Emotional/Stress Eating Strategies

As the fog slowly lifts from our surgery, it feels like more of us are starting to have to deal with emotions and stresses. Early on, we could barely eat anything but now that we are pushing 4 months out this is something many of us have to deal with. Speaking as one who was and is an emotional eater, how are you all coping in non-food related ways? I have not gone on any benders-pouchy would not allow it. However, I noticed at times I feel hungry all day long and I start to graze. Or I just get really *****y and snappy. When I do productive things like exercise, I feel better but it is not always possible when I am dealing with the emotion at the time. I spend time really trying to think things through and figure out what set me off. This is not an easy process but something I need to address. How about you? Anyway, I though this might be a helpful topic for us to share our different strategies and even successes and failures. We learn from both. Thanks!!!

I catch myself wanting to graze as a knee-jerk reaction to all the BS from people in my life. I am trying to find an overeaters anonymous group because mentally things are starting to unravel again. If anyone else here is battling with trying to keep their monsters at bay, I can relate completely. As they all say, the surgery wasn't on our brain. Now that I can't eat until I am like an engorged tick, I catch myself driving to the mall so I can dump hundreds at the MAC counter or at Coach or the salon or ULTA or on clothing etc etc. I need that release of stress and my bank account is paying dearly for it. I might have to get a second job or start freelance gigs again because of it.

I can soooo relate SL. I know trading one addiction for another never really solves the problem. IT is also very damaging-especially to the pocketbook in your case... I think it is that feeling of emptiness. Now we have to figure how to fill it without food and with something that does not damage us in other ways. Sometimes, I try and do meditation. I also try and think very deeply about what is going on. It can be hard, but many times, once I have identified what set me off and why I am feeling this way-just admitting it to myself will cause the emotion to lift. The link below is to a site that helped me identify what exactly was emotional eating. Thanks to Cheri for finding this first, it has helped me. http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/06/13/8_indicators_of_emotional_eating.php

Ugh, emotional eating - the bane of my existence!! let's see, sometimes i find myself grazing, but it's always a protein item because that's all that is in the fridge and/or pantry. period. whew! if I get pissed off or frustrated I try to take a walk if possible, but i have been known to whack the bed with a pillow. (i work at home so no weird pillow whacking in a cubicle) i also knit. a lot. or i read about knitting or read something. keeping my hands busy when i am bored is key. i had a really hard time at PMS but that seems to have settled down. thank goodness for this pouch because you have no choice but to obey it, unless you want to suffer the consequences!! i have found that i WANT to shop more but our tight budget keeps that at bay, but I still WANT to do it. Just have to ignore the urge and do something else. Inky

well we know what I did was started to drink southern comfort oh but I was putting it in my protien drinks so I was thinking it was ok!! I am crazy! I stopped that but, now I notice if I am home and in the living room I graze out of boardom. If I sit in my room I am better and if I am not home I am fine. I have no urge to shop because I have no money and still can wear my clothes dee

So, it appears that changing locations helps. It makes sense to me. Afterall, I did a lot of eating sitting in my recliner in front of the TV. Changing where I eat or getting up and moving when the grazing bug starts to hit. It just seems it is hard to find my center or peaceful spot. So much is going on. I know that my being so snappy is not always easy for the husband. When I think about it, I realize I am mourning food but instead of being sad, I am angry. It can make for quite the fun emotional rollercoaster here. I appreciate everyone's input. I nmany more of you have stories, please share.

I too should admit that I can drink a whole molson xxx if the mood strikes me. When the boyfriend or family ****** me off, believe me, the f-ing mood STRIKES! It's bad, but atleast it isn't crack cocaine or tar heroin. It's a beer.

Hi there, I'm so glad we're talking about this! I am also an emotional eater and have been struggling with wanting to pig out or graze. I've noticed that if I go as low-carb as possible, it really helps stop the cravings. Also, I do my best to only buy healthy stuff. That being said, yesterday I bought a box of cookies from Ikea-those oat biscuits filled with dark chocolate that are crispy and toasty and pure Satan-filled goodness. They were "for my boyfriend". One of them has 10 gms. of sugar, so I managed to justify eating half a cookie at a time, since it was only 5 gms. By the end of the evening I had had three whole cookies. Right now I'm at work, and I keep obsessing on the remaining cookies at home. It's just crazy. Anyway, how have I been managing all of this, other than that major slip-up? I go to a therapist twice a month, which really, really, helps. I can't emphasize enough how important it's been for me to do that. Also, when I eat, I don't do anything else-no watching tv, no reading, etc. That helps me keep it in check. As annoying as it is, going to the gym also helps, because it keeps me busy and away from food. I'm sure this will be a lifelong struggle!

No doubt about it- we are all in for the life-LONG haul. I had some ice cream last night that I bought "for my boyfriend" (haha) and I paid for it in ways that are too disgusting to describe online for fear of someone I know reading this. I wanted a few tastes of "normalcy". Um... yeah... TOTALLY bad idea. Wouldn't recommend it!!! I get to my shrink once a week, thank GOD. Also thank god for the once a month support groups and this forum... I am even in talks with a couple of people of forming a weekly support group. It really helps me stay focused and not get sidetracked. Anyway, those biscuits sound really freakin good but I'll stay away because I the crowds at IKEA make me feel homicidal. Not to mention, I always get lost in the damn place.

Oh, so I'm not the only one using the "for my boyfriend" excuse-LOL! You are right to stay away from Ikea-it was a total nightmare and filled with screaming toddlers. That's probably why I got so stressed out and bought those cookies, come to think of it...