My name is Leigh.. I am 27 soon to be 28. I have had a weight problem since age 7..and i can pin point how it started.When I was 6 I went into the hospital for some serious surgery.. I was alone,scared and after the surgery in serious pain. Anytime i buzzed for the nurse..it was because i was lonely..frightened and just needed someone to be there. Instead of someone coming to comfort me..i was brought food..at all hours. So there was my introduction for a life long battle with emotional eating. I discovered this a few years ago flipping through a photo album. I was this cute little girl..small..I remember my dad took me to Disney Land 4 mos after the hospital experience ..in those pix i was a chubby lil girl. Yes.. I turn to food whenever Im sad..scared..lonely etc.. I know i have to re program myself..but im not sure where to start.At present moment Im 300+ lbs. Ive been here before..Ive lost 80 lbs once..felt so great..then i slipped back into old habits. Its tough..when i think of how i let all the weight creep back on..it makes me want to eat more. I'm in a bit of a rut.. I avoid social activities because i feel so unattractive..when i was once the life of the party.. I know these threads should be positive and full of encouragement..but i just wanted to let u all know where i am..I know only I can change my ways..but i need help.

Hi Leigh! I feel like you do. I used to go out and have fun with my friends and when I gained weight... I changed both mentally and physically. It has taken me quite a while to finally want to change... back to who I really am. And this forum is to let your feelings out so you do not have to up and positive 100% of the time. No one is. I am new here myself but I think it is a great idea to reach out, even if it is thru the net, and talk to others that are feeling the same things that you are. You will be amazed by how many people (all over the world) are feeling just like you are right now. And I do want to help and be there for you becuase by sharing with you it helps me. I have started a diary and you might want to too. Just let it all out... give me a hollar if you need a shoulder!

Hi Leigh, what a heart felt post! I think it's great that you've done an "autopsy" on why and how you got into emotional eating habits. The funny thing about habits is that we can often pinpint how they got started... but after awhile we are doing the habitual thing, simply because it's now habit, and sometimes don't even know when we are doing it.

There are a couple of things that are helpful when trying to overcome a habit. First, realization it exists. Second, acceptance that you are vulnerable to it. Third, a desire to change. Fourth, identify the triggers. Fifth, a plan and concrete techniques to use when triggered. One popular technique is habit replacement: create new habit(s) to replace the old. For instance, if every time you feel angry you go grab a snack, try replacing the snack with 4 deep breaths and a kick box move.