Starting now!

[Anngee]

Ok - here we go!! Need to get my head around emotional eating. Have tried everyone else's plan, shakes etc etc Now need to engage my brain and put into practice what I know. And be kind to myself . 6 stones to lose and nearly 60!

[Blanket]

Hello Anngee,

Emotional eating was my biggest problem too! Unfortunately I haven't found a magic trick that works but the following helps me most of the time:

1.Use MyFitnessPal - it's free and logs calories burned by exercise and calories eaten. It can help you work out in advance whether it'll be worth eating that glorious food in the long run. My biggest surprise was peanuts - ridiculous amount of calories in such a small handful. So I changed my small snack to something else and it's fine as I don't feel like I miss out.

2. Take up a 'sport'/hobbie that will help you burn calories. For me I started the C25K and it helped in two ways, a). I was busy so less eating out of boredom b). I felt healthier when I got home so didn't want to ruin that good feeling with chocolate etc. Instead I'd make healthier choices (most of the time not wanting anything. If you don't want to run, maybe try going out for a walk.

3. I eat a lot when I'm stressed and lately I found out by chance that drinking water from a sports bottle (I had a lucozade bottle gave me the same sensory feeling of crunching. But, it was free of calories and I managed to be really well hydrated too!

4. If you can work out which emotion you're most likely to eat, try and find a solution to that emotion. I know this is hard but the more you get to know yourself the more you can make changes. For me, I would eat when I was stressed or upset, or really happy (so most of the time!!! lol). I found, when I was stressed running helped. When I was upset, being kind helped, like having a bath or reading a book in my pj's with a soft blanket. When I was really excited/happy, I tried to do something like talk to my partner or dance to music. It was important that I didn't just avoid food which is why I worked out different strategies for each emotions. I would then try and have my meals/snacks when I felt more settled in mood, usually making quite good choices.

This is what worked for me so hope some of it is helpful. Oh, also I use this website to keep motivated!! Good luck Anngee! :o)

[GRUMPYA]

I too fall off the wagon when things get emotional. I think a way of dealing with it is to allow yourself a treat within your calorie allowance. Sometimes you might not want it and because the calories are already counted you can save it then if the next day is a bad one you can have both! Try putting 7 fun size treats in a box for the week. Count them whether you eat them or not. Then you have budgeted for the treat but if you have a much day you have not blown the diet. Those who are very keen on healthy eating may not approve but I think it may be better to manage the urge than to fight it.

Obviously you can work thro emotional issues and try to ask yourself why you are eating everything which can help. Ask before you eat anything "am I hungry" "do I need this?" and if this helps then fantastic but sometimes a habit is so deep seated it's better to manage it

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to GRUMPYA]

My emotional eating weakness is cheese, not chocolate. I have cheese cut into 1oz cubes, which I wrap in film and freeze. Every day I move a couple to the fridge "just in case" . Most days I eat none or one, and the worst scenario is if I eat 2. But at least its measured, whereas before I'd just attack a big block of cheese and couldn't stop.

[short-and-not-so-fat]

You've probably been told before but try putting healthier nibbles in little bags in the fridge ready for when needed. Best of luck.