[GinaXOXO]

I have joined WW before and lost--I have gotten to goal twice and stayed there for a while. At the time I didn't have a lot to lose (at most 20 pounds).

Now I have gained 40 pounds and cannot stick to anything. I get amped up--and dissolve. I just can't do it. (I know . . . "can't" shouldn't be in my vocabulary but I am trying to keep it real).

I think that I am an emotional eater and that I need to get to the root of that before I can expect anything else to work.

I am reading a book called Shrink Yourself. I have just begun it but I can really see some truths.

After all of that RAMBLING my question is:

Have any of you worked on emotional eating, and if you have, what did you do?? Will it help?
Gina

[kelijpa]

I read Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover, if you can get it from a library it's worth reading the beginning chapters, even if you don't want to follow the exercise program, he talks alot about getting to the roots of why we eat, why we sabotage ourselves. I kept a notebook nearby and tried to honestly answer some of the questions he brings up. He tells you to build a strong emotional foundation before you start the exercise program. He says to be honest with yourself, take responsibility for your actions, truly commit and draw on your inner strength.

Talk about rambling...anyhow, I usually try to go for a walk or do some type of exercise to combat emotional eating

I've read that doing something with your hands is good also, like knitting or crocheting, or even playing video games. Anything that keeps food out of your hands and mouth.

I also did that RealAge quiz, that's an eye opener, and it keeps your hands busy for awhile

I guess it also depends on the emotion, I almost rewarded myself for getting my permanent crown tonight with some chocolate, but decided I'd rather not after all.

[suitejudyblueeyes]

I'm a big emotional eater, but I've been doing well stopping it before it gets the best of me. There's a popular signature quote floating around these boards: "If hunger isn't the problem, food isn't the solution." Whenever I'm upset I am not allowed to eat anything off-plan. I stay out of the kitchen. I go for a walk. I calm myself down or distract myself so my emotions aren't my focus anymore. If once I've calmed down I still really want something "comforting," I pick ONE thing that will satisfy my cravings, make sure it is reasonable, and allow myself that. (That one thing can't be a box of Oreos, for example. Three, sure.)

Two nights ago I was irritated at DH for some reason (not a real reason in retrospect, I was crabby). After dinner, I started dreaming of a 2nd dinner... fast food... doughnuts... candy... ice cream. I knew it was because I was upset, and I spent a good 20 minutes trying to justify everything I wanted and fit it into my plan (ha!). I went to the grocery store. I walked around. I looked at the doughnuts, the doughnuts looked at me. I walked out of the store with onions and an avocado!

When I got home, I wasn't really mad or upset anymore, but the idea of having something was stuck in my head... so I made some ff hot chocolate with a shot of bailey's in it and boy did that take care of cravings

Anyway, point being, just start to recognize when you emotionally eat, and then start to think about what you're doing. Eventually your conscience will get the better of you and you'll be able to deal with it.... Hopefully! If all else fails, exercise or go for a walk or do something to distract yourself. And deal with those emotions!!

[Jane]

Gina - I'm an emotional eater, too. Help can be found right here on these boards, since there is an area for that under the Support section, called Chicks in Control. It's for emotional eaters, bingers, eating disorders, etc. One thing that has helped me is the wisdom of Geneen Roth. She's an author of 7 bookds including Breaking Free From Emotional Eating, When Food Is Love, and When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull Up a Chair. She also has several CDs and DVDs that are helpful. Your library would be a good place to start finding what suits you best. For more info about her and her works, here's Geneen's website address:

www.geneenroth.com

I hope you stay with us here at WW, and please post, vent, and receive encouragement every step of your journey.

[Misery Chick]

I am a major emotional eater, I have found latley that I can use those emotions against the urge to stuff something into my mouth...I just stop and tell myself that I am going to fight the fire with fire..and give myself a postive thought or two. Most of all I pull out a list of reasons that I made why I want to lose this weight for good...So if you think about it we can use those very emotions to help us out of the temptation....

