Comfort Eating

Have looked at the posts and understand happiness tips diets etc... have loving family but what do you do when you go home to an empty house and the only thing there for you is the comfort of eating. Under active thyroid is not helping with dieting so have basically given up ....

[wa2un7 Maintainer]

I know that must be difficult but please don't give up. That would just make you feel worse. Could you leave a light on a timer( in winter) as going into a dark house is always a bit depressing and a light is welcoming. Switch on TV or radio for a voice, make yourself a favourite hot drink and enjoy it with whatever little daily treat you allow yourself. I know all that probably looks a bit silly but I have experienced a little of what you're feeling as my husband was in the merchant navy and away for months at a time when we were younger so I'm just trying to help. In addition you can always visit the forum as that veryoften cheers me up no end and you will always find friends here who will lend a listening ear. Perhaps you should also see you GP as you sound as if you might be depressed. 💐💐

[Hidden in reply to wa2un7]

Thank you for your kind reply and it seems you understamd re the empty house and your advice was good but I have friends and family and I get out and do things but alone at home ....that's when I eat when my loneliness gets me .. and the added issue with my thyroid makes losing weight so much harder . It's then that it's harder to appreciate what I have

[Annde70]

Mixedsr, I hear your pain in your posting and, without wanting this to sound judgemental, you need to take steps to change things. If you genuinely want to do something about your weight perhaps you need to look at changing your environment before worrying about your diet. I don't know your circumstances, or your age, but perhaps you need to examine other activities to bring more social contacts into your life.

You sound as though you are suffering from depression and perhaps you need to seek some professional assistance to help you. It is very difficult to control your weight if your head is not in the right place. I hope that your circumstances lighten and that the new year will see you on a more positive path. xx

[Hidden in reply to Annde70]

Thank you for your reply I have a very full social calendar and lots of friends and family but it's when I go home to an empty house that the comfort eating kicks in ...more so when I have had a good day and have no one to share it with. I know I have to get a handle on this but it's a real struggle.

[Annde70 in reply to Hidden]

I can sympathise , I know when I am alone at home is my worst time for mindless snacking. Wish I could offer you a solution , only thing I can say is make sure that you don't have any unhealthy foods in the house so at least any snacking you do is on healthy foods.

[wa2un7 Maintainer in reply to Hidden]

Share your good days with the forum. That's what we're here for to support members in the down times. I understand your thyroid problem makes things more difficult. Can it be controlled with medication?

[Hidden]

Hi Mixedsr I too live alone, and it is difficult I admit. I have my grandson's stay over often and both times can be difficult . If they are here, so as are the treats. When they aren't I need comfort food, especially at night. I find the problem lot less when I am doing a hobby and my hands are busy. So I went yesterday to buy wool and start knitting again . To knit a cardigan is going to cost me £40!!!!!!!¡! Thinking need a different hobby. But yes find a hobby it will help.x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's for your reply I am very busy and it's the lone time that's the worst that's when I eat to make me feel better as I am a social animal I guess . I have a couple of hobbies encaustic art and crochet ... just need the tools to get a handle on the eating cause I am feeling sad

[melorr in reply to Hidden]

RJ52. £40 for a jumper is expensive. Find affordable wool at Poundstretcher and some charity shop, which also have patterns and needles. How about knitting for a charity or hospital prem babies unit.

For company I play scrabble on my iPad with competition. Warning.... it gets very addictive.

[Hidden]

I do feel for you, I love my family but don't depend on them entirely ! it also helps to create a good network of friends and being on here you will find others in probably similar situatuons may be try a evening class some yoga keep fit one of the many slimming groups so at least one night a week your not home alone ? Im sorry I don't know all your circumstances so hope Im not speaking out of turn, just trying to offer a little light also is there any chance of a pet, cats are great company - even a small hamster ?

leaving a light on sounds a fab idea too

Don't give up we're all worth something xx

[Hidden]

Try not to blame your underactive thyroid. If you are on medication, then that substitutes the missing hormone. I have had an underactive thyroid for 35 years, diagnosed in my early 20's. I have been on thyroxin ever since, and so I know that I can't blame my thyroid, I can only blame what I put in my mouth! I do understand about loneliness too, and that is much harder to combat. My first husband died suddenly when I was 50, and I was on my own for 10 years, and despite a full time job teaching, I was very lonely at times, and they were the times I would comfort myself with food. I was very lucky to meet a lovely man and marry again two years ago. But my weight still bobs up and down, and it is because I love food and am not very good at portion control! This forum is a great place for support, and you will always find someone to "talk" to when you feel down, or when you are tempted to open those chocolates. Good luck, we're here for you?

[Itsbab]

Hi I can only say there are lots of ideas been given so I don't think I can add anything as when I have time alone I actually like it and see it as my time so what do I do,

Decide to have a sort out cupboards, clothes etc

Come on the forum quite often

I do lots of craft work, write stories, bake etc ( make a lot of my Christmas gifts and birthday gifts)

Watch TV, read

We have pets so not completely alone

I am a planner so I love to plan holidays, days out etc

Got myself an exercise bike and treadmill so use them sometimes plus a You Tube walking along video

In the summer garden time

Have a relaxing bath, do myself a facial, do my nails when they actually don't break off

So I can't think of anything else as you have a full social calendar the only thing I can add is could you get a lodger if you have a spare room maybe someone you already know or a friend of a friend so to speak it would help financially and there would be someone else around at times.

Hope you find some solutions from all the people who have answered you, best wishes hope you have a fab day.😊👍

[Hidden]

Thank you all for the comments yesterday morning I woke up in pieces hence my post. All of your messages gave me food for thought and yesterday after work I went for a 2.5 mile walk. Was exhausted when I got home had my tea and went to bed early. no comfort eating ! Can't repeat that tonight as friend coming round but tomorrow when there will be no company I will ...

[Cavaco]

I am (was) a shocking comfort eater but then I discovered a book called 'Stop Eating' by Dr Jane McCartney. It has some exercises which help you to uncover the real reason why you're eating. I was astounded by what came out of my subconscious and it has really helped me. I also live on my own and long lonely evenings can be a killer. However, with a lot of help from this book I have been able to drastically reduce my comfort eating.

I am also doing a complicated cross-stich pattern which needs both hands. If I am eating I can't be stitching.

Good luck, and keep posting. There's lot's of support on this site.