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

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.