Emotional Eating

[cmcole]

I almost wish I was the opposite - when things upset me that I don't eat, rather than wanting to invade every place I can find for everything I can shove in my mouth.

At present I'm at work, and have tried to prepare appropriately. I have radishes, sardines, cheese, tuna, herbal tea, flax (mini) muffins and cream cheese.

At home, I'm not the only one, so there are lots of things there that could tempt me.

The reason for this possible binge is that I just found out that I will not be in this job after April 6th, due to fiscal restraints (or whatever official term they use for not having money enough to keep me employed).

I know that I may not have been as good at paying it forward as some others on this board, but just at this moment, I need :help :help :help

[BikerGoddess]

A good friend of mine and I were going to write a book called "High Stress to Lose Weight". Chapter One is My Mother's an Alien. I Was Adopted (or How are These People My Siblings?) was Chapter Two. My Job Sucks the Life Out of Me was Chapter Thirteen. Significant Others were all the chapters in between.

Since we spend so much time at or thinking about our jobs, it's little wonder they play such a big part in our life and how we see each other. You should definitely take some time to feel sad about losing your job. Then make a plan on how to proceed.

You'll feel a lot less stress if you have concrete steps you can follow and a goal in mind. Do you want/need another job? Are you going to try something different or look for more of the same? What do you need to rearrange to get to that point?

The more unknowns, the more stress you'll feel. Maybe in a year you'll look back and think you've made all the wrong decisions. But, maybe in a year you'll look back and be so grateful you had this chance to shake things up.

Don't be afraid to enlist your family and friends, either. Most people are happy to pass on job leads or help you our with your diet. Some people are even offended when they see you struggling alone instead of coming to them for help. You certainly don't sound like someone who takes advantage of others, so you might be surprised what's out there if you just ask.

:hug

Laura

[cmcole]

Thank you for your words of wisdom.
To elaborate and possibly answer some of your questions:

I moved here in July of 2004, because my husband was transferred.
I scoured the job market, until finally landing this job the first part of December. It's a great job, and I love it. I also enjoy the people I have been working with.

During the four months without a job, I applied to the Reserves. On March 1st, I was finally enrolled. I pick up my uniform this evening. This was sort of a desparation move - I figured I'd have something to fall back on if I couldn't find a job elsewhere. Obviously, I still have that, but at present, it is only one night a week, and an occasional weekend (until after I pass Basic Training). Then, it is possible that it will stay the same, or I may have the possibility of working throughout the week (we'll have to wait and see on that one).

My hubby is very supportive of my way of eating, and is concerned when he's cooking something that I don't/won't eat. My daughter has recently started trying to lose weight, and signed up for e-diets. She needs the regimental menu planning, I guess.

Last night my hubby said he will not buy any more chips and candy to have in the house (thankfully) because we think our daughter may be too tempted by them, and end up eating them. That's a good move on his part toward better health, anyway. Also, I was thankful, because those things are expensive, and we need to be more aware of where the money goes, with me facing unemployment.

It would have been better to find out just about the day before they let me go, rather than having to face the next three weeks knowing my job will be terminated. Very difficult to maintain excitement and commitment. I know they are trying their best to be supportive, but it makes it difficult to continue, at times.

As I was hoping to be able to spend a good deal of time here, and they were even supportive enough to allow me time to attend Basic Training (if I get a spot), I was quite upset/sad to have to begin considering packing up my belongings and going back to job hunting again. The job market here is less than rosy, from my experience back in the fall.

[BikerGoddess]

It sounds like you'll pull through fine. Hang in there. :sympathy

Laura

[cmcole]

I'm having a rough week.

Monday I stayed home with an upset stomach. I did, however, get on the elliptical machine and go for 11.11 km.

Tuesday I went to work, but things just didn't seem to go well - and not just for me - it was a bad day all around. I walked 1.6 km with the dogs, and ran back. However, emotionally, I just don't want to be accountable to Fitday, or anything else. I had one square of a chocolate bar I found in the cupboard - and then regretted it. I could blame it on TOM, stress, or a whole lot of things, but I'm not accepting those excuses. I'm finding it difficult to study for the courses I'm taking by correspondence/distance learning.

Today, I'm finding it difficult to develop any incentive about my work or things in general. Last night (big mistake) I counted how many days are left here on the job - less than two weeks.

I know they couldn't do it without paying me extra, but I almost wish they could have waited until my last day and then told me my services were no longer required - would have possibly been easier on the mental well-being.

Sorry for the rant. I was hoping that unloading would help.

[2big4mysize]

oops sorry :hug I thought when I saw the title you were just sharing your wonderful solid Atkins info with the emotional eaters and skipped it. AMybe if you go back and edit it to say help intere too more folk would rush in to support you too.

That is one of those studies tell us the mass majority do better with advanced notice ther job is leaving and can prepare for it, but it doesn't hewlp with all the emotional feelings that go with it.

Can you move sideways in the company if your position is being eliminated?

This is tough because you can't do anything about the feeling you are having but they are triggering you to have depression chemicals in your brain and that is effecting your whole body.

You can do some stuff to counter it like ranting here. Exercise is a good user upper of those chems and creater of so cool new chems to assist you in feeling better in adition to assisting your Atkins carving control.

Bright 10,000 lumen bright lights will help too as it is the bright light that stimulates the area of the brain that makes serotonin to get busy making you some.

The chemicals in the chololate minic the neurotransmitters that calm us so your subconcious Dr Brain was prescribing that for you as it knew from past experience when you felt like this it would assit you feeling better at least temperarily.


SO have you got your plan of attack ready?
1)Prepared your Atkins emergency kit with leagal to eat foods and water along with a copy of just why you are doing your Atkins so you can review them if you are tempted again? Got the before and gaol pics in there too so you can ask yourself is this action going to move me closer to the one I want or the one I don't want to be.

2) started lining up your references and resume and checking for new posisitons and such theough your network of coworkers, friends and family along with the ususal sources?

3) planned some workout time with your daughter so the two of you can be diet exercise support buddies? the joy of that bonding time should create some good brain chems too.

4) scheduled your study time for your classes for when you are calm and can focus. DO you have a deal linefor them or are they go at your own pace if so now might be a good time to declare it spring break and have some play time instead.

5) and of course pray and meditate about this event in your life and look hard for that door God is opening for you as this one is closing. Sometimes we are so busy staring at the shut door we don't see the new open one.

You know you can do this and you know you will get through it and be a stronger person for it. Take control of the one thing you do have control over in this time and that is your eating and exercise.

Happy low carbing.

[BikerGoddess]

I totally understand the chocolate thing. I'm trying to get a friend to talk me out of as we speak... Venting certainly helps me. I was on the verge of crying this morning because of all the stuff that's piling up, but my boyfriend bugged me until I let loose, and I feel much better now.

Even though there's nothing he can fix for me, a little sympathy feels a lot good.

Maybe you could try out a new low-carb recipe (if you like cooking, that is) to cheer you up and give your taste buds something enjoyable without the guilt.

:hug

Laura

[Betty]

You have some wonderful advice and support here, and I don't think I can add more, but I will tell you that I will keep you in my prayers. Take care of yourself.

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