Why I cannot stop eating???

[MeMyselfAnd1]

Just that, plenty of comfort eating until I feel sick.

I confess I absolutely hate my stressful job. Life at home is not easy either, working 42-47 hrs a week the house is a tip (everywhere I look there is something to be done). I'm raising my son on my own, and he is wonderful and helpful, only downside is he is a bit hyper so he needs to be bouncing around (yes, literally speaking) which adds to the stress as I am always tense waiting to hear him hurt himself or damaging something (really, he is not a brat, he simply has a lot of energy, even on his sleep he is tossing around all the night)

I guess with all the stress of work I started eating a lot but now I can't stop. I have put on more than a stone in a year, I feel awful with the extra weight, I feel so heavy that things that were enjoyable last year as long walks in the countryside are so tiring nowadays I am no longer trying. I look awful, my clothes don't feel right.

I have tried to eat less, to diet, I'm doing yoga and Pilates to reduce the stress' effects but can't stop eating no matter how many reasons I give to myself to stop. I am at home this week and despite not being at work I am eating far more (probably because the fridge is nearer)

I know this sounds stupid but I am at the end of my tether. Any suggestions?

[MilliCariad]

Don't know if this helps but you are only a stone overweight so that is good as its easier for you to pull it back. If it were three stone then it would feel so much worse (to me anyway).
You are emotional eating as a way to make yourself feel better and keep your energy up I would think. Have you tried Paul McKennas Emotional Eating book and CD. The hypnosis CDs are brilliant at distressing, relaxing and changing the way you think about food. He also does a technique which he teaches you called Havening which is tapping on the meridian lines in the body (ancient Chinese thing) and many people report that this helps them to stop overeating and start realising where there triggers are.
With Paul McKenna you can of course eat whatever you want. Anything as long as you are truly truly hungry and stop as soon as you are satisfied.

[MeMyselfAnd1]

I tried "i can make you thin" with moderate sucess a few years ago. I tried again about 8 months ago and again two months later. No effect :-(

[MillyCariad]

Me what do you think didn't work for you. I don't want to appear too simplistic but its not a diet as you know, its the exact opposite. Its giving up the dieting which ends up stopping the bingeing. Why would you need to binge if you never diet? Again, maybe too simplistic. Sorry. Maintaining is the best outcome from this. Not gaining . It can take a good 6 months to start to overcome your overeating and eat like a non disordered eating person.

[MeMyselfAnd1]

It worked when I first tried it for the reasons that you mention. The times I have tried this year has not had any other effect than giving me palpitations at night (they started when I started using it and stopped when i did).

I do not follow diets (we have severe food allergies in the family so the diets is mostly plenty of salad, grilled meats, vegs and fruits, with rice or pasta. Sauces for the pasta are normally bolignese, or ocassionally pesto if I am at work.

I know that it is about eating less but I wondered if all this stress is getting me depressed, my brain says stop eating while everything else says I don't care.

I'm craving sugar like mad and eating it there are any cakes, biscuits, chocolates or bread around. Apart of the bread, I don't keep the others at home but if I am craving sugar I can eat the whole fridge (full of non sweet stuff) and still feel like I need sometging sweet.

[MillyCariad]

It does sound like your low doesn't it and sugar is the easiest way you can think of to give you that high that sugar gives. Trouble is its very short lived and you get a slump after which makes you go for the sweet stuff again and then you slump. Vicious circle.

[Heyho111]

Have you down loaded my fitness pal. It's a calorie counter app. I love it. If you honestly enter what your eating in a day your calorie intake is laid bare in front of you. It really helps as you can't ignore or forget what you've eaten in the day.

[MeMyselfAnd1]

Yes, I'm doing it with people at work... Actually, it has been so busy in the last couple of months that we are no longer motivating each other.
The fact that I have not been able to have lunch breaks (I know, I know, my boss is keen in kicking me out at lunch time, but if the job is not done on time, I get in big trouble), the other person I was following it with has been signed off with stress.

I am thinking the problem is my bloody job, I feel exploited!

[MillyCariad]

OP its your whole lifestyle that is causing you to overeat. Dieting is not the answer. You are right in that your job has taken its toll on you. Is there anyway you could change jobs? Your lovely little boy is also a handful and I think you are completely burnt out. Once you can sort out your stress, weight loss would follow naturally.

[PetulaGordino]

you have a stressful job that you hate, and you are overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do at home too

food is an easily-available, (relatively) cheap, legal, and reliable source of comfort that doesn't stop you being able to care for your son. it's not surprising that you would turn to it in your situation.

i agree with milly here. i would stop trying to eat less, don't calorie count, just focus on food that will fill you up and nourish you and try to stop adding to the burden of your responsibilities by placing another demand on yourself (i.e. sticking to a particular diet)

eat full-fat foods and a decent amount of protein as these will help you feel full. try to set time aside with relatively few distractions for a proper meal where you enjoy every mouthful and stop when you feel full (easier said than done, but it doesn't ahve to be long). you are important enough to nourish properly and eat a meal in the environment that best enables you to enjoy your food.

[MeMyselfAnd1]

Many thanks for your replies, they have certainly helped.
I took the decision to leave my job, not handing notice until I get a new one, but just starting to send job applications has given me slight feeling of control, which I hope, in time, will calm me down to start eating a bit less.

[antimatter]

Here's interesting link
www.thepaleomom.com/2014/08/chronic-stress-leads-hormone-imbalance.html

in short - stress makes you put weight on

hopefully with new job you are going to be able to remove that from your life and weight will most likely come down