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Low-carb diets

Share advice and experiences of following a low-carb diet.Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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Original poster

Emotional Overeaters - Anyone want to join me in losing weight

79 replies

3mum · 08/07/2014 18:08

So clearly I am not going to be slim in time for Summer, but I have decided that I am going to embark on a weight loss journey now anyway.

Realistically I'll be doing this for at least a year as I have about 4 stones to lose. I have always been an emotional eater, but a shitty marriage and an even shittier divorce have seen me turn to food for just about everything: entertainment, company, self-soothing, rewards, self-abuse, you name it, I do it.

I don't want to be that person any more and I know I need to change not just my eating habits but how I deal with emotions too, which is a very scary thought.

Anyone in a similar boat interested in joining me for mutual support? I'm planning to follow a low carb approach, but I think the route you follow is less important than actually doing something and sticking to it.

OP posts:

kazzawazzawoo · 09/07/2014 22:42

Hi 3mum. I'm an emotional eater too. If I'm stressed, anxious or bored

I have about a stone to one and a half to lose. I've low carbed before and lost a stone, but sadly I've put it all back on through emotional eating.

I've started low carbing this morning.

Imnotaslimjim · 09/07/2014 22:44

I'm an emotional eater too, for all the same reasons as you. I am trying hard to break it though. I have at least 6 stone to lose and I'm determined to do it. I won't be low carbing as it doesn't work for me, but if you don't mind I'd like to join in this chat anyway

Rainydayblues · 10/07/2014 06:56

Good luck 3mum, do it for your health, so your dcs will have a healthy mum, who is still living well into her 80's - that thought is very motivating for me. keep yourself busy!

MollyBdenum · 10/07/2014 07:07

I've been on the 5:2 thread for just over a month and have found it really helpful. I think that it probably varies hugely from person to person, but for me the fast days seem to reset my bad habits and give me a nice fresh start feeling twice a week.

TheSparkling · 10/07/2014 07:14

Hi. Can I join? I am definitely an emotional eater and I've been focusing on this for about a month now. Just trying to manage my food intake by taking smaller portions (telling myself I can always get more later), not eating in the evenings and allowing myself a bad day every week. I am about 5 stones overweight.
I read this slogan last week on fb and it really stuck with me - "If hunger is not the problem then food is not the answer. " It's just stuck in my head and pops up often when I am mooching around looking for a snack...

fourforksache · 10/07/2014 07:38

hi, this is me too, I'm quite embarrassed about it.

SuzySuzSuz · 10/07/2014 07:41

I was a regular emotional eater/binger or when bored. I started MFP at the end of April which helped me track what I was eating and clearly showed I was eating crap and my portions were huge.

A few weeks ago I started counting my carbs as well as calories, I don't do the traditional LOW carb so call it low-er carb and eat up to 50-70g carbs a day max.

It's really helped me, I was a bread and cake monster before (which I can still have within my limit) but I'm finding my sweet cravings have massively reduced, I rarely snack and do feel less stodgy. I've also developed a taste for dark chocolate, I used to love sweet Cadbury/galaxy bars before!

I still have my struggles, but so far it's working for me on my journey

affafantoosh · 10/07/2014 07:44

Good luck all :) you will feel so good inside and out!

fourforksache · 10/07/2014 08:35

bread here too, suzy. I feel like once I start I can't stop, it's like something weird takes over.

kazzawazzawoo · 10/07/2014 11:14

My comfort foods are chocolate and crisps, I also feel like once I start I can't stop.

Imnotaslimjim · 10/07/2014 11:47

My big downfall is white bread too. I can easily eat half a loaf in toast without even sitting down, toasting the next slice while eating the first

I'm doing well so far this week though. Weigh day is Monday and I have 2 family parties to get through over the weekend so fingers crossed for me please

fourforksache · 10/07/2014 17:17

managed to avoid "auto-toasting" today I've had a bit too much, picking at kids leftovers but not disastrous, going to try to keep this habit more in the forefront of my mind to see if I can spot any patterns.

