Emotional eater need tips on how to cope.......

I have done a wonderful job losing weight i had my son almost 7 months ago (the last doc appt before i had him i weighed 278) then here it is 7 months later almost and i am down to 235.  So since i have had my son i have lost around 43 pounds.  (some due to breastfeeding yeah breastfeeding) and most recently lost the other pounds (came here at CC starting at 252 and now i weigh 235 at present time)  I have a problem with emotional eating.  How do you all deal with it?  Is there something you can do if you feel it's coming on?? I am stuck now at 235 and cant seem to budge again.  I think the emotional eating is my problem.  Any help would be appreciated. 

 

 

Clarice

Wow - losing 45 lbs already is amazing! Hats off to you, lady! What's your daily menu like right now?

I eat pretty much what i want really now but it's just portion control.  But there are times when my emotions get in the way and i binge or eat my emotions.  THanks.  I have been working hard.

 

 

Clarice

You could try to do emotional exercise instead?  I've recently been taking boxing classes, punching a bag is great exercise and a great way to vent frustration.  You could easily have a small bag at home that you could use instead of snacking.  (And as a bonus, you'll get beautiful arm muscles!)

emotional eating is the worst part of trying to lose weight. I lost my mom May 28th so I understand what it is like to eat for comfort. What the Dr suggested I do is either take a walk, ride my bike, drink water, type on the computer, clean the house, anything that will keep me busy. He states if you feel an "attack" coming on to do the activity of your choice for 30 minutes. in those 30 minutes you will have hopefull focused your energy elsewhere and won't want to eat excessively.

I also found watching my carbs helped me not want to eat when I am upset. It's no fun to eat brocoli when you're sad - know what I mean?

By all means, e-mail me if you need support

Yeah my mom comforted us all alot when we were younger when we were sad, glad, mad etc..... that was her answer for it all.  (eat this you will feel better) yeah it takes a long time to break bad habits eh?  Thanks for all your suggestions.  They should help me.  It's almost like drug addiction i assume?  I just use food as mydrug of choice.  Well talk to you all later.

 

 

Thanks again everyone!


Clarice

agentstarling, there are a few really great books you can get on emotional eating...I use them both.

Shrink Yourself is a psychological approach to weight loss. I thought this was really wonderful...he seemed to peg all my behaviors so much that reading it made me relax and become more sophisticated in my approach to food. In other words, this book sent my binge eating regularity out the window.

Then I read Jean Antonello. She thinks psychology has nothing to do w/emotional eating...as a matter of fact, she thinks emotional eating is a con. But, I like her theory equally. She believes that overeating is all about physiology...we overeat essentially because we underfeed ourselves. She's very commonsensical and calls her theory, the Anti-Diet.

Either one you pick up, you are bound to gain something. Both agree that there is NO benefit from reduced calorie dieting. You have to learn to eat when you are hungry and really get to know yourself!

Hope these help. I am a mother, too! Long term health is so important! Take care.