Hi There! When I'm stressed or bored I have a strong tendancy to eat & eat! What do y'all recommend for that? I'm trying to eat hard candy, chew gum, eat fruits or cereal instead.....walk outside or get my mind on something "other" than food. The gum helps "some", bc I guess I got in a "habit" of eating & chewing during stressful times! LOL! ANY tips would be greatly appreciated! I've got to somehow "re-train" my brain to do other things besides eat when I'm feeling stressed! Thanks! Leigh
I'm a emotional eater as well. I started slim fast this week. This past weekend I was so stressed, I sat on the couch and ate waffles and sausage at 10pm but the things is we had just came back from eating out. I heard that walking and exercise helps with the emotional eating. So, I tried it and it worked. I got up off the couch and started moving. I wasn't stress or bored afterwards. Now, tired is a different story :) but I felt better afterwards. Usually I use food for comfort and to be quite honest I feel worse because the whole time I'm eating I know I'm not hungry and eating will not solve anything but I do it anyway. Then I go into this long drawn out pitty party. So, I said all that to say get active. Watch a exercise show, DVD or video, hop on the treadmill or do some crunches or sit-ups. Whatcha think about that?
Hi There! I do have a Leslie Sansone "Walk 2 mile" dvd here, so I could do that. But I'll probably still keep chewing gum. I have this "chewing" problem when I'm stressed. I got use to chewing & eating over the past few years. I think you're right about getting off the couch. I will never forget Marie Osmond saying "Eat less and move more".....those words really stuck with me!! Thanks again! Leigh
Hi LLee,
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Did you know that some psychologists and psychiatrists actually prescribe regular exercise for those who have mild to moderate depression (in addition to therapy and medication)? That's because many studies have shown that physical activity helps to ease symptoms of depression. And, it doesn't really matter what type of exercise a person does either. Any kind of aerobic or strength training activity seems to be able to do the trick. Just how this works is not quite clear. The release of endorphins may only play a small role and therefore, other factors appear to be involved. Even those who have not been diagnosed with clinical depression can feel better after a lousy day just by being active. The hard part is finding the energy and motivation to hit the gym when depression strikes (Tip : First, find the energy to simply change into your workout clothes. Then, promise yourself to exercise for just 5 minutes. Chances are you'll wind up exercising for a longer period of time. But even if you don't, you'll know you at least made an effort). If you've ever been so mad you wanted to punch a wall, grab your workout gear and head to the gym instead (You don't have to make use of the punching bag that's there, but you can if you want to!). Not only is exercising a great distraction from the stressors of everyday life, but it's more than likely you'll feel more relaxed afterwards.
Also, keeping a food diary can help you determine if there is a pattern. So keep a food diary with the foods you eat, how you are feeling, what is going on at that particular time, etc. After a little while, a pattern might emerge which will make finding ways to combat the emotional eating easier. Basically what it comes down to is finding alternative ways to deal with stress. While chewing gum can help to keep you from eating, if you the source of your "hunger" is emotional and not physical, it's not really addressing the issue. Everyone has different things that calm them down -- taking a walk, listening to music, bubble baths, etc.-- figure out what you find to be calming and do that when you feel the urge to eat in response to stress.
Heather
Slim-Fast Weight Loss Advisor
Hi Heather! Thank you SO MUCH! I think you're exactly right about exercise helping with lousy days and also depression! Back when I was walking regularly, it DID seem to elevate my mood! Reading really calms me down, but a bubble bath does, too! I think you're right about addressing the "issue" and figuring out what things trigger it. I appreciate your tips & ideas and will try a new approach to stress now! Thank you again! :) Leigh :)
I do the exact same things! I eat when i'm stressed ( which is almost all the time!) or when i'm bored! and i'm either stressed or bored! So you can see my prob. But chew gum and it helps cause with me i always want somthing sweet and my jaw thinks im eating! Somtimes ill eat even when i know im not hungry!!! BAD!!! Anyway i can tell you i always heard not to eat hard candy! I don't know if your familiar with weight watchers or not but each hard candy is 1 point! which is not good they add up quick! And what i Learned if your hungry a lot eat what you've always heard eat 6 small meals it really works! Try to go with wheat or white wheat ( i dont like wheat) anyways i works! ( i lost 43 pounds) I hope it helps if u want to hear more about what i did i could try to tell you more! I used to have a awful time with snacks i know how you feel!
Christin
Hi Christin! I would LOVE to hear more about what you did. I love when people give me tips and I use most of them. My best friend told me about Nature's Own Double Fiber bread. Well, I've gone thru 3 loaves now. The 1st loaf was "ok", but not great. Once I get "used" to something I end up liking it. So now I don't even MISS white bread. Isn't that neat? The gum is actually helping me for the 2 reasons you said. I just have to chew, bc I got use to doing that. I'm a stay-at-home Mom, so I started "grazing". I would eat probably 7 snacks a day. I got up to 176 and then said "No more!" I'm going to start doing the Wii Fit exercises as soon as Best Buy gets more in stock AND start back walking. I enjoy walking, but have been lazy about exercising lately. I'm eating Special K cereal for brkfst and eating Special K snack bars or popcorn. I only eat 3 snacks a day now! I try to eat every 3 to 4 hrs, to ward off any "over-eating". The mini meals work, just like you said! I did Weight Watchers years ago for a month, but then quit. I want to lose 20 more lbs by the Spring. I've already lost 8 which isn't much. Did you exercise regularly, while doing weight-watchers? Now I'm doing Wii games (my husband just got a wii system) for fun. I play the bowling or tennis game and afterwards feel SO much better. It's been a GREAT stress relief, but is really FUN, too! :) Leigh