I've always been an emotional/stress eater and caring for my 86 year old husband with dementia is becoming a nightmare. I make it okay through the day but in the afternoon all thunderation breaks loose and I'll eat anything that doesn't eat me first. Just wondering if anyone else has this problem and what they do about it. Thanks.
The thing is, we do it because it feels good (while you’re eating). So if you take away that comfort, what’s left? One needs a replacement-comforting-thing.
I wish us all success in stopping to stress eat, trying to use food as a painkiller against stress, sadness, boredom…
I hope we find a better alternative.
I retired in November 2020 for two reasons - my age (I am now 76) but primarily because my husband needed me. (He has had two strokes and has cognitive, balance and “bathroom” issues.) When I retired, I started dieting (1500 calories a day and a lot of prayer) and lost 75 lbs., but I struggle every day to keep it off.
I stay busy in the mornings, but it’s just four walls in the afternoon. I’m an extrovert, and I’d love to work part-time, but I can’t leave him that long since he’s a fall risk. I do volunteer and help with the religious newspaper where I retired as editor on Monday and Tuesday, and he goes to VA Day Care from 9-2 on Fridays, so all that helps. But I’d sure appreciate suggestions, too!
That's not easy either.
There are so many reasons why we over eat and Noom helps you figure this out & come up with solutions. You won’t lose weight unless you also exercise. I wish you success in taking the best of care of yourself.
I found going cold cold turkey made things worse. But strong, rich chocolate satisfied me with less.
Try portioning your treats. “I got through this, so it is treat time.” Be mindful of when, why and how much you’re eating.
I am also very music oriented and found I could sing and (badly) dance away some stress. I love to connect with nature (I’m fortunate to live in the woods) but often find I have to first burn off my excess emotional energy in a physical way before the inner and outer me can truly decompress.
What else (besides food) helps heal your wounds? Or feels like a reward? Good luck!
Best thing for the food drive is to drink a big old glass of water soon as it hits. Once your mouth starts thinking about what there is to eat, or what you should GET to eat drink down a big glass of water.
Filling up the stomach briefly is going to kind of cut the drive down momentarily. Much in the same way you don't want to go shopping when you are hungry but rather when you are "full".
Try to find something else that can be a diversion. I love podcasts to divert my mind from the cycles it likes to whirl round in.
I wish you good luck. Try to keep full with any good for you, low cal thing you can find. Kiefer will fill you, when flavored is sweet, and will build a healthy gut genome that won't be doing sugar and salt triggers all the time.
Good luck.