How do you keep from STRESS EATING

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-19-2005
How do you keep from STRESS EATING
4
Mon, 10-03-2005 - 11:35pm
How do you keep from stress eating when you can't really do something like take a shower or go for a walk i just can't stop it i'll eat like two peanuts and Im like thats ok but really its not i want to break myself from eatting in between meals thats just picking i feel like its ok to sit down and eat an apple but its hard to do when im stressed and the peanuts are lying on the counter. and no i can't throw them out I live with my mother and Father and law and that just don't work not have snack food i have my own cabinet for my food downstairs. I just can't stop eating little tidbits HELP
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 7:37am
I am bad about that too and boy is it hard to choose the apple over the peanuts (for me it is cashews). What i try to do it just say, in 5 minutes i will eat the peanuts and then i try to occupy my mind with something and usually after 5 minutes i have either forgot completely or come back to my senses and pick the apple. If that doesnt work, i go weigh or i look at clothes in my closet that i cant fit into anymore. But stress eating is hard...the best answer is to just learn how to deal with stress without thinking of food as a comfort...find a new comfort. For me that comfort is pilates, it is a great stress reliever for me maybe a hot bath, something, anything but food...whatever it takes to get the stress away but it is an ever present challenge and a very personal battle that you have to solve in your own mind...kind of take on a new mind set.
Stacy
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2005
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 4:59pm
I keep a picture handy of what I was before and look at it.. I also keep those fruited waters handy and some low fat chips for those times.. Which has been many lately

Image hosted by TinyPic.com







Daisypath Ticker
Lilypie Baby Ticker



Image hosted by TinyPic.comImage hosted by TinyPic.comImage hosted by TinyPic.com
Image hosted by TinyPic.comImage hosted by TinyPic.comImage hosted by TinyPic.com
The Stupid Quiz said I am "Pretty Smart!" How stupid are you? Click here to find out!

Image hosted by TinyPic.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2003
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 6:10am

I am not a stress eater, but I "graze" all day. I tried to stop that, but it didn't work. So I just accepted my "grazing" nature. I journaled every bite I took for a few weeks and realised I'm around 300-400 calories per day. So when I plan my meals, I usually cut the calories by 400. It works for me.

Of course I always keep healthy snacks around. But they are also snacks that I like. I hate apples and eating them will be more like a punishment. But I love yogurt and cheese.

Mary
247/220/165

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 11:34am

I know what you mean. I've been a stress eater my entire life, and now I'm trying to change something that I've been doing for 47 years. Sometimes it's nearly impossible! I'm out of work right now and "sitting" with my elderly father, so when I've got too much time on my hands I try to find something to do like mow my sister's lawn (which takes hours and burns all kinds of calories), or run the vacuum, or wash the dishes.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but the one thing that seems to help me is to be aware of my habit at all times. When I start to eat something, I'll ask myself: "am I eating because I'm hungry, or am I eating because I'm stressed or bored?". Sometimes I can stop myself if I ask the questions first. It's a constant battle, but worth the fight.

Good luck and keep us "posted".

Debbi the Hammer Chick