Emotional eating

[DistanceCall]

Hello, everyone. I'm struggling with food - I have a history of ED (bulimia), but my current problem is that I use food as an emotional crutch. I live on my own, haven't been in a relationship for several years, and hardly have any contact with anyone these days. And I feel like eating CONSTANTLY, even when I'm not hungry or even have an appetite.

I know perfectly well that food won't fill the void and that it's a substitute for other kinds of satisfaction. But I can't seem to get a handle on it.

I was wondering - if you have been in a similar situation, what helped you? (And yes, I go for walks and take baths).

When you get the impulse just let the thoughts and cravings wash over you. Avoid trigger food at home, i dont even look at them in the supermarket.
You must have binge warning signs, binge triggers, binge rituals, binge food. Cut that cycle, interrupt it. Thoughts, feelings, cravings cant hurt you. Sit still and observe your inner dialogue and impulses. Do nothing about them but just listen notice the knots in your body, any fears or discomforts. Feel your feelings. Sit with your discomfort. It will peak then there will be peace like after a storm. It's like a toddler who will eventually get the message. With time your subconscious will start believing the sky wont fall down unless you stuff yourself, that you can handle the discomfort. When you do have to buy food shop when you are health motivated or full. Don't put anything in your basket that you would not proudly eat infront of others.

I had a mantra that i kept repeating in my head when i felt a binge coming.

You need to face whatever it is you are trying to stuff away. It's the same as drinking to escape. You need to stop fighting and suppressing your feelings. Its scary but you will see how you will live and be just fine .. you just need to feel your feelings.. and its overwhelming.

Thank you.

A little over a year ago I decided to stop bingeing, going cold turkey on carbs.
Five days later my mother died.
It did not trigger a binge.

I did a lot of thinking / analyzing and I realised that my binges have nothing to do with my emotional state. They are just a very bad, deeply ingrained habit, and I do not mean to be dismissive at all. I have suffered from horrible binges my whole adult life (my "off" signal in damaged forever - I can eat 8000kcal in a day without feeling remotely sick). During my worst period ever I put on 30kg in about 8 weeks.

Realizing that being sad / angry does not trigger my binges per se (I think I have taught myself over the years to associate negative feelings with food) did not eliminate them, but it was hugely liberating. I am not a slave to my feelings. I still sometimes binge, but I am now facing my responsibilities and accepting it is a conscious choice, not something I am a victim of.

And I also want to scream everytime someone suggests having a bath or painting my nails ;-)