Stress Eating from Fear

[ChubbyCherub]

Hi all,

I'm on a restrictive diet and it is stressful on the body and mind but not so much that it can't be adhered to etc.

I've had tests back and I'm extremely healthy and losing weight to continue to be healthy as I'm aware of generational illnesses and mobility issues I would like to avoid etc.

The issue is that I started this journey with health and wholesome goals but now I'm derailed by binge eating from emotions I reactively medicate with food instead of bringing these to God.

I am terrified of how the world is going. The news terrifies me. Social media terrifies me. The questions I have that aren't answered terrifies me and I seek comfort in eating because it's the only way I can sleep, sometimes!

I don't want to use gluttony and, thus, lack of communication with God as a way to cope. I want to react with prayer. I seem to be in a cycle that is not glorifying God.

In order to self manage, I have deleted all social media and I do not watch the news.

I am also praying but it seems to be repenting, more often than praying before the act, so I could use your Christian prayers, please. Or advice. Or both.

Thank you all and God bless, as always - CC

 

[Delvianna]

I'm praying for you and I hear you! I'm also on a diet to drop weight and its restrictive only because I developed a severe milk allergy. You'd be surprised at how much stuff has milk in it! Can't go to this BBQ place because they put milk in their bbq sauce... Can't go to a normal restaurant and have mashed potatoes because milk in their mash... I mean, the list goes on...

I'm on day 6 so far and have dropped weight so I know I'm going in the right direction but I also have the whole eating feelings thing. What I did instead, is alter the way I cope if I'm stressed. You're never going to go through this life without something happening but you can learn to cope better. So I did a trial and error to see what I can do that is a healthier way to cope, without the desire to binge a bunch of food. What gives me that dopamine hit and helps calm me down.... My ways aren't going to help you in that regard because I settled on ASMR videos (lol) but try and find something that does it for you, that isn't food.

As far as the world is going, remember Jesus warned us about this and it's only going to get worse. This is a prime opportunity to get closer to him, so your trust level counters your fear. The opposite of fear IS trust. Not trusting that you aren't going to experience hard times, but trust that no matter what it is, God is right there with you to get you through it as long as you follow him, his direction and his guidance.

Satan wants you to wallow in fear because the last thing he wants, is anyone to have a strong trust in the Lord. Imagine what you could do if you had it? You'd be a walking problem for him where you could help others, and thats 1 less grip he has on someone. What you're going through is demonic attack and he's using fear as the weapon. Overcome it with faith and trust because ultimately, God is in control of everything and this life is never going to go the way WE want it to. As the world continues to rot, we're just that 1 step closer to Jesus ruling and reigning.

 

[ChubbyCherub]

I'm praying for you and I hear you! I'm also on a diet to drop weight and its restrictive only because I developed a severe milk allergy. You'd be surprised at how much stuff has milk in it! Can't go to this BBQ place because they put milk in their bbq sauce... Can't go to a normal restaurant and have mashed potatoes because milk in their mash... I mean, the list goes on...

I'm on day 6 so far and have dropped weight so I know I'm going in the right direction but I also have the whole eating feelings thing. What I did instead, is alter the way I cope if I'm stressed. You're never going to go through this life without something happening but you can learn to cope better. So I did a trial and error to see what I can do that is a healthier way to cope, without the desire to binge a bunch of food. What gives me that dopamine hit and helps calm me down.... My ways aren't going to help you in that regard because I settled on ASMR videos (lol) but try and find something that does it for you, that isn't food.

As far as the world is going, remember Jesus warned us about this and it's only going to get worse. This is a prime opportunity to get closer to him, so your trust level counters your fear. The opposite of fear IS trust. Not trusting that you aren't going to experience hard times, but trust that no matter what it is, God is right there with you to get you through it as long as you follow him, his direction and his guidance.

