Emotional cravings

Kellahhh · 07-16-2011, 01:56 PM

P1D6

Hi all, I never had the withdrawls as bad as this time round, but done with that now and FEEL GREAT! I mean great doesn't describe how I feel, I am already off my heartburn meds, and I have energy for the first time since I was on south beach a few years ago! I am confused, though about how to tell the difference in an emotional craving and a physical one. I am at home and it is the weekend and I am all of a sudden finding myself hungry and craving the bad stuff. I looked back at my seasonings and made sure of no sugars, so I think its just some emotional cravings. It sounds silly, but food has ruled my world for a while now and I feel like I have lost my security. I have cried a few times, because I feel like I am losing something close to me, but I know I am gaining so much more. It sounds so stupid, but food has been my everything until now. I have this awesome hub, 17 month old baby girl, and my whole life ahead of me ( even though I am 36), and the only thing that has been holding me back from being happy and who I really am is my weight, and my embarrassing food obsession! I just thought I would vent, as this week went so great and the weekends are always the toughest for me when it comes to eating.

Lexxiss · 07-16-2011, 05:55 PM

Weekends are always hard for me, too. I have a wide range of emotions that I eat over; happy, sad, bored, angry, jealous, hurt, tired...the list goes on. My weekends are usually about have more unstructured time than I'm used to. I've done well today by using "distraction techniques." Instead of sitting in front of the TV I went to the farmers market, got some exercise, did some weed pulling, went to the bank and took a fix it necklace to the bead store. So far so good. I find it easier not to start rather than to stop after I've started.

I try to plan the entire weekend foodwise. That way I don't have to make spur of the moment decisions.

Best wishes!

asphyxia63 · 07-16-2011, 06:14 PM

I agree on trying to find distractions. When I am sitting home with nothing to do I tend to watch tv and snack. So get out if the house. Talk a walk, go to a park, run some errands, do some housework. You mention you have a 17 month old so you are probably limited in what you can do. But find something you can do that you enjoy and will consume your time. Sometimes I do little projects around the house like making curtains or pillows. So I need to go to the store and look around for fabric, come home and make some coffee or a smoothie, and sit down at my sewing machine. Next thing I know 2 hours have passed by and I haven't even thought about food! I am definitely a boredom snacker so finding little hobbies and projects has really helped me.

cottagebythesea · 07-16-2011, 06:19 PM

My sympathies, Kellahhh. It is hard, but with perserverance and planning, it does get easier.

I love food, and I love to eat, whether I'm hungry or not. It's seems everything I do revolves around food. But I've finally realized that it is up to me, and me alone, to take charge of my health and my life and do something about it. It really helps me to have a menu and a plan for an emergency if I should have to work late or find myself on the road at mealtime. Also, like Lexxiss, I try to keep busy to take my mind off of eating. I know it's really all up to me, and if I really want to lose weight, then I have to stick to this plan.

Good luck, and I know if I can do it, then you can, too. Don't give up!

nanjmc · 07-16-2011, 06:34 PM

I think it IS important to grieve the loss of your friend "food". Food is what has comforted you through thick and thin. Now that you chose not to use food that way, I do think it's appropriate to grieve that loss. You will find another really good friend, be it exercise, a hobby or interest etc., a person. Search that out, see what satisfies you.

Kellahhh · 07-16-2011, 11:17 PM

Oh, thanks so much, I feel comforted, **big hugs, and also motivated,
)(chest bumps, hehhee. I did a little of both, I grieved, but then I had so much energy, which is SO not me, I got up and did all this organizing and cleaning and cooked up some phase one recipes, and felt AWESOME< and then the fam went out visiting the grandparents. I know I feel a little crazy, hormones must be getting regulated, too, with such a huge change in my eating, but I really appreciate the comments and feel a lot better about how I feel, THANKS YA'LL!!!!!!

Loriann7 · 07-17-2011, 12:30 PM

I too am a boredom eater... So after I finish this planned salad for my lunch I'm going to get outside and attack the weeds in my garden! Take Jade for a walk...

Congrats on starting again! I know for myself, I'm tired of starting over, and over because I lack the diligence to stay on plan! But, here I am, AGAIN!

... If I don't take care of myself no one will!