Stress Eating Check-In

Connie12

Connie12

Cathlete
I've never started a check-in before, and I hope I'm doing it right. Opps, I didn't originally put this in the right folder. :+ This is the right place, so here's where we'll stay. :)

I recently posted about my struggle with stress eating, and discovered that others here struggle with this same issue. Janice suggested we start a Check-In so we have a support system to turn to when the stress builds up, instead of turning to food.

I'm realizing that I may be adding to my stress by putting too much pressure on myself. Every morning I tell myself that "today" will be a day of healthy eats, no exceptions. Maybe this isn't the best strategy. I can't help it if stress pops up later in the day, but I can change how I deal with it. From now on when I feel stressed out and want to turn to food I'll come here. When I can't come directly here, I'll write in a notebook what I would have written in a post and post it later. I want to start setting myself up to succeed each day, instead of reaching for somekind of perfection.

Anyone's welcome!

Connie
 
Okay, I'm here. Stress eating has been awful the past little while because of things happening with my work. I find myself just standing in front of the pantry shoveling food in without even really thinking.

I'm going with Shannon's idea of one treat a week. Although I have raging PMS this week and that might be difficult!

So far today, I'm good. But it's only 10 a.m.;)
 
Connie....

I wake up everyday with the same thoughts...."today will be different". Last night I pigged out on Mexican....cheese crisp, taco..even a dessert!! ugggh. Anyway, when I do that, I wake up in the middle of the night to pee and it is the first thing I think about, "oh you pig". I feel so gross because once again, I couldn't say no. It is like, what is wrong with me, why can't I just say no???!!!! I don't know if it is immediate gratification or what. I usually think about it for a split second and say "oh the hell with it". I want what I want when I want it. Gotta remember, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels". Now, I don't like that saying, let's change it to "Nothing tastes as good as feeling powerful feels" because that is really what it is about. It is not about being thin or losing weight or fitting in a certain size or for God's sake my favorite, looking like you did in high school even though you have had three babies since then...It is the good feelings you get when you are in shape and fit and you come to realize you can accomplish something. That turns in to you feeling like you can accomplish anything! I am sure we all knew that feeling well, especially you Connie when you were eating well and watching the fat melt off. What is that feeling?? A feeling of being POWERFUL...That is why weight lifting is so good for us....it makes us feel strong, capable, and powerful. Aerobics, for me, is fun but has the feeling of being more geared towards the fight against fat and a lower number on the scale...

For me, I know if I could just get into the groove for a couple days, it would get a bit easier. That said, I think it will take weeks, even months, to change my taste buds to quit wanting the fattening foods. Clean foods just don't taste as good. AND NOBODY CHIME IN HERE TO SAY THEY DO. They just don't to someone who doesn't eat clean. For me to turn my nose up in disgust to a mexican taco is going to take a while. But it CAN happen, I know it!

My husband is a bad influence on me too. I say that but I take full responsibility for my own eating. It is just harder for me to eat clean when he is around. I hate cooking and that doesn't make it any easier. When all you know to do is grill a marinated chicken breast on the George Foremen and steamed broccoli...well, that gets pretty old. And you know what? Experimenting with "clean" recipes is great and all but when you still feel deprived after eating that miniscule portion that is a whole nother issue. So...the issue really is changing your thinking. Changing your thinking that you DO deserve that huge portion, that somehow that "normal" size one is not going to suffice. You know, that conversation in your head where you tell yourself that afterall you need more calories cuz you workout hard??? LOL.

Anyhoo... I am sitting here eating oatmeal drinking my water and you know what? That is my baby step for today. My hubby is out of town for a week and I am taking this time as a challenge of sorts. A clean eating challenge! If I get weak tonite this is the first place I will come!
 
The one treat a week sounds good when it comes to a bad meal. I however need something after dinner...a treat...or somehow I don't feel complete...}( ;-) . Have you guys ever tried those "Fruitful" frozen fruit bars. WOW I had one the other day and they are really good. Usually only Cold Stone Creamery will do me good. I am going to look into getting these. Also...Sam's Club has some Swiss Miss Fudge Bars that are really sinful. I tried one the other day and saw them as a real possibility.

Just some thought for those that have a sweet tooth like me...;-)
 
I found you guys!
Stress Eating...hmmmmmmmm I call mine "BAD MOOD" Eating. When I'm really angry about something I reach for sweets. It really must be a control issue thing because the things that make me angriest are things that really are out of my control.... When I'm "stressed" I usually hit a workout or sleep (unless I'm not at home of course)
I really do try to take my own advise of 1 choice at a time.... No pre-planning for those times assists me, When I get CRAZY I get really really crazy!
Getting really nervous that holiday season will undo all the good I've accomplished this year... My in laws make me angry and thats who I am surrounded by at holiday time...
BTW: I really am a happy go lucky kinda gal... politics, in laws,animal cruelty, child abuse- those are my only real anger/eating triggers....
 