I made a list, one reason for every pound I want to lose....for me that was 102 reasons....

Making the list really helps me keep things in perspective...So everytime that my emotions want me to shove the food in..I shove the reasons in instead...

[ruthannie]

Me too, being emotionally prone to eating. Everyone has great suggestions and the only thing I have to add is that this first step is recognizing this behavior. Also, to step out of the head space that you have to "cure" the emotional eating before any weight loss will work. It's a journey and each new awareness is like peeling away another layer of clues. Sometimes all the strategies and suggestions work and sometimes we simply go the other way and that's OK. When you're not ready, you're not, but you can do some soul searching and see if you can find a clue (not the whole answer, but a little clue) and then use that new knowledge. If you still decide to eat the thing that beckons, at least you are more conscious and sometimes that's the only step we can take.

Good luck!

[kelijpa]

Great words, Ruthanne, searching for clues, it's like a puzzle, make it a challenge that you'll love to work at. I love crosswords and such.

I am going to follow your lead, Mizz. I think that's great to come up with a reason for every pound I want to lose. That will take some doing and another way to keep weight management and healthy living at the front of my mind.

thanks all! 3FC rocks!

[Misery Chick]

I have 102lbs to lose and it took me a good week to finish the list, but it is so worth it. Everytime that I want to binge or I feel sad, which is alot latley, I just take a good look at the list...also everytime I lose a pound, I cross off one the reasons....It is a good visual for me...

[Jane]

Here's a list that has been floating around for awhile. I thought some of you may want to see it... I know I can sure identify with many of the thoughts listed!

