Stress eating

[deerwalk]

I've just been through something awful. I am eating tons and spending my money on alot of food. It's stress eating. I want to stop but I'm so nervous all the time right now. I am alone all day and my neighborhood is dangerous. Only yesterday I dared to walk to the market and some kids were yelling at each other across the street and then one of them shot a gun. Just another day I suppose.

[adore79]

Hi A. I havent been around much lately so I havent been able to keep up with stuff that is going on. Will you please fill me in on what has been happening with you lately? Here or in a PM, whichever you prefer.

I definitely stress eat. Its better than drinking though.

[Threshold]

stress eating is a real addiction, it'll kill you slower than alcohol. but will take over your life just as surely and the same program that addresses one addiction can address another.

Switching isn't the same as getting clean and sober. I have multiple addictions, food related ones included and I take them very seriously.

Getting clean when it comes to food is different than getting clean from drugs or alcohol, we NEED to eat, can't just give it up.

There is such a thing as clean eating...both for compulsive overeaters/bingers and anorexics. It's just as real.

I'd benefit from support in the area of eating and would be happy to take part in discussion, support. meetings etc here toward those ends

[deerwalk]

I agree Threshhold... I am far from obesity and biking keeps me relatively healthy. I have been the spectrum of vegan, veggie and carnivore... I have eaten very healthily and also not so health consciously.

[Astro]

I used eating as a way of coping with the stress and anxiety of early recovery, and my choices were always sweets, donuts and cookies. I put on weight quickly and didn't have much urge or energy to exercise.

It's been a slow climb back up for me when it comes to my weight. At the beginning of this year I started Weight Watchers and shed the pounds quickly. But it's taken just as much discipline as sobriety, I can't afford the luxury of "slips" with either addiction. I guess I'm trying to say that it's all or nothing, abstinence is the only thing that works for me, I'm not able to moderate.

[soidog]

Originally Posted by deerwalk

I've just been through something awful. I am eating tons and spending my money on alot of food. It's stress eating. I want to stop but I'm so nervous all the time right now. I am alone all day and my neighborhood is dangerous. Only yesterday I dared to walk to the market and some kids were yelling at each other across the street and then one of them shot a gun. Just another day I suppose.

I don't mean this to sound like a flippant comment or anything, but have you thought about getting out of your neighborhood and moving someplace else? Being in a dangerous environment all the time will definitely contribute to persistent stress that can lead to all sorts of unhealthy behaviors.

I've lived in unsafe neighborhoods before, and although I realize that moving is a BIG chore, if the environment you are in is unsafe and if it doesn't look like it will get any better, moving away is a good bet (if you have the means to do so).

Regardless, good luck with whatever you do.

[deerwalk]

I dream about it, soidog! A soon as funds permit, I'm outta here. I've never really made enough money to live in a safe neighborhood. I dream of getting out of the city. I was diagnosed with anxiety and PTSD... it really interferes with my taking on a higher paying job. And I've never had the funds to get effective therapy... You can see the conundrum? Too traumatized to make enough money to get proper therapy, so that I can make enough money...

[soidog]

Sad to hear that deerwalk. It is true that the stress of big cities can be awfully hard to cope with, and it does take $ to make things happen. Best of luck.