Seeking some free therapy

Look in the mirror and remind your self how hard you've worked.

Katenmills

I am an emotional eater. I just am. Boredom, stress, joy, sorrow, you name it I eat it.

What I have done in the recent past to prevent myself from having that oreo? I told myself "If you really want it, eat it, but have just 1. Else go for a walk." Then I'd actually consider if I wanted it or if I was just (emotion- my trigger was usually boredom or depression.) One day back in Feb I was having a catastrophic day, if it could go wrong it did. I was on the verge of baking and eating a cake, and instead said to me "Go for a walk, if you still want the cake when you get back, then make it."

On that walk I slipped on ice and banged my knee pretty good, had a good cry. Wanted to quit working on the weight loss, just throw it in and go home. However- there was ice on both sides of where I was. I could go back and fall, or I could keep going forward and fall. Talk about symbolic, eh? I kept on the walk, got home, didn't really want the cake anymore.

Point? So you fell off the wagon. It sucks, tell yourself it sucks. Get a feel for your triggers, then avoid them as much as you can and find new outlets for them: journaling, sketching, crocheting, maybe even a long walk. If you want a junk food- don't tell yourself no. Just make a deal with yourself, like I did. If you work for it, and still want it - limit the intake amount. If you work for it, and work through whatever was bugging you, and don't want it anymore - better! IMO telling yourself no just doesn't work- just tell yourself "not right now." Thats how I do it.

Remember. It's a journey, not a sprint, take it easy on yourself. Find out what works for you, get out of your pity wagon, get back on your trek and make progress.

Funny how one bad meal, or a few bad meals can set you back a few weeks isn't it? I got the same problem at the moment.

BUT! Tomarrow is a new day. Tomarrow you can start again! Tomarrow is a new day and you can start with the weight loss yet again.

That's what I am planning to do. So, I feel off the horse but I am getting back on!

...Let's hope people don't bring any more food.

Practice meditation.

Simply put: "It's too late to worry about yesterday but the perfect time to plan for tomorrow."

I LOVE this.

You need to find another way to deal with stress. Otherwise, by denying yourself that outlet you are just creating more stress.

Stress is a killer. How else can you deal with your stress? For me, it's walking. If I'm stressed and can get out for a long enough walk, I come back doing better. I also find that if I'm walking regularly, my stress levels are lower to start with. Kind of proactive de-stressing. The music I listen to (ONLY while walking) also helps, because it's music I love and generally makes me happier.

I'm new to MFP but I've been working on losing weight for a year and have lost 74 pounds. I was definitely an emotional eater. The thing that has worked for me is journaling or blogging, actually feeling the feelings, acknowledging them and moving on. It sounds simple but one of the reasons we eat is to avoid those uncomfortable feelings. I figured out that crying some tears or admitting I was angry at someone ultimately felt better than beating myself up for stuffing myself with potato chips to avoid it.

If it's just a slip, forgive yourself and get right back on program. The longer you wait the harder it is. No one gained the weight from one big meal or one out of control. Make the very next thing you eat or drink a positive choice.

I been having the same problem lately and a coworker recommended this website. I've been using it to track my calories and I have realized how many unecessary calories I ingest every day due to stress. For that, I am trying very hard this time to accomplish a healthy goal, and I think the best way is to share this with other people that may be trying to do the same.