Winning Friends with Salad

I understand completely about the emotional eating issues. My friend Monica is a holistic health counselor and she suggests having a list of things to do instead of eat on your fridge. Like take a walk, read, chat on the phone, do some yoga. Whatever it takes to get away from the food. It is SO hard!

I know when I’m home all day I tend to snack more…simply because the food is there! I agree that a walk may be a good idea when you’re getting that itch to eat and eat. Plus, who knows, once you start walking you may even feel like kicking it up a notch to a run/jog!
Good job on staying positive though and for still doing the run last night! Just hop back on the wagon And it’s good that you’re recognizing what’s triggering you! Keep it up!

Kate, I think you’re doing a great job figuring out what’s getting to you and articulating how you feel about it. Everyone’s triggers are so unique to them, but a lot of emotional eating is tied to stress and anxiety. A suggestion: Geneen Roth’s books on emotional eating helped me so much, plus her writing style is hysterical! I think it’s in one of her books that she says she once put a sign on the fridge that said: It’s not in here. Sums it up, right?!

You’re already back on track for today, which is the hardest part.

(P.S. And I DON’T mean to sound like a mother, but be careful running at night!!!!)

I’m just like you. Being alone in my flat after I’ve ” completly failed” at work is a disaster for me. I just stuff food into my mouth until my belly hurts. It’s gross and after I binge I’m usually depressed for a few days. I’m really trying to stop binges before they happen. I have to talk to myself and say you are out of control, figure out what’s wrong, pray, call someone, get something done around the house, go running, etc.

It’s great that you were able to get a run in after dinner.

Hi! I feel you on the overeating. It’s so hard to stop once you get in that mindset. I think the easiest way is to just remove yourself from the situation, even if it’s just a walk around the block — like a timeout between free throws. Also, I don’t allow myself to buy my ‘binge’ foods - a jar of peanut butter is not my friend.

Just curious - how did you figure 400+ cals for a 2 mile run? I thought a mile was around 100cal burned if you run abt a 9-10min mile.

I love the honesty in your blog–its quite refreshing to read something real and not “sunshiny” all the time.

I do have a question/concern that I’ve been thinking about for awhile–if you’re somewhat comfortable with your weight now, why try and lose another 20+ pounds and get to a specific number? Thats a lot of weight to lose (and a LOT of total weight lost), towards what I would think would be a minimum weight for your height, and I would hate to see you be upset about not reaching a goal that is unrealistic or would make you restrict/unhappy just to get to a certain “number”. If you’re eating mostly healthy, can exercise, feel fit, and are (mostly) happy, I think thats great!!

I’m right there with you and did the same exact thing last night— I wasn’t even emotional really, just bored and felt like I needed to keep chewing and chewing. So frustrating! I’m glad you have a positive attitude though in moving forward and not beating ourselves up about it, we are still learning!

Hi Kate (& Jaclyn!)
Really like the post! I think your honesty and style is very cool and encouraging.
Cant wait to hang out with you girls again soon!!

Wow ladies, I’m so happy I found you all. This happened to me last week. I made a mistake which set me back in my job search, I was alone in the apartment (boyfriend is gone for the summer on an internship), and I proceeded to eat Eat EAT! I knew what I was doing and fought with myself the entire way.

One thing that helps is to read a journal entry you wrote while in a positive mood, or a list of inspiring quotes.

Thanks so so much for the honesty, its so nice to feel like I’m not alone!

Kate,

I’ve been reading for a while but never commented. You’re not alone! I’ve been there and done that many many times. It’s so hard to listen to those voices telling you to step away from the eating and “take a walk”. When you are in the middle of those emotions it’s hard to listen…

Keep up the positive attitude! You should congratulate yourself for completing your run after your afternoon and beginning today as a “new day”. Your honesty and attitude is so refreshing to read.

Hi Kate (& Lauren!)

Last night was so much fun!

Like I said last night, we have all been there before (ahem, Haagen Dazs mint chip ice cream) and I think a big part of what draws your readers back is that you are so honest and it’s helpful to see we’re not the only ones out there doing this. It’s also great to see how completely supportive everyone is!

Such a gorgeous garden dining spot!!

So sorry about the setback, Kate :0( Just stay strong!! I know it’ll get better!!

it’s a wonder you’re not 500 lbs the way you binge all the time

you’re right you’re not much of a healthy living example

I do the same thing, obviously, which is why I started my blog. I used to snack and snack and snack just because I was bored. I’m by no means perfect or even close to perfect now, but I try to remember to tell myself that eating a snack takes ten minutes, and then I’ll just be bored AGAIN. Instead, I need to find something to do. So, whenever I get the urge to snack and I’m really not hungry, I try to go on a walk or pick up a magazine or do a yoga or pilates DVD. And if I can’t do that, then I at least try to eat vegetables.

Hope that helps!! I think you have to give yourself a little bit of room for emotional eating - everyone eats for reasons other than hunger from time to time, or there wouldn’t be chocolate. So cut yourself some slack, you’re doing great.

Hi Kate!

I was looking through the other blogs and found your site, and like everyone said, it’s such a common issue! I find myself reaching for that extra handful of chocolate chips at night, even if I obviously don’t need it, and it’s purely from boredom or an attempt to accomplish something else that I am not able to identify at the time.

Anyway, I wanted to echo what everyone has been saying about your candid attitude on this blog. I really appreciate it! I’m maintaining a healthy lifestyle (or at least as healthy as I can make it) but recently suffered some set-backs because of an injury. It’s hard to stay positive when you know physical activity is one of the main components of a healthy life and a sudden restraint is put on it.

Sorry, long comment! I just wanted to say, that reading another person’s personal journey that isn’t always about success is really encouraging, in the sense that it’s proof that we’re all going through something. So, thanks!! And I’ll keep on readin’!

-lisa

Just because you binge (and DON’T purge) doesnt mean you are going to be 500 lbs!! I definitely have my moments and I am 5′4″ and 107 lbs. It’s just how you deal with them; you need to know how to stop and how to compensate in other ares of your diet where you are lacking. I recently ate a SIXTY serving bag of M & M’s in 7 days (My only binge food is chocolate FYI) Kate is just honest enough to share her experience with it…..which is why she rocks!

PS I changed my name since I saw a new Jess

Kate, I have so been here. I have major issues with emotional eating and eating when I am alone or bored. I mean, let’s be honest - who binges in front of other people? It’s hard to stop yourself when you are a mission to eat yourself sick.
I don’t have any good advice because I have the same problem, but I appreciate your honesty. I lay it all out there on my blog too.

Kate, i’ve been there too…what I’m amazed with in this post is how quickly you seemed to bounce back. You went to dinner with friends, ordered something healthy, went for a run, and it sounds like you woke up today ready to face a brand new day.