Does anyone have advice for eating thr... - Weight Loss Support
Does anyone have advice for eating through stress? Any advice would be greatly welcomed
Hi, I hope this does not sound a silly question, but have you identified the source of your stress. I'm a full time carer for my elderly mother and it get very stressful sometimes. I know get some support during which time I have managed to curb my comfort eating and use diversions; I go for a walk, treat myself to a manicure or something else that I enjoy. I also have sugar free squash and sometimes use carbonated water to mix it as a treat, drink plenty of water or have some 100 calorie or less snacks available. BUT I'm a firm believer of keeping my hands busy then I don't eat. Hope this makes some sense and helps
Thank u so much for your reply,
I seem to get stressed easily particularly when I have a lot to do. I work part time and have two children I also help my mum out a lot as she cares for her mum. As soon as I feel stressed or overwhelmed I reach for food. I am trying to find an alternative but really struggling. Maybe I need to look closer at my to do list. Many thanks you have given me good ideas to try x
First, try to do something about your stress - on a good day, list food free treats that lift your mood - and then make sure you have a treat to look forward to each evening. As for stress related snacking - I've found a big bowl of cherries or strawberries feels like a treat and fulfils that need to keep eating something - but are low in calories. I've also found that doing the calorie counting means that I can save some snacks for the evening, when I know I'll be more likely to be tempted. Good luck!
Hi JJ10,
What's eating really got to do with stress? C'mon now, be honest with yourself.
If you're stressed, find an appropriate and sensible and healthy way of dealing with it. Seeking out appropriate emotional support from loved ones / friends is probably helpful. Exercise / activity is often very helpful. Comfort-eating just isn't very helpful.
So, basically, find a different way of dealing with your stress other than trying to eat it away.
Yup. Deal with the stress. - if you can. If it's generated from outside, can you avoid it. Eating won't make it go away. So it's worth the energy investment to get it out of your life.
Thanx for your replies, and for being straight with me! I hear what your saying . I' m going to try different strategies to work on my stress levels, I have used cbt in the past for anxiety and depression. I think I will go back to some basics to build my confidence in dealing with emotions, thanx guys and good luck to you all x
Hi, I can really relate to your stress. I care for my elderly mum (she lives with me)! I try to be careful not to off load onto my daughter who is a brilliant carer. You have a lot on! It sounds like you need a bit of support, I obviously don't know what there is in your area maybe you could get support for you mum. Try asking at you doctors surgery, health visitor or local library. Make a list of the things that need to be done, then prioritise must do, can be done by a certain day and things that can wait or that you can delegate to someone else. I did cbt and through it found that it was not my stress I was dealing with it was my mothers! I don't always get it right now but things are better. Try to have some time to yourself once or twice a week 
Thank u Beth_1 for your understanding, I take my hat off to you for being a carer to your mum, my grandmother lives with my mum and I see what a difficult and demanding job it is. I have been thinking about asking other relatives for help so it's not all my mum. Better tread carefully tho I don't want to interfere to much! I will look into what other support there is. I think I need to prioritise your right, this has been my undoing in the past. Thanks again it means a lot
I'm sure that you will get it right. This is rather a public place to discuss every thing but my mother has dementia but also still has her pride, she wants no support but wants to be the centre of my attention. The organisations that support are all used to this and they are very good at getting around that barrier. Even a day centre type thing where grandmother and mum can go, chat, knit, play bridge widens their outlook. I don't know if you would qualify or have early start centre near you.. I now have a sitting service for 4 hours once a week. I use the time to do whatever I want/need. appointments, manicure or just window shopping or catching up on a household chore, keep in touch JJ10. Remember 'me time'!
