Loss of a Loved One and EATING

[DeniseS]

I was doing great on Atkins...I was thinner than I had ever remembered being my entire life. I was in a 10!!! Then, my grandmother, who raised me, passed away very suddenly last November. I lost it. I have now eaten out of control for the last 13 months. I have put on 5 lbs this month alone!!! I am tired of this. I am ready to be thin again. The other day, I was riding in my car, and realized that my bra band was hurting. That was because it was pinching the roll above my jeans. I had to pull over I was crying so hard. Then I went to Chick Fil A and got ice cream. Then I felt like a total loser and came home to eat more. I have always been raised to eat when you are sad, hurt, depressed, happy, nervous, whatever reason...any reason is a good reason to eat. I can't live like this anymore. I am back and back for good. I have a daughter who will be 13 in 11 days. She is 5'7" and 185 lbs. My son is almost 11 and is 5' and 130 lbs. I have to do this for them. They are learning my habits and that is not acceptable. I am looking forward to getting the support that I know this board can give.

Thanks!!

[cleochatra]

{{{Denise}}} I had lost 120 pounds, and then my father died from cancer, and I gained it all back-- with interest! It's so easy to try to medicate ourselves with food, isn't it? At any rate, my dead Jewish father would kick my micugina hiney if he thought I gained weight because I couldn't handle losing my father like a schmendrick.

Think of it from their perspective: "You eat so much because you missed me? Keep it up, goyim! You'll be here with me sooner than you knew! Oy!"

[2big4mysize]

welcome back

[Desertthorn]

Really glad your back Denise and you'll be stronger this time. Helping others really helps us. :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug Denise :hug :hug :hug :hug
Thanks a group hug for you

[mrslee44]

Grief is a strong emotion that can cause overeating.

I loved my Grandmother dearly, but I didn't get the self destructive behaviour with overeating when she passed. However, I did become self destructive when my very much loved friend died in their bed at the age of 39. My behaviour at the time is pretty much like you describe now. It took me almost 5 years and meeting someone who filled the void as my friend did to snap me out of the grief overeating behaviour.

Oddly enough this friend will be going away soon for good, and the sadness is making me want to overeat again. But I recognize this behaviour and I think that my awareness is making me responsible for staying on the Atkins Program.


Robin
:hug

[JESTEROO]

My beautiful mother passed away in July of last year . . . and my world came to a screeching halt. I couldn't focus on anything . . .

When the fog started to lift a couple of months ago, I realized that my weight had creeped up to 236 pounds - and at 5'5 that is not a very pretty picture.

My mom passed away at age 54 - of early onset Alzheimers - It was a merciless disease process. When the pain of losing her started to ease, and I could think rationally about what happened to her, I started to face my own mortality. She was a healthy, thin, fit woman - and this happened to her. What the heck was going to happen to me? Losing her gave me the motivation to change everything about my life.

When I feel like eating out of sadness - I try to get my mind on something else. Usually walking through my garden in the yard works . . . at other times, I play ball with my dogs, and when nothing else seems to work, I sit and look at a picture of my mom - and force myself to recognize why I am not going to eat. It has been working for me . . .

I think if you can distract your mind . . . redirect that emotion into something constructive . . . you will find that as time goes on . . . it gets easier.