Licacorona
    Licacorona Posts: 118 Member
    Hello! Insome cases like you and me it is one minute at a time! Hang in there and you keep your chin up! This is a tough journey especailly for those of us that are emotion eaters!! Best wishes!!
    Shelia

    I agree, one minute at a time. Thank you so much!
  • barbarella
    barbarella Posts: 609 Member
    Emotional eating is a HUGE issue for me right now too! :grumble: :noway:

    I have so many major life changes in the works, that stuffing my face seems like the most fun thing to do! DUMB!!! YUP!!!

    Best thing is to get distracted by an activity........ something ACTIVE!
    Like working out, going for a walk, cleaning, vacuuming, doing a hobby.......
    getting mentally lost somewhere away from the kitchen!!!

    GOOD LUCK and let me know what works out for you!!! :flowerforyou: :drinker:
  • Licacorona
    Licacorona Posts: 118 Member
    Emotional eating is a HUGE issue for me right now too! :grumble: :noway:

    I have so many major life changes in the works, that stuffing my face seems like the most fun thing to do! DUMB!!! YUP!!!

    Best thing is to get distracted by an activity........ something ACTIVE!
    Like working out, going for a walk, cleaning, vacuuming, doing a hobby.......
    getting mentally lost somewhere away from the kitchen!!!

    GOOD LUCK and let me know what works out for you!!! :flowerforyou: :drinker:

    Right now it's really helped to get in here and acknowledge my feelings but also to see I'm not the only person who struggles with emotional eating. Once done here, I fully intend on working out to ripped in 30 since my little one is napping. Itll also help to release some of the frustration.

    Thank you! I'll keep you posted.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I chew gum a lot, especially when it's because I'm stressed.
    I also try to find another activity to replace the food.
    Sometimes I allow myself to eat a little, and just account for it in my daily calories. But usually only after a big glass of water.
  • JellyJaks
    JellyJaks Posts: 589 Member
    I try to find a way to distract myself whether it be playing a game with my children or even answering emails. I've also stopped keeping a lot of snack food in the house. If we don't have it, I can't go for it when I get bored or upset :smile:
  • Louiselesley
    Louiselesley Posts: 166 Member
    My theory is that if I am doing something else then I won't be eating.

    If I am thinking about food, clearly I am not focused on the activity at hand and I must change to something I can focus on
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