Emotional Eaters Unite!

Emotional eating has always been a problem for me as well. When I was young it was kids at school, or my parents fighting, my brothers being mean, etc. Now I am a single mother of two boys, work full time and chose to go back to school. Food is my highlight at times, I have started finding things that I enjoy doing rather than eating. When I get into an argument with my son and feel like grabbing a bag of Oreos I put on my sneakers and walk off my frustrations, or go to my room and read, I've returned to arts and crafts. Scrapbooking, crocheting, etc. With that said it doesn't always work, if i come home and still feel a need to eat I do what Katie said I grab a healthy snack. Small changes! Good luck!! If you would like to be friends please add! Always looking for people on here to help with motivation!!!

I, personally, have not learned to manage it but love the idea of starting a support group for it. I think emotional eating is an issue all on its own that needs to be addressed and is something difficult to overcome.

Personally, I eat for all the emotions. LOL. I can be nervous, excited, bored, sad, angry, or wanting to celebrate some occasion, and use any and all of these as a reason to stuff my face. As I said initially it is not something I have learned to control. If I only ate when I was hungry I would not be here! However, I think some sort of support group is important.

With all that being said I think what has shed some light on the issue is realizing you (I) have a problem. I think the fact that we know we are emotional eaters is very important. Sometimes it is hard to see our shortcomings and realize something is a problem. So as the old adage goes, "the first step to solve a problem is admit you have a problem."

I like the idea of refocusing the issue. I don't know if eating would be the answer, even if it is a healthy food item. I think no matter what we eat it sends pleasure senses to our brain. I think the important thing is to not allow a sad day be soothed by food, even if it is "healthy" food. I really like the idea of finding a hobby and doing that when we are wanting to pacify our feelings.

Once again this is not a problem I have overcome yet, but am interested to read of others experiences who have successfully redirected the act of putting something in your mouth to make the day better, too.

kommodevaran wrote: »

I have all those emotions too, and I used to think I was an emotional eater... but I'm not sure anymore? I basically just want to eat because it tastes good, because it's available and noone there's to stop me... I'm not very good at stopping what I'm doing, and I maybe I eat much out of habit? But I do know I have less cravings now that I eat better and more structured.

Do you think you might be eating out of boredom? This is something that I do/have done a lot. When I have too much free time I just start eating and don't stop until I realize how stuffed I am. My solution has been engaging in other hobbies--reading, walking outside, calling a friend--until I no longer feel the need to snack incessantly. Basically, just fill up the time that you would have spent eating with something else.

For me, emotions=lotsa sweets. You have to be aware when this happens. What helps me is eating right all day and leaving extra calories at the end of the day to cover just in case. Also, working hard to burn off my mishaps with exercise.