I overeat for several reasons. Today my obstacle was overcoming my nerves. When I'm in a conflict with someone all I want to do is spend some time with my refrigerator in hopes all my anxiety will GO AWAY. Of course, problems are always bigger in my head. When these bouts of anxiety hit I've started to chant my new mantra, "avoidance brings anxiety" and if that doesn't motivate me to work I start to sing to myself, "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel."
I was thinking of a strategy I can use on myself that I think might be effective for this particular problem. If I'm compelled to turn into the human disposal due to nerves I need to resort to my chore list and do at least 3 chores before I can eat a healthy snack. Hopefully, my energy will be spent cleaning the toilet instead of chowing down bad leftovers.
What do you guys do when faced with anxious eating?
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI really like your three chores before strategy. That kills two birds with one stone.
Mine is to fix myself a cup of herbal tea or hot cocoa; it fulfills my need to fritter in the kitchen; it takes a long time to finish; it fills my stomach (although now that I know what hunger pangs feel like, I know going into the tea that I'm NOT hungry) and I feel like I'm feeding myself even though I'm only drinking...and the calories are minimal.
Jenn, you're a genius! I am going to have to adopt your method of 3 chores before unnecessary eating. It's a great idea...plus you will burn extra calories doing those chores!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, and I'm totally going to use it. I like what the trainer momma says. Before she puts anything in her mouth, she asks herself, "Is this part of a meal or a healthy snack?" That helps me stop myself before I do anything stupid.
ReplyDeleteJenn, so AWESOME!! Thank you so much for sharing your feelings. I am a nervous eater. Infact, at this very moment, all I want to do is raid the fridge, but I won't. I'll have to try the chore idea. I often have to mentally change things or just wait it out til the next day. Sometimes my desire to overeat doesn't end until the next day. Hang in there. The more you fight it, the easier it is going to become.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the idea of doing 3 chores. It still gives an end point because if I just tell myself I will do my chores that's usually what I am trying to avoid in the first place!
ReplyDeleteThere have been times when I've been stressed or anxious that I've just succumbed to my food cravings. I find that drinking a big glass of water keeps me from doing that now. I also have found that having a morning and afternoon snack has also helped these cravings as I'm don't get so hungry that I over indulge.
ReplyDeleteI too am a total stress eater...and it doesn't have to be something tasty.. it can be anything and I'll just eat it. I also drink a bottle of water and then busy myself with some housework or computer stuff. Lately I have been chewing a piece of sugar-free gum and drinking a bottle of water..it helps me :)I'm going to try the 3 chores idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love all the ideas everyone else has shared (including yours Jenn) and I am definitely going to employ them the next time I get a nervous craving which will probably be in about 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteSomething else you might try is to find something you really enjoy and replace nervous eating with that thing. Maybe it is sitting in your favorite chair and listening to your favorite song, or sitting down and sketching something, it just needs to be something that calms you down and helps you feel better, like food does. Does that make sense? This is a real struggle for me too. I think the more ideas we have to try the better we will be at combating it.
What a great idea! When I'm frustrated, I do clean, but I'm rarely frustrated, so my house remains a mess. I don't eat when I'm stressed, but I do eat because it sounds good. I think "Huh, I feel like some peppermint ice cream, that sounds good", then I go eat it. Not good. I'm totally going to try the chores.
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