Emotional Eating and loss of power

We've been with my Mom since the power went out

and I have been eating since I got here

I am amazed at the amount of food I can fit in my 3 oz stomach.  Last night I ate so much at dinner I thought I would be sick.  I would have felt better sooner if I had.  It gave me some time to think about it while I was feeling bad though.

I guess that's how I got fat to begin with stuffing my face, but I never really thought about why.  Since I've been here and things are out of my control I have really lost it.  I can't even begin to list everything I ate, even this morning I have eaten twice what I should have for breakfast.

It's not really a matter of food choices it's the amount of food I am able to eat.  So today starting now it's back to 3 oz at a time.

Anybody else struggled with emotional eating?  How do you get through it and were you able to stop?

Hi Vicki

I struggle with this as well.  I used food to comfort myself... to sooth me.  Also as a control.  To alleviate being bored sometimes too. That immediate gratification of tasting something good.  It is something I am sure to struggle with all my life. 
I grew up with food being a reward for doing something.  Win a ballgame... go out to eat.  Eat your veggies... get dessert.  Have a birthday... go out to eat to celebrate.  For me eating is associated with good feelings. 
Just recognizing when you start to fall back in to old mind frames... like you have, is a great way to get back on track. Recognizing it is half the battle.  I look inward and wonder what am I really seeking... a Hug?? Attention?? Am I needing to grab my crochet and get my hands busy?  Head to the YMCA and get my butt moving???
I will grab my water and drink... sometimes that is all I need.  I fill up on the water and the moment has passed.  Sometimes if the pull to graze is strong I will go brush my teeth.  That makes me not want to eat.  Sometimes I log on the computer and head to my blog. http://laphrodite.wordpress.com/  I write about what I am feeling and that helps me too. I pick up the phone and call someone.  Anything to get the focus off myself. 

Awwwwwwwww sweetie
You are not alone.
I am an a emotional eater still,but i find that i eat my meals and if the phone dont ring i do pretty good.
But when the phone rings it is usually drama?
So i screen my calls ,if thats not posssible i  make sure i have something to drink ,but if its the flavor im after  i grab a sugar free popsicle if im still worked up and nothing is working i grab the gum sugar free gum is my new best friend i chew and stew,it keeps me from overeating and shooting my big mouth off.
I used to eat a whole bag of cheese puffs while talking on the phone or dealing with my teenagers now its a peice of gum..........
I also learned to write down what my feelings are doing the time im wanting to eat...........
Just know sweetie it has happen to some of us ,we are only human,the main thing is you realized something is wrong.
Good luck.

I have found that being cooped up in the house has also given me the munchies.. Doesn't help that my husband is off and cooking goodies... carmel corn, and all kinds of stuff.... I do much better on my "routine" then when something happens and pulls me out of it...
Good Luck getting back on track!!!

TEll me about it.  WE've been cooped up in the house with no electricity and no way to fix meals so it's been tough.  Then, someone brought food in this morning and I 'bout died eating a biscuit.  Exercise has consisted of cleaning horse stalls and packing water buckets and hay bales, but of course my machines aren't working.  I hate winter!!!

I have days where I can eat like anything I want and non stop and others where I get hung up or full immediately. Fortunately I ate better with no power this time. We grilled chicken and veggies...had tuna and crackers....cheese and crackers.....I even made jello (sf) and we had that for snacks! Did I lose any...no! But I feel alot better.....

Vickie, I struggle with this as well....I find that when my emotions are high, so is my "head hunger".  And it doesn't have to be bad emotions, it can be good emotions as well.  I too grew up with food as a celebration and a reward (stay quiet in church and we will go to McDonald's on the way home; get your chores done for the week and we will have pop and chips on Friday night)  All the "bad" or snack stuff was saved for a reward or a treat, and every "good memory" is associated with food for some reason-all the family holiday gatherings and the heavy German and French cooking...For some reason I feel like when ever anything gets me "hyped" I look to either reward myself with food or comfort myself with food.  I have started "web surfing" for clothes and fashions I bookmark and set as goals for myself instead of eating...and also chewing gum and brushing my teeth!  Crocheting helps and cleaning helps; but really most times I need to confront myself and ask what it is I want and what I am trying to replace with food.  Instead of running from it, I confront myself (silly I know) and really ask myself why....then I find something to do besides put food in my mouth...
Sounds like you have to deal with a lot more right now-no power, mother's house, and the stress of everything that eating is a comfort for you; and boredom leads to grazing as well...I really hope you are able to resume your own routines soon as I can completely understand why you are struggling...best to you!