Help! I need to stop Emotional Eating!

That mozzarella cheese stick is way better for you than the Reese's in the vending machine...

Try taking a walk? Get some fresh air?

Try turning that into something constructive. Working out usually helps for me when I want to hit the ice cream bucket. If you're not able to do that just go outside and take a short walk. A bit of sunshine does wonders.

Or eat foods that you won't regret later like carrots or celery sticks. Chew gum if your mouth needs to be moving.

its a rough one, i always want to eat when im stressed, i try to walk away from the situation, literally, go get some fresh air or something, and if i cant do that then i start cleaning, anything to keep my hands busy helps me

Try writing about your problems. Be detailed. Perhaps by the time you're done, the hunger cravings will be gone.

Relaxing music always helps me, too.

AWESOME idea

I brush my teeth or chew gum....that nobody wants to do it again and again. I sometimes eat when I am bored, like nothing happens at work but you need to finish damn boring report before 5. When I am very stressed I am actually don't eat and have to appetite. My mom got really sick ( now she is good) I was in hospital with her for 8 days and lost 12 lb, which was bad too, since I felt like crap

I'm a HUGH emotional eater, so I feel your pain. It's almost impossible to fight the urge, but using MFP and working with a nutritionist, I've found a few strategies. First - I keep NO junk food in the house - TOO tempting. Then I try to find time for solitude and really think about what's bothering me; is there anything I can do to change the situation. If I CAN change it, I work on a plan to make it happen. If I can't change it I call a trusted friend and talk it out. If I REALLY need the food (and I usually do), I start with a glass of water; wait 20 minutes and then have a healthy snack such as Kashi Crunch; Chocolate Cheerios (if I'm really out of control); pretzels, etc. I measure EVERYTHING to make sure my eating doesn't get out of control. Lately, I've been exercising when I'm upset and have found it helps me relax. I hope this helps. Hang in there. Remember you are not alone and you CAN succeed in your journey to a healthier lifestyle. We're all here for you!!

Um. not to sound to harsh but just don't. People who are probably weaker than you quit much harder habits and addictions every day.

You're strong enough, smart enough and determined. So just deal with it and keep going.

Disagree. Food addiction is very hard to overcome. Addictions such as alcoholism and drugs you abstain from because you don't need it to live. You cannot abstain from food. You HAVE to eat.

I agree with the other posters in trying to keep yourself busy.

A great way to help deal with emotional reactions can be to put pen/pencil to paper and write out the emotion.
I use this tool often to clear things off of my brain.
Negativity can really drag you down, in so many ways, so anything positive you can concentrate on will help.

I personally have more trouble with moderation than I do with just not eating. If I'm in a position where I want to eat and want to stop myself from doing it, I focus on the feeling of hunger or the desire to eat and try to define it in my head. The more I put words to what I'm feeling the less I feel like I'm actually hungry. This works for me even if my stomach is rumbling. Paying attention to what's happening to my body disassociates me from the feelings and makes it easier to control them.

Slowing down once I do eat...that's a lot harder for me.

Um. not to sound to harsh but just don't. People who are probably weaker than you quit much harder habits and addictions every day.

You're strong enough, smart enough and determined. So just deal with it and keep going.

Disagree. Food addiction is very hard to overcome. Addictions such as alcoholism and drugs you abstain from because you don't need it to live. You cannot abstain from food. You HAVE to eat.

I agree with the other posters in trying to keep yourself busy.

while I understand that it's hard not to give in. Food Addiction is an obsessive compulsive disorder generally requiring treatment and medical supervision.

Having a strong desire to eat, or a habitual eating reaction to various stimulus is not food addiction. It is just being human, and perhaps giving in to weakness. However, both can be overcome with the consistent application of willpower.

I'm not trying to be unnecessarily argumentative, however it is dangerous to your chances of success to give these types of labels to simple temptation. It leads to excuses like "I couldn't help it, I'm sick." when most of us are not sick in this manner.

if you have a Food Addiction and you're sure of that, you need to see a doctor and a psychiatrist.
Otherwise I stand by my earlier remark.

Thanks everyone for all your comments.

I actually plan out my meals every day and only bring the snacks for the day to work so that I don't mindlessly snack. And I don't carry cash so I don't hit the vending machine.

Some of you said to eat healthy snacks and drink water. Well, it's Emotional eating. I'm not actually hungry. I KNOW i'm not hungry. I was just upset and it makes me want to snack... even if i feel full.

I did take some advice from you guys and re-read my food log for the day. I also got a piece of gum and walked downstairs with a co-worker to make some tea. I definitely feel better. For everyone that said workout or clean, I'd love to but I'm at work! If I am at home when I get upset I will try that for sure.

I really appreciate all of the support. This is one of the reasons I joined this site!

Great job!
Hurdle overcome. Easier next time I hope.

Thanks Mr Brown!

My boyfriend is not so supportive of my weight loss efforts so I really do rely on MFP a lot. I understand you saying just don't do it, but sometimes it's not so easy. I see you are close to your goal and that is really great! All of your hard work is paying off.

Never easy, just necessary. However as you start looking better and better the acquired narcissism helps to allay the desires.