*Trigger warning* Eating for Health and Wellness

[Guest_1055]

I have been struggling eating and eating healthy foods over the last couple of weeks. I really do not want to go back further to how I use to eat, that is eating junk food, takeaways, copious amounts of chocolate, processed junk and comfort eating.

Finding it challenging to stay motivated to actually prepare what I know helps me feel better mentally, emotionally and physically. Plus I have been feeling overwhelmed with other stuff happening in my life, which somehow makes it more challenging. The old unhealthy comfort eating thing is coming back. And I think I am getting concerned and scared about that. I so much do not want to go back to how I use to be. I was so sick. Plus I now have some physical things not right in my body , so I need to be more careful and mindful of what I eat. ( Pre cancer cells , high blood pressure )

I was eating really well since Febuary of this year, it’s just the last couple of weeks I haven’t.

So I would like to use this thread to help me be accountable to Beyond Blue people. So like a diary where I can post and report what I eat. And also any healthy eating tips, motivating strategies to help eat better or anything related to healthy eating for our bodies including our mental health.

[MsPurple]

Did my half marathon today. Very pleased with how I went. I am not too sore apart from my right foot, terrible blister (had some previously this week, now so much worse). I followed my nutritional plan during the run and didn't bonk during the run and made my time goal which I was happy about

I decided I felt like pizza today so I got pizza hut. I enjoyed every bite of it. Yum.

I try eat healthy as best as I can. But if I feel like something I am going to have it. I try moderation. Day at a time

[Guest_1055]

I am attempting to eat “healthy” one day at a time. But I am finding it a real challenge this time.

I can feel myself slipping and almost looking down into that awful place. I can see some signs of it.

This just makes me what to eat and eat. 😢

I made some smoothie packs ready in the freezer. They have green leafys in them. I have not had any yet.

My brain is starting to become muddled and not registering what my family members are saying.

I know this is a food/ eating type thread. Everything for me is connected to it. I know if I do not take care off myself by eating proper then it appears I decline.

Plus I feel shame about how I look, which is all tied up somehow to what I eat.

This morning I made porridge. Then after ate 4 slices of toast with hummus. This is far too much food for me. Bread does no good for me, but I keep eating it. If I lived on my own, well I would not buy it. But others eat it here.

Bread makes me feel out of it, bloated, fat, foggy headed, tired, and it’s hard to stop at one slice. Conclusion- bread addiction. I am putting it on my list of other food related addictions that I have experienced.

See all I seem to think about is food. And I am sick of it. I know there is more to life then that. It’s stupid. Eating itself is enjoyable. I just want to eat to sustain and.... brain block

[Guest_1055]

Awesome you Ms Purple. Running a marathon!

[Guest_2496]

Hi Shelley

what kind of things do you do during the day, are you working?

I find I eat a lot more now I’m not working, and by more I mean snack or graze on junk.

If I’m busier I’m often better mentally and eat better at least two meals of the day. Having said that though I’m busy right now organising and supervising some repairs around here and I find it so stressful. Big panic attack today.

[Guest_1055]

Hope you are feeling less panic today.

And no I am not working, but hope to work a few hours in the future.

[Guest_1055]

No desire to eat, currently feeling so sick from bingeing yesterday. Feeling shame and embarrassed from what I ate. I packet Oreos, I packet of maltessers, almost whole 200 grams of choc easter bunny. 8 slices of toast with hummus. Porridge.

Also think I feel fear. Because logically I know that all this food is literally harming my body.

I am caught on this vicious cycle and I want to be free.

Feel defeated because I am trying so hard to help myself. Hence starting this thread in the first place.

[Paw Prints]

Hello Shelley Anne,

Unlike giving up say smoking where we can stop all together, food is not something that is optional, this makes it hard when we want to change our eating habits. I have been following your posts in the hope your successes might help me to at least try to stop comfort eating. I have deliberately highlighted the "your successes" as you really have been having them. OK you're not always achieving what you have decided is needed, but baby steps are still steps forward & remember when babies are learning to walk they start with lots of falling over, going back to crawling, then they try again. I really do get how hard you are finding this, I struggle to eat anything other than comfort foods & my weight has gone up whilst my health has gone down. I know logically what I need to do, why I can't seem to do it is still something of a mystery. You are not alone on your journey, if we all keep trying hopefully we will manage to make the changes we want.

Best wishes

Paw Prints

[IreneM]

HI all glad to be back.

RE: Rome. Things are set now. All I have to do is print out some more paperwork, plan and pack. Will be away for eight days from end of Easter to end of April. Two days in the air. Four days for the conference and one day either side for jet lag recovery.

@shelly. Love your idea of quinoa in salads. Didn't realise it lasts that long. Must keep that in mind.

I am currently cooking up a few dishes to keep us both going; and will freeze them for a rainy day or just when we feel too tired to do anything. Common at the end of the day.

That way whilst I am away my partner will still be eating nutritious food.

Irene.

[Guest_1055]

Thankyou so much Paw Prints. I felt encouraged by your words. And you are right about taking those baby steps. And you are also right about me having some success. Maybe I just could not see it or something. But now that I look at it, I can see.

The mystery you mentioned, do you think it may be addiction. Like certain foods are addictive to us. These are generally the foods I would turn to for comfort. For me maybe I just need to find something else to replace the junk food to fill my need for comfort. It is a tricky one.

I really appreciate your post as I could see you understood me.

I wish I could help you, as I know how challenging it can be. Especially more so when we have emotional or mental type issues.

[Guest_1055]

I felt a bit ill most of yesterday. So not much off an appetite at all. However by mid afternoon I was physically feeling a bit better. So I ate grapes. And scrambled up some more tofu and veggies (love this stuff) I also made an hot chocolate. (cacao, soy milk and coconut sugar). But I did have some more toast.

Today- Water stir fried vegetables .(tofu, onion, frozen peas, cauliflower, spinach, tamari, ginger, sesame oil, maple syrup)

Another hot chocolate. A healthier alternative when the choc cravings come.