Emotional Eating-How Do I Break This

Substitute cleaning for food. Lot's of women do. Instead of reaching for a bag of chips (or what ever), reach for a sponge or go clean the toilet. In the time it would take to pop some pop corn and watch a movie, go organize your closet. If you keep it up long enough, not only do you save your figure, your house looks fantastic.

Well you need to explore why you are emotional. But that aside I do have a suggestion. Ever brush your teeth then go to eat something and it tastes horrible? There ya go. That trick alone helped my friend stop smoking, and has helped me of my "i'm bored" eating.

I agree with both previous posts. Counseling with a therapist who specializes in this area would be the best. I also recommend "It's not about food," which can help you walk through some of the emotional issues yourself before or during counseling.

http://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-about-Food-Obsession/dp/039...

You'll do best if you get to the bottom of the emotional issues, and find other ways to meet the needs that are apparently emerging in your eating habits. Counseling might be helpful. Not quick, but probably more realiable than any quick fixes would be.

I started the "alternate day diet" last summer. Essentially, you limit calories (very limited... like, less than 500... basically a 'fast' but not quite that strict) one day, then eat normally, whatever you want the next. Alternating days.

The first 3 weeks were the hardest... but once I got past that break-in period, I discovered a few things. A big one being that I was very sleep deprived (stayed perpetually about 1.5 hours low on sleep) and was using food to keep me "awake" during the slump periods of the day. Once I figured that out, I started getting more sleep and if I didn't, I knew it right away... because I would have the MOST difficult time not snacking at my slump times of day. Very very hard. It was a real eye-opener for me.

I also learned, that when I know in advance that "I'm not eating today", I am really mentally freed from worrying about food that day. I don't have to worry that I'll overindulge with the brownies I baked yesterday... I just won't have ANY. I don't have to worry that I'll eat too much bread with dinner or have too much mac n' cheese at the potluck dinner.... I am not eating that day, so it is something that I don't even dwell on. And it is amazing how quickly my own will power (just plain recognition that I was in charge of what I put in my mouth, really) took over.

Perhaps if you do something like this plan, where you essentially 'fast' every other day (you can sip a protein shake throughout the day if you want... I just have my coffee with cream, then a bowl of low-cal soup for dinner on my 'fasting' days), then on those days you will be able to focus in better on what is troubling you. Rather than evading/ignoring your emotions through food.
Counseling couldn't hurt either... but not eating does bring a certain self-awareness that is amazing. Lots of religions promote regular fasting, like once a month or something. I'm guessing that I'm not the only person who has ever benefited from it. And since it is every other day, I lose weight, AND have tons of energy, AND regularly feed my self-esteem by being in control of my cravings. Anything I really really really really want and just can't stand to pass it up... I can have it tomorrow. For breakfast even if i want. But usually, by the next morning, the desire for whatever it was is gone. And too much sweet snacky stuff makes me feel yucky... so I tend to eat a little healthier on my 'eat anything' days.

Read Women,food and God. By Geneen Roth. It's all about emotional eating and how for tthose of us who do eat emotioanlly the God part IS the food. Like being addicted to drugs or ciggs. Also as a side bar if you are an Oprah fan, she totally endorses this author.

Oprah struggles with this too. She says you need to find the cause of your emotional eating to address it. Can you get counseling? I'm sure it would help.

Good morning J., I believe most women are emotional eaters, I wasone of the worse I knew. For me it took me almost dying to change my eating habits, I now eat for substance not pleasure, you need to find what it is within you to change your mind set, When I did this I lost 69 pounds. J.

Well I am the same way!! Lots of us are. What I like to do is use the websites to let you keep track of what you eat. Do not do any diets that restrict the number of calories below 1200. Ask you dr!!! Your body needs energy to survive! I like sparks people and also livestrong.com. It is helpful to have these online tools and supports. I would try to keep busy and chew gum... It is hard to stop these habits. I find that when I am exercising at least 4 to 5 days a week, I drink a LOT more water and I actually eat a lot healthier! Good luck it is hard..I have been taking in about 1400 calories and I am slowly losing weight. The slower you lose it the more likely you are at keeping it off. When you take the time to lose it you are in more control of what you eat. If you starve yourself or cut yourself off from your favorite food you are more likely to gorge yourself with it!! Good luck!!! IT IS TOUGH!!!