I'm trying to beat this emotional eating thing and it's really getting me down. I have bipolar depression and anxiety and my 4 year old is driving me batty! The first thing I want to do when I get frustrated is eat. A lot. I feel like I just can't stop. And I know I need to get this handled before surgery. I'm terrified I'm going to ruin my sleeve experience cuz I can't figure out how to deal with my obsessive emotional eating. Any words of wisdom? I think I will ask my psych dr to start therapy this month. Any tricks to distract yourself when you feel out of control?

You could always crush up some ice and eat that. You need to get your water in anyway. That way you get your mouth involved without adding calories.

Exercise! If you feel like you want to grab the nearest snack item (insert bad food here....), find a way to burn off those emotions and calories at the same time!

With a 4 year old, maybe you could go for a walk, play "tag", turn on the stereo and dance in the living room (with 4 yr old joining you?), go to the park and play with other kids (frisbee, jump rope, etc.)?

If you find yourself gravitating to the kitchen cupboard looking for something to put in your mouth, turn towards the closet, get your shoes and coat and leave the house! Get the little one out on their bike and go behind them while they learn how to lose their training wheels.

Just a few ideas.......

Of course, your plan to talk to a professional is the best idea and it seems you've got a plan for that already. These are additional thoughts!

How is your mood swings being handled? i totally agree with getting out of the house and exercise with your little one. Don't keep any junk food in the house either. Your little one doesn't need it. Work on eating 3 meals a day with perhaps a small snack or two between meals. Have this become habit......

Thank you everyone! I agree maybe I just need to get moving and be more active, which'll help later anyhow. Maybe my mood swings could be better managed too, who knows? I want to have this under control by July (possible surgery month) so I won't totally freak post op when my food crutch is gone.

Thank you everyone! I agree maybe I just need to get moving and be more active, which'll help later anyhow. Maybe my mood swings could be better managed too, who knows? I want to have this under control by July (possible surgery month) so I won't totally freak post op when my food crutch is gone.

I think your idea of starting therapy is a good one and you should do it....good luck.

What about keeping low calorie foods you can eat around? I know the best thing to do is get over the emotional eating, but that may take more time than you have. While you're working on it, try sugar-free jello. I don't cook - at all - but I can fix jello and sipping on it makes me think I'm doing something. Maybe you can keep some on hand.