Comfort eating!!bahh?

Question

I do that quite alot, however its only when im TRYING to diet!
I feel really insecure about my weight but if i tell myself to eat healthy, i last about a day then i binge laods! Howevr if i give up dieting I dont seem to binge! Whats the matter with mee?
I used to be just a little bit fat but becasue I kept trying to eat healthy then binging ive ended up overweight! My insecurity has led me to otehtr problems too like shyness! Which i never used to be, Lack of confidnce etc etc Any advice?

Yet again here i am stuffing my face with crisps,,

Answer 1

a lot of girls do the comfort eating thing. what sort of diet are you talking about? The most important thing when trying to lose weight is not to starve yourself. If you starve yourself, your metabolism slows down. Eating regular, small meals every 2-4 hours helps speed your metabolism up.
Stop using food as comfort. If you're feeling crap, go to the gym instead of eating. it's hard, but afterwards you'll feel loads better.
I used to be in the exact same position. I joined a gym about 6 months ago and got a personal trainer, just one session a week, and went and saw a nutritionist. It's taken the whole six months for me to lose 8kg, but over the time I've become so much more confident and happier with myself. I still comfort eat, but not as often, and i try to go to the gym instead.
Good luck. It's hard but if i can do it, anyone can.

Answer 2

All I can say honey, is YOU are definitely NOT alone!
You and I should go bowling! lol You just totally described
my last oh, 10-15 years of life. Its weird I know but something
in our heads talk us into it I'm sure. I think for me its all about
feeling denied what I want---I think what the h*ll why am I starving myself I'm going to eat what I want!
One thing I do know is that there are some excellent books on the subject---you might have to delve into compulsive overeating, but heck if it works BONUS right! Maybe look on-line or at the library. There is help out there, groups, counselling etc. that could also help with your self-esteem and shyness etc. Could depression be playing a part?
Myself I've tried them all and right now after 15 years at 38 I actually haven't gained or lost much weight at all in a couple years. Why? I actually sat down and said I'm never going on a diet again!! EVER! And I try my best to listen to my body, and remarkably there are days my body says "Carrots, Salad, Kale, Beans" what have you. So I eat those things, if I'm dying for a donut I have it as soon as I can, otherwise I know I'll eat a dozen, and I try not to beat myself up about it! In general, my eating habits are okay...not great, but certainly not horrible. I "try" to stay active, but I know when your overweight THAT "e" word is the worst. How can you want to exercise when your out of breathe just putting your runners on. Its a miserable cycle these feminine bodies and hormones, but I'm certain bearing any other health issues, that you could and will be able to break it.
I know it sounds ridiculous and stupid BUT try your best to
remember how GORGEOUS you are. And anybody that says or does something mean, probably is only trying to make themselves feel better, because they are insecure as well.
Believe me, its all about them and it has nothing to do with you.
I do wish you all the best, I've seen many many woman go through this and similar and come out on the other side simply beautiful and healthy.
Try getting help with it, you've made the first step, you know something isn't quite right. Now you can GO FOR IT!

Like I said best of luck and remember Beautiful and Your NOT Alone!

Answer 3

"comfort food" and "comfort eating" should be banished from the english vocabulary. I have never heard a thin person use these terms.

Comfort comes from things that make us happy. Food should satisfy our hunger, or make us full. It may provide us with enjoyable flavors, but food itself should not make us happy.

Comfort comes from things that cheer us up when we are unhappy. Sadly, being overweight makes us unhappy. Unhappy people seek out comfort, so a vicious cycle can quickly emerge.

If you want to eat a lot, the only solution is to exercise a lot. "Eating Healthy" may be a good goal, but eating the right amount is often more important. The body does not just take everything you eat and make it a part of you, it grabs what it needs, and lets the rest pass on through. Of course, our bodies were designed to deal with times of starvation, so if there are things it might need in the future, it grabs up some of that too.

If you like tastes, then maybe eating more is not the solution. Try using more seasoning in your foods. I'm not talking salt and pepper either. Get a spice rack, and use it. I'm a big fan of Cumin, Basil, Oregano, Cinnamon, Marjoram, things like that.

Answer 4

I understand what you are talking about. I lost 60 pounds 2 or 3 yrs ago. Everyones advice is always just become comfortable in your skin. But that is easier said then done. Sat a goal for yourself. And try diff diets. Maybe join weight watchers, or join a gym (I am a huge pilates fan so buy some tapes.) It is easy to get discouraged, especially when your stuck, but youll lose weight again so dont worry. Just be patient. Best of luck.
Oh, and also no sodas or anything! only water, otherwise its just wasted calories, I lost like 10 lbs alone from doing that.

Answer 5

um..okay i think you binge more when you diet because if you make a mistake by eating something unhealthy you just think o well ive ruined it now and beat urself up about it and give up the whole diet thing, i used to do this, if you do eat sum junk dont give up the whole diet, just keep on trying to stick to it, keep to a routine and keep a food diary which will make you realise how much junk you actually do eat and dieting doesn't really mean restricting your food intake, it's just changing it...
like instead of chips and gravy have jacket potatoe with beans
change to brown bread
dont have sugar in tea or on cereal
snack on fruit and nuts or veg like carrot sticks/cucumber
drink more water (even if your not thirsty) take a bottle everywhere
dont go food shopping hungry! and dont buy pop or fizzy drinks
go for walks or buy a fitness dvd, even if you dont feel like exercising just get up and jump about and youll soon feel more energetic
and with the confidence thing well just have the i dont give a f..k attitude cos who r all these other people? just people like you...:) good luck

Answer 6

I'm the same as you. When I comfort eat I gain 2 kilos. When I'm eating normally I don't gain weight nor do I loose it unfortunatly.

It is extremely hard. The old saying "The only one to look out for you is you." is true. Although I don't take on the saying and sit and complain about my weight. Yet I get defensive when someone points out my weight. Being overweight is a nightmare.

Answer 7

It really depends how you diet. My advice would be to join a group like Weight Watchers (or similar) where they have a POINTS plan.

This means you are not completely cutting out things you enjoy. For example you can still have cake and chocolate etc as long as you POINT it. I have low fat hot chocolate drinks in the winter to kick-in when I have a chocolate craving.

All the best

Answer 8

I have found it works for me to have a sort of healthy eating week and then promise myself i can eat what i like on Sunday when i feel the urge to pig out
I have found that when Sunday comes around ive not actually felt like stuffing myself with all the bad stuff
It can make you fatter if you always limit yourself, just tell yourself that Sunday is the day for treats and it really does help
I'm starting my healthy eating after christmas lol
you have to have something to look forward to :0)))

Answer 9

have you tried not dieting, just eating healthy foods and drinking lots of water it is supposed to help shift the weight it isn't easy i also struggle with the weight, i joined a gym that helps because i thinks after all that work i stick to healthy eating, good luck and have faith in yourself and try to beat the insecurities you are worth more than that,

Answer 10

eating healthy is the one thing - but never forbid yourself a little choc, cookies or the like. if you do, you end up binging!
it's better just to eat regularly, 5 little meals over the day. afterwards a cooky, a piece of choc, whatever.

one way to avoid binge eating might be not to have sweets at home - only fruit.
sorbets instead of ice cream.
etc.