I'm here too !! Right with you guys!

I struggle mostly with snacking at night. Like last night. I fixed a healthy and delicious meal of stir-fryed shrimp and veggies and brown rice. Excellent , if I'd have stopped there. And I was full. I could have and should have. But as I got out the ice cream for DH and DD.......I just , almost on autopilot scooped out a big bowl for me too! Caramel peanutbutter WITH hersheys syrup on top!!
Then later, watching TV, I got out snacks! And I wasn't even hungry!!It's mindless eating out of boredom and routine!

Lately it's been worse during the day too. I've been unable to exercise for 2 months now due to illness and injury and I am getting frustrated and am not eating because I am hungry but just because.

I love this thread and the idea that we know we're not alone and also maybe we can help eachother !

I started out good today.....yogurt and granola trailmix cereal and hot tea for breakfast.

I hope we all have a good healthy eating day today!:)
 
I love this thread too! I do exactly what you all say you do. I'm so bad for leaving work and thinking, this is my small diet coke and med fries from McDonalds day to treat myself for doing good all day and I'll have a good supper and workout. Somehow I end up over-eating and not working out. I say I'm going to do this only once in a while and it's ssssooooo good, I start doing it all the time. Over-eating is my problem, I just love it so much! I tell myself, "why did you do that, you know how miserable it makes you"! And the thing is, I KNOW how good I feel when I'm working out regularly and eating right.

While at work, I won't even be hungry and I'll grab a pack of peanut butter crackers, sometimes it helps just to have them on my desk without opening them - what's up w/that?x(

I had been doing so good w/eating since March and now I'm out of control. I need you guys!!:7 I have lost 17lbs and I'm good w/that, but I do not want to gain any back.....

Thanks for this thread!!!
 
Janice, I absolutely love your new saying! I'm going to mediate on it often, because it hits the nail right on the head. Feeling powerful IS a big motivator, and it works pretty long term for me at least.

Alot of losing weight and gaining health is about changing your thinking and "self-talk". Food has always been a reward and celebration in my family, not to mention comfort. It's hard to break away from feeling that I "deserve" something sweet because I did X.

One thing my big brother/friend, who is a therapist, has taught me is to replace negative thoughts and actions with positive ones. I can't help but think about fast food, but when I do I can decide to remind myself all the unhealthy things about it. Instead of munching on chips when I'm watching TV I can string a beaded necklace or paint mini-building for his model railroad. If I knew how to knit, I'd do that. ;-)

I appreciate you sharing here, and am glad to have you as a new friend and supporter! :)

Connie

ETA: Just because I'm familiar with replacing negative thoughts and actions with positive ones, doesn't mean- obviously- that I'm good about sticking to it. x( I know it works when I'm working on it though. Duh, guess I should get back to using the tools I have in my pocket, so to speak. x( ;-)
 
(((Shelley))) I can only imagine the hell your co-workers are putting your through lately, and feel so bad for you!

I'm joining in the limited treat per week gang. I'm going to start with twice a week for now. It's PMS time for me, too, and I don't want to aim too high at this fresh beginning. :p

It's just past 2pm now, how are you holding up?

Connie
 
Welcome Traci, Becky and Tina!! I'm overwhelmed with joy over the great response this Check-In has started off with!! It's wonderful knowing that I have support at my fingertips from some wonderful Catheites. :)
 
I love this too. It's great to know other's who are going through exactly what you are! People who truly understand!

I too, feel 100% better when I eat healthy and I know about self talk and it can work butI sometimes seem to have one good self and one bad self (picture the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other .......:eek: ) and my badself talks my goodself into eating the big bowl of ice cream even though I KNOW I will feel bloated and tired and sluggish !!! Anyway, the point being, I KNOW better, I really do and I still go through times like this when I don't seem to have much control !

Lunch was natural pb on ww bread and an apple. But to be honest, I got a migraine headache a few hours ago so I'm just not very hungry.

Enjoy the rest of the day friends.:)
 
I think this is the best thread ever!!! I was just talking to my co-worker - she said everybody should join in that one, it's just human to want to eat all the good fattening food!!! It's nice to know I can come here for support and also be here for you guys.
 
