Losing 20 pounds of emotional and stress eating

[SerCay]

So recently I broke up with my long term bf of 3 yrs.

 

The last year of our relationship, I had started eating and eating due to stress and the kissing disease (I had no energy to go outside for longer than half an hour for 7 months)..

 

Now that it's all over I'm left with a food addiction. I gotta be honest here, I've been prone to over eat my whole life, this isn't the first time I gained weight during a stressful period.

 

But then again, I also gain weight during a happy time in my life. Basically I gain weight during ANY period of time when I stop watching what I eat.

 

So we can say that food has been my comfort all my life. Yes I exercise, yes I have tons of hobby's, yes I have a busy life, so those are not the reasons. I just love to eat, when I watch TV when I make homework, when I when I when I, I eat all the time.

 

Purely and purely the comfort it gives me. Since I was a kid.

 

Any tips? Experiences with food addiction? I want to lose the weight and remain in shape this time, I want to have a trigger, something that keeps me ''clean'' from this addiction..

[Phoe]

You can't change your love of food, but you can change what you eat.

 

I love eating too. I eat snacks or smaller meals every few hours. I'm constantly eating. My purse is crammed with snacks. But these are all healthy snacks. Low calorie, high fiber and protein, and minimal sugar. I aim for about 2300 since I lift weights, and that allows me to eat a lot of food when I watch the calories.

 

 

It takes some getting used to when you start cutting out snacks that can stack up calories quick. Nuts for example, are healthy and nutritious, but calorie dense. It's easy to eat a container of them and rack up calories.

 

 

I look for foods that are bulky and filling, while still being low in calories.

[xxoo]

Change a habit by replacing it with a new habit. For example, treat yourself to a selection of teas (decaf), and sip tea instead of eating. Or sip sparkling water with lime. No sugar.

 

Keep a food log. If you commit to writing down ever time you eat, you'll eat less because it is a pain in the butt to write it down. It's easier to just not eat. It's negative reinforcement of your new habit.

 

Plan daily treat meals to reward yourself for hours not snacking. Eliminate this step after a few weeks.

 

Replace the comfort aspect with something. Play music, light a candle, treat yourself to a new pillow or slippers, and another new item for each week/month that you stay on the program.

 

Get back on the program if you slip.

 

Chew gum.

 

Take up smoking (just kidding about that one )

[FitChick]

Join Overeaters Anonymous.

 

Learn to knit, crochet or sew since it keeps your hands occupied. Otherwise you will end up like her.

[Mr Scorpio]

In addition to the other suggestions, try being more mindful when you eat. Chew slowly and let your taste buds get in there deep. Hopefully, your brain will still release your comfort chemicals and you'll avoid mowing down an entire bag of chips/loganberries/etc because you'll be paying attention and not mindlessly shoveling.

[SerCay]

Thanks you guys I've started following your tips since the moment I read 'em.

 

With me it's more of a motivational problem I guess rather than not knowing how to do it...I must keep myself motivated..

[radiodarcy]

I know what you mean. there are times I feel as though I'm addicted to food. I lost 60 pounds back in 2007. And I have maintained my weight since then. But I still tend to eat eat eat.

 

My weakness is sweets. If I'm really craving something, I try to eat small portions. Or save my indulgences on the days I work out - - and make sure that I push that extra mile. My family teases me about it, but I'm adopted and was not blessed with their high metabolism.

 

I must admit though, those times before my period are the hardest because that's when the cravings are the most intense. Like today I've been indulging in food porn; looking at pictures of cakes and fantasizing about eating a tub of icing.. *sigh*

[SerCay]

I know what you mean. there are times I feel as though I'm addicted to food. I lost 60 pounds back in 2007. And I have maintained my weight since then. But I still tend to eat eat eat.

 

My weakness is sweets. If I'm really craving something, I try to eat small portions. Or save my indulgences on the days I work out - - and make sure that I push that extra mile. My family teases me about it, but I'm adopted and was not blessed with their high metabolism.

 

I must admit though, those times before my period are the hardest because that's when the cravings are the most intense. Like today I've been indulging in food porn; looking at pictures of cakes and fantasizing about eating a tub of icing.. *sigh*

 

Yes! This is me exactly.

I had lost my chubby weight back in 2010 and was able to maintain it until the stress of my rship and the tiredness of the kissing disease made me ''relapse''!

Just want to get back into that groove...sigh I dont feel attractive AT ALL with these extra pounds.

 

You say your weakness is sweets, I kinda am a binge eater. If I crave, it doesnt matter what it is, fruit, sweets, veggies, sandwiches, fish, crisps, popcorn, I like anything when I'm in my food addiction times..sikes