BOTT Question: How do you avoid emotional eating?

Head Hunger is the worst.. usually its boredom (with me).

Ill drink water, chew gum... go for a walk... or read/draw/write/ sew, make hats... keep my hands busy or play dress-up.

Did anyone answer you back for this question?? Its a good one.

I started doing that again... BEFORE, I was well-behaved, my night time snack was 1/2 banana and some vanilla muscle milk.

I found that I need to eat something before bed or I will wake up hungry.  Sometimes drinking a glass of milk is enough, but I usually try to eat something more substantial like some instant oatmeal.  I know it's mostly carbs, but I build it into my meal plan for the day.  And I have enough trouble sleeping that I'll do almost anything to not wake up early!  Maybe if you did eat before bed, you wouldn't get up so much?

 Cathy and all - I need to get back on track again and knew this is where I need to be to accomplish that  I am home today (2nd day) with a wretched cold so my goal today is to limit my intake to 1100 calories

Hey Cathy! Thanks for letting me be a part of your group! I confess I have not been on like I should be but I do go to the main forum as much as I can & time allows!  I so need to GBOT!
I have struggled (who hasn't?) for at least a year and a half at the same weight within a few pounds (250) and while I am happy to be down 200# I am told I need to lose 50 more# (minimally) in order to even be considered for PS.
I am not in any hurry to be all opened up again but I am trying to make my everyday lifestyle work for me.  I am stepping up my exercise (which to be truthful I haven't done faithfully) -I am starting slowly by walking 15 minutes a day and increasing it each week a bit more -just one of my strategies!  Also trying to limit carbs and up protein!!
Thank you for this forum, too.  I will try and be more active now.  I sure need a good boot!! Thanks again to everyone for valuable advice & input & motivation!! We can do this everybody!!!!

Hi Diane: I too suffer with night time eating!! At least you are recognizing that you need to do something about it -that in itself is an important step!!
I too have sleep issues - up alot to the bathroom, then of course out to fridge just to see what's in there?? Actually, I feel I go there to "fill my stomach" in order to sleep! (I think it is a pyschological thing from childhood - like after a big dinner or thanksgiving - what did I do? Take a nice nap!!
So I think the idea of a full stomach in my mind at least, I associate it with relaxation & sleep and I think I am searching for that especially at night!
My doctor told me to try melatonin over the counter.  I think you can get it in with the vitamins.  I take one tablet about 45 minutes to an hour before I want to go to sleep.  I do believe it is helping!!
(Just a suggestion to try)  I also put on headphones and listen to relaxing music.  I find that makes me sleepy or I read a book for awhile or even a magazine.
I turn everything off, tv, lights, etc. and sleep in a dark room.  It was hard to do at first but now I do it and if there is a distraction I see it or feel it!!
Make yourself stay in bed.  Don't get up.  Try and establish a scheduled time for bed and stick to it!  It is very hard, believe me and I still have my moments but nothing like they were.
If you have to get up, find something to do with your hands.  Shuffle cards and play solitare, knit crochet or sew.  Or even get a pencil and sketch something-anything heck you might find you have some hidden talents!!!
Hope this helps but I am so there with you!! It is hard and I think post surgery days can be challenging! But we are healthier!!!!  Take care and good luck, don't give up!!!  Mary

At night or in inclement weather  I make hot decaffeinated  usually herbal tea (  Sleepytime is a good one ) .  I curl up with  a book  and a soft furry cat . 

I settle in to watch back episodes of HBO  series on demand .

In the daytime I  go out in the garden putter  around .   Theres ALWAYS  ten thousand things to do .. and i usually forget all about ingesting .

I  get  on the computer and  reply to posts on the main board .

I chat on OH .

Sometimes i organize my closets do laundry  or dust . 

i actually enjoy exercising so  I mightgas up and  go out for a rollerblade or a run or a hike .  These days  since we recently bought a beautiful new home im more likely to be aerobically pruning the  VERY  overgrown large  yard  though.  

Attend  an antiques auction or an estate sale - or just stop by thrift shops and garage sales .

I too have the night time eating issue and it's always when I'm watching TV. After a long day of staring at a computer to work all I want to do is turn my brain off. I don't get up in the middle of the night to eat but after I take my ambien and I don't fall asleep right away I will continually go to the fridge of cabinet look for something to eat. I have started gaining some weight back and I need to get back on track. So the one thing I have started trying is reading. That helps by keeping my mind busy and getting me sleepy in the process. I hope to learn more from you all

Deborah

I definitely have a problem with eating when I'm bored, I've been pretty good lately about keeping busy and working through it.

I write about and talk about what I am feeling. I reach out for help if I need it. I feel the feelings, cry, express or discharge in a safe way what's 'eating me'! I check in with myself about what I am really needing. I do collating and other creative expressions if I have some big stuff coming up, for me it's always some form of fear. I don't judge myself for having the desire to eat! 

I plan and commit my food, tracking it ahead of time! Drink all 64 oz of my water! I then remove myself from the temptation and go for a walk. I do my affirmations, reminding me that emotions are transitory and temporary, they do change! 

I find that if I can find a self nurturing activity to do instead, like taking a shower, rubbing lotion into my body, asking for a hug, taking a nice garden break, I feel better because I am actively turning towards what will feel better! 

Then, if I can settle myself down enough, I sit and quiet my mind, meditating for even just 15 minutes really anchors me in! 

Hope that helps someone! This journey is made so much easier when you're supporting one another! Thank you Cathy!❤️😀