Anyone got any tips to reign it in when you become a munch-robot?

Imnotaslimjim · 10/07/2014 22:34

I wish I knew! Once I've started munching I just can't stop. I've lost and regained the same half stone since May so I have to get a grip of it

womblesofwestminster · 11/07/2014 16:50

Can I join your ranks? I have a tendency too binge about a week before my period.

Anyone got any tips to reign it in when you become a munch-robot?

My advice would be to focus on how uncomfortable you feel. Really listen to the signals - the bloating, for example. Maybe even get naked so you can SEE it happening (no, really!)

everythingisonmurtaghlist · 11/07/2014 17:19

Me too...my dd has had to have a couple of operations recently and I have definitely been putting sensible eating on the back burner. We have a bit of a break before the possibility of further surgery so really want to focus on other things.

Imnotaslimjim · 13/07/2014 10:23

Aaah let the wine get the better of me last night and shared a full pack of choccy digestives with DH. Will have to be super good next couple of days to see a loss this week

kazzawazzawoo · 13/07/2014 10:29

I had a bad day too yesterday. Dh lost his job Friday and I just got stuck into the comfort food yesterday Also got a few health issues that are worring me and also work is very stressful. I need to get back in the right frame of mind.

BIWI · 13/07/2014 10:32

If it's at all helpful to any of you, I'm starting the next Low Carb Bootcamp on 21/7. This time around it's only for 5 weeks rather than 10 - although obviously there's nothing to stop people carrying on after the 5 weeks are up.

affafantoosh · 13/07/2014 10:43

BIWI I might well be interested. I did clock in for the last one but failed to get going. And honestly I am more ready now (saw the GP about my eating habits etc so now I have fessed up I need to get going with it).

kazzawazzawoo · 13/07/2014 10:44

BIWI I think low carb is great and know it works, although I prefer the Harcombe diet. However, it's the emotional eating that is the problem for me. I know how to low carb, I just can't stop dealing with stress etc by eating junk.

bigoldbird · 13/07/2014 10:47

Can I join in? I am an emotional eater of many years standing, as is obvious from my figure. Low carbing is great, I previously lost about 4 stone that way. I found it boring though, and as my habits did not change I have put it all on again. I am now trying a bit of mindful healthy eating. Lost a stone in 4 months (I had lost 4 stone by now on low carb). I hope that doing it slowly is going to re-programme me a bit. Also have done a bit of CBT and am on anti-depressants. Good luck to all of us.

BIWI · 13/07/2014 11:07

I get you, kazza - but just to say, on the Bootcamp threads there's a huge amount of support, which has definitely helped others who are also emotional eaters.

bigoldbird - have you had a look at the Bootcamp recipe thread? Loads of ideas there to stop you getting bored!

Imnotaslimjim · 13/07/2014 20:21

What's involved in the boot camp please? I've always struggled to low carb, I never have any energy. But I'd consider trying again with the right advice/help/support

BIWI · 13/07/2014 21:26

The idea of Bootcamp is that, although it's strict, the really strict bit only lasts for 2 weeks (the whole thing lasts for 10 weeks), and that there's no weighing or counting involved. There are ten rules, and that's it! If you follow the rules, you will be fine.

The lack of energy thing is related to your body switching from burning carbs to burning fat. This process can take up to 4 weeks, during which time you may find any exercise harder than normal. But once you're 'keto adapted' you should find that you have much more energy than before. This can manifest itself as early as a week into to low carbing, although the first week itself can often see people suffering from 'carb flu' as they withdraw from carbs. But once you're through that, you should feel much better and more energetic.

The great thing about Bootcamp is the support from others on the chat threads - it really helps to keep you motivated and focused.

Imnotaslimjim · 13/07/2014 22:40

Never heard of carb flu but that is how I would describe it. I don't think I'd be able to do it then as I work full time, job is very full on and I need to be on the ball. I'm not able to take any time off either as I've just been off for 2 weeks. I'll follow the thread though and see if its possible

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