over eating

[lilvanillachica1]

when my anxiety gets really bad i have to eat. im 5'5 and 145 pounds. i used to weigh 125   4 months ago! i just cant help it. i dont understand. it provides a weird sense of relief for my anxiety
anyone else do this??
courtney

[Steve23]

Hey Courtney

Yeah, I more than understand, because I do it myself.

I think that when we feel anxious we instinctively try to compensate for those unpleasant feelings by doing something we do find pleasurable or comforting. And eating is something that we all enjoy.

Maybe try reacting to the anxiety with something else that you enjoy doing?

Hey, 145 pounds aint bad. 

[pinky5]

Courtney,

Oh yes, food, such a good buddy, so comforting, until you get on the scale, and OH MY GOD! I weigh how much!!??!! Yes lots of people comfort themselves with food, you see them everywhere and I'm one of them. You don't want to go down this road, believe me. I was severely bulimic for about 10 years so am familiar with the highs and lows of comforting myself with food. The highs don't last long and the lows jiggle along with you for the rest of the time. I am 5'9" and my highest weight was 216. I had stopped throwing up in an effort to get over the bulimia, because I had gotten to the point of throwing up blood, being dizzy most of the time and having weird heart palpitations. So no more throwing up, but still have problems with compulsive overeating. I didn't have a scale for years while trying to get better, because if you're bulimic you're weighing yourself numerous times a day. I was over at a friend's house and she had one of those body fat scales. I was feeling solid enough to get on. I don't think I had weighed myself for at least 5 years. Much to my horror I was 216 and 42% body fat. Talk about denial! I had no idea that I weighed that much. So that was 4 years ago, and am now down to the 180's and 32% body fat. Still have about 40 pounds and 10% fat to lose. I'll get there, just a matter of time.

Anyway, Courtney the moral to this sad little tale is to say. STOP NOW! 20 extra pounds is a drag, but at least it's not 60 or 70. Just do whatever you can to find other ways to comfort yourself. My boyfriend and I don't have any junk food in the house, we have what we call the "Single serving, get it on the outside" policy when it comes to junk food. We can go buy whatever we want, just don't bring any home.

Rachel

[lilvanillachica1]

stevie, ill try and think of somethingrlse to do, but usually if i dont eat i light up a ciggerate! which is worse! 
i need to find something

rachel,
im glad to know im not hte only one dealing with the food issue. good job with losing the pounds!
thats a good idea about the no junk food at home rule.
its weird i dont anything all day just drink but when night comes . oh wow its horrible.
courtney

[GMan86]

Meds can increase/decrease your appetite as a side effect. And yes even I have to admit I am dangerous in the kitchen at times of high anxiety 

[Janey]

Hi Courtney,

I have discovered the effects of comfort eating lately when i got on the scales after 6 months.

I have found that joining the gym is workng with my weight but also my anxiety. I am very tired of a night time so i am sleeping better.

Give it a go, it makes me feel a bit better about myself.

Janey