Curbing emotional eating...

Posts: 192
3/22/12 11:00 P

I am a 4th year med student...and I have always struggled with my food. I would say dont stress it..and once your'e past the hurdles youre going through..then go back and focus on it. It does get hard alot..but you have to push through and dont worry about the food right now!

Posts: 144
3/22/12 9:08 P

Thanks everyone! Everyone's advice and encouragement was so helpful. I will definitely try these things!

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Posts: 8
3/21/12 7:59 P

I know you're pressed for time, so I won't go into anything that takes too terribly long, but my sister and I have a stress-relief button that we've deliberatley wired into ourselves for times like this. Here it is:
"Taking Tea Like a Duchess"
Get a tea you really love, I'm a sucker for David's Tea's Coffee Pu'erh, and actually take a few minutes to put it in a real pot.
Break out your prettiest cup and saucer, or if you don't have, your prettiest mug. Borrow one if you have to, cause in this situation, presentation is key.
Prepare your tea how you like it, milk, honey, black, whatever. But use skim milk and keep the sweetners light.
Sit in front of the nearest window so that you can see outside. If it's night, choose your comfiest chair and turn on a nice soft light, or light a candle.
Take 10 minutes to drink your tea, focusing on that warm, soothing feeling you get in your chest each time you take a sip. Pretend you have all the time in the world. Savor every little drop. When you finishe you'll feel better, promise ;)

Posts: 1,095
3/21/12 3:53 P

All the suggestions that ARCHIMEDESII made have helped me at one time or another.

The only thing I would add is to make sure you get enough protein. That seems to help my own stress-related carbohydrate cravings stay in check. I still get the cravings but not as badly.

Good luck during your exams!

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Posts: 17,410
3/21/12 3:34 P

KIWIKEEKS,

A person should never ever feel guilty about the food they eat ! that just sets us a person up for a vicious cycle of emotional eating. I know how emotionally and physically draining being in medical school can be. It's an awful lot of work. What to do ? If you find yourself stress eating, then you need to find other ways to reduce your stress.

Try taking a walk when you feel like you want to take a nose dive into the chocolate chip cookies. Try going to the gym for a short workout. Try sitting and having a cup of tea. How about a hobby ? Do you knit ? sew ? paint ? Whatever hobby you do, use it as a way to relax.

I am a firm believer that stress is a neglected aspect of weight gain. If a person could reduce their stress, they'd automatically reduce their waistline. So, do your best to find other ways to let off steam that don't involve food.

Have you ever considered taking yoga ? If not, I highly recommend it. the breathing exercises are worth their weight in gold. You'll need to take a class. Most DVDs don't really teach the breathing techniques, a class will. Learning to breathe and to meditate is another good way to reduce stress.

AND if you know you're going to stress eat, then OUT go the treats. Out of sight. Out of mind. if the cookies aren't in the house, you'll have to drive to the store if you really want them. Instead, go out and buy a ton of fresh fruit. Whenever you feel an urge to overeat, overeat your apples. I have yet to meet a person who could over eat apples. try that. instead of cookies, eat your apples or oranges or grapes.

You may find the natural sugar of the fruit helps to curb those cravings you have for sugary treats.

It will take time, so you do need to be patient with yourself and your body.

Posts: 144
3/21/12 3:17 P

I am in the middle of a huge exam block (4 exams in 1.5 weeks) in my first year of medical school and am feeling so stressed and overwhelmed! When I get stressed, I EAT more, then I feel guilty and can't concentrate. This afternoon I ate a big bag of m&m's, putting me over my calorie window for the day. Now I feel terrible and guilty and I can't focus on studying. All I want to do is binge eat on more junk food, but I know that won't make me feel better. I don't have time to get out for a run, and I feel like a complete slob. How can I curb my emotional eating and concentrate on the task at hand?