I haven't any magic solutions, I'm hoping someone else will come up with some coping measures that don't include massive amounts of willpower.
But here are my triggers.
A high carb day or night before. eg. Last night was New Years Eve, so there was plenty of high carb food and lots of high carb drinks indulged in. Today, my body is craving carbs again. All I can do is try not to put the chocolates in my mouth, but its hard.
Feeling Cold I usually crave high carb foods when I feel cold. My solution is the logical one of a hot drink and extra clothing, especially for the feet. But I have usually eaten or drunk something high carb before I realise what my real problem is.
Feeling tired You are tired, your body needs a boost, so you grab for some high carb food. It can work, you will get an initial boost of energy, but it runs out quickly. The solution is to get some sleep, which isn't very useful when your in the middle of work etc. But what can also help is a brisk walk outside if you can slip out for 10 minutes, as well as clearing your head, getting the muscles working will trigger fat burning which will release the energy you need. There is also coffee.
Pain This one I know too well. The carbs don't help with the pain, they are just comfort foods. When you are feeling miserable your willpower is at its lowest anyway, so its easy to fall into old comfort routines. There isn't any real solution I have found.
But coping mechanisms I've found are to make sure you are taking enough pain medication, that you have taken today's dose. This mornings forgotten dose didn't help me to resist the blackberry and custard plait at all.
A second coping mechanism is to move your body if at all possible, if you can't get out and walk, try standing and doing some stretches, if sitting look up some exercises to do when sat down. Hot and/or cold compresses, TENS machines, whatever you need to control the pain.
Distraction, do something, anything to take your mind off eating. Read, watch TV, do some knitting, keep the mind busy and the chocolates at least a room away.
If comfort eating is what you want/need then think in terms of rich, thick vegetable soups rather than mugs of hot chocolate.
Boredom. I'm very guilty of this one. It's why I always seem to be doing things, I'm not a very good employee because I get bored very easily. I need to be chopping and changing between jobs constantly. If I get bored I get 'peckish' usually for high carb foods. All I can do to sort out the carb binge is to find something else to do and apply willpower.
What are your triggers and have you found a solution or coping mechanism for them.
But here are my triggers.
A high carb day or night before. eg. Last night was New Years Eve, so there was plenty of high carb food and lots of high carb drinks indulged in. Today, my body is craving carbs again. All I can do is try not to put the chocolates in my mouth, but its hard.
Feeling Cold I usually crave high carb foods when I feel cold. My solution is the logical one of a hot drink and extra clothing, especially for the feet. But I have usually eaten or drunk something high carb before I realise what my real problem is.
Feeling tired You are tired, your body needs a boost, so you grab for some high carb food. It can work, you will get an initial boost of energy, but it runs out quickly. The solution is to get some sleep, which isn't very useful when your in the middle of work etc. But what can also help is a brisk walk outside if you can slip out for 10 minutes, as well as clearing your head, getting the muscles working will trigger fat burning which will release the energy you need. There is also coffee.
Pain This one I know too well. The carbs don't help with the pain, they are just comfort foods. When you are feeling miserable your willpower is at its lowest anyway, so its easy to fall into old comfort routines. There isn't any real solution I have found.
But coping mechanisms I've found are to make sure you are taking enough pain medication, that you have taken today's dose. This mornings forgotten dose didn't help me to resist the blackberry and custard plait at all.
A second coping mechanism is to move your body if at all possible, if you can't get out and walk, try standing and doing some stretches, if sitting look up some exercises to do when sat down. Hot and/or cold compresses, TENS machines, whatever you need to control the pain.
Distraction, do something, anything to take your mind off eating. Read, watch TV, do some knitting, keep the mind busy and the chocolates at least a room away.
If comfort eating is what you want/need then think in terms of rich, thick vegetable soups rather than mugs of hot chocolate.
Boredom. I'm very guilty of this one. It's why I always seem to be doing things, I'm not a very good employee because I get bored very easily. I need to be chopping and changing between jobs constantly. If I get bored I get 'peckish' usually for high carb foods. All I can do to sort out the carb binge is to find something else to do and apply willpower.
What are your triggers and have you found a solution or coping mechanism for them.
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