Why do we always turn to food........

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Why do we always turn to food........
10
Tue, 03-06-2007 - 9:44am

when we get hurt/angry/depressed??


My father and I got into an argument Saturday and I was so upset and angry with him and I still am. What I didn't realize is I was turning to food. It dawned on me this morning when I woke up with that overfull feeling still hurting my stomach and making me feel nauseous. I realized I never quit eating all day yesterday and then come to think of it I put away a good portion of food sat and sun too. WHY did I let him do this to me?? Isn't it bad enough he upset/angered me so badly without letting him get to me to the point I undo all the good I have done in the past 2 months?? Serously it just ain't right. WHY DID I DO IT?? Why didnt' I realize what I was doing and STOP myself??


Well today is a new day and by george I am going to put a stop to it. I still feel overfull here 2 hours after getting up and I haven't eaten a thing this morning. YUCK!!! I brought my lunch, and I am going to eat my lunch and NOT go to fast food and NOT snack on the pretzels sitting on my desk all day long. I REFUSE to do this anymore. SO my lunch may not be the healthiest thing I coudl have bought but it has to be better than the 1/4 lber I ate yesterday SO I end this downward spiral NOW!!! I have realized what I was doing adn I am taking charge today. No more, I have to stop now before I gain all those blessed inches I had lost back.


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Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-1999
Tue, 03-06-2007 - 12:05pm

Sending lots of hugs, Angela!

 

 

 


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Tue, 03-06-2007 - 2:50pm

I have so been there and I've never really come out.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Tue, 03-06-2007 - 2:58pm

OH MARY, that poem is so beautifully written but so very sad. I am so sorry you ever had to go through any of that. I have said it before and I will say it again, you are a VERY strong woman.

 

Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Tue, 03-06-2007 - 9:41pm

Angela,
It is so strange that you posted this today because I was thinking of posting a similar thing tonight - my question was 'Why do I think it 'punishes' someone else when I eat like a mad woman'? A couple things have happened lately that disappointed me/mad me sad/made me feel not cared about by someone who is important to me. And I realized that I was thinking 'I'll show him-I'll just eat crap'... and today, things went great and it has been such a better eating day...and I am 100% sure that how I ate had NO affect on anyone else but me...so why do I ever think that eating bad is good revenge?

I wasn't eating to comfort myself-at least I don't think so - I really felt like I was throwing a food tantrum...and it did nothing to resolve the situation...and it never has...

So good for us for realizing that we are only hurting/punishing ourselves when we overeat, and we SO DO NOT Deserve that - we are the kind of women who LOVE ourselves and take care of ourselves!

And once again, like Scarlett O'Hara said..tomorrow is another day!

SJ
225-169-135

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Wed, 03-07-2007 - 6:59am

Angela, i hear you loud and clear! I often ask the same thing. As I am learning to accept my healthier lifestyle changes into everyday life I have done pretty well. And feel great when things are going well. BUT there are some situations that have thrown me for a loop and are definite triggers for me and I am still struggling with how to handle them. TOM being a big one. I feel like I am set back a week every month. Grr. But also when anger/frusteration get involved, YIKES! It is like I have lost control. I have to "feed" my feelings. My body is just use to dealing with them that way. I need to find a new outlet. SO much easier said than done. I have said before and truely believe food has always been my "drug" of choice. I never realized how intense some of my cravings were when I was eating poorly. What was one more bad choice? But now that I am making an honest effort, the slip ups are much more noticeable. (and frustrating!)

but the first step is realizing the behavior right? We are strong women and have to take care of ourselves, If we won't, who will? Here's to us and finding better ways to handle situation we once believed we could solve/fix with food!

Betsy
251/232/150

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Wed, 03-07-2007 - 9:00am

I wish I knew the answer... I do the same thing. I get angry, and I just eat.


But right now I tell myself, that since I discovered the trigger, I can actually anticipate it before it actually happens (cuz once you start that mood, there's no stopping). I hope it's the same thing with you. Now that you realise that you binge once you get angry, then maybe you can prevent it next time. I'd say distraction is the best method.. yet to be tested though


{{{hugs}}} I know you worked hard for the last 2 months to drop all those inches, and I know that few days of bad eating shouldn't distroy all of your efforts. I KNOW that by next weigh in/ measurments you'll see more loses and never gains.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Wed, 03-07-2007 - 9:15am

Thank you everyone!! Unfortunatley, Mary, I have known this is a trigger and I still can't seem to stop myself. I do this without thinking and I just don't know what to do. The sad thing is years ago this would have triggered a trip to the gym but now with no energy for the gym, 3 kids, dh, work, school, I jsut don't have it in me to workout so to speak the way my anger would have triggered me to do so. The kicker of it all is it triggered my asthma/migraines to boot. I have had a headache for a week but yesterday full force migraine by 3 pm and i couldnt' go home cuz I don't have enough time built up to keep going home. SO I popped some pain meds and stayed here and closed my eyes at my desk and PRAYED no one would walk by and catch my eyes closed.....LMAO I got lucky there. Today I feel better and it is a new day. My body is still protesting the food I ate as I still feel too full even though I ate a lot last night I didnt' overeat. It will take a few days to get straight but I will get straight. Good news.....I cant' drink but a half a coke a day anymore. And the caffine doesnt' seem to be triggering the headaches. I think instead it is the GOD AWFUL tar smell invading our building (they are redoing our roof, hence the heat we have had to endure when it is hot out like today).


I do thank each and everyone of you for your understanding. I just had to vent that concept out and I knew you all would understand.


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Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Wed, 03-07-2007 - 8:45pm

Angela,
This has absolutely nothing to do with your topic-but I wanted to tell you how much I admire how warm and welcoming you are to everyone as they join the board - and in providing encouragement and support to everyone all the time.

You are a major contributor to what makes this board special and I wanted you to know that.

SJ




Edited 3/7/2007 8:46 pm ET by happysj56
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Thu, 03-08-2007 - 9:14am

Thank you SJ, I try to treat everyone the way I want to be treated. I have to admit there are sometimes posts I just don't know what to say to and I have to think before I answer though.


Thanks for making me feel better today too. I was in kinda a down mood and you just helped to lift my mood a bit.


I am home with DS who is sick again..this time bronchitis and a bacterial infection (they didnt' do a strep test but it could be so they are just treating him. Said he was miserable enough without sticking something down his throat).


Anyways, thanks again.


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Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2007
Fri, 03-09-2007 - 4:49pm
I'm soo sorry Angela. I haven't had a chance to write to you regarding this post. I can definately relate to you on this. My ex boyfriend's actions make me indulge in food for comfort. Even while I'm eating it, I'm thinking "You're only eating this because of HIM" but at the same time I can't stop. It really sucks. I think the only thing that keeps me from turning that route now is knowing that the consequences are far more severe if I do eat everything in the house, than it would be to just confront the problem itself. I've actually turned to working out as an alternative. You are such a strong woman to acknowledge the fault and confront it dead on. I really do admire your passion and drive. I hope you feel better. ps...I hope the kids feel better too!