Idk what to do rn, I feel like I really need food cause I’m very upset, but I also feel like I’ll completely ruin everything I’ve been working towards recently
Write it down. Write down what you’re feeling. Or try taking deep breaths, focus on your breathing. Put on a show or movie that brings you comfort. Basically, try other methods to calm down when you’re upset before resorting to food. If food is really the solution to your problems then eat. But if you reflect you’ll probably find that eating isn’t the answer.
I stress eat so I feel your pain. I just try to focus on knowing I will feel worse afterwards and try to play video games or something that will occupy my focus elsewhere for a bit. Or go for walk or workout and turn the negative energy into something positive.
I drink tea.
I’m also trying to sit with the feelings. Listen to what my body is saying. Try not to think about it but just process, so I’m more in touch with my body.
I do tell myself that after eating too much or junk that the issue is still there only I’ll physically feel worse after, so sometimes that helps.
I am still an emotional eater and have been one since childhood. I have learned to write down my thoughts. Check out an app called “Thought Diary”. I also put some music on or drink water because I know I’m not really hungry.
I think about how I’ve felt after emotionally eating in the past. Did it really make me feel better for longer than the food lasted? Did it fix the thing I was upset about? If I’m being honest with myself, the answer is no. I didn’t feel any better afterward. The food distracted me for a moment, but then I still felt just as bad.
I then think of other ways I can soothe myself. Go for a short walk (this legit always helps my mood). Have a nice cup of tea (no milk or sugar). Have a refreshing glass of mineral water. Watch dumb TikTok videos. Read a novel. Binge-watch some old show like “Columbo” or “Murder She Wrote” that is predictable and endearing, and made when TV was calmer, slower, and couldn’t show as much graphic violence. Cuddle up in bed and take a nap.
(Note — I’m not against graphic violence in media. It’s just not what I need when I’m already upset and looking for comfort.)
Right there with ya. I don’t think I realized just how much I was an emotional eater until I recently started IF and have been crazy emotional because I have to actually sit with my feelings instead of eat them away.
Food is a comfort. Think about what else makes you comfortable - a nice hot cup of tea or coffee, watching a movie, maybe take yourself out to a nice lunch or dinner.
All that said, and this may be an unpopular opinion, but be gentle on yourself. If you need to skip a day of fasting, skip it. Try not to binge eat of course, but it’s not the end of the world.