Need help - emotional eating

jacquig9
jacquig9 Posts: 20 Member
edited December 21 in Motivation and Support
Hi everyone, this is my first post other than Intro... sorry to ask for help so soon... I'm FINALLY getting started doing something about my weight, I've lost around 7 pounds since January, but today I'm about to lose it because of emotional eating. Here's the story - for the last few years I've been trying to help my kids out financially, paying for their cell phones and helping with the rent and car payments and utilities blah blah blah and it wasn't really so bad until about a year ago when me and my husband separated and we're renting our own places. So I finally was about to get back on track and he lost his job so I got stuck paying all of our joint bills (we're still not divorced-someone has to pay for it)... he finally got a job last month but its about half the salary so he still can't help with anything.... so a few minutes ago my daughter in law texted me that my oldest son is wilding out again and broke the oven door again and punched holes in the wall and pitching a fit and took off in the car (they only have one). He's never hit her but he's very destructive when he gets like that. He doesn't have a phone because he broke it during his last rage so I can't call him... I don't know what's wrong with him, he's 24 so not a baby but i think he's got serious issues.... wow i know that's not something i can do anything about but i don't know what to do ... I can kinda understand, it's frustration not really anger, I used to be like that but not nearly to that extreme, maybe because he's a guy, i don't know... I just want to go home and take a vacation, and crawl into the corner and cry, but I know that's not the way and it won't help anyway. Ok, that's a lot but long story short I have already been eating cookies and chips and I can see where this is going... does anyone have some ideas, or maybe just help get me grounded before I totally fall apart, thank you.

Replies

  • Dhemeyer
    Dhemeyer Posts: 157 Member
    BACK AWAY FROM THE COOKIES :)
    I'm really sorry to hear you are going through a tough time... I can only imagine the frustration and worry and stress you're under. It makes sense that you want relief. But you are not an animal... while you may not be able to control what is making you feel these things you can control what you do with your emotions. Rather than eat, try something that makes you feel good (even if it takes more effort than to feed your face). Watch a good movie, get out of the house and window shop or visit a friend, paint your nails... i don't know, just stop eating. I am a recovering emotional eater as well... so I get that in the short run we feel better when we eat. But think about the guilt and misery that follows in the hours and days after we stuff our faces. It's horrible and only contributes to the never ending cycle. Put yourself first! Why work on losing weight in the first place, what's your motivations to change?
    I think I'm coming across a bit tough, and I'm sorry for that. But I respond well to that, so I tend to dish it out :/ I really do hope things turn around for you soon and you find something that helps you feel better without destroying your progress.
    Best of luck!
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,329 Member
    d he lost his job so I got stuck paying all of our joint bills (we're still not divorced-someone has to pay for it)... he finally got a job last month but its about half the salary so he still can't help with anything....

    You don't have to pay an arm and a leg for an divorce. But, TBH, he probably LIKES the fact that you are pretty much supporting him. Find a way to get out of that so you can have SOME peace. I bet that will help LOADS with the emotional eating. In the meantime, do the best you can and remember to be good to YOU...not just your family.
  • jacquig9
    jacquig9 Posts: 20 Member
    Thanks, ladies... I'm feeling a little more in control since lunch. I haven't stopped eating but at least its only been watermelon and ff yogurt. Fortunately it's time for my pm snack anyway. I'm going to try to get out after work and take my dog to the park, burn off some energy, hope that helps. If it's still raining I'll do a DVD instead.

    I did see a lawyer last year, and she said it would be around $1K uncontested. I'd managed to save $900 by November, but then it all got used for bills. I'm still hoping to get it done before the end of the year, we (I) need to make that break.

    Thanks so much for responding :-)
  • leapinglime
    leapinglime Posts: 33
    I'm an emotional eater too, but recently I decided that every time I wanted to eat unhealthy food for an unhealthy reason I would do a half hour workout video instead :) It's been working very well and it makes me feel so much better :)

    I also heard that exercise releases endorphins that make you feel better, more awake and happier, so exercising could help to cheer you up when you feel down :)

    I hope I helped, good luck :)
  • jacquig9
    jacquig9 Posts: 20 Member
    What a great idea, kinda like a swear jar but better :-) I think I'm going to adopt that, thanks!!
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