Guest guest Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi there! I completely relate to the eating while happy ordeal! I have stopped that, but I used to get excited about something, and BAM! Order a pizza and proceed to devour the box in one night. I would feel so guilty afterwards because I used to be a normal eater that ate one or two slices and saved the rest for the next day. I've been really lonely for the last 4 years of my life. All my old friends have moved away and I'm not exactly a social butterfly, so I kept to myself and food became something to do when bored in front of the computer, or a " friend " to comfort me when upset, or celebrate with. I think you've already made progress. You are looking for a new job. THAT is progress. You identified the stressor (the current job) and made steps to change it. In that way, you are attuned to what causes your overeating and that's a big step! For me, if random eating out of hunger begins, I like to stop, put down the food, and ask myself, " Why are you eating when you're not hungry? What emotional hunger are you trying to satisfy? " That usually stops me from going overboard. I try to distract myself and do things like read a book (The IE book if necessary), or watch a movie instead, and remember that I can have that piece food when I'm hungry. Also, overeating never solves your real problems. It just adds to them because now you've created a weight problem along with your other life problems, and those can never be solved unless you stop turning to food, and address them. Good luck. IE is harder in practice than I ever thought. baby steps! > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > When I just want an escape, any escape. > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > Advice? > > Mckella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi there! I completely relate to the eating while happy ordeal! I have stopped that, but I used to get excited about something, and BAM! Order a pizza and proceed to devour the box in one night. I would feel so guilty afterwards because I used to be a normal eater that ate one or two slices and saved the rest for the next day. I've been really lonely for the last 4 years of my life. All my old friends have moved away and I'm not exactly a social butterfly, so I kept to myself and food became something to do when bored in front of the computer, or a " friend " to comfort me when upset, or celebrate with. I think you've already made progress. You are looking for a new job. THAT is progress. You identified the stressor (the current job) and made steps to change it. In that way, you are attuned to what causes your overeating and that's a big step! For me, if random eating out of hunger begins, I like to stop, put down the food, and ask myself, " Why are you eating when you're not hungry? What emotional hunger are you trying to satisfy? " That usually stops me from going overboard. I try to distract myself and do things like read a book (The IE book if necessary), or watch a movie instead, and remember that I can have that piece food when I'm hungry. Also, overeating never solves your real problems. It just adds to them because now you've created a weight problem along with your other life problems, and those can never be solved unless you stop turning to food, and address them. Good luck. IE is harder in practice than I ever thought. baby steps! > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > When I just want an escape, any escape. > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > Advice? > > Mckella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi there! I completely relate to the eating while happy ordeal! I have stopped that, but I used to get excited about something, and BAM! Order a pizza and proceed to devour the box in one night. I would feel so guilty afterwards because I used to be a normal eater that ate one or two slices and saved the rest for the next day. I've been really lonely for the last 4 years of my life. All my old friends have moved away and I'm not exactly a social butterfly, so I kept to myself and food became something to do when bored in front of the computer, or a " friend " to comfort me when upset, or celebrate with. I think you've already made progress. You are looking for a new job. THAT is progress. You identified the stressor (the current job) and made steps to change it. In that way, you are attuned to what causes your overeating and that's a big step! For me, if random eating out of hunger begins, I like to stop, put down the food, and ask myself, " Why are you eating when you're not hungry? What emotional hunger are you trying to satisfy? " That usually stops me from going overboard. I try to distract myself and do things like read a book (The IE book if necessary), or watch a movie instead, and remember that I can have that piece food when I'm hungry. Also, overeating never solves your real problems. It just adds to them because now you've created a weight problem along with your other life problems, and those can never be solved unless you stop turning to food, and address them. Good luck. IE is harder in practice than I ever thought. baby steps! > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > When I just want an escape, any escape. > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > Advice? > > Mckella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi, McKella. I understand COMPLETELY. I was where you are when I started. I'm not all the way to where I want to be but I have learned a couple of things: - GENTLENESS with yourself is the absolute only option for healing. This means that you have to praise yourself for the small things you begin to do in the direction of some intuitive eating, and completely forgive yourself for what you can't yet do. - PATIENCE will help. This is a long process. First we learn to eat intuitively at the moments when we're relaxed, well rested, and feeling good. It takes much more time and practice to learn to do it at the times we're upset, exhausted, overexcited, or sick. But it WILL happen. - NOT BEING PERFECTIONIST is really important. Any guidelines we have for eating intuitively should be accompanied by the phrase "Most of the time." - WHEN YOU'RE EATING TO COMFORT YOURSELF do it with pleasure, eat what really appeals to you with no guilt or recriminations, allowing it to truly comfort you. Naturally intuitive eaters sometimes comfort themselves with food too. