7 replies to this topic

[Cat_Lover30]

So far I've done really well on JC, and lost 70 pounds. I've got 25 more to go.
There's been a big change in my life recently. I went from working full time to being a student
full time. I returned to school to become a nurse. Last week was my first week, and boy am I feeling stressed!
So many assignments, so much reading, upcoming exams. To say I'm feeling overwhelmed is an understatement. I knew it was going to be intense, but I guess I wasn't completely prepared.
I'm a stress eater. I didn't do very well over the easter weekend, because we had to host easter dinner.
There was all this leftover food, and I ended up eating way more than I should have. Now I feel like I've gone back to my old ways. Thats the last thing I want to have happen. I'm feeling scared I won't be able to handle my stress, and will gain 70 pounds back. I kept going back to the fridge for more. I ended up throwing out the last of the leftovers, because if it's not in the house, I can't eat it. I feel I have no self control. It doesn't help that my mother in law brought me chocolate eggs at easter dinner. I ate one this morning for breakfast, and threw the rest out. I know she meant well, but bringing someone who is stressed out and trying to lose weight chocolate is not really a good idea. She's always bringing food over, and it's high calorie junk I have a hard time not eating when it's in my house. She just doesn't think. Now with starting school, it's a complete change in routine, and I'm struggling. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop stress eating? And also how to deal with people who keep giving you food you shouldn't have? Any help is very very appreciated.

[jswa]

I feel your pain. I can relate to everything you are saying about stress eating. I just did some of that myself last week and like you I had to just throw the food away otherwise I would have finished it all. I asked my JCC why do I do this and how do I stop... her answer was that it has become a habit for me and that it is part of how I have for 40 years dealt with my problems/stress. She told me to focus on the progress I have made and not to beat myself up for slipping. This is something I will have to deal with forever as my natural reaction to stress is to turn to food & eat for comfort. I have to learn to stop that behaivor. Yes, all easier said than done. But being aware and trying to change is so much better than just eating away when stressed out. I don't know if any of this is helpful to you but just know that I can relate to how you feel. I wish you luck in finding help to change. Focus on the 70 lbs you have lost and do not give up.

[Linwalker]

I feel your pain. I can relate to everything you are saying about stress eating. I just did some of that myself last week and like you I had to just throw the food away otherwise I would have finished it all. I asked my JCC why do I do this and how do I stop... her answer was that it has become a habit for me and that it is part of how I have for 40 years dealt with my problems/stress. She told me to focus on the progress I have made and not to beat myself up for slipping. This is something I will have to deal with forever as my natural reaction to stress is to turn to food & eat for comfort. I have to learn to stop that behaivor. Yes, all easier said than done. But being aware and trying to change is so much better than just eating away when stressed out. I don't know if any of this is helpful to you but just know that I can relate to how you feel. I wish you luck in finding help to change. Focus on the 70 lbs you have lost and do not give up.

I also feel your pain. I'm one of those people who can't just have "one" taste, or "one" of anything.. so the ONLY thing I can do is what your doing..throw it out, don't keep it in the house. Tell your MIL that you appreciate the gesture but if she has to bring something tell her to bring you some fruit If you don't want to say anything to her then just chuck it after she drops it off. Do whatever it takes.

[Cat_Lover30]

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I'm starting to feel better about everything. It will take time to
adjust to this new routine I'm in now. As for the stress eating, I'll have to find alternate ways to deal with it.
And as for my MIL, I'll just gracefully accept whatever it is she's giving me, then I'll throw it out.
I'm not very confrontational. But sometimes I find myself getting a little angry with her for not thinking about what she's doing, like giving me junk, when she knows it's hard for me to resist it. She's a very kind and giving person, and she means well, but I get really irritated about it sometimes. I feel bad for being angry, but I also want to continue being successful at my weight loss. I'll just remain polite, and strong.

[MargieJ]

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I'm starting to feel better about everything. It will take time to
adjust to this new routine I'm in now. As for the stress eating, I'll have to find alternate ways to deal with it.
And as for my MIL, I'll just gracefully accept whatever it is she's giving me, then I'll throw it out.
I'm not very confrontational. But sometimes I find myself getting a little angry with her for not thinking about what she's doing, like giving me junk, when she knows it's hard for me to resist it. She's a very kind and giving person, and she means well, but I get really irritated about it sometimes. I feel bad for being angry, but I also want to continue being successful at my weight loss. I'll just remain polite, and strong.

What tremendous success you've had with your weight loss and congratulations on the steps you're taking with your career. I work with many wonderful nurses and not a day goes by that I don't value their contributions---thanks in advance for the caring and work you'll be doing!

A few thoughts for you.
1. How about creating a little structure for yourself. One thing I'm hearing you describe is how different everything is now with your new routine. Try to regain some of that feeling of control by providing some structure for yourself. If you don't already, log all your food. Plan the next day's meal the night before. That may relieve you of some of the uncertainty/stress. Perhaps even laying out what you'll eat when could help.

2. Make sure you've got plenty of the right foods at home and portable snacks with you for school. You've already taken a powerful step by just ditching the food that was still calling to you that you knew you didn't need. Good job. Now, make sure to arm yourself with all the right food.

