I’m not sure when it started or if it’s been a problem my whole life, but I’m definitely an emotional eater. It become oh-so-apparent after I had kids.
I always buy the healthiest things I can buy for my kids – organic apples, bananas, grapes, fat-free puddings and low-fat cheeses, etc. But whenever I was grocery shopping I’d always put a six-pack of cupcakes in the cart. Why? Well, I thought I needed them. Needed them to give me a quick pick-me-up after a long day at the office and wrangling kids at the dinner table and up into bed. I’d bite into the delicious sugary goodness and exhale. “Ahhh,” my body seemed to be saying. “Thank you for the goodies!”
But the high never seemed to last. As soon as I’d finish it, I’d feel bad, knowing that I scarfed down about 300 calories, with no plans to exercise or sweat a lick. So then I’d eat another cupcake, figuring that the faster I ate them, the sooner they would be out my house, no longer able to tempt me.
But then I’d go back to the store and more cupcakes would end up in my cart
I used sweets the way some people have a glass of wine at the end of the day. It was a slippery slope and nothing was cute about it. I gained a few pounds, nothing too noticeable, but I found that I winced more and more when I looked in the mirror.
I wasn’t happy. I was snapping at my husband. Stressing from work. Feeling inadequate as a mom. Trying to keep up with all my freelance projects and doing a lousy job. Worrying about money.
But as my 24th birthday rolled around, I made a pledge to do better. I said that from here on out, I would take better care of me. I had my first appointment at the spa that wasn’t for a special event. I’ve started a new workout routine and lost 5 pounds. I started getting up at 5:30 for the sole purpose of having a few moments to myself to start the day.
I haven’t had a cupcake in 35 days. To me, it’s almost like saying I’ve quit cigarettes cold turkey.
I feel better, because I have FINALLY, finally begun to put myself first. I quit snapping at my husband. I’ve gotten over the stress at work by channeling that into my workouts. I’ve gotten more quality time with my kids. Everyone seems to notice a difference, especially my husband. I’ve gotten my sex drive back, my clothes fit better and most of all, I’m happier.
Well, I’m glad you’re getting your emotional eating under control. It’s so easy to do! Thirty-five days is a long time to go without something that you really like. You should reward yourself. (But not with a cupcake!)
My weakness is brownies. I love them. LOVE THEM. If they got down on one knee and proposed to me I would say “Yes”. I gained almost 50 after the birth of my last baby because of post partum depression and making a huge batch of brownies every week for 6 months to get past the sadness. And then after the period of depression passed, I was crying because I was fat, andeating more brownies to cover up those feelings. Thank God I lost it. and I stopped making brownies, lol.
Congratulations Tara. You know what they say, the first step is admitting there is a problem. I can admit that my “cupcake” is ice cream!! Gotta have it, like an addict, for the same reasons you stated. It really is like that end of the day glass of wine, and reading this just helped me recognize that.
This is awesome! Congrats! You are doing great.
Way to go Tara! I will take a cue from you and try waking up at 5:30 so that I too can have time to myself.
Excellent Job! Keep up the good work (out) :o)
Great job girl! I think it’s awesome that u quit cupcakes cold turkey!! I did that with Dark Soda’s at the first of this year – so far so good!! Sounds like you have your mind where it needs to be to do great things! U go girl!
Congratulations on your will power! I can totally relate – I have a terrible sweet tooth and I reach for sweet, comforting foods when I feel bored, lonely, frustrated, you name it…
I try to remind myself to make a nice cup of herbal tea (unsweetened) instead, or go get some exercise instead of giving in to the cravings for sweetness.
Hope you can stick with it! I’m rooting for ya!
Just came by your blog via SITS. I love this post. I thought I was the only one who felt guilty about having sweets in the house so she eats them faster to get rid of them. I happen to have just done that with a Dark Chocolate Candy Bar. *Sigh*…there really should be a support group for this.
Love the idea of your blog. I’m also a young mommy…loving it!