[Nevermind]

Since the break-up from my boyfriend I've been eating like crazy.
Put anything deep fried near me and it will not survive the next 2 minutes.
I cannot sleep if my belly isn't so full that it hurts. I really need to feel that I couldn't possibly eat anything else before calming down.
I have had times of binging before, but usually this is a one day experience, and this has been going on for two weeks. I already see how I am getting fatter and fatter, but there is just no stopping.

What to do? I live in a shared flat, so I can't even throw everything away. We're students, the flat is full of fat and sugar. Exams are coming up, so I am home a lot to study and the others are mostly gone.

I am slowly turning into marshmallow woman. If only I could eat myself.

Does anyone have tipps on how to conquer your inner idiot, and to stop eating like this? Any suggestion is welcome!

[quankanne]

how to conquer your inner idiot! Sounds like a fantastic title for a book, lol

*hugs*

break-ups are hell, no matter who instigates them, because there are always feelings of inadequacy and shame, but you must keep reminding yourself that those feelings will leave, and that while eating may feel good, it doesn't accomplish anything.

my best advice is to bribe yourself. Tell yourself that you *can* have X, but that you're going to wait until after dinner or after class or after exercise. By putting off that instant gratification, you are taking control of it. Sure, eat it if you want, but *only* after endless glasses of water or chewing ice. You'd be amazed by how making yourself wait makes your desire go away. But it takes will-power, it doesn't work right away, you've got to build up to those "push-aways," as my husband calls them.

other big hint is to find a simple substitute. In my case, it's gum. The pieces are small, the calories are few if you get one with a sugar substitute and best of all, if you hit on the right flavor, it curbs appetite. Mint gum works wonders. Water is always a good one, even iced or hot tea can be a good substitute, because it fills your stomach, which tricks your mind. Healthy snacks (carrots, celery, fresh fruit) are also good, because your palate suddenly hates the taste of processed foods because they're yucky in comparison to simple old apple slices or raw broccoli with ranch dressing.

I think after observing our new kitten, the runt of his litter, the uncontrollable urge to shove as much food down your gullet – even when you can't possibly be hungry – is a psychological placebo to calm your fears. In his case, it's starvation. In your case, it's a substitute for the love/affection you think you're missing without your SO.

[whichwayisup]

Drink lots and lots of water and buy tons of fruit. Everytime you need to eat at night, eat fruit!! Seriously! And, try to exercise as much as you can. Walk about the block and/or do yoga.

[Nevermind]

Thank you both for your suggestions.
I did some lifting yesterday and, as always, walked around 5-6 miles. I should increase that, but ... (insert excuse here).

Is there maybe a "drinking too much" I had around 4 liters of water and green tea yesterday and in the evening I felt quite wobbly and reluctant to drink. Not to eat, though. It was an interesting feeling. I then brushed my teeth for 20 minutes (because I didn't have any mint gum ). It helped a bit.

[spookie]

It's a good thing you're thinking rationally so early on. Just make yourself realize that in the long run, the food will just make you feel worse - wheras exercise will make you feel better. Then, do it - if you're exercising consistently, you'll want to see results, which will discourage you from eating unhealthy foods.

Also, try substituting, like quankanne suggested. Veggies for fried foods, yogurt for ice cream, fruit for candy... that kind of thing. Good foods will fill you up just as well, but with less empty calories. And to satisfy urges that have nothing to do with hunger, pick something calorie-free: I like diet coke with gum, though that's kind of an unhealthy combo.

[Trialbyfire]

Every time you feel like emotional eating, run on the spot, do jumping jacks or some other cardio-style exercise. You'll be buff in no time.

I wouldn't recommend replacing snacking on unhealthy foods with anything else, no matter how healthy. What you want to do is to break the oral habit first. Once you've accomplished this, then yes, do eat healthy snacks but make certain you reduce the size of your meals.

[Nevermind]

...is to get your heart really good.

Since yesterday morning, I haven't eaten a bite. Couldn't keep anything in me, if I tried. So there's a benefit from cheating. (Insert forced smile).

I did eat less thanks to all the wonderful suggestions. Although the neighbours under me did not seem to happy about the nightly dance sessions. (this is what I did instead of cardio) But that's because of the walls, and because they have a chandeliere.

How the body reacts to those things, it's really interesting.

[xpaperxcutx]

Oh hon, emotional eating is absolutely bad for you. From personal experience, even though eating makes you forget, the end result is that you'll continue to feel worse about yourself. I know the urge is strong, the best thing to deal with it is not to be around greasy food and drink lots of green tea. It has antioxidant effects and it will help to make you feel full. If I ever get the urge to want to binge I would eat lots and lots of carrots. Anything with fiber will automatically fill you up.

[Kamille]

The counter-intuitive trick: don't starve yourself. Eat a snack every two hours, without fail. This will make it easier for you to choose a healthy snack, such as carrot sticks and hummus or a handful or tamari almonds over anything deep-fried.

Have a portion of protein and lots of fiber-rich veggies at every meal. This will also curb cravings.

Replace the endorphin high you get from food from other sources: exercise and masturbation both provide it. (Yes I am suggesting you masturbate more!)

[Nevermind]

Thank you both for your suggestions. Once I start eating again, I'll see to get some fiber. (Which I had to google. I only knew fiber glass, and this just didn't seem right. Although I guess eating this would kill the appetite as well.)

Masturbating is a funny idea, and maybe it would work. But right now, my sex drive is somewhere else, maybe taking a cruise or two. Gone awol in times of need! But hey, at least I am not a horny, sad chubby loser. Sad and chubby work well like it is.

[Ariadne]

Hey,

I have a problem with that too.

One thing you can do is to have a bunch of broccoli. Something hard and crunchy that you can eat that will ease the craving. Eat it raw with some dressing. Or carrots even.

(But then, I cave and go for a chocolate shake or hot fudge choc sundae when I drive around )

[Ariadne]

Oh yeah,

And if you eat meat, meat jerky.

(Or a bone or something...)

[JulieJ]

Emotional eating is something a lot of people deal with. You should try websites like healia communities where you can get ideas from others who have this issue or medical advice. Rather than coming up with tricks to make yourself fuller, I would try to deal with the problem right after you are done with all your studying. Just get through the hard part and all of the studying, and when you're ready face the problem head-on!