Strategies for overcoming emotional eating

Ive been dealing with a lot of stress and emotions lately, and even after 3 months with a ****ty therapist, he taught me nothing about dealing with this. That relationship ended and I spent an hour with a different therapist and in that hour, i think he helped me more in that hour than any thing th other asshole therapist could have taught me in months. 

I am, and always have been, easily distracted and focused on the negative side of everything. I have always had problems celebrating my success, and even now, I feel no pride, or sense of accomplishment in losing over 220lbs. Why - because I'm 12 lbs over my lowest weight. In my mind, that's all that matters when really - all I am doing is dragging myself down. No wonder it's hard to move forward when I'm so focused on all the negativity. It took my new therapist (not sure if im going to keep seeing him for other reasons though) 20 minutes to pick up on this. So he gave me a homework assignment. 

When I get home every day, I have to make a list of at least three POSITIVE things I did that day - big, little, whatever  - no negativity, no "buts..." - just something postive. His only rules were that I do it as soon as I get home before I eat anything, and it has to be handwritten - it cant be typed. 

At first, i was really resistant. I kind of laughed and thought it was silly. Mostly because I knew deep down that it was going to take me way out of my comfort zone of permanent pessimistic thinking. I was actually going to have to write something down. 

The first day - it was really hard. In fact, I didn't do it. I thought about it, and noticed a slight affect on my urge to eat. 

The second day, I decided to give it a try (and went back and wrote out the previous day's list as well) - It wasnt easy because on that particular day, the scale decided to screw with my head and I thought that should define my whole day, but I did it. 

The next day, I didnt even get on the scale. And that list was much easier. In fact, I ended up with 5 things instead of three. 

So today, I am sitting at home, taking a mental health day and took the day off work, and of course, Im bored, and emotional, and really want to snack, but then I sat down and opened the book ive started. And went back through the list. And I actually felt proud of myself  for some of the things ive done in the last couple days. Mostly, im proud of myself for just doing this...for deciding to start down a different path. 

I thought I'd just share this for anyone else who thinks they might be having a hard time with night time/emotional eating, or are sitting in my pessimism boat. 

I havent been posting in months because ive just been wallowing on a pit of self pity, but hopefully i'm back and able to continue inspiring, motivating, encouraging and celebrating with you guys. 

I've been on OH since last August. I've noticed a change in you early last winter and now recently a change back towards a more positive attitude. I'm so glad you are feeling more positive. Great tips too!

I definitely hope its a continuing upward trend!

Thank you for sharing. I can so relate to this post. Negative thinking and expectation of perfection is a big source of my emotional eating. I'm going to try the positive journaling!

Susan

Its always worth a try :)

Me giving you a tremendous hug. Awesome post! I am so pleased for you to be getting back to where you so deserve to be. I so admire your perseverance to this process and your honesty with yourself and others. I also just want to say 12 lbs. vs. 220+ pounds. Hmmm..... no comparison. You know exactly what I mean, too. I know you do.

You continue to inspire me!

Thanks for the hug - i definitely need lots of hugs today. Thanks for always being there for me!

Thanks for your post. I'm reminded that when I have an "attitude of gratitude" things always go so much better for me. Many times I forget this little platitude, so.....thanks again.

Yay! Sooo proud of you! Staying positive helps me get thru soooo much especially when I have no control of something. One of the things that helps me be grateful is saying to myself, Someone out there is going thru WAY WORSE than I am. Like for example, I might be not be able to stay in my current home, back in the day, I would been freaking out, stressing out, crying, but NO MORE, Now , I just think, If we have to start new and move out and down grade for awhile, let it be, As long as me, my hubby and boys are together and healthy that is all that matters. We will get back on our feet. Wish you the best my friend. You are suuuper amaaaaaazzzzing!!!!

Im always a little jealous of you all happy postivei people but that's why i love you all - you keep my negativity balanced :)

 

I loooooooove you and need to see you sooN!