Uh Oh - Emotional Eating Again

Gee, I'm getting a little scared here. I' ve started eating more than my 3 protein meals a day and I know it is that old emotional eating which got me to 334 pounds in the first place. Some days I'm eating too much and others I get some measure of control back. I so want to continue to lose as much as is possible for me, and being on job probation right now is sending me over the edge. I didn't even over-eat when my mother died in October! But I'm having an extra cup of chile at night or in between, and then extra yogurt and cottage cheese or sugar-free pudding. I'm terrified of getting more and more out of control. This fear thing is horrible. I'm still drinking plenty and taking my vitamins, and I have come a long way, but I'm longing to stuff myself to take away the anxiety of this phase of my life. I had to just put this down in words to get it out of me, I guess. Thanks for listening. Linda 334/207

Linda, Posting on this board has really helped me. It is great that you realize what you have been doing! That is the first step. I started using Fitday.com (again) and realized how much I was adding in. It scared me and have been doing so much better! Stress from work is the worst for me, I know I gained a lot of weight (40+ lbs) after a disagreement I had with my boss that is still affecting me (2 1/2 years later)! I never feel comfortable there and always feel like I am being watched, like she is waiting for me to screw up so she can fire me. Now it appears my position is going to be eliminated in a couple months! It's so hard!!! I guess I kinda got off the topic.... Hang in there and post anytime!

Thanks for your words of encouragement, Carmen. I sure hope you find another good position soon! It's hard to be job-searching and as you said, upsets at work are usually a trigger to eat more. Ugh.... But best of luck to you, and thanks for responding. Linda

Hi, I have found that attending Overeaters Anonymous meetings has been helpful with all of my food addiction and emotional eating issues...I have used it before WLS and got down to 265 from 335....I will still be a food addict and compulsive overeater after surgery too...the surgery will change my body...but not my head..that is up to me. I know that after a few months it might be possible to revert to bad habits...I always have in the past and I want to get the jump on it this time. Hope things get better for you! Sher' www.overeatersanonymous.com

Thanks for the helpful advice, Sher and best of luck on your upcoming surgery!!! Linda

Linda, Don't be too hard on yourself. A lot of us have been having the same problem through the holiday season. I know I have been doing a lot of emotional eating as well. One night I was really upset thinking that I was going to gain back all the weight. My husband said to me, " You make me laugh. Emotional eatin in the past for you used to me a whole Enterman's Cheese Danish along with a bag of chip and dip. An extra protein bar or cereal bar isn't going to sabotoge where you are at now." I also started tracking again on fitday.com. This really helps me to see things in black and also see where I need to cut back. You'll get through it. Hugs, Maggie

Linda, 1st of all ---- WOW!!!! you have done a fantastic job losing all that weight! You must feel wonderful! But, that feeling of losing control is so scary. It is so hard when your emotions are taking over. I think it is great that you have days when you have success handling the stress. What did you do differently on those days that helped you? Try to keep track of that and make those your new habits. Keep yourself busy and maybe journal your emotions to help get it out. Take a walk or just force yourself to get away from the food for a little while until you feel stronger. (hee hee, can't you picture the food police standing at your door with the bull horn? PLEASE MOVE AWAY FROM THE REFRIGERATOR!) okay, maybe not..... With all things, Linda, just take it one day at a time. Dont punish yourself when you fall off track by veering off track even further, be good to yourself and use your tools. And come here and call for help!!! We are all here to listen. feel strong! terri

Linda, Take a deep breath! Now, use us here on this board to vent and get the help you need. Remember, we are NOT perfect, and we have "slips". Keep your hands busy. I found that works really great for me. Also I go to sleep when I feel the desire to eat and it's not meal time. Fortunately for me, I still can't eat a lot, but I know about that "head hunger" stuff and it stinks! Good luck and hang in. JA