emotional eating (comfort in food)

hippofabulous · March 2012

This is my biggest challenge. Today I was feeling under the weather and I ate things in knew I shouldn't. Wound up going 300 calories over my daily allowance. Am I alone in this it do others struggle with it.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to avoid falling in to this pattern all the time.

Brown_Eyed_Beauty · March 2012

I found this picture of three questions to always ask yourself before eating. It really helps me. I have it saved as the wallpaper of my iphone as I am an emotional eater too.

Ask yourself if you're....

before eating.

Also writing really helps me so I blog alot or even use a scrap paper I find to get something out. We have to let ourselves feel the emotions instead of eat them.

clocklady · March 2012

I struggle with this too. I found this article a few days ago and feel like I've had my "a ha!" moment. Check it out:
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-plans/stop-binge-eating

It really helped me, hopefully it will help you!

lexidell46 · March 2012

being a child we where not allowed to show any emotion. So I used food to this day to compensate. I know this well.

carlaunderconstruction · March 2012

I still stuggle with emotional eating, but I try to be more aware. First when I have the urge to binge, I try to stop and think why I want to eat: bored, tired, scared, lonely, angry, physically hungry, etc. Then once I have identified the feeling, I go okay, if I binge I will feel better. How will I feel better? calm, relaxed, happy, content, etc. But here is the kicker, how long will the food provide relief for? 1 day, 2 hours, 20 minutes. Not long enough I know that. Then I try to think after the intial "feeling better" phase, how will I feel after that? sad, disappointed, frustrated, angry, (because, now I have a new problem, I overate, and I'm not going to reach my health & fitness goals).

So, after the inital awareness that food, only provides a temporary relief, and is not a lasting solution I try to come up with a better plan. After going through the step of identifying what feeling is causing the desire to eat, I think: what else can I do to make myself feel better: go for a walk, write in a journal, take a bath, phone a friend.

Hopefully this is helpful, I know different things work for different people, and emotional eating is an ongoing struggle, but we can control this.

hippofabulous · March 2012

Thanks for sharing your ideas, I'll keep them in mind! This is what always ruins my efforts.

Sherlynmelody · March 2012

I really feel like eating, pizza, chips, chinese, pancakes, popcorn, a burger..........I really feel like scoffing my face, someone HELP ME!!!

SwindonJogger · March 2012

I found this picture of three questions to always ask yourself before eating. It really helps me. I have it saved as the wallpaper of my iphone as I am an emotional eater too.

Ask yourself if you're....

before eating.

Also writing really helps me so I blog alot or even use a scrap paper I find to get something out. We have to let ourselves feel the emotions instead of eat them.

This is good. Wish it also had Bored on the list as that is the emotion that can trigger me into thoughtless eating.

hippofabulous · March 2012

Don't do it, you CAN resist!

hippofabulous · March 2012

I found this picture of three questions to always ask yourself before eating. It really helps me. I have it saved as the wallpaper of my iphone as I am an emotional eater too.

Ask yourself if you're....

before eating.

Also writing really helps me so I blog alot or even use a scrap paper I find to get something out. We have to let ourselves feel the emotions instead of eat them.

This is good. Wish it also had Bored on the list as that is the emotion that can trigger me into thoughtless eating.

Yeah, bored tends to be a trigger for me too.

emotional eating (comfort in food)

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