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck. Keep posting. April Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to beGentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperationWhen I just want an escape, any escape.I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interviewMe! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting myBody. I just want relief? Does anyone have anyAdvice?Mckella------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi, McKella. I understand COMPLETELY. I was where you are when I started. I'm not all the way to where I want to be but I have learned a couple of things: - GENTLENESS with yourself is the absolute only option for healing. This means that you have to praise yourself for the small things you begin to do in the direction of some intuitive eating, and completely forgive yourself for what you can't yet do. - PATIENCE will help. This is a long process. First we learn to eat intuitively at the moments when we're relaxed, well rested, and feeling good. It takes much more time and practice to learn to do it at the times we're upset, exhausted, overexcited, or sick. But it WILL happen. - NOT BEING PERFECTIONIST is really important. Any guidelines we have for eating intuitively should be accompanied by the phrase "Most of the time." - WHEN YOU'RE EATING TO COMFORT YOURSELF do it with pleasure, eat what really appeals to you with no guilt or recriminations, allowing it to truly comfort you. Naturally intuitive eaters sometimes comfort themselves with food too. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck. Keep posting. April Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to beGentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperationWhen I just want an escape, any escape.I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interviewMe! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting myBody. I just want relief? Does anyone have anyAdvice?Mckella------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi, McKella. I understand COMPLETELY. I was where you are when I started. I'm not all the way to where I want to be but I have learned a couple of things: - GENTLENESS with yourself is the absolute only option for healing. This means that you have to praise yourself for the small things you begin to do in the direction of some intuitive eating, and completely forgive yourself for what you can't yet do. - PATIENCE will help. This is a long process. First we learn to eat intuitively at the moments when we're relaxed, well rested, and feeling good. It takes much more time and practice to learn to do it at the times we're upset, exhausted, overexcited, or sick. But it WILL happen. - NOT BEING PERFECTIONIST is really important. Any guidelines we have for eating intuitively should be accompanied by the phrase "Most of the time." - WHEN YOU'RE EATING TO COMFORT YOURSELF do it with pleasure, eat what really appeals to you with no guilt or recriminations, allowing it to truly comfort you. Naturally intuitive eaters sometimes comfort themselves with food too. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck. Keep posting. April Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to beGentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperationWhen I just want an escape, any escape.I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interviewMe! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting myBody. I just want relief? Does anyone have anyAdvice?Mckella------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Hi McKella, I've got some simple advice for you (and I don't at all mean for it to be frustrating/seem unhelpful in it's simplicity, just practical! ). Here goes: When you notice a craving for food and you are not physically hungry, the first thing to do is **get the heck out of the kitchen!** It's easier to debate whether or not you're going to give into your craving when you're not standing in front of open cupboards/the fridge/a plate of cookies/the convenience store candy aisle/etc. Then, take 10 deep breathes (breathe in and count to 4, hold it and count to 4, breathe out and count to 4), while trying to keep your bosy loose. Try to forget about your stress eating dilemma for just these 60 seconds. I think it was a site called " skinny thinking " (which, by the way, is about overcoming the emotional reasons why we eat, and not about attaining a cultural skinny ideal) wherein I first heard the advice that the first thing to do during a non-physical food craving is to " get the heck out of the kitchen/away from the food!