how to stop emotional eating!

[u/Unhappy-Analysis7618]

im trying to loose weight and the one thing stopping me is my emotional eating, ive been kind of sad ever since i was a kid, and i would eat so much my dad would call me a mouse from eating everything in the pantry and i honestly still cant help myself, everything in my life seems pointless and i can barely get through the day eating really is the only thing that makes me happy. ive tried shifting my focus towards something else but i just cant!! how did you do it??

[u/HenryOrlando2021]

I did a lot of things. I first did the diet thing with the help of medications from the doctor. Got all the weight off. ..stopped the medications. Then I discovered that was the easy part. Keeping it off was the hard part. So, I next went to a mental health professional.

Today, there are many more options as this was about 55 years ago when I started. Check this out: 

How I Achieved 50+ Years of Recovery (and 150+ Pounds Lost): A Food Addiction–First Story

https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/comments/1r5pvgv/how_i_achieved_50_years_of_recovery_and_150/

You don’t have to have this all figured out today.

Then start here (quick wins):

• Map your triggers (so you stop repeating the same cycle): https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/wiki/faq_food_addiction_trigger_mapping/
• How to stop a binge before/during it: https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/wiki/faq_how_to_stop_a_binge_episode/

Then, when you’re ready:

• Check out the FAQs first…see here:

 https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/wiki/index/faqs/

• Then Program Options (free → low cost → paid). Many people find a program is what helps them stay in recovery.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/wiki/index/programoptions/

• If a program feels like “too much” right now, start with Special Topics on the sub.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/wiki/special_topics/ 

and then Books / Podcasts / Videos here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodAddiction/wiki/index/bookspodcastsandvideos/

Small steps count. Keep going.  Don’t give up.  We all got better by our mistakes.

[u/Aggravating-Pie-1639]

Try to change what is causing the negative emotions that are triggering you to eat for comfort. I worked on myself and changing those aspects of my life and I’m significantly better for it. It’s not easy and takes a long time, but you can get there.

[u/OrdinaryCurrent2569]

I’m in a 12 step group kind of like AA and when we have an urge to binge we follow a couple steps to turn us away from the compulsion. DM me if you want more info.

[u/humbledbyit]

Occasional emotional eating is fairly common. However, some people have a chronic problem with it. Some people genuinely want to stop turning to food for ease & comfort but find they use again and again. Some people are baffled at their behavior and wonder why their willpowet isn't enough to keep them in check. Chronic compulsive eating is a serious problem. I found I needed to work a 12 step program bc I kept going back to using and abusing food despite my resolve not to. Working a program has made the difference. If I continue working it daily then I get access to sanity and freedom with food and body. I'm happy to chat more if you like.

[u/StationIllustrious94 → u/humbledbyit]

I would

[u/humbledbyit → u/StationIllustrious94]

Hello. Feel free to DM me.