Does anybody else eat when they are stressed out?

[freddy47]

So after getting in a huge argument with my dad on the phone. The first thing I went for wasn't the bottle of Scotch that I've been sipping out of for the past week or so, but to the fridge and the sandwich ingredients.

Seriously I find that every time I get really stressed out about something whether it be work, family, girls or whatever I find some food and just munch away.

I've just recently been able to lose about 10 pounds and so far been able to keep from gaining the weight back while slowly losing a little bit more everyday. I exercise as often as I can. I trained in martial arts a couple years ago and still practice drills by myself and have recently been training myself a little bit in the art of boxing. In fact I plan to sign on to a boxing gym soon once my life settles down.I also try to squeeze in at least 30 minutes of cardio a day.

But life as you know can be incredibly stressful at times and when I get really stressed out I tend to munch on whatever food is available. And usually its the unhealthy foods I prefer.

Does anybody know of any good ideas to combat stress eating? I realize this is purely a self control issue and that it is really up to me to discipline myself. So believe me when I say that I have often just told myself that it is as easy as putting the fork down. But honestly most of time I'm not even thinking about it. It's like a gut reaction. Ohh here comes some stress, time to eat something. It's almost like Pavlov's dog. Except instead of a bell or whistle its stressful situations. Like I get the urge to eat whenever I feel stressed out.

I hear this is pretty normal behavior for a lot of people. Just wondering if anybody here has problems with stress eating and how to better control oneself.

Thanks.

 

[malakaix]

I think everyone does to a degree with different variables.

I know with myself that when i get bored i have a tendency to eat food; and most of the time like you said your not even aware your doing it, its such an ingrained subconscious pattern to seek out what will take your attention away from 'this moment', and usually it will be something that makes you feel good. The only success i've had is been mindful of what it is im about to do, acknowledge the cause for me doing this and re-direct my motive towards a healthier outlet.. doing this enough will change your patterns so that when stress arise's instead of eating you'll automatically follow the other option you've trained yourself to do, it's rather amazing our minds ability to follow routine, i started making my bed everyday for a while and after a couple of months it simply became habitual to the point that i was doing it on a completely reactionary basis.

Ultimately the idea is not to run from the stress/boredom/whatever but to acknowledge the cause, sit with it and let it happen knowing that the only effect it has over you is that which you give it, but realizing that can be damm hard at times especially when it gets tied up with a powerful emotion like anger.

Boredom still rules me, and usually the only way for me to deal with it is listening to music or writing.

 

[euphoria]

I am definitely a stress eater.

Something you can try is to immediately get out of the house. Go for a walk. The endorphins you get from exercise help to elevate your mood and relieve stress. And you may find that when you come back in twenty minutes you don't feel like eating anymore.

 

[thujone]

All I keep in the fridge is the food I have for breakfasts and it's not delicious enough for me to crave it at any other time. I'll go shopping every coupla days for meal foods. You can't resort to stress eating if you truly ration everything you eat.

 

[woamotive]

I think for something like this, you really have to be conscious of the issue (sounds like part of your brain is and does want to change this behavior) and learn to be a 'thoughtful eater' --forcing yourself be this actively.

First, as stated: try to only buy foods that one would NOT classify as junk food/unhealthy options. That being said, do not deprive yourself of these foods completely. Allow yourself to have a snack once a day, whatever you want! Just make sure to have a proper serving. Eat it slowly and with water. Be mindful of your eating choices, think 'why do I want to eat [this], am I actually 'hungry', and note your chewing of each bite. If you do not allow yourself that which you crave, you will only (most likely) end up binging on it or something else unhealthy as a result.
Buy foods that are easy to snack on but are filling (not all 'health foods' per say, but SOME) such as nuts: almonds, walnuts, and even (raw, unsalted) peanuts, cashews... but in smaller amounts for the last 2. Also: yogurt, peanut butter (natural - but not necessarily), dried prunes (these are actually not too shabby ), beef , etc. Another good option is Nutella. This is dessert like/sweet enough to satisfy a sweets craving - again portion is key. Don't slop on a huge layer.

Stress is a huge trigger for people when it comes to impulse binging.Typically it's sweets or carbs that are reached for. If you MUST reach for something, the above are decent options. Eventually eating to deal with stress just won't be as rewarding (IME). *Obviously another response would be to try to deal with the stress, as it is that which causes the (over)eating. Try to get more exercise, better rest, do more enjoyable activities. Even see a therapist for some cognitive behavioral therapy. Try to replace eating with a healthy alternative: when stressed, do some jumping jacks (sounds silly, but you know what I'm saying), go outside and walk around the block - briskly. Pause and think about where your head is at, what's on your mind, notice your trigger/s, etc.

I hope this wasn't just a long post w/o anything to contribute (hope it helps even a tiiiiny bit).

 

[Perpetual Indulgence]

I am a recovered binge eater and yup I tend to emotionally over eat.
My husband and I are separated and for the past 4 weeks there has been no junk food in the house.
I also smoke weed nightly so the munchies have been high fiber cereal and pb&j.
Last night I almost resorted to condiments lol.
I feel good.

 

[freddy47]

Thanks for the advice people. I will try to use it whenever I remember to

 

[Miss_vanilla]

I tend to binge when I'm bored, not stressed so much but if I'm at home with nothing to do (it's been raining pretty much non stop where I live for the past week and playing havoc with my willpower).

I find exercising really helps - something about all that hard work and I don't want to ruin it by eating junk! Also, at night I'll have a coffee or tea which finishes things off the day nicely and brushing your teeth always works too.

I agree you need to pinpoint triggers and keep healthy stuff around like nuts. For instance, I can't be trusted with lollies or Jatz biscuits, if they're around I just eat the whole lot!