Emotional eater
 

Hi
I found myself at this site because I felt that I needed some support and imput and interactions with people who could understand the frustrations of trying to lose excess weight and getting healthy. I have a fairly healthy diet, but I'm a very emotional eater. I tend to use food to "band-aid" over feelings I dont want to deal with. I enjoy exercise, but get sidetracked easily. I live in the northeast so my favorite exercise, walking, can get pretty iffy in the winter months.

But I have come to the conclusion that something needs to be done. I'm going to be 40 next month, and its not going to get any easier. I am determined to get myself to a healthy place...and if I can help anybody else along the way, more the better!

Hello Annegirl,

Your situation reminds me of my own. I eat the wrong things when my emotions are torn, and I feel awful afterwards. I also enjoy exercise.

Since you like exercise, why not channel your need for food when stressed to a need for movement? Instead of grabbing the ice-cream, walk in place until your stress levels go down. Join a gym - I joined a Curves and it's really wonderful. Buy exercise DVDs .. heck, walk around in a circle if it helps!

Moving around can really make your other problems fade into the background for a bit. I think it's a great form of stress relief.

Also, know that people are always here for you! :)

Hi and welcome to 3FC!

Good luck with your goals :cheer:

Hugs
Michelle

Welcome aboard,

I'm an emotional eater too and it has really done horrible things to my body. I have recently made the decision that I will just stop emotional eating. I have found that cutting out fake sweeteners (Splenda/Equal, etc), sugar (not the fruit kind, but the refined kind) and bread (I will allow myself one slice or two on occasion, but most days, I don't even miss it) has really controlled my cravings. It is really hard and took some getting used to, but I"m seeing some big results. I have lost 16 lbs. in the last 5 weeks. I also work out 6 days a week and I move, move, move. If you know that you won't be able to work out as much outdoors, why not get a few good DVD's? I have heard good things about he ones from The Biggest Loser, but I haven't tried them myself because I go to a gym.

Sorry for that long "welcome!" I know how you feel and I hope you will find the best path for yourself.

Irene :)

I know how you feel, I used food for when I was happy, sad, mad, etc.

I bought the book "Conquer your food addiction" by Caryl Ehrlich and read it cover to cover and started recognizing my habits and let me tell you I rarely, if ever snack at night now, and I also have stopped eating when I'm sad or angry. Something from that book clicked for me.

She does have some diet plan stuff in there but I only cared about the behavioral aspect of the book. I won't lie- I did read it more than once and I pick it up if I feel like I might be started to use food for comfort- but I totally recommend it and I only paid a few dollars for it on Amazon :)

I kept reminding myself that after the food is gone- the problem is still there.