How to stop emotional eating on IVF journey

[Citizenerased83]

Hi all

I hope you're well.

I'm a big emotional eater and I know it's not great when doing IVF. Any tips on how to overcome this?

Thanks so much! Xx

[Redridinghood91]

Hi, I'm the same. No quick fix for this one.. What helped for me was to quit my job and find a new, way less stressful, one. I then found the energy to reach out for help through therapy tp process the grief of not being a mom yet. Now, six months later, I quit all unhealthy snacks for 3 months because I find motivation in boosting my eggs before a potential 2nd egg retrieval in August. It also helped me a lot working on shifting my mindset from IVF being my main hustle to it becoming a side hustle to other great things in life 🤪. Still working on it.. Sending hugs to you xx

[Citizenerased83 in reply to Redridinghood91]

Thanks so much for your reply and well done on getting into good habits and quitting your job for a less stressful one. Not easy things to do! Good luck for your second egg retrieval and I really hope this all works for you.

I've been getting counselling which does help but do find IVF all consuming. How did you change your thinking so it's your side hustle?

Thanks for the hugs - sending some back. Xx

[Redridinghood91 in reply to Citizenerased83]

During the active phase of IVF with stims and 2ww it's definitely my main hustle... But since there's so much waiting time in this journey it helps to stay active with other stuff than just passively waiting (which I did for years until I was so deep down in depression I did not think I had anything to live for anymore). Stuff such as organizing our home, searching for a new home, saving up for trips and making sure I and we have things to look forward to all the time. Before, we isolated ourselves a lot which led to many hours in bed googling and trying to control our outcome, since my life was hanging on it... Now, I force myself to see friends and family or going on walks even the days I'm not up for it. It really, really, helps for me to be around others. Of course I have some down time alone as well with only Netflix by my side haha. Me and my husband also have regular date nights and talk about anything but IVF.

Best of luck to you! Remember your life is so much more than IVF. Keep building your castle and eventually someone moves in.

[Citizenerased83 in reply to Redridinghood91]

Hi, thanks so much for your reply. I'm so sorry to hear about the depression you experienced. The waiting in passive periods of treatment is so hard. I think I do need some little projects to distract me and I've definitely been trying to do nicer things this year.

Thank you so much. That's a lovely saying.

Wishing you lots of luck on your journey too. Xx

[Christianbaby]

I totally get where you're coming from. Dealing with emotions during IVF is like riding a rollercoaster, and emotional eating can sometimes feel like the only way to cope. But kudos to you for recognizing that it might not be the best option. Choosing healthier snacks like nuts and berries is a fantastic step. Not only are they satisfying, but they also provide your body with the nutrients it needs to stay strong.

You know, when those stress-eating cravings hit, it helped me to have a few go-to distractions in my toolkit. Taking a stroll outside, jotting down in a journal, or even starting a new hobby. You've got this! x

[Citizenerased83 in reply to Christianbaby]

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it.

It's so hard to get into good routines with the constant cycle of hope and despair. I definitely need to get some healthy snacks. I wish they would taste as good as chocolate.

A toolkit of distractions sounds like a great idea.

Good luck on your fertility journey. I really hope it works for you. Xx

[LCharlton]

I understand, it's really hard! What's helped me is 1) writing down everything I eat, with the time and location, to stop 'automatic/mindless' eating because there's that extra step of logging it; 2) making sure I eat 3 proper meals and 3 snacks every day, if I'm not eating enough then I'm SO much more vulnerable to emotional eating. I preplan meals and snacks for the day and the times I'll eat them. Often the third snack is a dessert after dinner; 3) making a list of other things I can do if I have the urge to binge, like call a friend, take a bath, crochet etc - whatever works for you xx

[Citizenerased83 in reply to LCharlton]

Thanks so much for your message. It's really helpful. Very true, about eating mindfully and the step of logging things acting as a deterrent.

I think preparing meals and snacks ahead of time could really help me as well as having a list of distractions. Thanks for the suggestions.

Good luck on your fertility journey. I hope it works for you. Xx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

For added support take a look at our website fertilitynetworkuk.org click menu then select Access to support scroll to Fertility Groups and follow prompts to find regional support near you

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Citizenerased83 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thanks so much Janet. I'll take a look.