Stress Eating - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Marlowe · 4th Dec 2011, 02:12 PM

Right now I have a lot of stress in my life for a number of reasons, and while I realize that I need to deal with the underlying symptoms, right now that is no going to happen. I just don't have time with the end of the semester craziness for grad school. I think the worst habit I have gotten into is stress eating. I don't have much junk food, but you would be astounded at the lengths I have gone to get rich satisfying food. I feel really disgusting after I eat and worse, I don't feel satisfied.

Does anyone have any tips about managing stress eating? It really has been getting out of hand in the past few weeks and I can't seem get it under control.

Doctor Faustus · 4th Dec 2011, 02:37 PM

I haven't stress eaten myself, but I would suggest possibly trying to find another outlet for your stress. Write another of your great poems, or listen to some relaxing music.

I suppose you could try limiting rich foods to when you're going out with friends. That way, you'll see them as treats and not instant/temporary stress relievers.

Take this with a pinch of salt though: I'm not a (real) doctor! xD

Hope this helps.

Best,

Dr. F.

Bi As A Kite · 5th Dec 2011, 03:36 AM

Go for a run? Maybe a long walk. Do you play any musical instruments?

jsmurf · 13th Dec 2011, 10:56 PM

Try keeping a journal or diary of all the foods you eat. Draw a square or some other easily visible boundary around a certain section of each page to psychologically establish your quote for the day to come. If you're able to, avoid foods high in fructose corn syrup and refined sugar, and pursue lean proteins, omega-3's, and leafy veggies and fruit.

You might feel the effects of withdrawal for a couple of days, but following this harrowing transition I think you'll feel very satisfied and less susceptible to the wearisome, cortisol-inducing effects of stress.

Charni · 14th Dec 2011, 05:33 PM

I hate comfort eating. It makes you feel bad and then you eat because of that, and it repeats. It's a nasty cycle. Try eating healthy food, or only have healthy food. Look at how many nasty things are in the unhealthy food. Trust me that turned me off a type of food for ages.

malachite · 14th Dec 2011, 08:15 PM

Buy healthy snacks to munch on, all the filling power none of the guilt. Baby carrots are great or animal crackers

Ichi42go · 14th Dec 2011, 10:35 PM

I personally have the same habit, and have been walking a lot instead. Every time I want to go and get food, I tell myself I can't have it unless I am getting it from the place on the other end of the city. (The one time I actually DID walk all the way there... a distance of 4 miles... I actually was so proud of myself I didn't get it! Then I walked back.) Now I walk any time I feel like stress eating.

4th Dec 2011, 02:12 PM	#1
Marlowe Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: The people who matter Age: 22 Posts: 247 Join Date: Jul 2011	Stress Eating Right now I have a lot of stress in my life for a number of reasons, and while I realize that I need to deal with the underlying symptoms, right now that is no going to happen. I just don't have time with the end of the semester craziness for grad school. I think the worst habit I have gotten into is stress eating. I don't have much junk food, but you would be astounded at the lengths I have gone to get rich satisfying food. I feel really disgusting after I eat and worse, I don't feel satisfied. Does anyone have any tips about managing stress eating? It really has been getting out of hand in the past few weeks and I can't seem get it under control.

4th Dec 2011, 02:37 PM	#2
Doctor Faustus EC's resident Philosopher at Large Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Not straight. But only interested in men. xD Out Status: People who ask me. People whom I trust. Location: Basingstoke Posts: 1,610 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: Stress Eating I haven't stress eaten myself, but I would suggest possibly trying to find another outlet for your stress. Write another of your great poems, or listen to some relaxing music. I suppose you could try limiting rich foods to when you're going out with friends. That way, you'll see them as treats and not instant/temporary stress relievers. Take this with a pinch of salt though: I'm not a (real) doctor! xD Hope this helps. Best, Dr. F. __________________ "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa.

5th Dec 2011, 03:36 AM	#3
Bi As A Kite EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: The pendulum swings wildly Out Status: 1 friend + mom Age: 20 Posts: 299 Join Date: Jul 2011	Re: Stress Eating Go for a run? Maybe a long walk. Do you play any musical instruments? __________________ "You wanna get what you want, you gotta come out fighting...."

13th Dec 2011, 10:56 PM	#4
jsmurf Well Known Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: 4 on the Kinsey Scale Out Status: parents, brother and several friends Location: Near Seattle, WA Age: 23 Posts: 231 Join Date: Sep 2011	Re: Stress Eating Try keeping a journal or diary of all the foods you eat. Draw a square or some other easily visible boundary around a certain section of each page to psychologically establish your quote for the day to come. If you're able to, avoid foods high in fructose corn syrup and refined sugar, and pursue lean proteins, omega-3's, and leafy veggies and fruit. You might feel the effects of withdrawal for a couple of days, but following this harrowing transition I think you'll feel very satisfied and less susceptible to the wearisome, cortisol-inducing effects of stress.

14th Dec 2011, 05:33 PM	#5
Charni Banned Full Member Gender: Physically male, mentally everything but male. Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: My girlfriend and 8 others Location: Australia! Age: 16 Posts: 775 Join Date: Nov 2011	Re: Stress Eating I hate comfort eating. It makes you feel bad and then you eat because of that, and it repeats. It's a nasty cycle. Try eating healthy food, or only have healthy food. Look at how many nasty things are in the unhealthy food. Trust me that turned me off a type of food for ages.

14th Dec 2011, 08:15 PM	#6
malachite EC's realist Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Orlando Posts: 6,480 Join Date: Apr 2009	Re: Stress Eating Buy healthy snacks to munch on, all the filling power none of the guilt. Baby carrots are great or animal crackers __________________ It's the 21st century, your bigotry is outdated. Either upgrade or go away.

14th Dec 2011, 10:35 PM	#7
Ichi42go Member Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: I never got over that "girls have cooties" thing. Out Status: Many friends, and immediate family. Location: Vermont (Yes, we are a state) Age: 19 Posts: 88 Join Date: Dec 2010	Re: Stress Eating I personally have the same habit, and have been walking a lot instead. Every time I want to go and get food, I tell myself I can't have it unless I am getting it from the place on the other end of the city. (The one time I actually DID walk all the way there... a distance of 4 miles... I actually was so proud of myself I didn't get it! Then I walked back.) Now I walk any time I feel like stress eating. __________________ Being normal is overrated.

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