I hope I'm not alone in my problems with emotional eating.

So, what do you do to cope? In my current pursuit to stay away from Barb's sinfully delicious muffins, I'm trying to figure out healthy ways to cope without overeating. Of course, I'm short of time, and with the frassing cold, going for a long walk isn't an option. I know I can journal, but what should I journal about? Sometimes I pick up a good book, and I drink tea like it's goign out of style. I do go to a yoga/pilates class, and that's great. But I can't spend my life in the child pose!

How do you deal with your emotions now that coping through food (which doesn't really help, in the long run) is out?

I think you partly answered your question in the topic about books. If you get involved in a story, you don't even think about food. Exercise is always a good way to get away. Maybe a walk or start cleaning. I find that when DH makes me mad, I clean really well. I'm not really sure why??? but it may help keep your mind off food. I also find that Tae Bo helps with any frustrations I have. I start kicking and punching and imagine whatever it is that's either making me emotional or that darn donut I really want! Billy Blanks is a motivational speaker as well so during the videos he's constantly talking about your spirit and your will. I always make sure to listen to him at the end of the workouts because he gives really great speeches.

Hang in there Laurie....you can get past those muffins!!! Mind over matter!

Laurie - You poor thing! I know just how you feel. First - dump the muffins. Dump them in the trash and pour salt over them. Out of sight out of mind. I wish I would have done that with those stupid brownies a month ago. I had already cut the hearts out with a cookie cutter and I just should have dumped the crispy edges but I ate them. It started a downward spiral that caused me to gain 5 pounds and sugar binge. You know as well as I do that some of us cannot even eat the slightest sweet thing - splenda or not - because it triggers the sugar monster. That's me - I can't really enjoy anything sweet tasting except for an occasional diet pop. The combo of the muffins, weather and the stress you've been under lately is dragging you down.

Journal for the next few days both day and evening about what you're grateful for that happened that day - a gratitude journal. Do 5 or more in the am and 5 or more in the pm. It will refocus your energy.

Maybe go to the tanner? Even 5 minutes will help with the grey sky blahs! Those of us who live in the North feel exactly like you do. Blah. Rent funny movies and watch them. They can perk you up.

Hang in there. PM me if you need to. You're doing the right thing by reaching out and you know there is a tremendous amount of support here.

Last time I made the muffins, I ended up having to freeze them or I would eat them too fast. I've stopped making them since they are just too good. I'll make them the few times a year when we host a party but they are just not something I can keep around.

I was very bad with the girl scout cookies we had at work this week. I just can't keep some things around. Keeping busy usually helps unless I am so busy like I am right now that when I get a free minute all I want to do is snack. As long as the only snacks are healthy ones (especially veggies) then I am okay.

You are definitely not the only one with this problem.

I've been doing a lot of emotional eating this week, too! I know mine is because I'm bored and tired of winter. If I eat something with sugar in it, it triggers a binge that is out of control. I can't even concentrate to read a book, I must have that sugar! The absolute best thing I've found to do is not have any temptations in the house at all. DH has to suffer, but that's too bad, he can eat his junk at work. As far as Barb's muffins go, I can't make them any more, or I make them, keep 2, and give the rest away. It doesn't help to freeze them, I'll even eat them frozen! I sure hope that when warmer weather gets here my eating will be under control again. In the meantime I'm doing the best that I can and taking it one day at a time. It's enormously encouraging to me that some of you others are going through the same thing!

Laurie - I know exactly what you mean! I am an emotional eater! My mother was put in the hospital in Jan & my family & I were told that she would not make it. My father & I ate everything in sight - vending machine food, coffee, pizza, etc. I became friends with the nurse that would sit with my mother overnight. Carolynn recommend me to write instead of eating. I would write about my favorite memories about my mother, her personality, her favorite things, whatever, I just didn't want to let her go.
I would also write letters to god, pleading my case as to why I needed my mother here.
Thankfully my mother is still with us. She's still in the hospital in rehabilation & she has a long road to full recovery, but she's still her.
I guess my suggestion is to write about whatever is upsetting you or what excites you - whatever the case may be. Hope this helps!
By the way, my 2 cents worth....the Laurie I know on this forum is a tough lady full of advice & good ideas. You can conquer ANYTHING!!!

I too am an emotional eater, but I eat only when I am bored or sad, if I am stressed I don't eat at all, it is such a roller coaster ride. I really try not to have stuff in the house then I can't eat it. I also do not bake very much anymore and when I do I only make what I now the kids will eat at snack time, and make things that I don't like. It is the only way I can make it work for me.

Laurie, I'll bet almost all of us here are/were emotional eaters.
I certainly am, and I've only recently figured out what to do about it. I know some people suggest doing things that are non-food related, but that doesn't work for me, unfortunately.
I've discovered that if I really feel the need to assuage my depression/whatever with food, I can treat myself to something healthy. And I feel good!
I've always avoided buying more expensive, but healthy foods. I just couldn't get my head around the price. But now I "get it".
I'll buy precut fruit and a fruit dip. Or have pineapple chunks with some low-fat cream cheese. Or precut veggies with a good dip.
I hate cutting up veggies and fruit, so buying them precut is; although an added expense, like a gift for me. But I justify it in knowing that I'm not killing myself by eating a party bag of Doritos and a bag of bridge mixture. AND I'm getting my fruits and veggies in... something I'm normally not particularly happy about eating.

Thank you to all of your wonderful women and your great advice!!! I really appreciate it...and some of them I know I can try today! The muffins are in the freezer...but it only takes 1 min to microwave them, and then they are hot and even more delicious! Thankfully, there's only one left, and I haven't touched it in the last couple of days. It's funny how those obsessions wax and wane.

I love having Newman's Own natural popcorn...It's not airpopped, but it has next to no fat, so I figure it's okay. The thing is, it's definitely not a serving size, so I find myself noshing on the rest of the bag...this time (after several extra handfuls) I threw it away! That works well!

You are right...I need to start writing. I feel like Barb does...when things are really stressed and I get a free minute, all I want to do is eat. But I can write instead. I know I can!

chickies!!! You are such a great support to me and to each other. I really love this forum! :

I think I'm the last one to give advice, but if I can keep my hands and mind busy, that usually helps. So I try to keep busy by sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc. Let's just say I'm pretty crafty now!

Laurie, I have to say that I agree you are one tough lady and you have what it takes to stick with and keep on going. I cannot even tell you how many time just looking at your weight loss sticker has kept me from giving up on myself and thinking I am stuck this way there just is too much to lose and it is hopeless. Then I listen to the things you write and see your downward progress and I think "This can be done." But also I think we get in the mindset that when someone is being successful they are no longer struggling but your honesty allows us to encourage you and to also see how you handle those struggles. Kudos to you.

Soon2bfab, so happy to hear that your mom survived. I nearly lost my dad a few months ago and it was such a stark realization for me that I was not prepared to live without him in my life.

Bunna - Thank you. I am VERY grateful that I still have my mother & I can't wait until she's well enough to start nagging me again!

Big to Soon and Bunna...I can't imagine being without my mom and dad, but they are getting older every day and I do worry. I hope you have many more, healthy, happy years with your parents.

to those of you who have lost a parent.

Bunna, thanks for the supportive and encouraging words. It's good for me to hear from people that I think of as "rocks", like Barb, that they struggle too. It's not an easy fight, but it is DEFINITELY worth fighting!!! I was reading the Purpose Driven Life last night and he said something along the lines of, "You might not be where you want to be, but at least you are not where you were." That is SO true for me!!! And for YOU too!!! Yay for all of us!