need help w/stress and emotional eating!! ugh!!

[str1349 37]

my job can be really stressful sometimes (i'm the RN Charge nurse for a 12 bed inpatient surgical floor) so between co-workers, patients and their families, demanding doctors, crazy hours - i can get reeealllly stressed out. i find that during these really stressful moments - i want to eat "jus because". sometimes i drink my calories (soda). it makes me feel better..... only for that moment. How do you guys deal with emotional or stress eating? i usually pack my lunch - salad or lean cuisine, fruit, beef Jerky, cheese sticks. so i usually have something decent to choose from - but for some reason, the cafeteria always seems to have something that "sounds better" that what ever i brought from home. i think i use the cafeteria as an excuse to get off the floor for a little bit. i go back to the nurses station to nibble on my lunch - i rarely get a full 30 min lunch break, so i eat a few bites, work, eat a few bites, etc..... jus need some friendly advice on how to control stress/emotional eating.... thanks in advance

[Julie145 5]

That's a tough one. I also like to go to the cafeteria, just to get away from my office for a break.

I used to bring a book to work. During lunch I would go somewhere away from the office a read for a little bit. Found it very relaxing and was able to go back to work refreshed.

Of course the book must be completely mindless with no redeeming values... If it makes you think, you can't relax.

I'll probably start doing that again now that I'm back on program.

Hope that helps.

[2muchfun 8,927]

You won't like this suggestion? Stop using your job, your stress level, your status, as an excuse not to take a full 30 minute break and eat a healthy band friendly meal. It's important you gain some control over just a 30 minute portion of your day just a few days a week. Otherwise, how can you control what you put in your mouth?

tmf

[tarajill 63]

I'm a nurse too so I understand not getting a full 30 minutes. But no excuses! If the cafeteria is your demon leave your money/method to pay locked in your car. I'm tempted by the cafeteria at work as well... Always lots of goodies but not good for you. I don't bring money with me to work so there is never a moment of weakness to succumb to.

I'd also suggest tracking everything - grazing over 12 hours can add up to a lot of calories. Hang in there! If you can handle being a charge nurse you can do this as well.

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

my job can be really stressful sometimes (i'm the RN Charge nurse for a 12 bed inpatient surgical floor) so between co-workers' date=' patients and their families, demanding doctors, crazy hours - i can get reeealllly stressed out. i find that during these really stressful moments - i want to eat "jus because". sometimes i drink my calories (soda). it makes me feel better..... only for that moment. How do you guys deal with emotional or stress eating? i usually pack my lunch - salad or lean cuisine, fruit, beef Jerky, cheese sticks. so i usually have something decent to choose from - but for some reason, the cafeteria always seems to have something that "sounds better" that what ever i brought from home. i think i use the cafeteria as an excuse to get off the floor for a little bit. i go back to the nurses station to nibble on my lunch - i rarely get a full 30 min lunch break, so i eat a few bites, work, eat a few bites, etc..... jus need some friendly advice on how to control stress/emotional eating.... thanks in advance[/quote']

Everyone has stress just different types. I don't let food take control of me anymore. I am far from perfect but I don't eat over stress I have a sick husband, MIL almost 90, mother almost 95 and a brother who is mentally challenged. So everyone has their own stress in life.

Good luck with your food intake. Spring is here , go outside for a walk.

[B-52 7,113]

I'm the opposite....because of the band....

When I am busy, on my feet no stop go go go....the last thing on my mind is food. I forget to eat anything at all....

As I read your post, you never referred to the band and what, if anything it is doing for you at all.....

Your post read like someone following, and struggling staying on a "Weight Watcher's" or "Jenny Craig" or any other diet regime out there.....

But no mention of the band....

[mlparker 9]

I am a newbie to this (6 weeks out), but I do eat at the small cafe by my office, but I have particular things I eat, i.e. Soups, hummus, yogurt and fruit (at Stage 4 now). I do think it will be harder at stage 5 diet. I don't want to feel deprived, so eating at the cafe is a bit of treat for me. I also stock some things in the refrigerator in the office, just in case, such as yogurt and a shake, just in case the soups don't work for me that day and I don't want any of the alternatives. Good luck! I do think we have to remember that this is for the rest of our lives, not just one day. I'm sure our past experiences make us pessismistic about chances for success. Godspeed! Melanie