RE: Ways to Deal

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg, Welcome ...

Its nice to listen and remain anonymous awhile, but it is also nice to start participating and being a part of the group. You can gain real support and encouragement, specific to the real you, and where you are at in your journey, as long as you are willing to let us know you, and what your issues and "place" are like today.

Although I have to be careful about overdoing it, and I am careful and moderate today, I have found more enjoyment, peace, exertion, and overall balance in my attitude, my physical body, and my spiritual connection in exercising on a regular basis. I have no doubt I would have been on antidepressants most of my life, but for the relief and benefits I found in physical fitness and the gym...

Although there were times of excess, the "hobby" has literally saved my life and my sanity... Just one, but a great one, with more benefits that imaginable. Glad you're here Meg...

have a great day..

Diane

To: IntuitiveEating_Support From: mpmunroe@...Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:25:38 -0600Subject: Ways to Deal

Hi All,I've been on the listserve for a while now, enjoying reading people's thoughts about IE and about their own journeys. I thought maybe I should introduce myself, and I have a question that maybe you all can give me some feedback on. A little about me: I've been doing IE for about four months now, give or take. During that time I've had some periods where I felt like things were going really well and like I was enjoying eating more than ever, and I've had times where I felt a little lost or like I didn't have the energy to put into thinking a lot about IE or found myself eating emotionally. I've always had issues with food, since I was young(er). In high school I was very obese and lost much of that weight in college. However, even though I lost weight (and mostly I didn't do it by restricting my food very much) I still struggle with my weight. In the past year or so I came to the realization that a lot of my overeating is emotional eating. When I get depressed or anxious, I tend to overeat, partly because it gives me a pleasurable distraction from whatever I'm experiencing, but also because the guilt I feel afterwards gives me something to focus on besides whatever other negative feelings I have. Despite the fact that I understand the pattern, I'm having a hard time breaking free of it. I was just wondering if people might have some suggestions about constructive ways of dealing with depression or anxiety. What do you do when you're feeling down?Thanks!Meg

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

I struggle with this, too (as I sure many others here do also), and

while I consciously know that it's a learned behavior that's become

habitual, that doesn't make it easier to break. Right now I'm trying

to just be aware of when I might start eating out of anxiety and to

also be aware of when my body is really trying to tell me to stop

because it doesn't feel good anymore. In other words, I might still

overeat at those times, but I'm working on limits. It might also help

you to journal about how you feel.. The main thing is to not beat

yourself over the head. Just recognize that this is a habit, and like

all habits, it takes time to overcome.

Sohni

Meg Munroe wrote:

Hi All,

I've been on the listserve for a while now, enjoying reading people's

thoughts about IE and about their own journeys. I thought maybe I

should introduce myself, and I have a question that maybe you all can

give me some feedback on.

A little about me: I've been doing IE for about four months now, give

or take. During that time I've had some periods where I felt like

things were going really well and like I was enjoying eating more than

ever, and I've had times where I felt a little lost or like I didn't

have the energy to put into thinking a lot about IE or found myself

eating emotionally. I've always had issues with food, since I was

young(er). In high school I was very obese and lost much of that weight

in college. However, even though I lost weight (and mostly I didn't do

it by restricting my food very much) I still struggle with my weight.

In the past year or so I came to the realization that a lot of my

overeating is emotional eating. When I get depressed or anxious, I tend

to overeat, partly because it gives me a pleasurable distraction from

whatever I'm experiencing, but also because the guilt I feel afterwards

gives me something to focus on besides whatever other negative feelings

I have.

Despite the fact that I understand the pattern, I'm having a hard time

breaking free of it. I was just wondering if people might have some

suggestions about constructive ways of dealing with depression or

anxiety. What do you do when you're feeling down?

Thanks!

Meg