People who used to eat emotionally - what did you do instead when you were stressed/sad?

Thank you all for your suggestions and your stories

I ended up not buying junk food yesterday. I did scream out loud and cry a little bit. Then I picked up my dumbbell and played Downtown by Macklemore on loop. Not a big amount of exercise, but enough that I felt more grounded.

What first deterred me from going to the store was that it was -25C degrees outside plus wind, so I did not end up going for a walk, but you're right that has been helpful in the past.

JennieMaeK wrote: »

Exercise definitely helps. I find that regular exercise helps keep my stress levels down and makes me less incline to eat emotionally. And if I'm having a bad day, exercise is a great mood booster. I like running, but I think anything that gets your heart pumping and kicks those endorphins in is good.

I also enjoy knitting. I find the repetitiveness relaxing, almost meditative. Keeps me occupied as well.

I 100% need to get back to knitting, I forgot how wonderful it is. My sweater has been sitting 3/4 finished for too long. I also miss running, but I can't do it yet because of my knees.

pbprincess wrote: »

I take a bath with my music loud so I can't hear anyone else. Or I go for a long hike/bike ride (like several hours long), and have a treat afterwards since I generally dump 1000+ calories in the process.

I had a bath yesterday as well (and today).

CollieFit wrote: »

I always had a pretty normal relationship with food, but when both my parents died after long chronic illness I became an emotional eater for a while and I became fat. Then I found myself some bereavement counselling and found a more appropriate way of managing my emotions. Now when I feel a bit frustrated I let it out during exercise.

I'm very sorry for your loss, that sounds rough. I did actually bring up my eating in therapy but my therapist said I would need to find someone else to work on it with because she did not specialize in EDs. I'm hoping to figure it out myself, but it would have been useful to have that support I agree.

gia07 wrote: »

What are you emotional about?

If you were going to put your coat on and go buy ice cream, put your coat on and go buy your self something you need or just go somewhere and stop getting so worked up over food.

I am not sure I would call this emotional eating? It just sounds like you are hangry for some reason.

I was having an overwhelming sensation of emotions, I don't really know if there was an "about" - I was not sleeping well for a number of nights because of anxiety and I kept having very weird/idiotic nightmares about social media. It's a mixture of feeling sad about valentines day (cliche, I know), being angry with myself for not being as on top of my homework as I'd like to be, reliving a number of social awkwardness moments over and over, and PMS hormonal Overreacting to Life. The emotions were present for a number of days before I felt compelled to eat - but I do know it was emotional eating because it does feel like a building of stress until I eat a lot of terrible junk food. But I know the eating doesn't help, and I feel more self loathing, but it still happens sometimes all the same. I also wasn't hungry, so it's not eating for hunger.

eamelone88 wrote: »

I used to be a huge emotional binge eater, there are websites available with tips on how to stop emotional eating. Just Google it, . I enjoy walking a lot, helps clear your mind. I also enjoy doing word searches! oh I also am learning how to crochet and started reading more. Those are just a few things you can do to keep your mind busy and active and not think about food. Also tell yourself every day that you're stronger than the urge to eat junk food. You have to remind yourself. You can do it!

Thank you! I will look them up. I've been reading a lot lately too, and I've found it helpful with my sleep. Thanks