How can I meet my emotional needs without using food?

Sounds like adding in some exercise would be good for you. Exercise will definitely boost your mood and there are several different kinds of workouts so you're bound to find something that you will enjoy. Also, having a little treat every now and then will not hurt you because what you should be doing is changing your eating habits slowly so that you can continue to eat the same once you stop losing weight. Weight loss is not about following a some diet and then eating whatever you want afterwards. Hope this helps!

Pray. Turn your problems and stress over to God. Put on some upbeat music and a good cup of coffee.

Also, David's Tea has lots of dessert flavored teas that have little to no calories but always cheer me up a little.

dansing83 wrote: »

So I've been paying attention to when I want to eat and am not hungry. I tend to want fat and sweets in the morning at work, particularly if it's cloudy. I know I need a little mood booster. I'm very sensitive to the weather and work.... well nuff said. What do you use to give yourself a little boost without relying on food? Thanks.

-- get some extra sleep.

-- get some bloodwork done to check Vit D and other vitamin and mineral levels ... I'd recommend checking things like B12, Magnesium, other B vitamins ...

-- strong cup of black coffee.

-- nice cup of rooibos or lemon-ginger tea. I find both are sweet enough I don't need to add any sweetening.

-- have a mid-morning snack that has some protein ... maybe low cal yogurt, small crackers with cheese.

-- walk or cycle to work ... even if you have to take public transportation part of the way because it is too far to walk or cycle, get off a stop or two early and walk from there.

-- get up mid-morning and do something active for 5 minutes. I climb stairs.

-- get up at lunch and go for a long walk.

-- if you spend your day sitting at a computer, personalise your desktop background with a slideshow of favourite pictures. I only have two monitors, but much of the time I can work on one so I can see my slideshow on the other. If you can't set something like that up on your computer, add pictures to your office ... way back when, I used to gather calendars photos of great scenery and plaster my office with them.

-- if you can, listen to music.

JanetYellen wrote: »

Next time you visit your doctor, tell him about your mood.
He might want to check your vitamin D levels.
* Made a huge difference for me. The amount in my multivitamin was not enough.

I second this. I had no idea I was severely deficient.

And find some music to play. I cannot stay in a bad mood if the right song comes on.

Thanks for posting this question! I've been feeling off this week and just super cranky. I don't know why I didn't put the two together earlier but I haven't walked at all this week or done anything outside because I hurt my foot and I'm trying to stay off it. I hope you find answers to your question, I sure did!

This is hard for me too but I've had success by finding other comforting outlets such as relaxing music, a good book or movie, a stroll in the park, arts and craft, playing with an animal, anything that you enjoy that might uplift your mood. When I think about binging on something, I tell myself that food is fuel, not comfort. Another thing that has helped is to get rid of the junk food in my house, and instead surround myself with healthy snacks and foods. I like to snack on nuts and dried fruits particularly. Pistachios and dried cranberries are my favorite. Sugar free chewing gum or mints is another way to trick your mind into thinking you're indulging when you're not. Drinking lots of water will keep you full longer so you won't want to eat as much as well. Hope this helps, I was a big emotional eater 80+ pounds ago but once you start to recognize what you're doing, you're capable of turning it around and finding something else to make you happy ☺