Posts: 18,687
4/17/08 5:55 A

Thank you also for these tips. I'm under stress right now and try to keep busy on the computer. My mind has a big tendency to think of the worst. All the "What ifs", etc.

current weight: 121.2

126 124.8 123.6 122.4

121.2

SparkPoints: (4,619)
Fitness Minutes: (2,521)
Posts: 233
3/29/08 10:40 P

Just wanted to say thanks to Michelle, Amy, and Kayotic for the thoughts & tips! ^^ I am filing all of these (and everyone else's suggestions) away to try in the very near future.

Having people offering ideas and support is really helping me make it through this bad time. And I think that may be helping the rest of my family with what they are dealing with too.

current weight: 165.0

170 162.5 155 147.5

140

Posts: 11,381
3/29/08 1:03 P

I've been trying to make a point of doing yoga, either a DVD at home, or just some breathing and stretching for 5 minutes post cardio workout, and I've noticed the last couple of weeks how much less stressed I am. I think it's a good idea to do something nice for yourself when you are feeling stressed (non-food related), so the stretching, calming music are good, maybe even sitting down with a good book and a cup of herbal tea might work.

current weight: 0.5  over

5 2.5 0 -2.5

-5

SparkPoints: (83,341)
Fitness Minutes: (73,076)
Posts: 11,620
3/26/08 6:25 P

The biggest thing for me is just recognizing my dangerous behavior for what it is. I used to think that was normal eating, now I know it's not. So once I see it starting again, I go back to tracking- if not calories, than at least servings of fruits and veggies. And I try very hard to keep my trigger foods out of the house.

Posts: 252
3/26/08 4:58 P

When I'm headed to the kitchen for something to lessen my stress, the only choices I have a healthy snacks because I detoxed my pantry a couple of years ago and I refuse to buy junk food now (we've worked too hard to blow it now). I agree that getting some exercise takes your mind off the stress and actually gives you more energy.

amy

current weight: 146.6

244 216.25 188.5 160.75

133

SparkPoints: (4,619)
Fitness Minutes: (2,521)
Posts: 233
3/26/08 4:04 P

Thank you everyone for your responses! (And keep 'em coming anyone else who has an idea!)

It sounds like most people are in some way saying the same thing: make one healthy choice (exercising, or water, or HEALTHY comfort food substitution), and let the one healthy choice set you up to tumble into other healthy choices. That is very sensible. I'll give some of these ideas a try and let you know my progress!

One thing I did yesterday that helped was I put some calming Philip Glass music on my iPod and used a traction block to stretch my neck for a while. Then every time I started to think about my life or the stress, I told myself to just focus on the music and I could think about it again when the song (~5 mins.) was over and it was time to stop stretching .

I also found Spark's idea of putting a "motivating picture" between me and the food supply--in this case I taped it to my office door--to be helpful some of the time. I never did this during my actual weight loss, but when I read about it on SparkPeople I figured I'd give it a shot.

Edited by: FOLEYARTIST1 at: 3/26/2008 (16:04)

current weight: 165.0

170 162.5 155 147.5

140

Posts: 7,093
3/26/08 3:54 P

Have you tried Zero Point Soup? I think it's called Garden Vegetable in the WW booklet. I have some on hand this time of year, especially. It's hot and comforting. My daughter puts it through the blender,and says it's better that way.

SparkPoints: (11,314)
Fitness Minutes: (5,021)
Posts: 414
3/26/08 3:47 P

I just run, it is fantastic for stress and really gives me the time to think through problems and prioritize what I need to do. I also find that once you do one healthy thing in the day, it is easier to do another.

Posts: 7,111
3/26/08 2:26 P

I've been dealing with emotional eating this past month. Some things have come up causing a lot of stress and in my case I also think it's the winter blues. I'm bored being stuck inside all the time and I just want it to stop snowing so I can get outside again. I find that having a plan is key so I think about what I'm going to eat for the day in the morning so I have less chances to reach for something bad. I also have had to eliminate all temptations like for example, easter candy. If it's sitting there it's just too convenient for me to start popping mini eggs in my mouth.

Exercise really helps too. I find that exercise is such a stress reliever for me. If I'm feeling overwhelmed I like to go for a nice long run and I always feel so much better afterwards. I'm less likely to make bad food choices then as well.

current weight: 112.0

155 143.75 132.5 121.25

110

Posts: 1,869
3/26/08 1:39 P

I think I had one point where I started to worry about my intake, as my scale went back past 152. I just started tracking my food again for a couple weeks and got myself back in line. :)

current weight: 162.0

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140

Posts: 4,732
3/26/08 1:16 P

I have been maintaining since August and definitely am finding the stressors creeping back in over the past month or so. I am attributing that to the winter blues - I'm tired of winter and want to be outside. The sun is trying to come out without the rain or cold wind but it is not succeeding!
I have been chewing sugar free gum more lately and drinking one tall glass of water (which I just found out that actually counts as 2 glasses) and then if I am really hungry due to stress I try to make a healthy choice!
Sending you hugs! You can get through this!

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 5.85 11.7 17.55

23.4

SparkPoints: (4,619)
Fitness Minutes: (2,521)
Posts: 233
3/26/08 1:11 P

I bet I'm not the only one here who had to cope with emotional eating during their weight loss phase. But now we're maintainers, and the challenges in maintenance seem very different. I was doing great maintaining for about six months, with few problems handling the stress of everyday life without relying on "food therapy." But recently had several family crises happen at once, and the sudden, intense stress is throwing off my maintenance.

So I'm wondering--how do the rest of you maintainers deal with a crisis and make sure it doesn't impact your maintainance? How does the crisis affect your maintainance, and what steps/attitudes do you take that have helped? I can't be the only one with this problem (I hope)!

current weight: 165.0

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140