Overcoming Emotional Eating

[Mindy3094]

I am an emotional eater and I am looking for some ideas.

Background: Several years ago, I weighed about 180 pounds, which was my highest weight ever with the exception of pregnancy weight. One day, something just clicked inside and I was in “the weight loss mode.� I went on to lose about 30 pounds. Then slowly, about 7 pounds creeped back on so I was up to 157. I was in the process of working this off when I became pregnant. I gained so much weight during the pregnancy. I tried to keep from gaining a ton but the weight just kept coming on. I had some major swelling and after I had my daughter, the weight just flew off and I got back down to 162 within a month or so. After that, it has been so extremely tough to budge from that spot and I have been at 162 for 2 years.

I NEED to get back into weight loss mode again. I have tons of clothes in my closet that I just can't fit into but I have kept them thinking that I'll fit into them soon. I keep trying and trying to eat better and exercise regularly and I keep failing. I know how to do it, but I can't seem to get into the mode that I did several years ago. The good thing is that I know why I am failing but the bad thing is it's because I am an emotional eater and I don't know how to overcome that. My mind works against me in that I rationalize that if I've had a hard day, well I can have an extra snack. If DD is giving me a hard time, I get to have a cookie because I've had it rough and I deserve one. Food is like a consolation prize, like a substitute fix-it for stress that should make me feel better. I know this sounds ridiculous and I intellectually know how ridiculous it is, but yet I still do it.

So I am looking for some tips, suggestions, ideas, anything to stop the emotional eating. How do I re-program my brain to realize that food does not make me feel better or help de-stress my life? Any help?

[ellidew]

Ugh, I wish I had an answer to this. I had the same brain 'click' pre-pg and lost over 30 pounds. Then I got pg and gained 90 and lost all but 30 within a few weeks. That was 19 months ago! Just recently my brain reclicked and I'm losing again (only 10 so far and I'm still 12 from pre-pg weight).

Honestly, I think it takes a hard 2 weeks of serious effort to overcome your own brain. I find that once I get into the groove for 2 weeks my brain starts to say "No, Thank you" and mean it! To me eating problems are an addiction like drugs or alcohol and you have to constantly be aware of what you're doing. It's an everyday one step at a time problem. Put as much effort into it as you can and go from there. Also, I never thought weight watchers meetings would help but after a couple of weeks of those I really started to like them. It's nice to know so many other people think about food the same way and it's nice to be around people that are also struggling with the same problem and just making a daily effort like you. ww to me is like aa to an alcoholic ;)

I'm still waiting for a magic pill ;)

[Oakley]

My sister and I were just talking about this. I am a TOTAL emotional eater while she can lose 10lbs in a week from stress. We were discussing how food-centric we are in general. Most social events focus around food, most "fun times" focus around food. I think for me, to overcome emotional (or non- emotional as in BORED) eating, I need to become more activity-centric. Maybe that would help? My plan is to do something active whenever I think about eating in excess. Bored- walk my dog. Stressed- go to the gym. Maybe center some social activities around non-food situations (movies, shopping, etc) instead of meeting at a restaurant or bar.

[linekelei]

Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole is a great book to read for those who are trying to overcome emotional eating. I had a long history of eating disorders (bulimic/exercise bulimic, binge eating) and was able to successfully overcome it with the help of this book and attending counseling sessions with Evelyn herself. If you feel "trapped" by food or eating and/or want to enjoy a normal relationship with food instead of stressing about every little bite you eat, it's a great tool. My only caution is that it's not a diet-it's basically about returning to healthy, normal eating without dieting, so don't expect any quick weight loss fixes.

[Mindy3094]

I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you all. Hubby is out of town and I am doing double duty this week. It's nuts. Thanks for the replies. You all have really good insight and ideas.

Honestly, I think it takes a hard 2 weeks of serious effort to overcome your own brain.
I think you have really hit on something for me. I think this just may work, kind of like if I can get over the "hump," then I can make it for a few months and hopefully 20 pounds. It reminds me of withdrawal, seriously. You are so right when you compare AA to WW. :)

Most social events focus around food, most "fun times" focus around food.
Absolutely agree! That doesn't help at all with my overeating. Really, at social events, most food isn't that great for you and there is usually a plethora of it available so that is when self control must come into play (which I seriously lack). It is a constant struggle.

Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole
I am going to reserve this from the library. Thank you so much for the suggestion - I love to read so this will be great. Kudos to you for overcoming eating disorders. I honestly have always thought that would be the worst "addiction" to overcome because you have to eat. You don't have to smoke or take drugs, but you have to eat. Good for you! I cannot imagine how tough that would be.

Well, I am on Day 2 of good eating and so far, so good. I am kind of thinking this will be dieting boot camp for a while and am trying to go hard core (eating ~1200 calories/day). I am hoping next week when hubby is home I can walk more and get more exercise than this week.

Thanks for your suggestions. :)