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Dealing With Stress Eating

I would like to talk about stress eating for a minute. I have a lot of things happening in my life right now. My brother Jason was diagnosed with cancer. My sister-in-law Fran (his wife) who works for CND and had breast cancer, has had hers come back. Various other loved ones have all been dealing with medical stuff. AND, AND, AND…business is slow to top it off.

 

So, what does a person who stress eats do but grab the comfort food? What I have realized is that for me right now it is sugar. They say in recovery admitting is the first part of healing so I suppose it’s good that I now am recognizing my issues with food faster. I am still on my journey of a healthier lifestyle and I’ve reigned the stress eating in a little. So as of today, I have still lost 10 lbs. since we all saw each other. And as a matter of fact, because I love to cook and make crazy salads, I made healthy food for a lunch at CND last week — ALL OF THEM. And there was bread, but it was whole grain of course! Good luck everyone. Please keep up the good work!

 

— Tiffany

Print | posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 1:07 PM

Comments

# re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Hannah Lee at 10/8/2008 1:23 PM
Tiffany, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother and sister-in-law. It is definitely not easy to stay on a healthy program when you're dealing with that kind of stress (on top of everything else!). My mother was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and I spent all summer going back and forth between Los Angeles and Charlotte to be with her and I definitely did a lot of that stress eating myself. (I prefer salty over sweet...and really, anything with mayonnaise will usually do the trick as well.)

Your family will be in my thoughts.

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

left by Holly aka FingerNailFixer at 10/9/2008 5:31 AM
Tiffany ((HUGS))

They don't call it comfort food for nothing, for whatever reason some of us have an emotional link to food that defies all rationale and haunts even stalks us through most of our days. Stress only compounds this and distracts us from the path we choose as we do become less important in the face of the mortality of those we love. I honestly do not have good advice for this, when my grandma was fighting and losing to leukemia two summers ago I put on 75 pounds. I feel so helpless and wish I had the words to give you to make it easier to fight stress without food. Everday stress is easy, exercise and mind over matter. Life and death stress is beyond my realm of control and knowledge.

If you just need someone to call to help you choose healthy over not when it is headed for your mouth just call, that would be a plan of attack. Maybe try finding an outlet like exercise where you walk till you are too tired to eat or even think and you can get some sleep. Thinking of you guys always, best wishes for everything.

CONGRATS on that 10 pounds!!

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Theresa Pilson at 10/9/2008 7:23 AM
Hi Tiffany,
There are times in our lives when we are asked to deal with horrific circumstances which are beyond our control. It is exactingly during these times when we think things are out of control that we must take a quiet moment to clearly assess the areas or things in our lives where we do have control. When it comes to "stress" eating we have complete control over the situtation or the emotional triggers. When the emotion hits you, the best thing you can do is to recognize the moment and make the decision to indulge by eating or make the decision to take a walk. Walking is a terrific de-stressing activity. It allows a few quiet moments to redirect your thoughts of wanting to eat something, and you will actually feel more mentally and physically refreshed. I am speaking from experience as I have battled weight issues all my life.
When I came to the realization that it all comes down to "my" choices and "my" decisions, not the circumstances of the moment, stress eating is no longer a factor.
BYW: I really enjoyed your array of salads they were terrific. Your presentation afterwards was truly informative and professionally delivered. Thanks for that.
All my best, Theresa Pilson

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Candace at 10/9/2008 8:34 AM
We are all so upset about Fran and Jason but they have a wonderful positive attitude and are going to pull throught once again. Tiffany-the salads were spectacular-the best lunch ever!!! Thank you.

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Shelena at 10/9/2008 9:08 AM
Hey Tiffany,

Knowing you for 10yrs now I would have to say that you are one of the strongest and smartest people that I know. You have the fortitude to deal with everything that life dishes out to you and you usually handle it with grace regardless of how you feel. You're smart enough to get why you're stress eating but in the end we all need an outlet to let that pressure out.
I'm sorry to hear about Fran and Jason, with their positive attitudes and all the people I know will be thinking about them they definitely have an advantage.
Here is some silly advice that might help...when all else fails...find something to do with your hands that won't allow you to eat.
I recently started knitting (teaching myself) to help my 86yr grandmother make lap blankets for the elderly. I love the fact that she's 86 herself and she's helping the elderly but that's beside the point! I find that because I have a goal and a deadline, not to mention that it keeps my hands completely busy so that I'm not able to use my "stress-eating" time to eat. If you're anything like me it's mindless eating when I'm not busy.
Luv Ya

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Doug Schoon at 10/9/2008 10:17 AM
Hey Tiff,

I saw you the other day and you're looking pretty fine and those salads you made for the event were outragouesly good. That's all anyone talked about at lunch, Tiff's healthy cooking. How about sharing some of your secret recipes?

You're absolutely right about stress eating and comfort food. It's a whole lot easier to change the type of comfort food than to get rid of stess. I keep fruit around, so when I get the urge, I'm biting into an orange, not a cookie.

Keep up the good work.
Doug Schoon

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Roxanne at 10/9/2008 2:12 PM
Tiff,
I know what you are going through,and I also know that you have the strength and courage to be strong and fight for them, but do not sacrifice your self.
Get your mind off of the "stress" and try a exercise class that makes you concentrate on the task.It will get you out of the house too!
And just for laughs, drag Leah along too!!
XXOO Roxanne

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Barbara at 10/10/2008 8:05 AM
Hi Tiffany,

Great job on the 10lbs loss so far! I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Barb

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by kim at 10/13/2008 4:32 PM
Hey Tif,

Sorry about all your family medical problems. I am so sorry to hear about Fran and Jason. I totally understand about stress eating.. I think that you are an amazing woman, and a little sugar won't hurt.. just don't binge like I had been.. It is so nice to hear someone else talk about the stress eating, and hear other peoples suggestions, thank you. It seems to be such a common problem for women especially, like we don't have enough!!:) So thank you and congrats on your victory! If you or your family needs anything at all.. please know you can call on me.

 re: Dealing With Stress Eating

Gravatar left by Mike Burke at 10/14/2008 8:20 AM
Hey Tiffany, I am so sorry to hear about your brther & Fran. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I have read the comments listed by others and think they are all great ideas. I myself do not have time to take a walk when I find the 5 mini choc. bars in my hand, however, I try to do something phsyical to ward off the stress eating. I usually end up doing 5-10 pushups or a couple of squats. This gets my mind off of eating and my next client has usually arrived and my mind is otherwise occupied. My arms are getting very strong :) Remember fresh fruit is sugar too!! Keep up the good work! Mike

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