100 Reasons to Lose 100 pounds

To feel good about ourselves.
To have GREAT romance!
So we won't think people are laughing or talking about us.
To buy clothes in a normal store and actually get clothes with some style to them that fit correctly.
To have more energy!
To be able to tie your shoes/paint toenails.
To be able to sit on a floor and get up gracefully.
To wear a bathing suit.
To cross your legs or sit Indian style.
To fit into an airline/theatre/bus/whatever seat without spilling over and without having to see "that look" from the person who has to sit beside you.
So our ankles won't swell.
To fit into a booth at any restaurant.
To not need an extension to a seat belt on an airplane and to have the tray table not balance on our bellies.
To not worry about being decapitated in our cars with our seat belts on if we should be in an accident.
To not turn beet red after moderate exertion.
To be able to pick something up off the floor.
Panty Hose that fit!
To go to an amusement park and ride the rides.
To be able to sit in any chair without worry of breakage.
To not have to apologize when caught in a narrow aisle and have someone need to get by.
To go dancing, sky diving, bungee jumping....
To be able to go horseback riding or ride a bike.
To not worry about rashes and sweating.
To not have to listen to "caring" people ask why you don't diet or worse still... "gee youhave such a pretty face".
To not worry about spilling food, sauces or gravy down the front of your blouse/dress/shirt when eating.
To not have to think up some excuse for not doing something because you know your weight will impede you.
To not have your belly hit the steering wheel and to be able to fit comfortably in the driver's seat.
To have a bra fit comfortably and to be able to buy underwear at Victoria's Secret rather than at "Tubby the Underwear Guy".
To not have to worry about the weight limit of step stools, ladders, motorcycle, exercise equipment, etc.
To not get stuck in a turn style.
To not wake up feeling achy in the back..or to have ache free legs and feet.
So the bathroom scale won't creak and groan when you step on it.
To be able to leave the tablecloth on the table at a restaurant instead of dragging it with you when you get up.
So you won't look the other way when you see yourself in a monitor where they have security cameras.
To never be embarrassed about your size.
To not count tying shoes as daily exercise.
To not have to wait for the handicap stall when there are plenty of other stalls available.
To not be more out of shape than seniors.
To not break toilet seat when leaning to one side.
To be able to put on wedding rings again.
To try to make a double chin and fail!
Buy clothing bargains to fit the next year ... and they do!
Not to have to worry about plastic zippers or having your pants bust open.
Normal waistbands rather than elastic!
To wear knee socks correctly instead of worn like slouches!
To look good in a tee shirt!
To try on slacks or jeans and have the pant leg actually fit over leg!
To be able to get close to sink and not come away with a wet belly!
To get out of a stuffed chair GRACEFULLY and not look down to see if the chair has come up with you!
To not worry if the hairdresser's smock will fit!
To not be self-conscious about eating in front of others!
To not be afraid to ask which hairstyle suits your face.
To not have people checking you out after looking in your grocery cart.
To not feel (and look) like a sausage in stirrup pants.
To have your friends NOT be embarrassed to be seen with you.
To get promotions/hired or close that sale.
Pants that stay up because your waist is smaller than your butt!
No more boobs! (this is for the guys!)
Wearing shorts or tank tops without fear of arrest or grossing out others!
To not have the fear of being rejected.
To successfully flirt!
To not worry about how to get in and out of the back seat in a two door car!
One size fits all and it fits you!
To have a lap.
To not have the car you are ride in slant in your direction.
To be able to use toilet paper as it was meant to be used and not to have to invent ways to "get the job done".
To not have to watch TV news reports on fat people in hopes that you haven't been caught on camera!
To be able to get between cars in a parking lot without wiping the dust off with your belly and your butt.
No more heat rashes and chafing in the upper thighs.
So that the cloth in the thigh area doesn't wear away long before the rest of the slacks do!
To meet a friend online and not be horrified to have to send a picture of yourself.
To not take fat references and fat jokes personally.
To know you can go anywhere because wherever you sit you CAN be comfortable and look at ease.
To shop at the mall and not have your back ache from lugging your huge butt and stomach around!
To be able to stand still, carrying nothing and still look poised.
To be able to cross your arms across your chest without them resting on your stomach!
To have your feet get smaller.
Using your mouth to taste and chew food rather than as just a route to get the food from your lips to your stomach.
Blood pressure returns to normal.
To avoid other health complications from being overweight.
To be able to borrow a co-worker's jacket for an important meeting.
To meet someone for the first time and their eyes don't pop out of their head with amazement...because they never knew you're fat!
To see your reflection in a mirror or store window without turning away!
To wear a watch with a regular length watch band.
To look in the mirror when getting your hair cut without thinking you have the biggest face in the world.
To not mind getting your picture taken.
To not avoid going to the doctor because you have to get "weighed" in.
To wake up each morning feeling energized and ready to go.
To not even worry about squeezing into small spaces.
To not have to enter an elevator and check the weight limit.
To look in your closet and have problems deciding which stylish outfit to work since you have so many that look good and fit well.
To not have to lie perfectly still in bed at night for fear of breaking the bed!
To buy tie shoes instead of slip ons!
To be able to walk any distance without looking for a bench to sit on.
To look forward to shopping and just trying on clothes!
To be able to drive by any fast food place without salivating!
To be able to shop at the same store for food instead of having to remember where you shopped last night for the junk food so you can avoid that store for a few days!
To not feel lower than low when an innocent child remarks about your size!
To not constantly be thinking of where your next morsel of food is coming from.
And the 100th reason to lose 100 pounds.....
I'M WORTH IT!

-- Author Of List Unknown

[WAgal]

Me too! I have a feeling al lot of overweight people struggle with emotional eating. I've been doing that the last 2 days, not real bad but definitely not OP. It can be a vicious cycle. Hoping to learn some tips to help combat it here at 3FC.

[kelijpa]

I do so much better when I write everything down even if I go over. I'm determined to keep tracking. When I stop writing it down because I went over then it's a free-for-all.

I just read that whole list, it made my eyes a little damp and gave me a tiny lump in my throat. I don't have 100 lbs. to lose, but at close to and at times over 200 lbs. at 5'3" I could identify with alot of those.

I soooooo remember that feeling of people looking judgementally at what you have on your plate or in your hand or cart....That look...gack!

Thanks for the motivation, I feel re-energized!