Emotional Eating

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12/12/12 10:22 A

DFWMOMOF3GIRLS,

I'm glad you're feeling a bit better this morning. Whenever you feel like you're going to have an emotional eating attack, take a walk. The fresh air will do you some good. Walking is not only great cardiovascular exercise, it's a great way to reduce stress. I'm a firm believer that if a person could reduce their stress, they'd automatically reduce their waistline.

Something to consider is that when you feel like taking a nose dive into the treats, are you stressed out ? If so, then you need to find ways to reduce your stress. Going to the gym, taking a walk, any type of exercise helps to reduce stress. Have a cup of tea. Sit and slowly sip that tea. It will help relax you. Take a hot bath/shower. There's nothing like feeling squeaky clean to help a person feel better about their day.

And remember, don't look at weight loss or good health with an "all or nothing mentality". If the only healthy thing you did for yourself today was drink 8 glasses of water, that's still a step in the right direction. Change takes time. Thus the need to be patient with yourself and your body.

Posts: 247
12/12/12 8:26 A

I was able to get through it. I just tried to keep myself busy. I was upset about not getting a promotion. That's usually when the "emotional eating" attacks happen (when I'm sad). I'm determined to lose weight amongst other things in my life. I am going to be posting more because there is so much help on here and I hope to be able to help others also. I have a long way to go but I WILL get there. I woke up with my "big girl ticked off don't make me prove everyone wrong" pants on this morning.

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12/11/12 8:12 P

Hi - I hope that you have gotten through that episode. I hope that they don't occur very often???

IF they do, they you really need to deal with the cause of the Emotional Eating in the first place. If need be, talk with your Dr about what is happening in your life and what you are wanting to achieve. Ask for a referral to a Therapist who will be able to help you identify the stressors and to deal with them appropriately, rather than turning to food. A therapist can give you fantastic tools to help with a lot of life's stressors, and they will in fact help you immensely with this healthy lifestyle journey!

As far as dealing with Emotional Eating when it occurs, use distraction techniques. If you have the time come onto SP and read the articles - there are fantastic ones in the Healthy Lifestyle section, including ones for exactly this problem. Read the message boards - interact with others!

Do you have a hobby? Perhaps you could turn to that?? Can you get out for a walk? Walks are fantastic for helping our moods, and they also help with appetite control and weight management/loss.

Good luck,
Kris

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12/11/12 7:21 P

Call a friend, or do something that doesn't remind you of food. That's what I do. Like walking, cleaning, or cleaning out a closet or drawer... anything at all that is off topic will do.

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12/11/12 6:53 P

Hi DFWMOMOF3GIRLS,

When you say your are fighting an emotional eating attack, what do you mean? Are you bored? tired? lonely? Do you have a plan in place as to what to do to avoid the urge to eat--such as taking a bubble bath, going for a walk, reading a good book?

It takes about 15 minutes of so to get to the top of the urge peak, so if you can do something to distract yourself for a while, many times you can ride out the wave.

Staying out of the kitchen may help as well. Remember many of the reasons we turn to food is that we have learned to use food for comfort so we must put in place new tools and activities to change the behavior. This is where journaling can be a big help.


Training the mental muscle is just as important as training any other muscle.

Hang in there and know that you can get through this. You hold more power than the food.

Coach Nancy

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Posts: 247
12/11/12 6:29 P

I'm fighting an emotional eating attack... any suggestions to help me through?

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