I recently moved to Washington state and it's starting to become cloudy and rainy all the time. Today was the first time I binged in a REALLY long time. I believe it's due to craving comfort food whenever it's dark and rainy outside (if that makes any sense). I'm screwed if I keep this up because it's going to be cloudy and rainy from now until May of next year roughly (or so I'm told by the locals here).

Even though I fought really hard not to give into temptation, I went to the store and bought red wine, Ben & Jerry's cookie dough ice cream, and I picked up some fast food on the way back to my apartment. I rented a few DVDs and I felt like a queen...eating my comfort food and watching DVDs in my warm and cozy apartment while it was cold and rainy outside.

For those of you who live out in the North Pacific part of the country, how do you keep yourself from reaching for those comfort foods duirng the 9 months of cloudy/rainy weather?

I feel guilty about binging today, but I remind myself that it's been a long time since I've binged, so I try not to feel too guilty.

Maybe you have SAD? (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

I think I do, although I've never been diagnosed because I've lived in part of the country like Washington state and felt awful (depression, needing comfort, etc.) during the winter months.

I've heard that people can do light therapy, take vitamin D supplements, but I didn't do any of that -- I moved!!!!

Good, I hope others know how to manage this and can give you better advice!

Hi Freebird -

Yes, I live in WA too and yes the winters can be brutal. I am more an outside exerciser as well, which means I have to suck it up even when it rains. The winters are cold and damp and this one is supposed to be a rough one.

I have had to really reprogram my eating in front of movies because yes, that is a delightful evening - I totally hear you. And it rained hard yesterday.

Maybe next time try renting just the movies and not buying the food? I think it kind of depends where you are in your weight loss too - right now I am pushing myself hard to stay on track. Last night I cleaned house for a long time to keep from settling in and eating.

Lastly, if you are a gym person, go to the gym, but if you are outdoor person, you learn to drop everything if you can at the first sign of a dry stint. Activity for me often keeps my choices healthier.

Some winters I do better than others; hang in there. And at least it was the first binge in awhile so today is a new day!

Aw.... bummer! I just wrote you a really nice response and 3FC ate it.

Oh well, I'll give you the Readers Digest version this time.

As a native Washingtonian I feel you on this one! If I'm not careful, I can easily gain weight in the fall/winter too. My advice: re-define comfort food. I've been making soup, homemade applesauce, eating lots of squash, etc. Find something that you like, that is low-cal and nutritious to fill up on. I've also had to work on understanding the fact that I don't need food as a comfort. Now, the DVD, couch and cozy apartment are a different story . Be comforted by that and drink a cup of tea.

Other than that, getting my workouts in really helps my mood. Especially when it starts to get dark at 4:30 in the afternoon. I feel so much better after a hard session in the gym- physically and mentally- and it reminds me that I'm still in it. I'm still working toward a healthier me. And sitting on my couch eating chocolate isn't going to get me there any faster .

Welcome to the Evergreen State!

Oh yes, I completely understand. Today was rainy and dreary here and all I wanted to do was make some pasta, sausage cheese dip and grab some McD's! But instead I ate a bowl of soup, had some popcorn, drank coffee and grilled up a nice chicken breast. It's hard to break an association when it comes to food and XXXX, in your case, weather, but it WILL happen once you replace old habits with new one's.

Have you tried those Weight Watcher icecream bars? OMG! So delicious! And before run to the grocery store for a craving, eat something healthy you have in the house. You'd be surprised how just getting rid of the hunger will get rid of the cravings.

Good luck.

Crappy day (with snow!) here today. I light candles in several rooms around the house to burn all day while I'm home. I think they make my place more warm and homey.

Today I kept busy by cleaning the house. Packed up my 3 bags of too-big clothes I plan on donating to charity next week. Went through a bunch of personal files, organized my home office, trashed papers and magazines I've already read or don't plan to. Best of all I made yummy spicy asian chicken lettuce wraps!

I used to live in Vancouver BC, and I found the winter D.R.E.A.R.Y!!!

I agree with pp - you have to redefine your comfort. I used to be a night snacker as well, loved to sit down to a movie with a bowl of something crunchy and a sucker or something like that... in the past 6 weeks I've retrained myself that my evening comfort thing is a cup of herbal tea. I actually look forward to it! The first few times, I kind of forced myself and felt deprived.. tonight DH was eating doritos next to me while we watched a movie and it didn't even bother me! I really think a lot of those rituals are just habits. Habits we need to replace with new ones.

GL!

That sounds very much like SAD. Go and research lightboxes, and find a company that does either a free trial or a hire/purchase system. Sometimes it takes a while to find one that is right for you (e.g. some people find that fluorescent ones give them migraine and go for LED models instead), and also it may not actually work for you. Speak to your doctor about this as well. Changing mood/behaviour this much when it gets darker is a sign that something is wrong. Antidepressants may also help, though I'd recommend trying light therapy first (and if need be, trying them together). After all, since the symptoms are caused by a serotonin imbalance caused by lack of light, added light is the most obvious way to treat the problem. Whatever you do, don't just change a few lightbulbs to "full spectrum" ones, as however they advertise themselves, they're of no therapeutic value whatsoever. You need a proper bright light box which can be used for treating SAD, from a reputable supplier. They are not cheap, I'm afraid.

(As for "those of you who live out in the North Pacific part of the country", this sort of thing does occur outside America, you know!)

I don't doubt it. I hear Scotland has some real grey weather!

Freebird3, I hope you got out in the bit of cold sun we had yesterday. Today was another soggy one.

Thanks HikingChloe! Also, thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to make an appointment with a doctor to see if I need something more than over the counter Viatmin D suppliments that I'm currently taking. Yes, today is another cloudy day and I am truly in a major funk that I just can't seem to shake off. It doesn't help that I haven't developed any real friendships since moving out here. All my family and friends are back on the east coast, so I don't have a solid support system.

I moved to Washington state for an interal job transfer. I don't doubt that I am suffering from SAD. I already purchased a small mood lamp that I use 30 minutes a day. It seems to work a little bit, but I still don't feel like myself completely. It's weird...today in particular I feel something weird going on in my brain; specifically, a foggy/cloudy type feeling...similar to when you first wake up and you still have the sleepy/cloudy feeling for the first 3 to 5 minutes after getting out of bed.

Thanks again all!