After nearly a year, I conquered eating out of boredom and sadness/loneliness (when my other is away). Recently though, I have picked up a new problem- eating out of anger. WTF? I finally singled in the problem this morning, when after stewing in rage, I said I don't care about my body-or-anyone-or-anything and ate a mini lasagna and two hot pockets. I was pissed and was therefor angry at the food. I ate it like you would punch someone, and when I was done I felt an unusual smug satisfaction... like "HAH! You are done for! I told you so!" I felt like that for about an hour when I finally emotional sobered up. Anyone else have this problem? I don't know how to break through to myself when I am angry, self-destructive, and just don't care. Now I feel silly, why was I so unreasonable. Perhaps I should trade in punching my fork through food to punching a bag... or screaming in a pillow. Ugh. I am fighting bitterness and my near-uncontrollable anger problems. I feel like some of the evil children that come into my work, throwing tantrums, unwilling to try- but at the same time.. I do try, and I am confused at the haze that surrounds me when I am upset like I was earlier.

Hey Reddalice!

What an interesting insight! I must say, I've never experienced that. Usually when I'm angry food is the last thing on my mind.

I guess you literally "stuff" your anger...

The time to change that is when it's happening--if you can just find the smallest opening while you're in a rage to look at what you're doing. And there must have been a few of those tiny openings, because you had to get the hotpockets etc. out of the freezer and microwave them...

Anger really is a chemical sort of thing. Possibly you could substitute exercise or activity when you are angry--taking a long walk, for example, or doing an exercise video. Something to work it out of your body. Be safe, though!

Hang in there!
Jay

I'm an emotional eater as well... I used to be really bad about it! Now that I understand that is a problem of mine I try to avoid doing it at all costs! It's a hard habit to break I admit I still fall into the dirty trap every once in a while. So far finding alternate productive activities has helped. Cleaning or organizing the house actually works really well for me cause I get the feeling of control back so maybe give that a try. Good job recognizing the issue though that's a big step!

you are not alone...i am EXACTLY like you. oh my god! you mse me feel better...in a way its good to know im not the only one. likke bikini ready said, its awesome you realized what you're doin...took me years. anyway, what i try to do is:
1.) completely remove myself from the situation
2.) take a drive with your fav. cd
3.) walk the dog
4.) any...ANY type of physical activity...running, jumping jacks, kick boxing.
5.) break some ****...kinda destructive....but when you're in that place where your rage is taking over and you don't quite have the strength to over come the emotion then go with it. it is better to detroy an object then over eat and destroy your body and emotions.
6.) talk it out with someone but make sure the person you're taking to really cares and is listening or you'll just get madder.
7.) go somewhere or look and something beautiful or interesting...you'll be tripping out on how insane or amazing whatever your observing is you'll forgot why you were mad... my place is the beach or simply my front yard on a nice day.

the main thing you should never do is DWELL IN THE ANGER. that's a big problem for me. while im pissy and acting out i actually say to myself "stop, this is foolish" but i'll have that second hot pocket or that 3rd cupcake and once i neutralize the anger i felt just melts into guilt and frustration....a vicious cycle that is hard to over come without determination.

don't let it get the best of you. you control you. your food is not that bad guy....especially not lasagna and hot pockets (come one...they're freakin delicious).

hope this helps...know you're not alone.

CaLisa

I'm an emotional eater, too. Anger triggers me sometimes... but it's more like I reward myself later for dealing with something, or use it to soothe myself after feeling angry. Ugh. This is something I have very recently realized for myself, and it's good to read that there are others here dealing with the same thing.

This is a big issue for me as well. Pretty much any emotion that leaves me feeling negative or unsettled sends me to the kitchen. Anger, frustration, resentment, all of 'em. But I'm really trying to get a grip on that. I have had that moment of clarity standing in front of the fridge thinking "what am I doing here? Eating is not going to undo this anger." I think your awareness will help you through it. Calisa86- your tips are great. I need to use those myself.

I'm a total emotional eater. Then again, I'm the type of person who will make ANY excuse to eat:
I lost weight. I'm going out to eat to celebrate.
I gained weight. Screw this. I'm pigging out today.
I'm pissed off. Food will make me feel better.
I'm depressed, let me eat my little heart out.
VICTORY! LET'S CELEBRATE! Time to eat CRAP!
I'm BORED. Food will entertain me!
I have a craving. I think I'm going to go to ____insert crap fast food place here___. Those shaker thingies look good...
I SAW THIS 13247709374 CALORIE THINGY ON TV AND MUST HAVE IT!
I just talked to my friend who made herself some nachos. It made me want nachos, too. I had to go out and get them.
...and then I wonder how I got fat in the first place?

I just try to occupy myself some other way or eat something healthy. I really would LOVE to buy a punching bag, but I'm not sure where to put it. I have no room... it makes me sad, because I have so much hidden rage that I'd LOVE to beat out. hah.

I know exactly what you mean.

I am pretty much just like you. I don't know what to say, b/c I'm trying to stop as well. I'm a binger; having beaten bulimia after 12 years (no purge since 2002) so now I'm just trying to stop the binging. Most of the time my emotions start me up, rather than the old "I can't help it" thing, although I get that as well.

*hugs*

I am having this issue right this second. I actually logged onto 3FC so I wouldn't go in the fridge!

So, get on here and tell someone about being angry.

Then exercise. Exercise releases endorphins, the "feel good" hormone. That might help.

Have a plan BEFORE you get angry so you don't fall into the eating cycle again. Don't allow yourself to go to the fridge or cabinet, because once you open them up, it's done for!

I clean when I'm stressed, but when I'm angry I don't want to. But if you were ever at my house when something was stressing me out, you'd see your reflection in everything!

Good luck finding something that works for you. There is certainly no reasoning with me when I'm upset, so I have to have a premade plan of attack.

Kara

i've never eaten when angry, but i'm definitely an emotional/binge eater when i'm sad, bored, lonely, or when i've accomplished something (weight loss, good test grades, whatever) i use food for comfort and rewards. it's so hard sometimes to control yourself, but we definitely have the willpower to.. and the willpower to stop yourself from binging feels better than the short and bittersweet feeling of munching on 4 slices of cheesy pizza! what i try to do is keep my hands busy, by going for a walk while listening to some music, rip up old magazines i don't read anymore, go to my room and turn up my music and sing my heart out, or clean my room while blasting music. try that, it'll help the next time! a punching bag would be awesome..hmm, maybe that'll be my next reward?

Okay, while this sounds really silly when i read this out loud or say it to someone- I have taken up... ANGRY KNITTING to music. The repetitive motion is like meditation and the music, normally industrial remixes, blocks out everything else- including my own sabotaging thoughts. At a week now, it seems to be working. My first instinct, of course, is to eat... but as soon as I feel it coming on I am redirecting myself. I'm getting a hold of myself before I get out of control. LoL. Maybe anger management wouldn't be a bad idea after all, eh?