3. Do you have a plan for your activity? Maybe before you had more time and now find time at a premium? If so, don't feel overwhelmed by having to get to the gym or work out like a fiend. Just walk 3-4 times a week for 1/2 hour at a time. Will also help with stress and give your mind a break (nice music, listening to the birds, smelling the roses, etc!).

4. What are you doing to feed your mind? You mention the fear of slipping back into old habits and regaining. I can understand that. Make an effort now to lock in a mindset that can last you lifelong so that future stresses are easier to handle. Ideas: journaling, posting here or on a blog, reading Spangle's "100 days of weight loss," other posts here (for straight talk, see the link in my signature). Here's a post about making a promise to yourself to stay connected, even if you feel like you're slipping: http://www.jennycraig.com/forum/index.php?...2027285&hl=. We need allies in this journey of ours. Look around you for support---who knows, maybe even your MIL if you ask her for help?!

5. Lastly, keep your eye on the prize. Write down those things that back when you started got you into the program to begin with. What are your goals? Remember how far you've come and how bad it was before you started---you never want to go there again!

Best of luck.
Margie

[JWinATL]

Cat: Margie gave you some excellent suggestions. I especially like the one about planning. I am the UBER planner. She is spot on about the control. That is KEY. As for the food in the house, you know you need to be rid of it. Send it home with our visitors. There is no shame in saying that you won't likely eat it, and it would be a shame for it to go to waist (pun intended). As for your mother in law, can you gently tell her that, while you appreciate her thoughtfulness, flowers would be much more practical for you. They will give you joy while you study!

You did the right things. Also, you came here; and we all want you to succeed. Your family does, too. They just don't "get it." In this day, I am still amazed at how uninformed some people are concerning caloric intake. But, if you have never had to worry about your weight, you may never have dialed in to how many calories are in things.

Don't get ahead of yourself with school. I went back when I was in my 30s and got my degree. I had to work full time, so I could only take 1 or 2 courses at night (which is why it took me until I was 36). You can feel the pressure and let it get in your head, or you can take it one step at a time. Worry about the assignment at hand. Don't get caught up in worrying about projects too far in the future. Be aware of the deadlines, but PLAN it out. Most importantly, love yourself for what you have accomplished! 70 pounds is AWESOME!

Well, I better get off line. I am in the path of the tornados. We aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto!

LOVE, JILL

[BelugaBabe]

So far I've done really well on JC, and lost 70 pounds. I've got 25 more to go.
There's been a big change in my life recently. I went from working full time to being a student
full time. I returned to school to become a nurse. Last week was my first week, and boy am I feeling stressed!
So many assignments, so much reading, upcoming exams. To say I'm feeling overwhelmed is an understatement. I knew it was going to be intense, but I guess I wasn't completely prepared.
I'm a stress eater. I didn't do very well over the easter weekend, because we had to host easter dinner.
There was all this leftover food, and I ended up eating way more than I should have. Now I feel like I've gone back to my old ways. Thats the last thing I want to have happen. I'm feeling scared I won't be able to handle my stress, and will gain 70 pounds back. I kept going back to the fridge for more. I ended up throwing out the last of the leftovers, because if it's not in the house, I can't eat it. I feel I have no self control. It doesn't help that my mother in law brought me chocolate eggs at easter dinner. I ate one this morning for breakfast, and threw the rest out. I know she meant well, but bringing someone who is stressed out and trying to lose weight chocolate is not really a good idea. She's always bringing food over, and it's high calorie junk I have a hard time not eating when it's in my house. She just doesn't think. Now with starting school, it's a complete change in routine, and I'm struggling. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop stress eating? And also how to deal with people who keep giving you food you shouldn't have? Any help is very very appreciated.

Well, Cat Lover, as one nurse to another (future) nurse, all I can tell you is that stress will always be a part of your life. Once you get your nursing license and are out there working as a nurse you might very well be working many long hours without a break. Resistance can crumble when you're tired and stressed and it's tough.
You might want to check out Linda Spangle's book "100 Days of Weight Loss." I posted a link to a site where you can read quite a bit of the book:

http://www.jennycraig.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=62028058

And it looks like another nurse has some nice words to say about the book too.
Please come here for support---lots of nurses here and plenty of others who can offer great advice when the going gets rough.
Nursing school can be extremely stressful and you're going to need to find ways to find strength.

[Cat_Lover30]

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. This weekend, I will do some planning to try to restructure my life.
School is top priority right now, and I can't be worried about what to eat, so if I'm organized, it should be fine.
As for exercise, I will be doing some walking every day, and my Jillian Michaels workouts on the weekends.
I am somewhat familiar with demands of being a nurse, as I had a similar profession before as the Resident Care Attendant. This position is called lots of different things (eg. nurse's assistant), but it's basically someone who cares for residents in a long term care facility. It was a busy and demanding job as well, but I'm sure nursing will be more challenging. I really like having an active job. I know I couldn't have a desk job, sitting all day.
Being a student, the sitting has been an adjustment, for sure!
I'll be sure to check out that "100 days of weight loss". Thanks for the link!
For now, I'll be taking it one day at a time, and trying not to stress out. Again, thank you all for your support.
Off to study!