Emotional Eater

[cheer_devona]

Hi guys,
I need your advice.
I've been overweight all of my life. The main reason is because I'm a hardcore emotional eater.
I eat everytime I feel sad and angry, I also eat when I'm bored and happy.
To me eating is like a source of happiness, like I could calm my emotion and enjoy my life.
I have been trying to lose weight for ages!!!! I tried dieting and work out at the gym but none of them work.
I found working out at the gym to be very boring ( I tend to b easily bored). I think I dont have enough will power.
When some of my friends said harsh words to me like " dat dress doesnt suit you coz you're too fat", etc, I tend to get real pissed off and then i turn to food...
I would usually eat until i get rid of my anger or annoyance.
I feel like I dont get enough support from my friends and family.
I come from a super conservative Asian family. My parents think dat being fat is one of the most embarrassing thing in the world.
They would call me names like " elephant, pig, etc".
I know that being overweight is not good for my health, but the more ppl told me to lose weight, the more i resist ( maybe my pride gets in da way).
so yeah, I really need you guys to give me some advice. I really don't know how to solve my emotional problem >_<

[lapoema]

When I am feeling crappy (or any other time as a matter of fact) I drink coffee! It's calorie free and the best addiction ever!

[PandorasVise]

Start out by making a list of all the toxic relationships in your life:

1. Parents
2. Friends
3. Food
4. "They", "Them", "others"
5. Self

Start working on each one. Actually start working on #5 and 1-4 will look after themselves.

Google self-esteem.

Well said!!!

My 2 cents, find something you like to do if the gym bores you. Try tennis, karate, swimming, anything you like to do, you will do it more often. Especially if you do it in a group of people. Freinds who like the same thing you do will encourage you to do it more often. Also making friends will increase your self esteem so to that end, you can join something that is not exercise related. Help out at a food pantry or homeless shelter, join a knitting circle or take an art class. When you do something that you see value in, you will see value in yourself.

It is hard when the people who love you make fun of you. Usually it is just their way of letting you know that you need help. They don't know better. I think you may need to tell them to back off, i know it is hard to do. If you cant seem to do it, as much as I dislike the diets, groups like weight watchers or TOPS have other women there who are having the same problems as you. Just being able to say out loud your issues can usually help, especially if someone is there to pat your back when you cry.

[LLFITRITION]

My sister and I found that working out and getting all our frustration out that way was really helpful for us! Try a kickboxing classes let you punch and kick out your aggression. And exercising secretes two hormones that suppress hunger. Try strength training and cardio combinations. Strength training builds muscle to help you burn more calories post workout. Check out our website for health and fitness tips!

-L&L
www.llfitrition.com

[lynnbrwn]

I too am an emotional eater and when I decided to lose weight I decided that I would make myself deal with my feelings and if I couldn't I would eat stuff like carrots or rice cakes instead of candy and chips. I know it is hard but you have to make yourself change and do be so hard on yourself when you go back to eating the bad stuff. It also helps if you can find someone to work out with, someone that is going to motivate and encourage you. It also helped me to keep a journal and write down what I was feeling and what made me feel that way. Doing this helped me to discover that some of my problems can be resolved without eating.

[Trish0102]

Being an emotional eater is a habit that is really hard to change. But if you are really determined, I believe you can do it. One thing to avoid being an emotional eater is to keep yourself busy at all times. Avoid stressing yourself as well.

[Trish0102]

Being an emotional eater is a habit that is really hard to change. But if you are really determined, I believe you can do it. One thing to avoid being an emotional eater is to keep yourself busy at all times. Avoid stressing yourself as well.

[Tallgirll22T]

I have found that when I have to be at my job for a long time and I don't get a break and can't eat for 6 hours or more, I get really stressed and angry. Then I eat way too much as soon as I get the chance. I used to be very fat because I only ate 2 large meals a day and sat around a lot. Then I got a job where I am always on my feet and I lost 17 pounds. Then I started eating 4-5 very small meals or healthy snacks every day and I lost more weight. Then I started working out and eating very healthy and I lost more. The problem is, I can't lose anymore because sometimes I just want to eat junk food.
You are doing well because you have identified that the reason you can't lose weight is because you are an emotional eater. I think what some people said about doing something you enjoy is a good idea. Maybe you could do a hobby you like while doing something that is exercise. For example, maybe you like photography. You could get a bicycle and ride around taking pictures. When you get home, you could have a healthy meal or snack while looking at the pictures you took. That will remind you you love yourself and eating healthy is a good thing. Having hobbies helps keep your mind from thinking about food.
I lose weight and don't eat because I am busy. You should stay busy and eat small healthy meals and maybe you will lose weight. You just have to ask yourself how badly you want it.

[FitLadyLove]

Have you ever considered talking with someone, like a life coach or a mentor? Having someone by your side throughout this journey can only help you along! I agree with comments above, you really need to be determined, confident and ready to make changes.

Best of luck!