Emotional Eating (EE)

Posted on November 19, 2014

I know I do it. I know when it's about to happen. I feel it as I'm starting to do it. And yes, I don't stop myself. Of course, it's very rare that I EE on healthy foods. So this EE is very much a problem.

To not get emotional doesn't make sense...as sometimes emotions just come up. But it's how I respond to them that needs to change.

What are your tried-and-true techniques for stopping your EE habits?

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Kat

11/22/2014 1:01PM

Found myself with lots of negative talk this morning running in the background of my mind...somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness. I felt it. It was icky and I questioned why I was upset. I found that as I dug deeper, I was upset about not being able to eat whatever I want. There are fresh Brazilian treats in my house for the party we're attending this afternoon and I was upset that I could not eat them, upset that I was on this freakin' diet. Happy to have noticed that. Happy that I stopped myself from eating my feelings and asking the important questions. I decided that I was choosing to not eat them at the moment. And I would live in that moment and be happy that I'm choosing health and feeling good. I reminded myself of the goal I want of vibrancy and health. And then told myself I could enjoy one of the treats at the party and that the waiting would make even better. :D

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Sonya Luv

11/20/2014 10:02AM

For the tracking, try myfitnesspal. You can enter in foods and it has a large database to select from. I don't expect it to be super exact when I am guessing on portions and stuff, but it sure is an eye opener when I make the effort to write things down.

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Kat

My fitbit comes today and I'll sync it up to MyFitnessPal. I already have an account. I'm wondering how I'll be able to track what I eat at work since there is no nutritional info except for ingredients. I'll have to learn how to eyeball? And no, not eating at work is not an option. :) There are plenty of healthy choices and I usually have salad and some protein anyways. Except for today. :D Oh and yesterday. Damn desserts. :D

Alicia W.

11/20/2014 7:48AM

I blame EE for my high weight. I KNOW what to eat, how MUCH to eat, and WHEN to eat. But when EE rears its ugly head, all of my common sense goes out the window!

One thing that used to work for me was a regular exercise routine. Similar to the suggested meal plan below, I never swayed from it, regardless of last-minute obstacles. It really helped me get rid of the excess emotions that build up over the day.

This past year, I have been hit with some health issues that don't allow me to exercise the way I want to. So EE has returned to my life in a major way. I need to find something to replace the feeling that hard exercise used to give me, and quick!

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Kat

Thanks for sharing Alicia! Had another emotional situation this morning and I can see the difference in what I'm eating today. Plus, sometimes cinnamon and sugar just sound like a good idea no matter if I'm emotional or not...let's keep it real. My goal for this challenge is to address my EE habits, drink more water and move more! You're right...the exercise does really help with the emotions!

Deborah

11/19/2014 10:16PM

Having a daily meal plan has proved to be my most effective weapon against emotional eating. When I already know what healthy foods I am supposed to eat in a given day, it's easier to stop before reaching for something off plan and ask myself why I am doing that. So I know what I'm going to eat, I know to stop and question my motives when I am about to break with plan, and then I apply some basic EE journaling techniques (even though I no longer keep a journal). This involves asking myself what I'm feeling and why, acknowledging that eating won't help to resolve the issue, and trying to figure out if there are any actions I can take that will resolve the emotions (discuss a problem with a family member, vent to a sympathetic friend, stop procrastinating and do a task that's making me feel guilty, etc). Lastly, because most of my EE urges are in the evening, if all else fails, I put myself to bed early.

Kat

Thank you Deborah for this! Having a plan, committing to it, journaling about my feelings ( I like your specific questions), figuring out what is making me feel guilty, and if possible, put myself to sleep early...I think I can do this.

I think the biggest issue may be the daily meal plan as there is free and yummy food at my work. But there are very healthy options...so no excuses really. Just don't know how to count the calories there as they do not give that kind of info.

I'm in a funk right now regarding my weight and my lovelife. So I'm sure there'll be more moments for me to try out these tips. I will keep post here on how it's working for me.

Thanks again!