Anxiety, Stress and Dieting....Breaking The Cycle

I think one thing the pandemic did for me was point out where the existing support systems and habits I had in place were not as strong as they could have been. It's certainly a really rough way to find that out! And I think I was lucky because I was already starting to be mindful about that kind of thing, and I was aware that in the past I had used eating to cope and needed to stick to other, healthier methods. When under a lot of stress is a hard time to put those things into practice, but sometimes you really don't have another choice!

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing that cultures use food as more than just detached, clinical "fuel." I think it actually has the potential to be wonderful and beautiful, to observe the changing of time and the seasons, momentous occasions in one's life, etc. It always bothered me when I was a kid and I'd watch "futuristic" shows where people would be so "advanced" and just swallow a pill to eat. That sounds boring and awful. It might keep you alive, but what a terrible way to live! Like having windows to let in the "correct" amount of light, but they're so high up you couldn't even look outside to see the landscape. Weird.

I do think some of us have to be more mindful than others to not let food become a primary coping method or a numbing agent to the rest of life. Eating alone all the time while constantly on social media or with the TV news on seems like a recipe for mental health disaster. Like @cmriverside I just quit most news and social media. I stayed in close touch with the friends I had even if I wasn't seeing them as much or at all in person. I kept up the hobbies that I could do at home. All of that helped a lot. And now that I am logging my food and exercising regularly, I feel a lot, lot better. The trick is to have the habits so ingrained that setbacks, minor or major, aren't a complete derailing event.

My depression made me not have the energy to cook, and so I would eat an entire pizza in the afternoon and snacks. Then i would look at how big I was getting and be despaired and consoled me with "I'll start dieting tomorrow, but today is ruined" and so I ate a box of cookies or a chocolate or crisps or all three.

Getting on the right medication, and changing to a better diet and starting doing exercise took time. But I am in a much better place now and have the energy to take care of myself.

Such an excellent, thoughtful thread. I don't have much to add but to say that the emotional connection with food is an issue for me and that I am working hard on the habits that lead to healthier coping mechanisms. While the pandemic did not reveal anything new, it It certainly underscored where the pitfalls lie.

@mylittlerainbow "The pandemic was incredibly helpful to me because of the lack of social engagements or meetings/classes"

So interesting ... and so very different than my experience (l know where some of your 40.pounds went!🙂). I am so glad for you that it worked out well. The pandemic was not kind to me, but I also have learned things that will be helpful going forward

My experience was completely different. And to clarify, I am a “negative Nancy” of the first degree.

I saw the handwriting in the wall. There was nothing I could do about lockdown except take as much control as I could. I could either wring my hands and moan,”woe is me”, or do the best I could under the circumstances.

I planned several basic meals and stocked up enough supplies I could make them for quite some time if supplies or trips to the grocery became impossible. We didn’t go overboard but we did have about a month supply of canned goods on hand.

I’d lost 80 pounds and did NOT want to gain them back. I immediately cut my calories and set a goal to turn my Apple Watch exercise rings three times daily. My local studio offered Zoom yoga and Pilates classes. I would register a week’s worth in advance at a time. If it was on the calendar, it was writ in stone. We live adjacent to a bike path. No one was using it so I took full advantage a couple of times a day. I was able to work out mask free. It was months before I had to don a mask.

I didn’t want to be glued to the sofa or TV. To turn those rings, I started cleaning house two or three times a week. Not that it needed it. I needed it.

I stopped watching the news, following election and COVID updates, and tuned out of social media. I painted the interior of our three story house, and finished countless needlework projects.

What did I learn from all this? Having a plan, taking charge, feeling in control made me happier and healthier, and is a lesson I can carry in to the future.

I “ran” a family business for years, and had no control over the countless stupid business decisions my parents were wont to make against my strong advice until I finally had enough and walked.

Having control of my life, my surroundings, my decisions has been the healthiest thing for me.

TL:DR having reasonable, thoughtful control of everything around me meant I’ve actually enjoyed lockdown.

Beautyofdreams wrote: »

Last year, when the first outbreak of Covid in my state was diagnosed less than an hour from my home, I had 5 pre-existing conditions that would result in a poor outcome if I were to contract it. I made a list of what I could control or change and started my journey to health. I have lost 77 pounds and am still working to lose more since then. During that time, my fiance died from Covid pneumonia. I cried until I was sick but still stuck to my new habits of exercising while wearing a mask and counting calories. These habits gave me a tiny sense of control and security while my life changed.
Today, I am struggling. I have a series of skin grafts being done on my foot for an ulcer and have to stay off my feet for at least a month. I am twitching out of my skin without the exercise. Have not online shopped but have over eaten the last 4 days. Both are my vices of choice when alone and unable to move around. Today, I have resigned myself to the fact that the overeating and shopping are just distractions from the frustration, loneliness, anxiety and boredom that I am feeling. That I am going to have to allow myself to experience these feelings, breathe, and go on with my day. Repeat again, and again if necessary but not overeat, overspend or engage in temporary distractions until the feelings resolve and fade away.

I wish I could hug this more than once. I am so sorry for the loss of your fiancé and in awe of your determination in the face of bereavement and your own health risks. You have only overeaten for a few days and already recognised that you must allow yourself to experience those unpleasant feelings to work your way past them rather than avoid them by using unhealthy behaviours. It’s taken me a year and a gain of 15 lb to come to the same conclusion, and I haven’t experienced any personal loss. You can do this.

I rely on the endorphins released by exercise. On several dark winter nights, I went on the spin bike for an hour after a long day at work, and then dinner and clean-up, which meant I was on the bike until around 10. Still, totally worth it and I typically slept very well.

When I don't or can't exercise, I tend to want a beer!