Good morning, good blog friends! Thanks to all for being glad I didn't manage to off myself with my "skating" injury on Sunday. I truly feel blessed, esp. since recounting my story to several friends and hearing of 2 individuals who lost parents that way (one in the comments yesterday). I know I was lucky. Also, thanks for reading through that very long post...I needed to write about it, and we all know that I'm never at a loss for words!
Also I just want to clarify that I went to WW to weigh in AFTER I was cleared at the ER, not on the way! One person commented that the head injury would have been a valid excuse not to weigh. When I was discharged from the ER, I had no restrictions on activity so the quick weigh in did not seem unwise. From WW's scale I headed home to the couch and stayed there for the duration.
Because of yesterday's lengthy tome, I will keep this brief, but I wanted to note a couple of food/eating related items. First is that on Sunday when I got home from the ER and WW "outing", I had absolutely no appetite at all, even though I hadn't eaten anything prior to leaving the house that morning. I knew I should have something but I couldn't bear the thought of food at all. No nausea or stomach upset, but I guess the trauma of the morning turned off my forever ON appetite.
Very interesting - I've heard people say that they tend to overeat when sad; or happy; or stressed; or worried. Similarly have I heard people say the opposite...that they can't eat when any of the above. And I've always thought to myself, "Well, I desire to eat no matter what. And with any of those above emotional states, I tend to eat MORE...feeling entitled to "unwind"; or "let go"; or "comfort myself". Honestly, while I was at the ER, I had thoughts of "if I turn out to be fine, I'm having a cheat day", even though I wasn't wanting to eat at that moment. I wish that my utter disdainful feeling for eating that day signals a new trend in my eating disordered pattern. By around 3 p.m. I finally had a whole wheat English muffin with PB2 and a measured amount of strawverry preserves. It tasted good, and it was enough. Around 7 p.m. we had tacos and refried beans that my son prepared, and I just had a good size taco salad with all the trimmings but no shell. And that was it. I gave myself permission to have something else - fruit or a Chobani - because I knew I had many points left for the day. I just didn't want anything. Not only was this phenomenon very interesting...it was very strange. And as you might imagine...temporary. Monday morning found me back to my usual appetite and having to make myself measure and weigh my portions for lunch!
I got another nice walk yesterday - about 2 miles, and feel the residual body aches from the fall subsiding. I'm feeling comfortable with the Points+ plan, and overall doing well with it. I'm hoping to start taking more food pics when I fix WWP+ recipes. I haven't fixed a bad one yet!
**Do you notice a trend in your eating related to stress or emotional ups and downs?**
I eat:( There are two times in my life when I remember NOT eating because of how I was feeling - when my dad died and when I first met my husband (and had little nice butterflies in my stomach). Coincidentally they happened exactly a year apart.
ReplyDeleteI sure do. There is a certain stress level that makes me want to eat constantly. For example, the almost 24/7 pain I've been having is stressful and all I want to do is eat. I know for a fact I'm looking for relief. Thankfully I'm aware and haven't given in.
ReplyDeleteThe 180 of that for me is superstress where I don't eat at all, i.e., when I went through my divorce and when my BIL died suddenly. No appetite at all.
As we all know, it's all about balance so really, neither is good.
Honestly, while I was at the ER, I had thoughts of "if I turn out to be fine, I'm having a cheat day" - isn't it amazing, Leslie, how strong the pull of food is??? Thank you for writing this. It just makes me realize that I will have to be on guard always - and that's not such a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI used to joke that I'd probably sit up in my casket and ask for Pizza - because I'm always hungry too. I did lost my appetite when my dad and my husband were sick and after I had surgery for a day or two.
I can't recall a specific instance where my appetite disappeared. Statements like "I was too upset to eat" or "That's so rich I couldn't possibly finish it" have found no purchase in my vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteGlad to read that you are doing well.
I'm having major stress at the moment, and don't eat most of the day, and then I NEED chocolate - like it's a freaking emergency. Of course then I manage to eat, on top of the chocolate, so that's not good. Wish I could be one of those people who lose my appetite under stress.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are recovering so well from that awful fall.
I eat no matter what I feel. I love food. A true addict.
ReplyDeletePolar's Mom
www.polarspage.blogspot.com
Just as I used to be an occasional drinker, I'm an occasional eater: I eat (and drank) for any occasion. Happy, sad, calm, stress, good, bad, up, down – no matter what's going on, I'm ready to put on the feed trough. I was able to stop drinking (I never say I "quit"), but stopping eating? Not an option. I'm figuring out what I need, though, and it sounds like you are, too. Glad to know you're feeling better. The return of the appetite is a good indicator of healing.
ReplyDeleteI am so far behind in my blog reading - so sorry to read about your fall Leslie, but so glad you went to the ER to check it out - you never know!
ReplyDeleteHoly shit my eating changes almost immediately to stress and emotions - however, I am trying not to give into them, stay with my plan. I tell myself, will eating 5 pieces of pizza solve the problem? And of course, the answer is always no. Hugs!
You poor thing! Glad you are feeling better! I'm exactly the same as you. I eat to comfort myself and reward myself for endless reasons. I'm not hungry when I'm stressed or nervous or excited.
ReplyDeleteLeslie,
ReplyDeleteI have been MIA for a while, due to my mother's illness and death, so I was surprised to read about your skating injury. I am so glad that you're OK. Take care of yourself and be careful.
As far as stress eating goes for me... Some types of stress make me eat, and some types destroy my appetite. When I am taking care of grandkids and trying to keep up and running all over the place--I revert to my "young mom mode," and I begin to pick at food. When I am severely stressed (something serious has happened), I have no appetite. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am mostly able to eat most of the time. One thing that hold me down a bit is that I can't eat large amounts at one sitting, and I get full rather easily. Too bad that I really enjoy small things like chocolate, cake, a few chips, etc.
I always want to eat due to stress. Except -- when I'm in major depression or other super major emotional upset, then I can't eat. My husband on the other hand, has the slightest stress and he loses his appetite.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't keep myself satisfied is when I tend to go off track. As for emotions playing a part in going off track..anger. Definitely anger will make me grab a twinkie!LOL! Anger that my body can't regulate insulin and blood sugar...anger that I can't eat or even diet like a normal person! BUT...the good news is that hasn't happened in a long time. If I have eaten something on the higher carb/sugar end, it's because I wanted to NOT because I lost control (NOT saying that can't or won't happen in the future!) :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are okay. I find that if I eat really light one day,I am super hungry the next day.
ReplyDelete