Does anyone else feel a little flat a lot of the time ...

[oopsadaisy77]

And use food to elevate your mood?

I’ve cut out snacking and realise how flat I feel but have a lovely life lots to be thankful for. I’m not majorly depressed but obviously struggle a lot during th day. Whilst the “feeling flat” continues I think I’m always going to find avoiding snacking/overeating quite hard. If this resonates with anyone pls let me know

[MrsAdamDriver]

Of course this resonates. It’s well known that carbohydrates cause your brain to release the neuro transmitter dopamine, a calming chemical.

You’re used to self medicating with food.

You need to start exercising to cause endorphins and dopamine to be released.

Why do you think people become epaddicted to exercise, or anything else... it’s self medication!

Chin up.
Your body is craving the carbohydrate brain chemicals it’s used to at the moment. Don’t give in!

Go for a walk, and get active.
Be nice to yourself: the longest journey begins with a single step.
Get a massage.
Smell vanilla, lavender, and roses.. it’s calming and soothing.

[ThrownMuse]

Oh yes, this is me, and I most definitely reward myself with food and drink.

I've been steadily losing weight since the end of August (nothing magic, just calorie counting) and I think part of it working (finally, my DS is 8 FFS!) is factoring in one evening to enjoy a few glasses of wine etc. Giving myself permission to relax has helped me to stick with it.

Are you wanting to lose weight? Or just be free from the endless cycle of another day, another diet, another 'failure'? To be clear, I don't mean you failing, I mean diets!

[oopsadaisy77]

Thank you for the replies!

Mrsadamdriver - interesting you say that as the food I overeat are carbs. If you give me broccoli and chicken I wouldn’t overeat it. I like carbs and in quantity.

I used to be a runner but have found nothing yet to give me back that high, but often steer clear of exercise as I feel tired a lot too- which I’m aware is likely a side effect of low mood. “Longest journey begins with single step” so true when I think about it.
Thrown muse it sounds like you have been doing really well! I wonder if when you started to lose weight your mood improved? How do you fight the daily flatness?

I think part of my problem is without a daily fix of a large intake of carbs my mood is painfully low. Just sometimes feel I’m functioning like waking through mud. Frustrating as I know things could be so much worse and j have great people around me. I find mornings hardest but recently afternoons are really tough too.

Exercise I was hoping to be key but again at the moment feel it’s a challenge.

I would like to loose a little weight but I would love to also stop comfort eating - which has become apparent when I stop it, how much I’m using it to control my mood. It obviously works. I haven’t cut carbs I was just eating excessively and never felt satiated. I went from dreading mornings to looking forward to my large breakfast - so living to eat rather than the other way round.

My weight is steadily rising which is correlating with my mood dipping. I think for a long time I’ve thrived of constant snacking, large carb intakes to ocher myself up”. In some ways cutting out snacks has given me more free time to be more constructive and get tasks completed but I’m finding I feel like I’m in a blanket of flatness.

[ThrownMuse]

Hmmm. Interesting points!

Do I feel less flat? Yes, and I'm also a carb queen, so I understand where you are coming from. I only feel properly satisfied if I have a mound if carbs (my vegetarian upbringing probably explains this!).

I think what is making me feel better is no longer feeling like the food controls me, or that I deserve that large of wine and pile of pasta. I absolutely bloody deserve it, but I don't have to have it. Or I can have it, but less often.

I'm making it sound easy and it isn't. Those of us who are emotional eaters have spent years becoming the person we are. I don't believe it's 'only' a case of eat less/eat better/move more.

I'm not sure what the answer is really! Other than being kind to yourself and taking each hour at a time. Alternatively - embrace who you are and your body and live your life and eat guilt free. It's certainly possible!

[MargaretCavendish]

I really relate to what you're saying, though I'm the opposite - I use that 'carb coma' feeling to self-medicate my anxiety, ie to make me feel a bit flatter! I actually gained weight on anti-anxiety medication, but it did seem to break that cycle for me. I really think it would be worth you seeing your GP to discuss options for counselling and, if you're willing to consider it, medication. Not everyone feels as low as you describe and you don't just have to live with it and accept it as your normal.

[Aprilsinparis]

I know what you mean. I've been on a diet since the beginning of July. I use to love my comfort food, and still crave it, but I know if I give in I'll be back to square one.

I've lost nearly three stone, and seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel. The only thing that keeps me going is the fact I can get into some of my clothes I use to wear before I got so over weight. I want to lose another stone, and then I can start to eat a little more normally again, but I am determined I am not going to get to the weight I was pre July.

It's been really hard work emotionally, physically and mentally. Never, ever again.

[oopsadaisy77]

Hi April,

Well done you that amazing success. When you say never again do you mean allowing weight regain or dieting?

Margaret that’s quite insightful and I think I can relate to that carb coma to feel just cushioned.
I brought biscuits for my children, you know the lovely oat ones? With little hits of nut and fruit etc in them so they dress as being healthy. I was craving them ... none left. Whoops.

It would be lovely to find another outlet - maybe exercise is the way to go but it’s factoring it in I. E organising child care, explaining at work (where there is a work through your lunch ethos) that ok popping out for a walk.

Another really obvious thing I’ve noticed when I arrive home from work or otherwise we walk directly through the kitchen. Not sure this is helpful... hmmmm wondering if I should change this!

[oopsadaisy77]

Margaret thank you also for the reassurance - I am working with gp now.... I think you may have been right.

[Aprilsinparis]

Thank you *oopsadaisy77. I mean I will never ever get over weight again, hopefully, I will never have to diet again, I have found it really, really difficult. I wish you the very best of luck, and hope you reach your target weight, and be able to stick to it.

[owlshooting]

How did you do it April?

[Aprilsinparis]

owlshooting I cut out all sweets cakes, biscuits, chocolate, carbohydrates, and had gallons of water. It's been really hard because I love all the food I've had to cut out. All the way through this bloody diet, I have tried on all the clothes I haven't been able to get into, slowly I am starting to get into them again, that's what's kept me going. It has been a real battle every step of the way, so I have promised myself, I never ever want to get overweight again, because I don't ever want to go on such a strict diet again.

[owlshooting]

Well done April!! You should feel very proud of your achievement.