* That is one proactive step you can literally take when stress eating comes on. It meaks sense, and if you can make a habit of remembering to do it, you might find that it helps a lot. Hope it helps! > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > When I just want an escape, any escape. > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > Advice? > > Mckella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Hi Mckella, I saw myself a lot in your post. I find myself really struggling with this when my kids start to act out. I have two young boys, and my husband and I work opposite shifts, so when I get home from a long day of work and want to unwind, I am alone with the boys. So many times the advice I have read for de-stressing is to take a long walk or meditate or take a bubble bath, and I always laugh and wonder what I'm supposed to do with my kids while I'm meditating or lighting candles and drawing a bath. Plus, I am learning that disciplining them feels like conflict to me, and I recoil from conflict. So, when I have to tell them no or chide them, I find myself agitated and wandering in the kitchen to stuff my face. Here are a few things that have helped me recently: Look at every bite of food before it enters my mouth. Look at the bite on the fork, sometimes smell it, and then put it in my mouth and think about the flavors. I am a crazy fast eater, but when I tell myself to slow down, I feel resentful of what feels like a diet-y rule. But looking at each bite naturally slows down my eating and increases enjoyment of every bite. I continue to give myself complete permission to eat anything and couple that with saying nice things to myself even when overeating. When I want to overeat, I am trying to say the simple mantra in my head, " You're not breaking any rules. Just eat whatever you want, and try to stop when you are satisfied. You will get better and better at this. " My stress eating is worse when it is unconscious, but talking to myself about it makes me notice it in a neutral way. I am experimenting with eating at a different time than the kids. Since my youngest still needs me to feed him bite by bite, my own eating and enjoyment of my food was getting buried in my focus on his needs. I feed them, then I let them play while I eat. Sometimes I give them a " special " toy they rarely get to use, like play dough or legos (both toys that are not out for them to play with all the time). Sometimes I let them watch 15 minutes of a cartoon or movie, and sometimes I let them play outside. It feels like I am taking my meal time back, and it really has helped me enjoy my meals more and feel less likely to stuff my face after dinner. This one may not fit into your role as a nanny, but it has helped me. Good luck on getting a job with less stress, and good luck finding coming up with some tricks that will help you until then! -Liz > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > When I just want an escape, any escape. > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > Advice? > > Mckella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Hi Mckella, I saw myself a lot in your post. I find myself really struggling with this when my kids start to act out. I have two young boys, and my husband and I work opposite shifts, so when I get home from a long day of work and want to unwind, I am alone with the boys. So many times the advice I have read for de-stressing is to take a long walk or meditate or take a bubble bath, and I always laugh and wonder what I'm supposed to do with my kids while I'm meditating or lighting candles and drawing a bath. Plus, I am learning that disciplining them feels like conflict to me, and I recoil from conflict. So, when I have to tell them no or chide them, I find myself agitated and wandering in the kitchen to stuff my face. Here are a few things that have helped me recently: Look at every bite of food before it enters my mouth. Look at the bite on the fork, sometimes smell it, and then put it in my mouth and think about the flavors. I am a crazy fast eater, but when I tell myself to slow down, I feel resentful of what feels like a diet-y rule. But looking at each bite naturally slows down my eating and increases enjoyment of every bite. I continue to give myself complete permission to eat anything and couple that with saying nice things to myself even when overeating. When I want to overeat, I am trying to say the simple mantra in my head, " You're not breaking any rules. Just eat whatever you want, and try to stop when you are satisfied. You will get better and better at this. " My stress eating is worse when it is unconscious, but talking to myself about it makes me notice it in a neutral way. I am experimenting with eating at a different time than the kids. Since my youngest still needs me to feed him bite by bite, my own eating and enjoyment of my food was getting buried in my focus on his needs. I feed them, then I let them play while I eat. Sometimes I give them a " special " toy they rarely get to use, like play dough or legos (both toys that are not out for them to play with all the time). Sometimes I let them watch 15 minutes of a cartoon or movie, and sometimes I let them play outside. It feels like I am taking my meal time back, and it really has helped me enjoy my meals more and feel less likely to stuff my face after dinner. This one may not fit into your role as a nanny, but it has helped me. Good luck on getting a job with less stress, and good luck finding coming up with some tricks that will help you until then! -Liz > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > When I just want an escape, any escape. > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > Advice? > > Mckella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2011 Report Share Posted February 