EMOTIONAL EATER STARTING OVER (Again!)

I totally know the feeling, woke up today feeling rubbish and instead of heading to the carbs like usual, i made a 1000 calorie microwave mug cake. In disgust, i have now been running on the wii fit for 90 minutes and plan on carrying on.. i also have to exercise solo without a gym and really struggle.. i end up starting with going for a short walk whenever i feel rough, which tends to give me some motivation. But if you're looking for support, you've come to the right place, MFP has a great community!

You are so not alone. I am the same way.

Oh how much I understand!!! I haven't found the "secret" yet - but keep adding tools to my belt every time I have "slippage." And I'm getting better at catching my slips sooner.

So what are some of those secrets? Well, I'm not sure they are secrets:

1. FITYMI is a saying I use often - Fake It Til You Make It
2. Step on the scale. I don't care if you don't want to and know it's not going to be a good reading. Keep your scale stepping schedule whether every day (me), week, or month
3. Blog!! If you don't have one set up - Word Press is good. I'll be your friend there if you decide to set one up - PM me and I'll add you to mine as well. You can set them as private (unlike here) so the whole world can't see.
4. Set a fitness goal - I signed up for another 1/2 marathon (after 3 years of not running) for this coming May - having a a goal in front of me helps (and telling others about it so you can't back down!)
5. Food is fuel, not happiness. It's a mantra for me.
6. Sounds hookey - but make index cards with reasons you want to do this - read them everytime you want to emotional eat or skip out on exercise (sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't)
7. I take a bath when I want "bad for me" foods because of emotions. I think it works because it helps take my mind off the food and makes me look at myself naked - lol

Frankly, I don't know if I'll ever conquer emotional eating, it will be a lifelong battle for me. I realize now (like you have) that I need support and someone to call me out when I start making excuses. I'm lucky to have those people --- would love to be one of those people for you and have you do the same for me!!

I'll be more than happy to hold your feet to the fire, as long as you hold mine too!!!

Im totally with you. I dont suppose I ever eat because Im actually hungry - its usually because Im feeling a certain way. Need to get out of the cycle and eat because we need food!

I am so with all of you. I have to say, it feels good just knowing you are all out there struggling like I do. So often I am too ashamed to post what I have eaten. I get up every morning so certain that I will stick to a meal plan, only to blow it at some point during the day. And then once I have blown it, I just keep eating cause I will just start again tomorrow. I have a hard time just putting a few good days together. I feel so jealous of the people on this site that are just able to stick to it. I don't seem to have the will.

I could use the support, so feel free to send a friend request.

Me. This is me. Happy, sad, bored, angry, no matter what it is, I turn to food. It's got to stop. And it's not like I am turning to food and not allowing myself to feel these emotions or express them. I do. So why eat on top of it???

I will post here when I am feeling it. Maybe you all can talk me off the ledge, (or away from the fridge) when I need it!

I know for a fact I'm an emotional eater. Sometimes (probably once a month I will go on a total binge and can't stop myself, I feel like a bottomless pit and could prob eat everything in the house. It's so disappointing! Thing is I have NO idea what emotions trigger my eating! I think the best idea is def to track your bad days and to really reflect upon how you were feeling that day. I'm not sure if I will ever get my emotional eating under control, it has definitely what has stopped be from reaching my goal and being the same weight for almost two years (almost 20 over my lowest too) but I WILL get there eventually!!

OKAY SO LETS TRY THIS: Every time you have the desire to eat, post to this thread tell what your mood is and what your response is. Perhaps that way we can all learn to make better choices and encourage each other.

:blushing: Last night I was bored so I ate a peach, 2 chocolate graham crackers, a sm bag of doritos, some popcorn and a diet ginger ale.

:flowerforyou: I feel empowered by a fresh start. I actually waited to eat until I felt physical hunger , so I ate a protein bar as a mid afternoon snack.

(I'll begin a new thread in September or whenever this one gets full.)

Have you read Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth? It speaks to the reasons why we often emotionally eat and don't listen to our bodies. She has good strategies.