Emotional Eating....

KatiePeca
KatiePeca Posts: 314 Member
edited September 28 in Motivation and Support
I've been an emotional eater all my life, whether they are good emotions or not, I eat them ;)

However in the past almost four years I find myself dealing with grief eating. In December 2007 one of our identical twin sons died when they were 20 days old. Since then emotional eating has taken on a whole new meaning.

I've been doing really good with my eating lately, but this Saturday we're hosting a fundraiser in memory of our son, and I just know when everyone is gone I'll find myself grieving again and I can see myself eating all the leftover cake, or something like that.

I guess I just need some strategies to combat that impulsive, emotionally driven binge, because I don't want this fundraiser, which is supposed to be a good thing, to derail me and my weight loss efforts.

Any ideas?

Katie

Replies

  • Sauchie
    Sauchie Posts: 357 Member
    As a big emotional eater myself. When I find myself upset these days, I go play wii with my daughter or take a walk to just escape my feelings. I hope it goes well. Best of luck...
  • Kristhin
    Kristhin Posts: 442 Member
    Reverse your mentality.

    Of course bad feelings like losing a loved one will change our eating habits when we feel sad about them.

    Just reverse your mentality on it. Instead of sad thoughts making it to where you want to dive into the nearest cake and eat yourself sick, just tell yourself you're so sick from your grief that you can't eat and the thought of even looking at food when you feel this way makes you absolutely sick.

    Imagine someone you love finding you pounding down cake uncontrollably while you think you're by yourself. Its humiliating.

    Thats the way I try to think. Cake. Its really disgusting. There's eggs in it. Those are chicken periods. Why would I want to stuff my face with that, the thought is repulsive.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    So sorry to hear about your son. I can't even begin to imagine what that is like for you. I think one easy thing you can do is try to get people to take food with them after the fundraiser. There's an acronym that AA uses, but it can apply to anything including emotional eating. H.A.L.T. Ask yourself before you eat, Am I hungry, angry, lonely or tired? If you're not actually hungry in that moment, don't eat.
  • ritaadkins2002
    ritaadkins2002 Posts: 371 Member
    Real sorry about your loss; i am also a emotional eater. but i try to grab a book or talk to my self (sounds crazylol) to give myself confidence. i even look in the mirror and talk to myself to give me the boost of having a good day without emotional setbacks. It is hard; but maybe u can carry a journal with u that day and when u feel the earge to eat right down what you are feeling. this might stop u from eating the bad things. then later go back into your journal and see what u are feeling that day and talk to someone close to u about your feelings. hope this helps rita
  • Kristhin
    Kristhin Posts: 442 Member
    Plus when I want to lose weight I try to think of overeating as a form of selfishness. Greed. Then it really turns me off. I'm the kind of person who always likes to do nice things for people anytime I get a chance and buy things for people, make donations, etc. So if I think to myself, look at yourself, can't stop eating those chips. You greedy hog. Then its a big turnoff.
  • crazyears
    crazyears Posts: 50
    I am so sorry for what you are going through. I would just focus on your son/daughter and the wonderful life you will have with them if you take care of yourself. Our kids want to have fun with us and see us healthy and happy, no matter what age they are they know if their mom is happy or sad.
    Good Luck this weekend, we are all here to support you!
  • hazelbliss6
    hazelbliss6 Posts: 253 Member
    When the fundraiser is over and it's a good time for you to grieve alone, maybe go for a long slow walk instead. (out of the house and away from the fridge) The fresh air and night sky have been very calming and safe places for me to feel through my emotions. If it's still daylight out maybe bring a journal with you and just start writing your feelings out, maybe write a letter to your son if you feel like that would help. If the weather is bad for walking, maybe go for a drive instead. When I was in college and needed to find space to feel my emotions I used to just sit in my car in my parking lot. Was a special inbetween time. Between work/school and my apt with the distractions of roomates and housework/homework. I think I have had some of my most powerful emotional breakthroughs praying outloud to God while sitting in my parked car. Hope some of this sounds helpful. I'm deeply sorry for your loss.
  • cianna11
    cianna11 Posts: 19
    Oh sweetie...poor you. What a terrible thing to have to endure. I started emotional eating when my daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia... and I kind of didnt stop which is why I am here. I equate food with feeling good...but then that feeling wears off. I am trying to tackle the chocolate issue which really kicked off when A was at her sickest. I am taking it one step at a time and clearing my cupboards of crap food so when I feel a binge coming on I can only eat healthy stuff... maybe try that. Funnily enough, I am getting more used to eating satsumas at the mo and am actually enjoying them. I also send hubby shopping so I am less inclined to buy rubbish. I find the worst time is in the evening for bad eating habits... not sure why. I spent many nights when A was in hospital eating rubbish but it made me feel ok at the time.. not sure if any of this helps. Dont be too hard on yourself... maybe alow yourself a small amount to cake and bin the rest of put wshing up liquid all over it so youe aren't tempted
  • KatiePeca
    KatiePeca Posts: 314 Member
    Thanks everyone!

    Perhaps we'll have such a great fundraiser I'll just be too proud and excited to be sad!

    Katie
  • SenoraMacias
    SenoraMacias Posts: 305 Member
    First, I am so sorry about your son. I do not personally know how that feels, but I have experienced grief and I'm an emotional eater. When everyone is gone, try to take a walk, call a friend, anything that will be a distraction from food. Also keep in mind that the guilt from the eating will only compound the grief. When I binge on emotions, I only feel worse later than I did to start with.
  • aranchmom
    aranchmom Posts: 176 Member
    I started emotional eating 4 years ago when I lost my 2yo son to drowning. I still struggle with this more than anything else. So easy to munch when your feeling sad - hoping to block all negative thoughts out. I don't have the answer....just keep your chin up, and dig deep to find the strength you need.
  • KatiePeca
    KatiePeca Posts: 314 Member
    Thanks everyone, a walk sounds like a good idea!

    Katie
  • yogamom16
    yogamom16 Posts: 114
    I am so sorry for your loss. I am an emotional eater too. I just found out that my 8 month old needs open heart surgery and it has really thrown me off. I have been eating "comfort" foods lately when I am upset. For me that means lots of cookies, frozen yogurt, cupcakes. :(
    Sending you a friend request.
  • lorilynette
    lorilynette Posts: 39
    I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I can only imagine how that had impacted you and your family. If you know that eating during stressful times is a trigger for you, can you think of things that you can do instead of eating? Replace eating with something else that gives you comfort? Only you know what that list can look like and I wish you a wonderful fundraiser!
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