Stress eater extraordinaire!

aftongirl
aftongirl Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Introduce Yourself
Hi everyone! I’ve been on MFP before, but I’ve never reached out for help or to find friends. I am at the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life, and I’m determined to change that. I am a terrible stress eater, and I also tend to eat more when I’m alone. Any tips or tricks you can offer to stay away from the junk when I’m in a funk would be spectacular! Thanks a bunch :).

Replies

  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    I'm a stress eater as well. I go on autopilot at times and hardly even realize I've just chowed down half a day's calories in nuts or candy or whatever is handy. That said, I walk a lot as a distraction or when I get stressed and start reaching for food I do a mind check and ask myself what has triggered the response I'm having. Lots of time, I'll just get on MFP and read some of the forums, just long enough to distract myself. Or play games or read. Mostly, walking and hiking with my dog though. She needs the exercise and the fresh air helps with my attitude. Getting the junk out of the house would work, but then that creates a craving for something you've denied yourself. I keep chocolate and try to be diligent about logging every bite so I'm at least holding myself accountable.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    if you want it bad enough it happens eventually.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    It's just a bad habit, and you can change that habit if that is what you want. If you just want to lose weight, it's going to be difficult.

    My advice would be to not try to stay away from junk, but keep junk away from you, and at the same time, stop demonizing it. Don't buy foods you don't intend to eat; do buy food you intend to eat. But good intentions is worthless without a concrete plan - pick meals and recipes you want to eat, and buy ingredients for those meals. Then schedule time to shop and cook, and enjoy your meal, relaxed and peacefully. If you can, eat in company.

    Decide that you're going to stick to regular and planned meals, except for special occasions. Being stressed or emotional is not a special occasion.

    Stress is way more effectively alleviated with exercise or meditation or sleep. Structure your day better, delegate work you don't absolutely have to do yourself, and find routines to stop procrastinating.
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