BOTT Question: How do you avoid emotional eating?

Just got a wonderful new book (I got it from Amazon.com but would not be suprised if local bookstores are stocking it)  It is:  50 Ways To Soothe Yourself Without Food, by susan Albers, Psy.D. who also wrote Eating Mindfully (which I also got but not had a chance to even glance at it) 

Can U please post a page at a time ? or better yet ten suggestions at a time ?

If we really like the suggestions and the way the book is written many of us will buy copies ... probably many more than just from readingthe title .

Posting exerpts and even chapters free is something even Amazon does to entice people to buy an authors book .

Hi Cathy,  I appreciate you.   I join the group a while back but forgot to maintain contact.   I had the WLS 12/4/2007 weighing in at 342.  I lost 80 pounds and now I am up to 303.2 as of today.   I weighed myself today because I am going to get back on track.   I have not weighed myself for a long time because I knew I was gaining and did not want to actually see how much.   I know I have been experiencing emotional eating and have decided to come up with ways to turn me away from this horrible habit.   The weather is getting better and I have decided to get out and walk, just visit.   I refused to go any higher than 303.2.  I am ashamed to go to a support group until I have lost the weight again.   It is very embarassing.  I know I can do it.  I will log online daily now to see what is going on.  I really found myself eating all day long, the wrong things.  I read somewhere protein and vegetables can help you get back on track.   My food intake has grown a little more than when I first had the surgery.  Any help and encouragement you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Arnice

 Hi Cathy.  I've been reading a great book "Life is Hard Food is Easy" by Linda Spangle.  It deals with emotional eating and ways to overcome it.  She states there's two types of emotional eating 1) head hunger (where you want crunchy/salty foods) and 2) heart hunger (where you want soft/sweet/comfort foods).  I've been away for awhile.  Head problems.  I've managed to lose 43.25 pounds last year and so far this year I've lost 12.25 pounds.  I'm getting in my protein everyday.  Just had to have an attitude adjustment and the book is helping too.  Today I started the day off at 163.2 pounds, went for a 2 mile walk, came back and was up to 163.6 pounds.  I didn't have anything to eat or drink on my walk so how could my weight have gone up .4 pounds?  I don't get it.  Does anyone understand how this happened?

In friendship,
Mary Alida Ward
Holdenville, OK
281/160.25/163.6/148  (5'6" tall)

It's hard to not "stress" eat - that is my downfall!  I continue to keep a food diary, writing down everything I put in my mouth to eat.  With spring here, it's a bit easier because I can get outside to work in the yard.  I retired from teaching after 36 years 2 years ago.  I was able to work part-time at our university library for the first year and really enjoyed it.  Because of the economy, there were budget cuts, and I was not hired back.  This past year has been one of health issues for both myself and my husband.  So in the long run, I wasn't supposed to work this year.  But...I'm getting depressed every so often because I miss working with people on a daily basis.  I have applied for numerous jobs, but the economy isn't what it used to be.  I continue to look for a part-time job, but sometimes I find myself eating because I'm unhappy.  So I have begun to spring clean the house, work outside as much as I can.  I go to Curves at least 4 times a week where I do see some old friends and have made some new friends!!  I try to make a daily plan of what I'll do for the day (old teaching habits die hard!).  And today I did receive a phone call to schedule an interview - this time for a job with preschoolers!  I did apply for a summer job in our parks program yesterday.  I'll keep looking for a part-time job, spring cleaning and working in the yard.  Keeping myself busy makes it a little easier not to "stress" eat!

Julie A.

Hi,
I know I am only 5 mths out from surgery but have already hit a back and forth plateau for the last 2 months. Getting really discouraged and could use some lifting! Afraid this isn't going to work for me!! Help!!!

LOL anyway, could use advice distracting myself, on what I should be eating, how much exercise and so forth... I greatly appreciate it.

We have gotten so much rain and just haven't been able to exercise like I should and feeling down is making me want to eat and slowing me down. Some really great ideas here and I am going to try to impliment some of them.

Have a great day and God Bless
Tracy

Hi everyone, I kind of dropped out of sight for a while, this was not a very good thing to do. I lost my job and I've gained 25lbs since November. I don't know what to do with myself.....

Hi Everyone,

It has been forever since I've been on the Obesity Help website.  This caught my eye as I have enrolled in an eating disorder clinic this summer. I have been diagnosed with "Binge Eating Disorder".  So far I have been attending a group once a week, nurse practioner once a week and psycologist once a week.  I see a dietition once a month.  I have never spent this much time on myself and it feels good. I have just scratched the surface, though, and realize that it is a long process to uncover reasons for my emotional eating.  It was a relief to know this had a name and that I am not alone.  Most overweight people ARE emotional eaters.

The topics I have gone over at group are identical to the list that Kathy posted here. Please know that you are not alone!

Dianes,
Sometimes, I'll have some flavored hot tea, other times I'll have 1/2 of a banana (weird, I know, but it works for me).
Deb

 I need to get back on track again and it's good to see a familiar face from when I was here before  Hope all is well with you