Wow Becky you done awesome for lunch!! Isn't it also about when we don't do so hot and knowing that we need to get back on track? It's just super hard sometimes, huh? I hope your migraine gets better.
 
I completely understand and can relate to my bad self talking the good self into eating junk when I'm stressed. ;)

I just ate a piece of Ezekiel bread with a bit of chunky PB, what a wild coinkydink! :p :D

Sharing my struggle and starting this thread has been VERY good for me. Thanks for being here, everyone!
 
Hi everyone! Tina, Becky, Traci, Shelley, Connie!

Ezekiel bread huh?? (making sour puss pukey face)
GOOD FOR YOU!

ummmmmm....can I have chinese tonight?????}( No, seriously, can I have chinese tonight? Sounds sooooooo good. I can't go to the store right now cuz I am on call. Hopefully I can go after 6. Without DH here I don't want to do anything. I am having a bad day.x(

Ok, so each day we check in here it is my suggestion that we be required to say one thing we like about ourself today (and it has to be an "I am" statement, not an "I should" or "I can"... and one thing that has made us feel powerful today. This is a requirement no matter what else we say. Afterall, if we just come in here to piss and moan...isn't that negative? Isn't that negative self talk? Yep. So let's break that bad habit along with the other ones. (hear everyone cheering in the background, right?) REMEMBER, it has to be an "I AM" statement. It is present tense!!!

So, I will go first.


I am strong as an ox when I lift weights.


I am powerful today because I came here and sought comfort instead of heading to the fridge.


Here is something for you guys to chomp on (no pun intended)lol I LOVE THIS IDEA



Ok, I got the Body For Life for Women book at the library a couple weeks ago. There is this page in it with a fridge and a big circle slash (like the no smoking signs). It says "STOP!!!! The answer is NOT in here!" (pg 77, you should get the book) Then on the opposite page there is a circle with a circle wiggly thing in it that states "The answer is HERE". It says to photocopy at least 10 of these "Stress Rx" signs. Tape first saying on Fridge, cabinets, pantry. Tape other sign on workout bag/dumbells/videos/relaxation CD/herb tea, etc. When you see the "fridge" sign, stop for a minute and say to yourself "What am I running from right now?". Acknowlege that. Then say to yourself, "The answer is not in this fridge/pantry/etc". Walk quickly to whatever has the second sign on it. Ignore the voice that says food is what you need or the one that says you are too fat to be seen at the gym (or even outside, right guys}( ) "Be with your feelings and honor that new voice inside of you. It's the voice of empowerment, and each time you withstand stress in a positive way, it will become louder and stronger".

I am so glad we have all found each other!! I am going to go workout now! :)
 
Janice- GOOD STUFF girl!!!!!!!!!

I AM in control of my food choices as I head out to a late night dinner at a fabulous restaurant!
 
(((((((((Janice)))))))))))
I love your positive talk and great suggestions & ideas! :D
I want that Body for Life book now !

I am ......jeez, this is harder than I thought. Give me second here...

I got it !..I am on the road to recovery!!!
I had my first appointment with a chiropractor today and he gave me great news, that he doesn't think I have a bulging disk (which is what I feared) and told me to start slowly but I have the green light to workout again!
For those of you who don't know, and that's probably all of you, I've been unable to work out now for 2 months due to first an illness that landed me in the hospital twice last month and now a back injury of sorts. So this is terrific news!
Of course now I got a migraine which in my case keeps me out of commission for 3 days, but that is just a part of life for me and I know in 3 days I will be back and finally able to workout. Probably starting with a good walk but you gotta start somewhere!!;-)
I am very excited!:D (hey! that's another I am statement;))

Goodnight my new friends. Talk to you tomorrow.
 
Hey Becky...great news on being able to work out again but BE CAREFUL... after all you've been through, I know you will.;-)

I'm joining the stress eaters anomymous club.... (don't tell the Weight Watchers I was here in here... oops, I think I saw Traci up there):p

I dropped 3 pounds on my weigh in last night and I've eat like there is no tomorrow today. Huh? Anybody wanna analyze me? :-(

At least I worked out, sticking to my rotation. At least one thing is going right.

Going to sleep off a carb-induced coma.... night....
 
Welcome Jane....

I need one thing you like about yourself that is positive and in present tense (I am....)

One thing you did today that made you feel powerful..


Boy, you guys are already trying to weasel out of this. I want it to be like the other check in, you know the one with the --->>>. We should religiously put the date and those two statements at the very top of your post....so we don't forget!;-) Plus, it let's us all get to know each other better!

You guys rock!!!
 
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