Satan wants you to wallow in fear because the last thing he wants, is anyone to have a strong trust in the Lord. Imagine what you could do if you had it? You'd be a walking problem for him where you could help others, and thats 1 less grip he has on someone. What you're going through is demonic attack and he's using fear as the weapon. Overcome it with faith and trust because ultimately, God is in control of everything and this life is never going to go the way WE want it to. As the world continues to rot, we're just that 1 step closer to Jesus ruling and reigning.

Thanks so much for this because I don't get a lot of fellowship where I am and it helps to have the word of God reiterated with fellow Christians.

Like you, I was watching ASMR and mukbangs to manage cravings through third party but then I felt bad like I was encouraging sin through others so I stopped... I don't know...!

Sorry about the milk intolerance! That must be a lot to manage because, as you say, there is milk in so many things!! But, congrats on your weight loss!!

I started out being Obese class II and managed to get to 'healthy' according to BMI scale but have crept my way up to 'overweight' by 10 pounds due to stress eating! I really want to get a grip on this so I can honor God through honoring my body and not resorting to anything worldly when stress and fear seem to consume me!

Thank you for the reminder that it is Satan. I think about God a lot but never Satan. I don't know why!

I'm still so scared. I have a paper journal and will try to use that more often. I had an online diary, because writing hurts (!) but I don't think it was helping because I only went to it after the fact AND I'm scared of anything being noted online in our current censorship era.

So, appreciate your help, thank you so much. If you need an accountability buddy, let me know!

 

[Delvianna]

Thanks so much for this because I don't get a lot of fellowship where I am and it helps to have the word of God reiterated with fellow Christians.

Same, but I'm here for you if you need me!

Like you, I was watching ASMR and mukbangs to manage cravings through third party but then I felt bad like I was encouraging sin through others so I stopped... I don't know...!

Mukbangs might not be a good idea, since it promotes overeating. And when you're on a diet, that isn't going to help because you'll just crave food. As far as ASMR, I try and find wholesome artists to watch. I stopped promoting one after she came out saying she started OF... I was like, yep... not supporting that and unsubbed. But general ASMR isn't a sin as long as the content is wholesome. Latte, and Myaling are my 2 absolute favorites.

Sorry about the milk intolerance! That must be a lot to manage because, as you say, there is milk in so many things!! But, congrats on your weight loss!!

Thank you!

I started out being Obese class II and managed to get to 'healthy' according to BMI scale but have crept my way up to 'overweight' by 10 pounds due to stress eating! I really want to get a grip on this so I can honor God through honoring my body and not resorting to anything worldly when stress and fear seem to consume me!

Congrats at getting down so far!! And also, give yourself some grace to realize that you're headed in the wrong direction and you're trying to do something about it. That in itself is exactly what you should be doing! Remember, this is a race (I really like Pauls metaphor as it makes total sense), so the only thing you need to do is KEEP GOING. Struggles aren't going to be an overnight thing where suddenly you wake up in the morning and it's all gone and you're good and you can go take on the world!! It's conquering 1 thing at a time, step by step. If you fall off the horse, get back on. Your desire to get a grip on this is a wholesome one and I KNOW God is going, "YOU CAN DO IT!" Picture him like your cheerleader XD

Thank you for the reminder that it is Satan. I think about God a lot but never Satan. I don't know why!

You're welcome! Probably because you're just not used to looking at it this way. Don't worry, that's why we have fellowship! We help each other <3

I'm still so scared. I have a paper journal and will try to use that more often. I had an online diary, because writing hurts (!) but I don't think it was helping because I only went to it after the fact AND I'm scared of anything being noted online in our current censorship era.

I don't blame you. Things get leaked all the time but maybe it might help to open up a word doc, pour out your heart just so you can feel like you're getting it out there and then delete it. Then go to God and pray about what you just wrote. Writing helps me sort my emotions and thoughts and if physical writing hurts, maybe this method might help you.

So, appreciate your help, thank you so much. If you need an accountability buddy, let me know!

Will do! And if you need someone too, I'm here also!