How..........

do you comfort, calm or soothe yourself without resorting to food? just wondering. Thanks, Jan

I wish I could say:  1) working out  2) cleaning house  3  volunteer work 4) sex It really goes something more like this: 1) shopping (spending too much!) 2) Starbucks Iced Americanos (get one on the way home from shopping) 3) sex (lots of this to keep marriage good because of my over spending plus it's fun) 4) going online for support (must have this during day) 5) hot calorie free drinks at night if unable to do any of the above! Sigh...Seriously Jan, it is very frustrating. I am watching my 4year old struggle to quit sucking her thumb and I can totally relate. I am very oral as well...always wanting to stick food in my mouth. Maybe she is onto something, huge hugs, Molly

Hey Molly,, That is just too cute. I love your suggestions, I can relate.  Thanks for replying, Jan

Hi Molly!  Your post cracked me up!  too funny!!!  hey, what are the Starbuck's Iced Americano's?  Do you know what the nutritional values are? 

Hi there! I order the following: Iced Grande  No Water Extra Ice Americano It is simply 3 hot espresso shots over ice in a grande cup. The most important thing is that the shots go right over the ice. It is not "te*****ally" an Americano because it has no water. But, at my Starbucks that is how they ring it up and they always know what I am talking about when I order it.  It comes to $2.23 where I live and is so worth it. It has a very deep rich coffee flavor of course but I doctor it up a lot by adding about an ounce of 1/2 and 1/2 & two sweet n' lows. So, the coffee is only a couple calories, ice is free, sweet n' low is free and you only are dinking the calories in the cream. Yeah, yeah I know it's a lot of fat and caffiene BUT it keeps the blood sugars nice and steady and keeps me from wanting to smoke or drink something sugary, ect! It is so good if you love coffee! Molly

oh, thank you!  it sounds terrific!  I am a coffee lover - and don't splurge too often, but I love those frappuccinos, and just have to stay away from them!  this sounds like something I could have occasionally and have as a treat that isn't so horrible for me!

For me? I journal or blog. Writing allows me a release, so it's ok if all that is pent up just flows out through my keyboard. AND by journaling, I can go back and read what I was feeling and dealing with at the time, and be proud that I was able to do it without food. there are also things like, reading, walking, meditating, watching a movie you love, calling a friend, emailing a friend, taking a bath etc... I know it isn't easy..but it's being able to find new coping mechanisms that really does help us to get through the tough times :) *hugs* I Chick

I know what you mean, I am having to change my coping skills that i have had all my life- and it ain't easy, but I know it can be done, and y'all are giving me some great ideas! Thanks for replying!                               Jan

I knit.  I'm a fiber sort of person.  I love fabric, yarn, threads, anything like that.  So I pull out the knitting books and drool and plan and get my mind back under my control.  I sometimes just have to get out of the house, so I take my dog (comfort in a fur coat!) to the dog park.  There is something about seeing a happy dog that just makes me feel good.  Or if I'm at home, I'll look around and see my napping cat and dog, think about how good life really is, and smile.  I just spend some time being grateful.  Sounds hoeky, but it works.   Good luck, Sally

Wow, Sally, Thanks for sharing this! I can definately try some of those things. Your knitting reminds me of a past love I used to have, scrapbooking! That is really something gratifying I can throw myself into at home and is really something productive and positive to do with my hands. Today I will chew gum and gather my supplies. As for dogs...I feel the same way about my kiddos. When I take them to the park and see the joy on their little faces as they race around it does something to me that food can never do!