Q.O.T.D

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH "EMOTIONAL EATING???? I AM NOT DOING A GREAT JOB LATELY !!!  ANY IDEAS??

I don't do well with that, either, and recently too. I have a history of binge eating, especially when bored or sad, and for a few weeks I was eating to the point of pain and throwing up more than once a day. I'm trying to get it under control, I'm seeing my therapist more often now and attempting to be mindful of when to stop (and when to not even start) but I will struggle with this for my entire life and it's very scary that I'm just over a year out and I'm struggling so hard now.

Emotional eating is hard! Being aware of it is the first step. Avoiding the situations which bring it on is another possibility sometimes. I skipped a staff meeting this week because I knew it would be a set up. Of course it's not possible to do that in all work sites. I had prepared for it by talking to my partner before and taking extra food which would not cause me trouble...in the end I left the building.

At home it is easier to take a walk, read a book or those kinds of things. I hope others have work suggestions too because I know not everyone has the freedom to leave the office that I do.

Connie 

hmmmmmm.........being that I'm not even 5 months out, I can't stress eat.  I do have a transfer addiction which is not a good one but I figure I gotta have ONE vice left and that is smoking.  But now that I'm on anti-depressants, I don't get stressed out as much as I used to.

 I've made a list of things that I can do to comfort myself. I don't do the same thing twice because I don't want to form other "habits" when it comes to the emotional eating thing. 

Here is my list: 

1. Phone a friend
2. Soak in the hot tub
3. Go for a drive in the country 
4. Buy a magazine
5. Do some meditation, listening to guided meditations


I have others, I just try and recognize what's going on, and then find ways to support myself through it. 

Huge hugs, 
Angus 

It is tough.... there is no doubt about it!  I do a couple of things:

1.  Always have s/f bubble gum with me at all times!  I will chew, chew, chew to work out some of my frustrations.... on a bad day, I can go through a ton of gum! (may not look pretty but at least it is not a cookie or candy bar!)

2.  I walk - even if I just have to leave the office and walk around the building.... I get out of the enviorment that I am in to break away.  I know in your job that may not be so easy but maybe walking the halls could help.

3.  And if I finally have to have something.... I usually do Laughing Cow lite cheese and Wasa crackers.  Both are low in calories and the crackers have the crunch factor so I feel I am getting something.....

Best of luck to you - I am 4 yrs out and I have seen this post a million times and I have yet to find the one thing that cures this issue!!!

Hang in there!
Valerie

Don't use me as an example, I have a glass of wine instead of eating.

DAMN !!! I WISH I COULD DRINK AT WORK !!!!

Sean,
I want that answer too. It is difficult. I thought I was not an emotional eater, but I caught myself doing it. When I stop losing, believe it or not I eat to comfort myself. Isn't that the opposite thing that I should be doing? I guess it is because I find comfort in the food. 

I liked the response that "first you have to acknowledge it". Working on it is hard. I don't know the answer but I am hoping that being aware of it makes me less likely to do it.
Tom