I ‘enjoyed’ listening to this interview as I was a “comfort food” eater in the shape of chocolate covered peanuts in the summer of 2004.

It was definitely emotional eating mainly due to a stressful 9 months implementing a big ‘can’t fail’ IT project. In my case, I would come home late (after 10pm usually M-F), proceed to eat a meal that was (kindly) left for me by my better half – and then spend the next 2-3 hours surfing the net and wolfing down those “I earned it’ chocos !!!

Of course, family was fast asleep and knew nothing of this, as I put the empty boxes in briefcase and disposed of in work! Naughty, naughty!
Well, actually they eventually did find out because I started to resemble the michelin man with the developing ’spare tyre’ around my waist. lol

So, what changed? Well, the project got done, the stress relaxed and I got to work more normal hours.
I also discovered coaching and self-care and started a regular exercise program. Over time I lost the 7Kg I had gained (was 89Kg) and felt better about it.

I do sometimes eat chocolate at night but nothing like before. And that’s OK.

Listening to your call with Lisa it seemed clear to me that you were using the Oreos as a kind of “care miles” accumulator for all those daytime hours spent looking after young children, attending to “everyone else” tasks – whatever.

And then, finally, it’s ‘me’ time, the house is silent, and time to kick relax and relax! Yes, I recall it well!

BTW – here’s a great little resource you might check out on your next surfing session! http://www.habitchange.com/index.php
They sell an excellent pdf book for about $7.99, I think.
I have both the book and the little gizmo (motivAider) – although I used for changing a habit (not weight gain).

There are some neat strategies in the book – you don’t necessarily need the gizmo – check out “Chapter 16 Right before Wrong”.
I also like Byron’s work and the self-awareness that coaching can help with. There is also a place for choosing to make use of behavioral change tools.

Good luck!

mark mcclure

Sometimes I have the presence to say no to the voice that demands the sweets, but when I am in the midst of a huge work project, as I now am. I get disoriented.

Thank for giving me some tools for evening sweet cravings and for making me feel less alone in this.