Overeating due to stress Motivation please

Not too long ago I asked for a kick in the butt. I was fine for 2 days. In the past 18 days 1/2 have been over my CC calorie limit and 5 of those days have been extremely high calorie days (and sodium) and yesterday was my worst.

3,600 calories and 7,000 mg of sodium. I know what I ate to cause this. I know why i'm doing this. I am stressed. We are facing possibley losing our house rental and all of our things inside of it.

I have so many things I have saved through the years. I don't want to lose my things. There are so many paintings from my Mom (now deceased), small things like a cake cutter/server that means so much to me because it was my Moms, a vase that was given to me from my co workers when my Step Mom died (she was my best friend) and so much more like that.

How can I handle this stress and not kill myself overeating?

I am no expert at this, but facing a similar challenge.  Husband just lost his job and we may have to relocate.  Try selling a house in this market.  Kids are in last years of high school and it will break their hearts.  What I want to do is go to the store and buy a whole birthday cake and sit in the car and eat it (where no one can see me or even knows I bought it).  Instead, I am going to go to my local gym and use a "day pass" (most gyms let you use it for one day for free to see if you like it) and walk on the treadmill. 

I will let you know if it works for me and then maybe you will be able to think of something like that that will help you.

Good luck - I am sending you good thoughts and wishes!

getgamey,

Relocating is one thing. Being homeless is an entirely different thing. Were talking no home , not things but clothes packed into a beat up truck with 2 dogs.

We don't have any money which means no help to relocate. You would just be moving from one place to another. We would be living out of a truck! No family or friends to help us either.

Ya I fricken want cake right now!

EDIT: I'm sorry if I sound angry I am. Not at you but at my situation. Sounds like you would be able to relocate which is entirely different then living on the streets. Don't mean to come across so harsh but right now i'm in a really bad mood and can't seem to see light out of this dark tunnel.

Of course you have the grounds to be angry.. but like you said, you are angry at the situation-- so don't punish yourself. You should take this pent up anger, and channel it into something positive. Instead of sitting and eating, realize that you are causing self harm, and find the courage to put food away, or stop eating.

Don't take things week by week, or even day by day. Take baby steps and make hourly goals. In time, hours will become days, days will become weeks, and weeks will become months. 

I know you have courage to do so; because you have been so strong thus far. Look beyond the current stresses, and count your blessings. Be grateful you have two dogs, a beat up old truck, and health to give you another day. 

Of course it is easier said than done, so don't be to hard on yourself if you have a bad day. One bad situation is not the sum of your potential. 

It most certainly is a high stress situation, but like most things, it will pass, and you will find a solution. 

Now go for a walk, clear your head, and start fresh.

Good Luck!

maddy....

thanks so much. I like baby steps. You are right it could be worse we could have no vehicle to haul our clothes and dogs.

Makes me think of the less fortunate sitting in dirt with no home but a run down hut sleeping with 15 others in a single room and having to search a dry hot dessert for a piece of food and not being able to bathe in the water due to virus or bacteria and 1 C of rice is a treat.

Wow ya that pretty much puts things in prospective. I do have blessings to count. Thanks for helping me see that.

Kindal, I'm so sorry you have to go through such a trial!  While I've never been in that particular situation, I can totally empathize.   There have been many times where that exact situation seemed imminent, and I know the fear and the stress it causes.

I'm very much a stress/emotional eater.   The last time I fell off the weight loss wagon was due to overwhelming stress.   Looking back, I can safely say that my binging did not do a single thing to make me feel better...  It simply added to my problems.  On top of everything I was upset about, I felt sick, disappointed in myself and made it very difficult for me to get back on track.   I know what you're feeling right now must be very overwhelming.  Just try to remind yourself that food won't fix it, it'll only make it worse.  

Instead, just keep reaching out for help.   Remember that even if the worst happens, if you are motivated, you won't have to live on the streets.   There are temporary shelters, and many programs that will help you find affordable housing.   Just reach for the phone to find solutions instead of reaching for the food.  

I hope that helps.  *hug*  Good luck, and keep us updated.   I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

pixie,

Thanks so much hon. I know what you are saying is right. I have done well today. I'm right at 1700 calories for my day (where I should be) and my sodium is 2087 so that is low/good for me.

I am keeping it together tonight, fingers crossed to not eat. I have done so well today and dont want to mess it up now.

You are right, no amount of over eating will make the situation or me feel better.

The only thing to fear is fear itself right? If it happens then it happens and I will have to deal with it as it comes.

I just hope i'm not being punished for something in my life. I have tried my best to be kind to people and lead a good life. I am a giving person and would and have given the shirt off my back. I help people in need when I see it and have done so many times in my life. Im not perfect and have made some bad decisions in my life but never intentionally hurt anyone. I hate these thoughts that are in my head that maybe I was not 'good enough' or smart enough and maybe I really fricken messed up so bad that now my HP (God) or allowing a lesson to be learned. I hope that's not the case. I have done what I thought was my best.

Sorry this is such a downer. One thing I do know about me is I am a survivalist. There was much going on with me growing up and I made it through that. I will make it through this as well.

Maybe it's a test LOL HOpe I pass