emotional eating

aurora184
aurora184 Posts: 54 Member
edited November 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys. Like many of you, in the past I used food to hide from my emotions (mostly negative emotions). Since I've started MFP (July 2015) I tried to change that habit. The first weeks went awesome, I was on top of the world for taking control of my life. But lately I have been feeling upset/angry/resentful/envious/bitter etc. towards everybody and everything who's luckier in life. My life has been one big struggle and will probably continue to be a struggle (let's just say I haven't been dealt the best cards). It's like my negative emotions are so raw and present (without the mountain of food covering it up LOL). I kind of don't know how to deal with them. I've tried doing fun things and taking my mind of them and I've reached out to people for help for the first time. But I don't feel it's getting better. I've been able to prevent lashing out to the "innocent" but no doubt I will one of these days. I'm a very sweet person, always making others come first and I'm so unfamiliar with this darker side.... it kinda scares me. Have you experienced something similar at the beginning of your weight loss journeys? Is it temporary, will this dark period pass or should I start hiding my kitchen knifes and gardening tools (LOL... just kidding)? Will the emotions become less raw as my weight drops ( not sure if my emotions are even weight related at this point cuz I didn't think I felt really unhappy about my weight)? Whatever solutions you might have.... it can't cost money!! I would love to hear your stories. Thanks

Replies

  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    If you feel you have an unhealthy relationship with food, it may be beneficial to see a therapist.


    If you are getting short with people a lot, it may be that you are not getting enough nutrition. How many calories do you eat?
  • aurora184
    aurora184 Posts: 54 Member
    I think I eat enough calories.... 1400 a day on average. Taking the weight loss thing slowly. And it's not that I get snappy over little things. It's like I have this deep anger inside me about all the important stuff in life and I've kept it all inside for way to long and it's now coming out through the cracks, like an erupting vulcano. It's a good thing that it's coming out cuz I think it means that I'm really breaking the habit of emotional eating (no more food plugs). I refuse to eat my emotions away anymore and trying to do the opposite: recognizing my emotions and dealing with them in a good way. It's just feels like I'm flooded by them and I'm not strong enough to control the stream. Lol... imagine opening a water tap just a little bit vs opening all taps in the house, turning on the sprinklers in the garden, in the middle of a heavy rainstorm LOL. I guess I just want to know if this is a normal thing that every emotional eater is going through. Like "emotional eating withdrawal symptoms"
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Getting enough rest, exercise, long walks, yoga, sauna -- those things can help. So can a good therapist. If you do not like the first one, find another.
  • rosebarnalice
    rosebarnalice Posts: 3,488 Member
    aurora184 wrote: »
    I have this deep anger inside me about all the important stuff in life and I've kept it all inside for way to long and it's now coming out through the cracks, like an erupting vulcano. It's a good thing that it's coming out cuz I think it means that I'm really breaking the habit of emotional eating (no more food plugs).

    You're right: this IS a good thing! You've identified your anger and recognized that food is not making it go away-- it's just stuffing it down. But you're probably right that you *don't* know how to deal with those emotions and feelings-- you just know that food isn't a good way any more.

    That's where a therapist or counselor can come in handy. S/he can give you an uninterested look at what's driving your anger, and then help you find coping mechanisms that are healthier for both your mind and body. Some techniques I learned in about 18 months of counseling many years ago was:
    * to separate my feelings from my memories so that old triggers don't turn me into a 9 year old again;
    * to distinguish between the things I could control and those I could not, and some ways to let go of those I could not; and sometimes,
    * how to just FEEL my feelings-- rotten, cruddy, awful, painful as they are--without trying to run away from them or beat them down or stuff them down with food or make them go away just because they're unpleasant.
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    As the others have said, talk to a Therapist.
    Also, start doing some Exercise,.....it works wonders, especially when i'm having a bad day.
  • aurora184
    aurora184 Posts: 54 Member
    I think I should try to get the exercise in a.s.a.p. Maybe it's a good way to let off some steam. Not sure about the therapist at this moment. Those cost a lot of money (probably worth every penny lol) and I can't afford one right now. I'm pretty level headed normally and not the kind of woman to run away from problems (rather face them head on and deal with them) so for me it's uncharted territory to be such a victim of my emotions, feeling all these feelings. Gosh.... I really becoming such a girly girl LOL. Thanks guys for your help.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    If you can't afford a therapist-journal your feelings everyday.
  • daisy888mfp
    daisy888mfp Posts: 31 Member
    If you're low-income, there may be options for discounted therapy. Please look into it if you think it would help.
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