Overeating

[SoCal2010]

Has anyone had a problem with overeating as a way of coping with grief?

At first I couldn't eat anything. I lost 15 pounds very fast.

But lately I notice I'm turning to food anytime I start to feel bad.

That can be very dangerous. I'm not sure how to stop myself.

[kevinjj]

I had to force myself to eat at first then it balanced out though i did lose some weight, not too much. You will probably balance out once you have put back on some you lost. Do you exercise? I started up excercising pretty soon after my wife died and it helped my mind some, i guess it kept my metabolism going at a faster pace.

[teppuM999]

i haven't really been overeating, but sometimes i do consume loads of sugar.
blood sugar spike = "hey i look happy, right?"

[sevenofwands]

Hello SoCal:

I think it depends.  Some stop eating beacuse of grief, and that is serious.  Others turn to food for comfort.  Perhaps as Kevin says, exercising is a good option, as it also makes you feel better in yourself, and produces that "feelgood" factor afterwards.

Take care
Seven

[georgiapeaches]

Hi Socal,
like Kevin, I excersized alot, had to force myself, but it helps with anxiety, you just need to find one that suits you. My eating habits never changed, the one obsticle I had was I stopped smoking 2 years ago and that was a big problem when my husband passed away, was not to light up, and then when my mother passed away, all my brothers and sister, we all stopped smoking and it had to stay that way, luckily it did. so eating wasnt the issue, smoking was, so I excersized away. Good luck to you.

georgia.

[tsoley]

I gained 20 pounds after my son died! It sucks!

[missumom]

This has been a very big problem for me.
I have always had a problem of turning to food for comfort in my life, and now I am at a point where I need comfort more than I have ever needed it - and I am eating insane amounts of food as a result.

My depression has taken a downward spiral over the last month, and my weight is showing it.
I have gained about 20 pounds just in the last month!!

I wish I had some advice for you on this.
In reality, I need some myself!!

Meredith

[kevinjj]

I wish I knew what to tell you - I developed some health problems and my appetite has really picked up like never before - never had this before and actually  lost some weight after my wife died, not all that much, but slowly got back to normal but now it is starting to come on strong - nerves I guess, like you said, turning to it for comfort - because of the health issues my exercising is done for the time being and that is part of it

[SoCal2010]

I've been really overeating lately. I went to the mall to walk around (since it's desert hot here), then I ate at the food court. I came home and on the way picked up food for my stepdad. I got myself another meal too.

I don't want to turn to food for comfort because I have a history of doing that and it's not healthy. I guess we turn to what we're used to.

They do have a gym up here, so I could join that I guess. But I always swore off joining any more gyms since I would always end up not going.

[sevenofwands]

SoCal:

I don't know what to say either. I haven't had the problem (indeed the contrary happens to me in difficult times, I can't eat).
I suppose the best you can do is cut down on the carbs, eat a lot of fruit to quell the appetite, and get in some good protein.

Perhaps, rather than a gym (and they can be boring), why not maybe try a dance class (the exercise is very aerobic and burns up
fat, while getting into good shape, plus the feel-good factor.  Maybe you might look towards that.

Take care
Seven

[SoCal2010]

Oh God I have to try something! I did it again tonight, eating 2 meals, then having an ice cream sundae on top of that. It's weird how I went from not eating at all to overdoing it. I think I might try a yoga class.

[Jap Jr]

went from losing almost 30 lbs to gaining most of it back and wanting to eat more; comfort as most said
jim and I were both watching our weight, neither overweight, but at 54 & 62, wanted to not really gain.
it has been almost 9 months and I am still having roller coaster emotions.
am on vaca in az at my sons, and going ok - I am almost afraid of going home to lonliness

kay

[mt2186]

This has been a very big problem for me. my weight has fluctuated all over the place. But I am currently gaining weight, using food to comfort myself as the cold winter approaches. I wish I could find comfort within myself and not need to turn to food.

[bluegrass1965]

Mine goes back and forth--at first I didn't eat and lost weight, nothing tasted good and I had a metallic taste in my mouth all the time. Finally after about a month I sat down to eat something and thought "wow, this really tastes good."  I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed food again.  Since then it has been tough to control..  I come from a long line of comfort eaters and although my weight is probably average for my age and height I do eat too much at a time and then feel sick. I am trying to avoid the junk food but of course it is all around you if you leave the house even to run an errand!

This week I am trying to keep fresh fruit available at all times and that has helped.  If I am craving chips or something bad for me I'll have an apple or pear first, or drink a bottle of water.  That works pretty well since generally I am not hungry afterward and can avoid the junk food altogether.