Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Stress eatting or smoking



Recommended Posts

I'm a stress eater and a stress/ social smoker.

I feel really terrible today I keep grabbing things to put in my mouth! Thankfully we have no junk so I'm eating apples and squash but I just know a tub of ice cream would have been history today!

Anyone else wanna share their stress habits? I know I'm not alone!

We should have a stress eaters AA thread or something that way we can beat the keyboard and not our cupboards~

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wouldnt call myself an emotional eater but a stress eater, yep, for sure. But it must be sugar. One of my worst habits was the morning run around, getting kids off to school, fighting about signing notices, picking up their dirty clothes, makign their beds, eating their darn Breakfast, getting into the freaking car NOW, all whilst keeping a 2 year old happy, and running late to boot. I used to get home and inhale a packet of biscuits and a few coffees. I'd feel that sugar hit my bloodstream and it was like a drug, I'd feel caaaaaaaaaalm and restored somewhat, ready to get on with the day.

Either that or I'd head straight to the shops for a huge latte and a big big muffin.

My head still leads me in that direction, but I've broken what I'm sure was a true addiction and I can easily say no to it these days. I just have the coffee instead.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Now caffeine addiction is one I have no intention of fighting, lol! It doesnt make you fat so I dont care.

I'm not sure whether you actually live longer without coffee anyway or whether it just feels that way.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

coffee and a ciggie. Oh yeah baby. The ciggies got to go, but the coffee is sticking around. I have tried to sub the sugar with artificial sweetners but, yuck. So I have discovered iced lattes. I can make them in my Magic Bullet. 8 ounces coffee, 8 ounces 1% milk, ice, 4 Splendas, and a squirt of chocolate Syrup. I put the pitcher in the fridge and whip some up throughout the day and it does me great! Less sugar, less fat, I don't have to use the high calorie/high carb flavored Creamer. And I got a good little shot of caffiene, which I like.

BUT! there's nothing like a good ole hot cuppa coffee with sugar/creamer and a ciggie though. THAT is tough to give up!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do the coffe and a smoke w/ my mom every morning over the phone LOL

She has a bullet,says I need one

They are sounding more more cool to me!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bunny, my sister has an extra Magic Bullet still in the box with all the accessories. Want me to see if she'll sell it to you? I have no idea how much they are...I think about 60 bucks for just the basic? Not sure. You e-bay...right? Find a competitive price and make her an offer? I'll check and see if she wants to part with it. We have been sharing hers and it's working fine so we really don't need the extra...lemme know if you are interested.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i am a stress smoker, and drinker. No, not a major drinker. I think i drink maybe once a week now, and could live without it. But when I have a lot of stress, a bottle of wine and a hot bath is a great way to wind down. I am also a stress smoker to the max. I used to smoke a lot! But now I just have one a night usually after the kids are put down. It is my moment. My bit of calm. In my line of work, deadlines come fast and hard, and I sometimes find that I am up for 3 days straight. coffee and smokes are really what keep me going. I usually forget to eat during this time too. It is all about drinking the coffee (strong brazillian coffee black please) and have a smoke once and hour. All of a sudden I will look up and it will be 4 days later. LOL oops.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't smoke, and actually when I'm stressed or upset, and I can't eat, the thought of it just makes me sick. I want to eat when I am happy or bored, lol.

After a really bad day I might want a drink, I try not to drink too often, less than once a week if I'm being really good. Other than that, I mostly just play on my computer, work on a drawing, or play video games. One of the best stress relief games out there is burnout 3 for the PS2. It's a car game, which I don't normally like, but the point of the game is to CRASH CARS. The bigger the crash, the more points you get. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish I could say I was only a stress smoker, but I've been a pack a day smoker since I was 16 (now 39). My dr will only do surgery if you quit for 6 weeks. She said that she wasn't going to do anything and everything to get us healthy unless we were will do do it for ourselves. Don't have a surgery date yet, but my quit date is June 10, wish me luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not an emotional/stress eater, I'm a behavioral eater. IMO that's an easier habit to break, and I believe the emotional eaters have it much worse because they don't just have to reshape a behavior, they have to find new outlets. When I'm stressed I'll push food away before I'll eat it because my focus is 100% on the task or issue that's causing the stress, and eating becomes a distraction.

When I get stressed, honestly - I go shopping. I call it "Retail Therapy". It has nothing to do with how much or how little I buy, it's getting into a neutral setting, taking as much time as I want to wander around, doing something to distract my thoughts, and all of that time that I spend looking & trying on is great time for reflection - to really find out what the causes of my stress are, and why they are, so that I know what I need to do to get in a better state of mind. I will also spend time on an enjoyable hobby.

This last week was finals week in my master's program. It was the hardest class I've taken so far, required SO much reading, SO much work... and had a HUGE final project due... and on top of it being finals week I had to be out of state at a conference, at which I had to speak/present a project I've been working on in front of as many as 600 people that ranged from peers to our executive officers... I was selected to run a project to test a new "system" my work is looking to buy, and the results of my work would determine whether or not we invest over $5 million into this "system"... and my presentation would be the make/break point behind two years' worth of reorg/redesign work, so all of my work, my presentation, everything had to be PERFECT. No pressure... no pressure... no pressure... And on top of finals week and having to present at the conference, DH and I were in the middle of dealing with insurance hassles from a wreck that totalled my car and trying to find a replacement car ASAP while I'm 900 miles away and booked solid from about 7am until at least 11pm.

*stops for breath*

After I submitted everything for my class Sunday night I went straight to bed. Monday I left work early, around 11 (I'm exempt w/ fexible work arrangement, so I can pretty much come and go as I want) and went shopping and for a drive to nowhere. I got home early in the evening, got naked, and gave myself a pedicure. That nightnight I skipped my gym session & vegged out on the couch in front of the TV with my dog and actually played a video game on DH's xbox, which I NEVER do -- I had a really strong urge to do absolutely nothing, and that's exactly what I did. :second:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you find yourself in auto-pilot mode, knowing you had to have made 6 turns to be where you're at, but damned if you can remember making a single one of them? :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×