SummerLady Posted December 1, 2009 Posted December 1, 2009 I always thought stress was the main reason I would over eat but its anxiety. I know they are related but its anxiety that is my issue. I don't have a ton of it but enough to be an issue. I do work out. Any suggestions??
Ms. Joolie Posted December 1, 2009 Posted December 1, 2009 My suggestions: 1) Awareness of this eating pattern is the first step. Begin recognizing when you are eating because you are anxious. It's a pattern, or habit, that you will have to change. I've recognized this pattern in myself as well. It really is emotional eating, a sort of reaching out for food instead of dealing with our emotions. 2) You could just be hungry, maybe take a look at your diet and see if you are getting adequate nutrition intake. As a vegetarian, I have to be sure to include protein, or else I'll reach out for too many carbs. It's a very natural thing for the body to crave what it needs. I've been eating cheese lately, probably everyday, which is weird because I never use to include that in my diet before. I try to maintain a vegan diet, so eating cheese everyday is weird. Taking a look at it, I've been craving the calcium. I've not bought my soy milk in forever, or taken my calcium supplements. So I was reaching out for cheese for the calcium. 3) Notice where you tend to do your anxious eating. My problem was at work. But I keep that controlled now... really I just had to make adjustments to my eating schedule. I'm a big meal skipper. 4) Try focusing on eating only within your diet/meal plan. If you KNOW you shouldn't be eating anymore, you can work at having that discipline. Just be sure your diet is in check and your body isn't reaching out for what it needs.
Devil Inside Posted December 1, 2009 Posted December 1, 2009 Ms Joolie gives excellent advice. I agree that awareness will be a huge key to success. One thing you can do is keep a food journal. Write down everything that goes in your mouth. For the first two weeks try not to modify what you would normally eat...you need to get an idea of how you are really eating. It would also be helpful to write down the time, place, and how you were feeling...where you anxious? This will help you in mapping out your eating habits and then connect them to your emotions. Another thing that can help is to address your anxiety. See the overeating is just a coping mechanism, the root issue is the anxiety. This is best done with the help of a professional, but if not there are several great books about anxiety. Some of the treatment options include: medication, excercise, good sleep hygience, solid nutrition, meditation, and talk therapy. Good luck!
Ms. Joolie Posted December 1, 2009 Posted December 1, 2009 Another thing that can help is to address your anxiety. See the overeating is just a coping mechanism, the root issue is the anxiety. This is best done with the help of a professional, but if not there are several great books about anxiety. Some of the treatment options include: medication, excercise, good sleep hygience, solid nutrition, meditation, and talk therapy. Absolutely. Address your anxiety. Realize that if you are overeating because of anxiety, you are using food as your coping mechanism. Find new coping mechanisms, coping mechanisms that work for you and not against you. Find out the source of your anxiety and confront that issue. However, if it's everyday anxiety (like work stress) then find new, practical things you can do instead of eat to de-stress yourself. We all have anxiety. It's how we deal with it that matters. And believe me, I know what it's like to cope the wrong way. lol. We need positive enforcements to get us through, or we'll spaz out in all kinds of odd behavior.
Meaplus3 Posted December 1, 2009 Posted December 1, 2009 Best thing to do here is to get to the root of your anxeity. Find the cause or triggers and your will see how issues such as over eating can improve. I suffer from chronic health anxeity and it's a pain the A**. but, I'm slowing getting to the root of it all and I'm feeling better. There is hope. Mea:)
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