Emotion v Eating

white rabbit · 11-12-2006, 05:55 PM

Hi folks,

Emotional eating is sabotaging my efforts to work with my band. It's got so bad that I made an urgent call to my Dr to get an unfil because I've inflamed the restricted part of my stomach. And in the two weeks of unfil I've put on 14lbs!!

Whilst the weight gain is getting me down, I'm more worried about the emotional eating. If I can't get a grip, the operation will have been for nothing - and I could do some serious damage to my body.

I've been keeping a journal and I'd say that 95% of my eating is driven by non-hunger. Seriously, it's that bad. Books on the subject suggest developing self-nuturing strategies to fill the void instead of using food. Thing is, I can't think of any that are appropriate or offer immediate relief. It's a little difficult to take a relaxing bath when you are at work, or mediate when family are demanding things.

Any ideas or strategies I could use to control or lessen my emotional eating drives?

**Kat817** · 11-12-2006, 05:58 PM

Also hard to do at work....but in the evening when I want to snack, I brush my teeth, to try to fend of the want to eat. Maybe some SF hard candy, pop in a piece when the desire to eat hits. If I can think of any helps I'll be back!
Good Luck
Kat

libra · 11-12-2006, 07:06 PM

Not sure if you can do this at work either, but I'm a huge music fanatic and my counselor suggested I carry an ipod with me and whenever I get stressed, I turn to my ipod instead of food. It's not foolproof and I have to be conscious of it, but it seems to help.

ItsGottaGo! · 11-12-2006, 07:37 PM

I have the same problem. But I am very concerned to know if the restricted part of your stomach became inflammed from trying to eat too much or from eating the wrong food? Thanks.

CCBSTX · 11-12-2006, 08:19 PM

I am sure it gets difficult for you. Try to keep the bad food away from you, if possible. Easy access is just that TOO easy. Maybe sugar free stuff or drinks will help keep your mouth busy, during these emotional times. Of course, taking a walk, mediated and bathing are options, but as you said isn't easy to do during work... I do this also, emotional eating, as I am hardly ever hungry. Once I have the food (usually junk) around me, it seems I can't stop...until my band stops me.

Take care. Shawn

white rabbit · 11-13-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsGottaGo!

I have the same problem. But I am very concerned to know if the restricted part of your stomach became inflammed from trying to eat too much or from eating the wrong food? Thanks.

Both -- I don't know whether I was too restricted but everytime I ate protein I would burp like mad, and it was getting to the stage were I would PB once a meal. So I switched to carbs - chips, biscuits, even chocolate. They were chewy enough for my mouth the think it was eating something and mushy enough to go through the stoma. Problem was, these types of food were completely 'off program' and I hurt my mental attitude.

Result: they didn't fill me up - so I ate more of them; they were technically 'illegal' - so I was in a guilt trip and ate more of them; they didn't take much chewing - so I got lazy at chewing and swallowed large chunks... you name it, I did it. Fortunately the damage I've done is minor and correctable.

It's been a real wake up call for my eating habits.
Problem 1. realising I'm an emotional eater
Problem 2. learning the difference between full v satiated v no-longer hungry.

Parvathi · 11-13-2006, 03:13 PM

Hi white_rabbit,

I've definitely been where you are right now! Once you start that cycle, its hard to regain control, but it can be done.

For me, I have to promise not to keep chips and such in the house, cause as the bag says, I can't eat just one. Those are my major downfall. If they're here, I'll definitely eat them, sometimes a bag at a time.

You said that you were having problems with protein. What type of protein were you having? Was it dry or moist? I can't eat any dry protein, such as chicken breast, a burger or whatnot, but if I have it cut in tiny pieces and dip it in a sauce of some sort, it goes down so much easier (for me).

Alot of us are here because we're emotional eaters. Learning to turn to something other than food when you're happy/hurt/sad/lonely/etc is a very hard step to take.

My therapist loaned me a book on tape called, When Food Is Love. Whilst it talked alot about stuff I couldn't relate to, such as the author's problems with family and things, it also talked alot about stuff I could definitely relate to in terms of food.

Good luck regaining that control. You can do it. It may not be easy, but we'll be here for you along the way.

**Jack** · 11-13-2006, 03:33 PM

It's great you have identified and owned up to the behavior producing the weight gain.

Coming up with an effective response to such turmoil, OTHER than eating,is the challenge.

Have you explored bio-feedback, meditation or breathing exercises? They work wonders for many.

Or, develop a NEW habit I call the "REACH for" habit: REACH for water instead of more to eat. REACH for a garden implement and do a little puttering. REACH for your journal to clarify your current mental/emotional status. REACH for your Higher Power for assistence. REACH for the phone or the keyboard for a little compassion. REACH for your own hand to give yourself a boost up to the Higher Self that has control of the urge to gorge on crap. REACH for anything that will occupy your mind before you REACH your end of rational eating....

cheers.....

white rabbit · 11-13-2006, 06:15 PM

Jack,

I've read a lot of your responses and they always make so much sense to me. I like the 'reach' idea. I'm looking forward to the day when my craving for water is the same my current desires for chocolate and biscuits! :)

Got to admit guys -- my mentor tells me its going to take 2 years to successfully retrain my brain and habits. That's just downright depressing.

But, as the moto goes - never, ever give up. Even if it takes me 5 years, I'll know that I'll have finally conquered this self-inflicted addiction.

**Jack** · 11-13-2006, 06:45 PM

the thing about reaching for water....is the refreshing satisfaction it always brings....years ago I read authors who made a case for much hunger actually being a 'hidden craving'....but since I disagreed with their premise of course I was forced to deny the accuracy of their conclusion....

And I don't agree it takes '2 years' to retrain the brain....it takes about 60-90 days to program a NEW habit....perhaps the 'sucessful' part is being able to look back with the pleasant results that reinforces the evidence all our hard work actually WAS worth the effort...

What would be depressing for me, is to not have results and suffer MORE in the process of pursuing those results...

When I quit drinking in 1990, it actually took about 7 years to realize I no longer craved beer...and I was astonished to discover I had lost track of the day that actually happened!!!

The Band has given me something extra I never had....the sensation that I am NOT hungry and do NOT have to reach for those goodies...you know the ones....they always SEEMED soothing, and were pleasant enough in the act of consuming....yet NEVER produced satisfaction....only guilt and self-loathing and shame and regret....and failure and misery etc....

Maybe I'm the only one with that experience....in any case I am especially grateful for being able to REACH for an apple or a water or something good for me....and it hasn't been all that hard....so I am bearing down on my 2nd Bandiveray ....and I consider it a ROWSING sucess already.

I wonder....'14 pounds gain in 2 weeks???' What in the world TASTES that good????

CHEERS and good luck....

BigBootyGirl · 11-14-2006, 07:54 AM

I have trouble with emotional eating as well. What's worked well for me is sugarless gum. It seems to really help me I think because I'm still chewing something. I always try to have something on me to keep my mouth busy, like gum or a toothpick or something. This seems to help a lot.:)