What are you substituting for the comfort that food brings?

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

So those on 'the other side' where are you placing the emotions of overeating? Of how food served you in that way? What takes its place and how did you do that?

[kroklde 3]

Hi, my doctor recomended therapy for that issue. Hope it works

[Redmaxx 740]

I have replace emotional eating with emotional walking. Whenever I start getting stressed out and look for something to eat I stop and go for a walk. The length of the walk depends on the length of the urge to eat. I am almost 7 months post op RNY and so far it has worked.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

At first I did walking, it wasn't even emotional eating, just boredom. Its a non issue now.

Before I had surgery I removed all the high stress people and situation from life since since it has been

[Katriena 70]

Great topic; I hope lots of people answer!


RNY 14 April 2017
SW: 295 lb / 134 kg
GW: 187 lb / 85 kg (I'll see when I get there)

[Pazza 199]

Dealing with what triggers emotional eating - a good therapist can help. So can books on mindful eating - I like eating the moment and what I have read by Geneen Roth. It can be a hard process. But seriously for me identifying what/why about my emotional state and then thinking about what I can do to address that, that isn't eating.

Nature abhors a vacuum. Finding something to replace it is key. Meditation and exercise work well for me. I actually love to work out now. I find that it helps me cope with depression and anxiety. When I work out first thing in the morning, I generally make much better food choices throughout the day.

I also keep things on hand that are portion controlled and better choices. Because I know I am not perfect and this is a process. sugar free popsicles, individual servings of Peanut Butter, small packs of multigrain crackers, etc.

I'm excited to hear about others strategies! All the best!

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[B.Annie 290]

[traloren 1]

Dealing with what triggers emotional eating - a good therapist can help. So can books on mindful eating - I like eating the moment and what I have read by Geneen Roth. It can be a hard process. But seriously for me identifying what/why about my emotional state and then thinking about what I can do to address that, that isn't eating.

Nature abhors a vacuum. Finding something to replace it is key. Meditation and exercise work well for me. I actually love to work out now. I find that it helps me cope with depression and anxiety. When I work out first thing in the morning, I generally make much better food choices throughout the day.

I also keep things on hand that are portion controlled and better choices. Because I know I am not perfect and this is a process. sugar free popsicles, individual servings of Peanut Butter, small packs of multigrain crackers, etc.

I'm excited to hear about others strategies! All the best!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

[Pam_2-06-2017 375]

I find beneficial substitutes. I always journal my food so I don't exceed 1000 calls a day and 25 carbs but include some fun substitutes.

Caramel Premier Protein shake =. coffee creamer
Plain yogurt = Sour cream
Homemade Almond crackers = dipping chips
Avocado/tomato/lemon juice/sea salt = guacamole

The more creative I get the more fun it becomes to replace my bad favorites with good.

If my hunger is in my head then no substitute will replace the real thing. After having a healthy alternative and I still am not satisfied then I know it is in my head and I use distraction. I do stained glass and always have a project in the works or I'll go for a walk. I think it is important to face that head on, challenge it and win. Nutritional hunger should be satisfied after having a good snack. At first this is stinkin hard to do. It gets easier as new, good habits are formed.

Good luck!

[blizair09 3,250]

On 5/16/2017 at 3:25 PM, OutsideMatchInside said:

At first I did walking, it wasn't even emotional eating, just boredom. Its a non issue now.

Before I had surgery I removed all the high stress people and situation from life since since it has been

Love this! Christopher Cross' son Justin and I were roommates in college.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Yacht Rock forever!

[CocoNina 210]

I'm having the surgery next week, but my psychologist said most of his successful patients went one of these ways.
Focused on studying and/or learning new things
Focused on work
Focused on exercise
Focused on socializing better (friends and family)
Focused on finding new hobbies
Hope it helps.
Bye ^^

I agree. I was focusing on studies, work, walking, & socializing better (like without food & alcohol).


Height: 5'0"
Weight for WLS consultation: 216 lbs.
Surgery date: 2/13/17
Goal: -71 lbs for healthy BMI (about 145 lbs).
Current weight: 160 lbs
My profile picture is not me. It's my "FITspiration" body.

[lylasmom 6]

On 5/16/2017 at 0:38 PM, Redmaxx said:

I have replace emotional eating with emotional walking. Whenever I start getting stressed out and look for something to eat I stop and go for a walk. The length of the walk depends on the length of the urge to eat. I am almost 7 months post op RNY and so far it has worked.

This is what I hope I can train myself to do!

[Carol Blackburn 35]

Me to,I am dreading that part also

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[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Thanks for all the replies.