How do you contol emotional eating?

I used to binge almost everyday, and I was also an emotional eater. I'm like you, when I am upset or depressed, all I wanna do is sit around, and eat constantly. Whenever I start feeling upset or like I'm slipping toward binging/emotional eating, even though I don't want to, I make myself get up and exercise. Even if its just a 10 minute walk. It really helps me. Outside works the best for me because I am away from the food. I also think about the quote "The hardest step is out the door" or "the hardest lift is your butt off the couch." They really help motivate me to get up and do something. I hope this helps you :flowerforyou:

Another way to become aware when your emotionally eating it log every time you eat, not just what your eating but how your feeling at that moment and at what times your eating. You get to see you emotional cycles and better understand what you eat, when you eat and when you get depressed and do something about it. I use the note section in the myfitnesspal app to do that.

For me I finally got onto anti-depressants since by logging that way I notice I was always depressed or sad when I ate and after months of seeing that in my logs I finally decided that maybe medication was the answer. I am not saying this is your solution but it is one way to determine if it is minor bouts of depression or something more.

Working out, even if it just going for a walk around the block, and eating just a little bit more healthy can help with depression a lot. Both are natural anti-depressants if you’re doing it right. And if you are still emotionally eating make sure the food around you is healthy choice, like rice cake chips, fruits and veggies. If you going to eat you might as well make sure it healthy stuff going in you and make sure you record what you’re eating via myfitness pal.. You might be surprised to see the results.

Sorry to offend but it's true. I don't know any guys that eat because they're depressed but every female member of my family complains that they do it. It's probably hormonal and there's nothing you can do but increase your will power.

Sorry to offend but it's true. I don't know any guys that eat because they're depressed but every female member of my family complains that they do it. It's probably hormonal and there's nothing you can do but increase your will power.

So it's only girls that get depressed, or only girls that suffer from eating disorders, according to your logic?
Also, I assume you're the perfect weight... because obviously guys aren't overweight because they don't ever overeat...

I have been a victim of emotional eating, I did a blog post on this not to long ago. However, in short I try to workout when I feel like this, doing a hard workout like a jog something that really gets your heart rate pumping, will help release some endorphins through your body that will help your mood. I know at first you won't wanna do it, but trust me, now instead of running to the kitchen, I run through the neighbor hood and it feels so much better when I'm done.

I am an emotional eater too. When I start to feel like I am sliding into that "mode" of thinking, I get up and go do something to distract me.

Sorry to offend but it's true. I don't know any guys that eat because they're depressed but every female member of my family complains that they do it. It's probably hormonal and there's nothing you can do but increase your will power.

So it's only girls that get depressed, or only girls that suffer from eating disorders, according to your logic?
Also, I assume you're the perfect weight... because obviously guys aren't overweight because they don't ever overeat...

Amen!

BS! My husband is a total emotional eater. "Emotional eating" isn't just about eating when depressed, it can be triggered by stress, anger, frustration, anxiety. My husband's gut reaction to these kinds of circumstances is to grab something to eat. It's not just women!

edit: oops, quote didn't work. This was meant in response to the nonsense that men don't emotionally overeat.

my answer might sound cheesy but it works for me
After eating like 3500+ calories after seeing somebody who reminded me of my ex long time ago, I have learned to detach being emotional from eating. So now when I'm stressed I watch TV or do some activity to get my mind off of it or just say "screw it, why do I even care" because most of the time just saying that helps.

Also, try to be at peace with yourself. Many of us are not at peace with ourselves. Many of us have demons within us that disturb us. Forgive and forget. Once you're at peace in heart, you'll learn to not attack something during stressful times (like attacking food)

Sorry to offend but it's true. I don't know any guys that eat because they're depressed but every female member of my family complains that they do it. It's probably hormonal and there's nothing you can do but increase your will power.

Actually, just because a person is female does not make them an emotional eater... Seriously? Wow...

When my ex-husband was seriously depressed and the meds weren't working his doctor told him to take long daily walks and it really helped.

And to keep on topic: OP, it's all about distraction- making yourself feel better helps... eg, painting your nails, redoing your hair, watching tv, coming on here and getting inspired!