Stress Center Peer Support

I have always been active and thin, but I have noticed in the past few months I have gained weight. Its nothing too extravagent but I feel like if I keep eating the way I do and not exersicing it will get worse. I have always been an emotional eater but usually I exersice. I have no desire to exersise or diet at all. No motivation, no energy. Everytime I try I will do it for all of maybe a week then go back to the way I was. I thought of doing like a colon clense to get rid of some of the bloating and stuff but I just cannot seem to stop the eating! Does anyone have any advice?

I have always been an emotional eater, and not a regular exerciser. I use food, especially chocolate, to calm myself. Since I've been anxious for most of my life (I'm now 48), the pounds have piled on over the years.

I am trying to find a better way to comfort myself, and I'm hoping this program will help fill the hole.

Hello I too am an emotional eater. At 52 I am at my heaviest weight. I started a weight loss program recommended by Prevention Magazine about a month before I started this program. I do pretty good most days, but what I have learned over the past few months is what to eat and portion control. So I still eat when I am anxious or tired, but now I eat fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds, avocado, applesauce, etc. The idea is to eat something that is both satisfying and filling without adding the unnecessary calories or extra pounds. As for the exercise you have to start somewhere. Someone said to me recently a little something is always better than nothing. So that is how I look at exercising. I walk a little every day. Some days I do more than others, but I try hard to walk up and down stairs instead of the elevator and park a little further for a quick walk. I have more energy and I sleep better for the most part.

I just posted a response to emotional eating and I guess I answered my own question. I would like to share my experience this pass weekend. Some very close friends just sufferd the loss of their 20 year old daugh in a tragic auto accident. The mother and I have been friends for the last 10-15 yrs. My dear friend just lost her mother less than two years ago and now her daugh. I am experiencing anxiety not only for the loss of the child but for my friend. This woman has been struggling with anxiety and depression very bad and I have been trying to help her by sharing what I am learning. I am so afraid for her mental and emotional health after this, that I am stressed about it. She is seeing a psychiatrist and has been on meds; she is also a spiritual person, but sometimes people just don't cope well, especially when they are already in a bad place emotionally.
From the time I learned of the accident Sat morn. I have been in and out of her home, comforting, cooking, cleaning and taking care of guest. I went home early last night and got some sleep, but I am so depressed about this situation and I have to be there for her. She knows how I feel, we are close and can say anything to one another.
I said all of that to say this: I ate all day Sat. and all the wrong things. I ate croissants, apple turnovers, fried chicken, pizza; anything that was brought in the house I ate. I know it was stress because I haven't eaten some of those things in the last two months. It wasn't that I ate a whole chicken, I just could not stop eating until I actually felt sick. Yesterday before I went to her house I made a hugh salad with different greens, colored peppers, mushrooms and chicken breast. I also ate two pieces of fruit before I ate anything else. Thankfully it worked out better. Thanks for listening. I think this is the longest post I ever did.