Stress Eating

Are you doing this? I am. I am horrified by what I consumed today. Work stunk, and I reacted by eating. Do we ever break these habits? Does anyone have any advice for me on how to handle this?

More than I like to admit. I also eat when I'm bored, which happens a lot at work lately. I've been trying to exercise when I feel that way but thats not always practical. I remember the psycologist saying it takes years to truely break our old eating patterns.

I don't feel like I'm in the position to give advice right now. I'm gaining weight like crazy....and doing everything right! I was never an emotional eater to begin with. I just had really lousy habits.....too much of the wrong kinds of food and zero exercise. Stress makes me worry and that gives me a yucky feeling in my stomach that makes eating sound very unpleasant. I'm sorry that you are struggling with this. At least you are aware of the behavior. That's a good thing, right? I will say this.....when I am on top of my exercise, I really watch what I eat. I figure, "Dang, it took me an hour to burn off as many calories as this "fill in the blank" has in it!!" Exercise is also a very good stress reliever. So I guess my advice is.....exercise if you aren't already. I had three hours of sleep...........who knows if I will even remember writing this later on. C

Oh god can I relate....as a matter of fact I contemplated posting an almost identical message last night. My problem is that I have been snacking out of boredom since a couple weeks after school got out and since things with south with the GF, to make it worse (I know some of you won't see this as a problem) but I haven't been gaining weight with the snacking. I maintained a steady 173-175 for about a month now. I feel extra guilty because I also haven't been working out for almost 2 months. My concern is I feel like I may be dodging a bullet right now with not gaining but it won't last and I will start gaining big time. Ok, Andrea how do we handle this? I'm thinking (guessing) it has got to be going back to basics. Refocus, Redirect and Rehydrate. The 3 r's should tie together. Instead of eating crap Refocus on something else like work or excercise, Redirect your cravings to very very low calorie things such as SF Lifesavers, Rehydrate keep the pouch full with fluids if flavor is needed drink decaf tea or SF crystal light. I don't know if this will help but it is what I am going to try. Thanks for posting this topic, it is amazing how much we all have in common during this journey. Keep me posted on how you are doing with this. We can do it!!

Thanks for your input guys. I really appreciate you responding to the post. It helps to know that at least I am not alone in this. The worst part is, I know I am doing it.... Yet down goes a piece of chocolate anyway. [The guy in the office next to me always has the stuff]. Peter, I am going to take you advice, and really concentrate on the basics. Or try too! andrea

WOW.. what a blessing it is to have this bored otherwise I would think I was completely alone in my thoughts and actions. I'm not sure what it is but since i have been back from Hawaii ( about 3 weeks) I have been falling into old habbits (gained 4 pounds in last 2 weeks) . I think that I realized I can eat normal foods just smaller portions.. I have stopped paying attention to my actual hunger and started eating based on what tastes good. Then when I am eating it I think about what I can eat in the next hour or two(this is totally old behavior for me). I also have started to snack in bed at night right before i go to sleep (again, old behavior) WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON????? I think I need to do what Peter says and go back to basics.. espicially because I still have 30 pounds to goal and told myself that I can try for a baby once i reach goal.. you would think that would be enough inspiration to do the right thing because i CANT WAIT to have a baby... but for some reason i am not making the right choices... Any help or spankin or tough love would be appreciated on this one... Scared to death of failing but still optomistic I can turn this around, Shannan 7/26/06 259/159/125

I see you changed your name divine one. Were you wearing your socks when you did that?

You and Channan inspired me! Of course, people who don't know me may think I am a complete biotch, but what the hell, gotta live sometime, right? Andrea

oh sweetie... me TOO. i am quitting my job to start a new career and project. my eldest is going to college. my youngest has n self esteem. i am eating WAY too much in reaction to boredom and stress. just remember tomorrow is YET ANOTHER DAY. start over. remember what's right, pretty one.

Thanks Nan! Andrea