[sherrybwc]

I just read a post by juliastl about suddenly being obsessed with food and it got me thinking...cuz I'm in the same boat!

This past week has been crazy! I had a two day class on Tu/We followed by a test. On top of that, we've been remodeling our lobby at work since 9/15, but as it's winding down, everyone is pretty much stressed out and tempers are short. AND I put my mother is in the hospital Monday night (she's recovering nicely).

Anyway, during both days of the class, lunch was catered. Calorie-wise, neither day was too bad, but I think "what" I ate "in conjunction" with all the stress is what's causing me to CRAVE just about anything I see...BIG TIME!!!

I'm not "craving" any one particular food and that's what's so odd to me...

Since I started, I've been eating around 1500 cals per day. This week I've eaten, on average, about 1800 - 1900 per day, so I've managed to keep it pretty much under control, but that's what's scaring me..."pretty much" under control.

I've never thought of myself as a "stress eater", but I think I am.

So...what do I do with this little revelation??? I've been doing so well and haven't had ANY issues up until now and now that I realize I'm a stress-eater, I'm stressing over THAT!

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Sherry

[Sunnigummi]

I'm a major stress eater too. For me, when I'm stressed, I like eating crunchy foods so I can get into mindless snacking without realizing it's because of stress. I actually feel "hungry" a lot when I go through stressful periods. I'm a little tense now because quite a few things got dumped on me all at the same time. The way I'm trying to overcome the unnecessary snacking is to develop another hobby. I'm growing bell pepper seedlings and basil plants. Whenever I feel hungry, I go out and just baby them a little bit and try to find more seedlings (sounds lame, but they're so tiny I can't do much) in the soil. I also call my sis/mom and talk to them about anything. I'll come on here and read posts and get distracted. OR heaven forbid, I actually start working on the stuff that's due... I think the key is to recognize the fake hunger and just distract yourself using non-food related methods. Maybe you can take up knitting or even keep one of those stress balls (those spongy things that comes in different shapes, like a globe) in your hand and just work it for a few minutes or until the craving passes.

[Havisham]

Oh, I think we can all relate to the overwhelming craving...as I've mentioned before there are times when only a chocolate bar will do it for me - so I eat it and move on. We're human, and I firmly believe that the more we deprive ourselves the more we risk the big 'crash and binge'.

Sounds to me like you're doing great, so give yourself a break - have a SMALL craving and it'll go away. You can do that and still not feel deprived.

Hang in there!!!!

[PSP Orange]

Totally can relate ---

I always try to ask myself "am I really hungry?"

If the answer is yes, then lets eat something .... good to stop the crave

If the answer is no, then "What the bleep is going on?" ... why the crave?
Then hit the board, as you have done. Go run, move as you know...
Do something other than the binge, this too shall pass.
You might find, as I have that there are many motivations that drive
us to eat or crave, identifying them is a journey of self discovery..

I too have been disappointed in my self control before and I am sure I will
be again sometime.. but he more I learn about the "trance" that triggers
me to mindlessly crave food the smarter I become about controlling myself.

My 2c.
The Orange One

[sherrybwc]

Thanks for the replies...

I've felt a lot better today, but then we "are" coming to the end of the remodeling at work...and I learned I passed the test...and my mother was released from the hospital today.

See? Less stress = no craving. Wow.

Looks like I need to find the zen-zone or something.

Again, many thanks.

Sherry

[PSP Orange]

Sherry,

I just have to tell you - your avatar cracks me up every time I look at it

The Orange One

[juliastl27]

Ugh, believe me, I feel ya!!

My son and his dad were out of town that week so I was just so off schedule (not to mention bored!) and I think that it totally messed with my eating schedule. He came back on Sunday and even though I'm still struggling out of habit, it has been MUCH better. It's amazing how stress and changes in routine can effect us!

[LiL PiXiE]

I ate HALF a pumpkin yesterday.....LOTS OF STRESS!!! I feel horrible for doing so....but I can relate and wish I could undo what I did lol...oh lordy, I guess I just gotta keep going forward

[juliastl27]

Originally Posted by LiL PiXiE

I ate HALF a pumpkin yesterday.....LOTS OF STRESS!!! I feel horrible for doing so....but I can relate and wish I could undo what I did lol...oh lordy, I guess I just gotta keep going forward

LOL. half a pumpkin? ive never heard of someone eating plain pumpkin.

[sherrybwc]

Originally Posted by PSP Orange

Sherry,

I just have to tell you - your avatar cracks me up every time I look at it

The Orange One

I love it, too!

I found it here...

Cracks me up every time!

Sherry
.