28, 2011 Liz, I came online tonight to write about how my WORSE emotional eating situations occur on Monday's (my work form home day) when my 3 year old is acting like his usual adorable but MANIAC self and I get SO stressed out that I literally go to the pantry and shove food in. I cannot get a grip...I don't know how to make it stop. I can't seem to find anything else as easy to do but eat ! Like you said, you can't go take a bath or a nice walk while you are caring for your children..there are limited options. I can't seem to find one for this particular situation. If anyone has any more ideas on this type of stress eating, I'd love to hear it. I know I've asked you guys this before..but I just can't seem to get any better at it. Thanks, Jen > > > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > > When I just want an escape, any escape. > > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > > Advice? > > > > Mckella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Thanks for the tips everyone, especially . Literally " watching what I eat " helps a lot, and I've been putting an effort into carving out a couple minutes to sit down and eat my meals instead of just munching all day while I do other stuff. I'm still working on being gentle with myself because I think that's the biggest problem, but telling myself that I'm still learning helps. I know stress is always going to be around no matter what I'm doing and learning to manage it without food will probably make it easier to handle. For some reason knowing that the stress will never go away makes it a bit easier, because I'm not waiting for some oasis of peace in the distant future and I know I can start now. It's the same as telling myself no food will ever be forbidden. Stress eating will never be forbidden either because there will alway be stress. It's weird, but it's like telling myself it's ok and I don't have to let go until I'm ready and when I do, stress might seem less stressful because I won't have tight pants and a stuffed tummy on top of everything else. McKella > > > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > > When I just want an escape, any escape. > > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > > Advice? > > > > Mckella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Thanks for the tips everyone, especially . Literally " watching what I eat " helps a lot, and I've been putting an effort into carving out a couple minutes to sit down and eat my meals instead of just munching all day while I do other stuff. I'm still working on being gentle with myself because I think that's the biggest problem, but telling myself that I'm still learning helps. I know stress is always going to be around no matter what I'm doing and learning to manage it without food will probably make it easier to handle. For some reason knowing that the stress will never go away makes it a bit easier, because I'm not waiting for some oasis of peace in the distant future and I know I can start now. It's the same as telling myself no food will ever be forbidden. Stress eating will never be forbidden either because there will alway be stress. It's weird, but it's like telling myself it's ok and I don't have to let go until I'm ready and when I do, stress might seem less stressful because I won't have tight pants and a stuffed tummy on top of everything else. McKella > > > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > > When I just want an escape, any escape. > > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > > Advice? > > > > Mckella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Thanks for the tips everyone, especially . Literally " watching what I eat " helps a lot, and I've been putting an effort into carving out a couple minutes to sit down and eat my meals instead of just munching all day while I do other stuff. I'm still working on being gentle with myself because I think that's the biggest problem, but telling myself that I'm still learning helps. I know stress is always going to be around no matter what I'm doing and learning to manage it without food will probably make it easier to handle. For some reason knowing that the stress will never go away makes it a bit easier, because I'm not waiting for some oasis of peace in the distant future and I know I can start now. It's the same as telling myself no food will ever be forbidden. Stress eating will never be forbidden either because there will alway be stress. It's weird, but it's like telling myself it's ok and I don't have to let go until I'm ready and when I do, stress might seem less stressful because I won't have tight pants and a stuffed tummy on top of everything else. McKella > > > > Hey, does anyone have any oodnips for dealing with stress eating? I work about 60 hours a week at the nanny job from hell, and I try to be > > Gentle with myself, take a little time for self- care, etc. But nothing seems to work in those frequent moments of desperation > > When I just want an escape, any escape. > > I applied for a new job and got an email back an hour later, they want to interview > > Me! I'm excited, but I immediatley wanted to eat, and I did because I was really nervous too. > > I never get to just sit and savor my food or eat in peace or take time to make what I really want, so I munch like crazy all day. In the moment, I can't stop myself. I can't do anything else for myself and I don't care that it's hurting my > > Body. I just want relief? Does anyone have any > > Advice? > > > > Mckella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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