Having a hard time with emotional eating..been stressed lately trying not to reward myself w food just quit smoking.. I am seeing a therapist so many issues so little time...

I feel like because I don't have alot of money when I want to treat myself food comes into play IM really trying not to act on this

How do others deal with emotional eating?

Thanks

I think a lot of us have this problem and we may all may handle it a little different. At first I tried to find other activities to occupy my time, like exercise, my iPad, shopping, etc. Now I also do that but also try to add healthy snacking. I still struggle with emotional eating, both bordom and stress for me! I am worse at work so I try to get up and walk away from my desk and go visit people or take a short walk.

It's not easy, especially when you've been trained through your life that food equals reward. I was the same way, by the way. Whenever I felt I accomplished something I felt food was the way to reward myself.

I too am an ex-smoker. I quit in June 2011 and it wasn't easy. One thing I found that was a great non-food reward is nice smelling body sprays, lotions, and body washes. Let's face it, when you smoke you stink like cigarettes. So when you quit it's really wonderful to be able to smell "pretty " again. Plus, when you smell the pretty scents, it gives you incentive not to start smoking again.

It doesn't have to expensive, either. You can find wonderful scents and products at your local pharmacy or even Walmart.

Just an idea. I hope you find something that works for you.

Best wishes and don't give up or give in, you're doing a great thing for yourself!

If only we could band our head. That would solve all the head hunger issues.... but no such luck.

For me, I stay busy. If I think I'm hungry I find something to do or I drink a glass of Water. I too am an ex-smoker and when I quit I had to find things to do with my hands. I would knit or crochet anything to keep my hands occupied.

As for emotional eating, it's tough and still gets the best of me sometimes. Yesterday we had 50mph winds blow through central Texas, they blew half the roof off my house and blew over our portable chicken coop. My husband and I had to gather up all the metal roofing from our front pasture last night, wasn't fun. To top it off one of my dogs was MIA. I was stress and very upset to say the least and all I wanted to do was eat everything I could find. I logged everything I ate and found that I eat almost 1800 calories (1200 is normal) and that extra 600 calories was junk.

That was yesterday and it's behind me now. All I can do is move forward and hope that I can manage better next crisis (cause I know there will be one).

Do the best that you can and learn from your mistakes, this is a journey for life.

PS my dog came home after everything settled down.

Emotional eating is such a challenge! I had a mammogram this morning followed by ultrasounds based on the results of the mammogram - except the radiographer wasn't allowed to tell me any results, just that the reviewing doc thought I should have ultrasounds straight away! Way to send my emotions off track!

I'm supposed to be working this afternoon but if I go into the office I won't concentrate and I will be seriously tempted by the choccy box. So I've stayed home where my husband did the shopping yesterday and just eating fresh fruits.

(Results tomorrow. Fingers crossed.)

Emotional eating is such a challenge! I had a mammogram this morning followed by ultrasounds based on the results of the mammogram - except the radiographer wasn't allowed to tell me any results, just that the reviewing doc thought I should have ultrasounds straight away! Way to send my emotions off track!

I'm supposed to be working this afternoon but if I go into the office I won't concentrate and I will be seriously tempted by the choccy box. So I've stayed home where my husband did the shopping yesterday and just eating fresh fruits.

(Results tomorrow. Fingers crossed.)

Fingers cross & prayers for you.