EMOTIONAL EATER

[CambsFit]

I am fed up eating when I "feel" Even if I acknowledge the feelings I still can't stop. I feel powerless like food is a drug - HELP - HELP - HELP

[EllaMidlands]

I used to often feel like that but have now to get it down to only occasionally feeling like that. For me I looked at the benefits of losing weight - such as being able to keep up with my husband and looking better in clothes. I then looked at what I was eating and how much I move. Now I am in the zone I still want to go in the chippy every time I pass it but mostly I manage not to because I am determined to lose weight this time. Hope that helps. I do believe you can do it if you get your mindset right. Good luck 🤞🏊🏼🍅

[Ruby8]

Maybe it would help to distract yourself until the feeling passes? Do you have any hobbies like sewing or knitting that you could do to keep yourself busy, especially in the evenings which can be a danger zone for snack attacks.

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello CambsFit Welcome to the Weight Loss Forum ☺

Have a good look around the forum especially the Newbies post (in the Pinned Posts section to the right of your screen (bottom if you're using a mobile) and also the links to the NHS 12 week plan weight loss plan. This is an excellent plan with weekly email support. ☺

Like others have suggested getting to understand the reasons behind the emotions will help. Our brains are hot-wired to turn to food for comfort when we are tired or anxious, you are not alone 😕 you can overcome this, but it takes time and practice. This forum is an excellent place to start, come on here and talk to us next time you feel tempation ☺

We are a very friendly group so please ask if you are unsure about anything or have any questions

Best wishes

Anna

[mandyflatt]

Hi,I know how you feel,I haven't conquered it yet but think a mind absorbing hobby probably might be the answer so I am on a quest to find one, good luck with your weight loss x

[Hidden]

Hello,

Last week the Daily Mail serialised Dr Van Tulleken's new diet book. In the book he says something about processed foods that really struck a chord with me. He said:

not only do processed foods not fill you up, they actually make you hungrier than if you had not eaten at all!

I think this is certainly true in my case, and possibly also in yours.

I assume that when you overeat you overeat all the "junk" foods, like most of us do. Because these foods are almost designed to get round our natural feelings of being full up, we then can't stop eating them and feel bad about our lack of self control.

If you are really out of control around certain foods, then I think you are better off not eating them at all, and focusing instead on eating more natural foods and cooking for yourself from scratch. Then you can start to re-establish a more natural "hungry-eat-digest-get hungry again" cycle instead of a constant nibbling and gorging here there and everywhere on factory-made foods.

Some lucky people can eat a little of what they fancy and then stop, and the odd biscuit or small pack of crips helps them stick to a weight loss diet. But I think most people with weight issues can't do that, and are better staying away from those sorts of foods altogether.

And you need to find something else to do when your feelings need comforting - phone a friend, watch a funny film, go out for a walk, jump up and down, hit a cushion, something not involving food?

I hope that's of some help.