|
Grief Eating...
1 Attachment(s)
:( **Warning!! This is a Long One** :( My diet had started out great, 2010 look like it was going to be a wonderful year. The end of April came and things started to fall apart. I live in Seattle and my family lives 4 hours away in Spokane. Since I have a fairly large dog we drive over. I spent more time in Spokane in the last month and a half than I did at my Job and Apartment in Seattle. Here's how my Month went: May 1st my grandfather was admitted to the hospital and had to have a Quadruple bypass. His surgery went very well and he was released on the 18th of May. Trip #1 to Spokane May 5th - May 11th. Trip #2 was planned May 21st - 24th. - Planned because my grandfather and I have the same birthday (May 26th) and we enjoy celebrating it together. My Grandmother was admitted to the hospital on the 23rd, she too had to have a bypass. Her surgery went good, but upon removal of the balloon apparatus that was used assist her weak heart, there was some internal bleeding. Before they could even repair the artery, she went into cardiac arrest. After an hour of CPR she was pronounced dead on the operating table on Sunday May 30th. Trip #3 May 31st - June 6th. Memorial on June 5th and Internment June 6th before my 4 hour drive home. I know I should feel grateful that I had the opportunity to know my grandmother, but I am very close to my grandparents and have been taking her loss extremely hard. I spoke with her just days before her death telling her "You're gonna get better!" and hearing her say "Yes, I'm gonna get better!" I wasn't there when she died, I know I couldn't have helped but I wasn't there for my mother and my grandfather. With all the stress, illness and loss that I've been dealing with I've been doing more than my fair share of grief eating. I eat when I'm not hungry; I eat when I am and when I got home from this last emotionally and physically exhausting trip I stepped on the scale... I was upset by what I saw, but not shocked, 220. Determined to get back in my routine I went to the gym yesterday on my lunch break. I found myself staring into space and weeping quietly. I did not push myself nearly as hard as usual and only did a brief 20 minute cardio work out and followed that by downing a "hunger grab" bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and a PB Twix. In Spokane I ate even worse. I downed a 1/2 Gallon of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream in two days! I was the only one eating it!! I have not been sleeping well. Though I sleep through the night I still wake up exhausted!! I need suggestions on how to deal with my grief in a POSITIVE way!! Your comments and suggestions are much appreciated. Thank you for making it to the end as well! P.S. The pic is of my Grandma and Me.. when I was little of course! |
I am a Seattleite myself so I know the travel to Spokane as I have some family there too. Hang in there. I think the best advice I could offer right now is a word of congratulations actually. Good for you for coming on the boards and being so open and honest. That is a huge step. This is simply a side street away from your main road. Sounds like you are getting back on the right road...but have a truly wonderful question of how to deal with the grief eating. I honestly don't know and I will be looking to see what other posters say. As, I know I do my fair share of eating out of stress and such. Hang in there fellow Washingtonian! Our weekend weather is supposed to be good...maybe that will help you too. ;) Big hug.
|
I'm very sorry for your loss, my condolences. Sweet picture!! I was very close to my Grandma & the pain still cuts deeply. Eating into the grief will not reverse her death...it will only bring you closer to it yourself. Your Grandma wants you to be healthy & in her memory you should keep reminding yourself of this. Allow her be a contributing factor to your fuel. Work out "with her" in your mind, spiritually, get in "touch with her" & listen to her "coach" you. She IS rooting for you!! You've come so far & you're doing great!!
|
My heart goes out to you for the loss of your grandmother. You have not even had time to absorb the loss. Plus you are dealing with the stress of your grandfather's rehabilitation and sadness over the loss of his wife. Quite a lot of emotional stress in a short amount of time.
When I lost a very dear aunt in January, I told myself that I was going to give myself some time to absorb her loss. I concentrated on not gaining during the next couple of months. When I felt ready, I started on my plan again. Weight loss success is closely tied to our emotions, therefore, I would give yourself some time to eat healthfully and exercise for stress relief, without expecting to see losses right away. Just hang in there so that you don't forget your new good habits and I think eventually, you will begin to push yourself again. Good luck! |
I am sorry to hear about your grandmother.:( I struggled with grief weight too. I gained 40 pounds after my mother died.
This is what helped me: Be *extra* gentle and kind to yourself right now. If you can reduce your stress by reducing workload, etc. do it. I agree with MissKelly. Think about what your grandma would want you to do for yourself. She would want you to be healthy and happy. For me it was sugar, and I was really attempting to elevate my mood quite literally. Try to find other ways: quiet walks, special times with friends. Eventually I was on antidepressants for awhile. The usual amount of sleep may not be enough right now. Grief is exhausting. Be patient with yourself...it will take quite awhile to feel your old self again. |
I'm so sorry about your loss. It's a tough thing, to lose a family member. I've lost 3 close family members in 7 weeks this year: Dad, Uncle, Grandmother. I feel your pain.
What I would ask you is what feelings are you eating? Are you not crying every time you feel like it? You should. Do you have someone who will just listen to you talk about what the loss means to you? If not, find someone. Don't avoid the feelings by eating. You're only postponing the inevitable. Good luck and I hope you find peace and joy in the memory of your grandmother soon. Edited to add: I totally agree with Miss Kelly...your grandmother would want you to live the longest, healthiest life you can. She IS still with you, you know! :hug: |
Thank you to all of you for your kind word!! Monday was really tough for me but it gradually got better as the week went on. I was able to discuss my grandmother's passing today without crying my eyes out! I know I need to give myself time to grieve and I do know she is still with me! Thank you once again to all of you!
|
:hug:This is really hard. I'm so sorry for your loss, and for the pain you are in. May 3rd my beloved Father in law died after a long battle with cancer. We were with him, and that blew my mind, watching him die. I thought alot about whether I would go off the rails, 6 years ago my mother in law died unexpectedly and my brother and his wife committed suicide in a joint pact, all within 6 weeks of each other. At that time I had reached my lowest adult weight ever. I spent the next six years grieving, and putting all the 110 lbs I had lost back on.
This time I wanted it to be different. Something in me said that I have to do it this time. No excuses, not even grief are going to take me off the path I am on. My own grandmother was lucky enough to see me slim, but she would have ached to see me put the weight back on like I did. Your Grandmother will be cheering you on, so go for it. You have to be strong, you owe it to those you love to conquer this. Wishing you very much love and strength at such a painful time. Sam x |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:20 AM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.