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I have a question...

Danigurl

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Ok, I need some advice. You see, I constantly eat, I'm not overweight or obese or anything, but I'm constantly eating, I eat when I'm tired, I eat when I'm bored, and most often, I eat when I'm angry. I really dont know what to do. I guess you could say I just get really really tempted. Like I said, i'm not overweight, I only weigh 115 pounds, but I really need to know how to stop by constant eating, because I'm afraid, when I get older, I will be obese. Help!!
 

fallen^sparrow

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By the description of your eating habits you may be an "Emotional Eater" ... see if this description fits:


Emotional Eating: Feeding Your Feelings

Eating to feed a feeling, and not a growling stomach, is emotional eating.

By Heather Hatfield
WebMD Feature Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Tuesday, November 11, 2003


When you're happy, your food of choice could be steak or pizza, when you're sad it could be ice cream or cookies, and when you're bored it could be potato chips. Food does more than fill our stomachs -- it also satisfies feelings, and when you quench those feelings with comfort food when your stomach isn't growling, that's emotional eating.


"Emotional eating is eating for reasons other than hunger," says Jane Jakubczak, a registered dietitian at the University of Maryland. "Instead of the physical symptom of hunger initiating the eating, an emotion triggers the eating."


What are the telltale signs of emotional eating, what foods are the most likely culprits when it comes to emotional eating, and how it can be overcome? Experts help WebMD find the answers.


How to Tell the Difference


There are several differences between emotional hunger and physical hunger, according to the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center web site:


1. Emotional hunger comes on suddenly; physical hunger occurs gradually.

2. When you are eating to fill a void that isn't related to an empty stomach, you crave a specific food, such as pizza or ice cream, and only that food will meet your need. When you eat because you are actually hungry, you're open to options.

3. Emotional hunger feels like it needs to be satisfied instantly with the food you crave; physical hunger can wait.

4. Even when you are full, if you're eating to satisfy an emotional need, you're more likely to keep eating. When you're eating because you're hungry, you're more likely to stop when you're full.

5. Emotional eating can leave behind feelings of guilt; eating when you are physically hungry does not.


You can read the rest of the two page article here: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/76/90283

Hope this helps Dani :)

fallen^sparrow
 
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feral

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Danigurl,

I used to do the same thing! For me, what helped was turning to a more healthy activity when I was bored or unable to deal with what was bothering me - like reading, going to a movie or visiting a friend. Those activities give you the 'escapism' you want without adding calories. If you really find yourself turning to food instead of coping with lifes problems, I'd suggest counseling, but if it's just a way to pass the time or entertain yourself then it's not big deal. Try to eat healthy snacks when you do eat - pretzels, fresh and dried fruit, yogurt, trail mix, etc instead of chips and junk.
 
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brokenbananas

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Danigirl,

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an energy psychology method that can help you deal with this physically and emotionally. You can find out more information on this at: http://www.mercola.com/forms/eftcourse.htm

This is Dr. Joseph Mercola's site. He's an alternative healthcare doctor with a medical doctor background.

It's help me stop my emotional eating. I basically only eat when my body needs food, but I do eat frequently, like every 3-4 hrs. Eating frequently (as long as you eat the right things) is good in stabilizing your insulin levels & keeps your metabolism up.

~Doris
 
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Danigurl

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Thank you guys, so much. I still am not too sure what to do when I do get emotionally unstable enough to begin eating, but I will just stick with running. Everyday after work, (or at least I try to). I really appreciate you all helping me with this issue. I don't think I need couseling, that's a little overboard, but, I will take that into consideration. Thank You so much.
 
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brokenbananas

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EFT combined with prayer and seeking God has been the most effective way to quickly get rid of all the emotional stuff for your situation because it is unique to you. It does require some work. You can go to the site I suggested, but if you don't want to, you don't have to.

A person can try to have as much willpower as they want, but when the mind and body are warring against each other, it's pretty tough. You have to address both otherwise it greatly decreases your chances of success.
 
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Danigurl

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Thank you MDolls, I did go to that website yesterday, and I read it. It's quite frightening to know that, I didn't even know it was a symptom. I thank you for everyone who read this thread and helped me out. Please, if you could, pray for me. I'm struggling a lot, and I have been praying and asking God for his Guidance, but I'm sure it will take a while!! Thanks again!
 
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