If you used to comfort eat and managed to stop, how did you do it?

[greyfriarskitty]

Title says it all really.

I have comfort eaten since my parents' divorce when I was seven and battled with my weight ever since, but self sabotage all the bloody time. I've tried therapy (which made me happier but did not stop the eating), Paul McKenna (worked up to a point), various diets and an NHS self-help group.

I do stop comfort eating sometimes, but I always get to a certain weight then get stuck; so I'm not huge, but I'm not thin either (and I'm short, so there's not much leeway).

So if you did this, and managed to stop, how did you do it? Because I'm fed up and want to change.

[Octopus37]

I we speak I am fighting not to eat toast with chocolate spread cause I feel so pissed off. What is stopping me is telling myself that if I give in it will be one more problem and one more thing to feel pissed off about

[thecatfromjapan]

I realised the other day that I ate carbohydrates to manage anxiety. It hit me that I should probably try to deal with the anxiety.

And that's as far as I am at the moment!

Seriously, though, I'm thinking that doing other things to manage the anxiety will necessarily mean fewer carbs because I'm not so anxious. So I've been doing exercise - and it is working. I find that swimming, in particular, knocks the anxiety on the head for hours - and I just don't even notice I'm not eating carbohydrates.

I know you say you comfort eat - but what is underneath that comfort eating? Is it anxiety? Some sort of need? Can you identify it? Is there a different way to 'feed' that?

[RandomMess]

Keeping busy and having evening activities helps me best. Sugar/carbs craving is so tricky though

[Bostin]

I comfort eat when I feel insecure. Will watch the thread with interest.

[siblingrevelryagain]

I set myself some rules which meant that as long as I followed them I could eat what I want:

No processed food

Nothing that didn't have some nutritional benefit as well as being pleasurable

I had to sit and savour what I ate

So now, I am able to have a couple of squares of dark chocolate. Instead of crisps I have some cheese. Just by taking the pressure of dieting away and giving myself permission somehow makes me want and eat less.

[MollyBloomYes]

I used a hypnotism app, there are lots that come under the ‘12 weeks to wow’ banner. The one I used was the virtual gastric band but there are others which I’ve dipped into.

Although it sounds like a diet it really isn’t, more a complete rethinking of your approach to food and a change of eating habits to set you up for life rather than a short term fix.

I’m very cynical but honestly this has massively changed my approach to comfort/binge eating and any ‘failure’ I may have doesn’t feel disastrous (previously if I slipped up I’d feel it was game over and carry on eating). The hypnotism isn’t a magic bullet in itself, you need to engage with the guidance and information but it’s a really sensible, sustainable approach and the hypnotism helps underpin it all.

The app comes with lots of info, podcasts to listen to and a Facebook group which is very supportive and informative. I recommend it to everyone (and I promise I’m not employed by them). I was miserable with my eating but this has done wonders. Not sure how to link on here but search App Store for 12 weeks to wow and it should come up. Best fiver I ever spent

[mikado1]

Following this.I'm an absolute bottomless pit for comfort eating. A real disaster. I do it when tired/as a reward. Yes exercise would probably help but am on own mon-Fri with 2dc so would have to be YouTube or the like after bedtime. I literally wake up looking forward to a biscuit or ten.

[mikado1]

Downloading that now MollyBloom (now to find earphones for phone!)

[greyfriarskitty]

Some v useful stuff in here - thought provoking. Will answer properly when not on phone but just wanted to say thank you.

[greyfriarskitty]

To answer your questions, I think I need to stay fat. It's my armour and my protection; it stops me from turning into my thin, fragile, depressed mother. It tells everyone in the world that I am a bad person and to stay away. It protects me from getting close to people, and helps me keep my feelings of being worthless and unloved at bay.

And I've been through tons of therapy, thought it all through, can write it out over and over again, but nothing ever changes. And I am starting to despair that it ever will.

I have downloaded the app, but for some reason it's not working so I need to email them!

I mostly eat quality, home made food which I cook. I like cooking, I eat when I cook, that doesn't help. I pick when I am in the kitchen as well. I should probably eat less when at the table, but i do find that very hard to get my head round. I eat very little sugar - pudding once or twice a week (twice at the moment because we have a family treat themed along bakeoff).

[landedonmyfeet1]

I used this 12 Weeks to Wow app too. I lost weight with it and it stopped me binge eating too which was such a relief! As you say there are lots under their 12 Weeks to Wow banner but this is the one I used itunes.apple.com/us/app/12-weeks-to-wow-fast-weight-loss-hypnosis/id1190413254?ls=1&mt=8
They also have an absolutely brilliant support group on Facebook. I belong to a few groups on Facebook but the 12 weeks to wow one is by far the friendliest and most supportive one I'm in.
I tell everyone about it!

[ANameforToday]

I'm glad this has come up in active today as I really need it. Think I'll give the app a go as I definitely need something to help.

[HaveYouSeenMyHat]

I use that app too and it’s made a HUGE difference to my eating/weight/health.

[Sillybilly1234]

Eat a pomegranate.

It takes ages to eat, so you don't eat as many calories as you would if you stuffed your face with other food.

Also go to the gym or run or work out at home for the endorphins.

Good luck.

[CurlyRover]

Glad I spotted this thread as I really struggle with comfort eating. Will download the app and see how I go with that.

[LuckyLuckyWoman]

I comfort eat a lot, I use it to try and quash the self loathing. Which only leads me to hating myself more.

I am going to look at the app too.

Need all the help I can get.