To be fair, if you couldn't stop the cycle literally, you'd be fit in no time ?

Prepare yourself some healthy snacks. Cut up some celery and carrots, things like that, and have it ready for when you're stressed. Try to portion them so you don't accidentally overdo it when you eat. Try to avoid salad dressing and things like that when you do have snacks. You can do it :)

Wow that's rough. I have the same problem but with H ?

Dieting is not the answer, you have to exercise. Don't run, lift weights, do push-ups, sit ups, etc. You must do it not only consistently, but enough that you're sore from it to burn off more calories than you take in. Do that and you will lose the weight and probably manage your stress and eating habits better as well.

I hear you. It is possible to break the cycle, but it's incredibly hard. I did it 4 years ago and lost a lot of weight, but after going overseas I got out of the healthy eating habit. I figure what I need is motivation. Perhaps the thought of travelling and getting nice clothes might help. I'm still trying to get in the mindset of delayed gratification - looking and feeling great - versus the immediate gratification of eating. Food becomes a drug.

Check out Vision Personal Training. They have a heap of studios around Melbourne (and Aust) and are incredibly supportive/informative/successful (speaking from experience). Unfortunately, weight loss is mostly about the food you eat, rather than the exercise you do (not that exercise isn't important and a part of it), so getting that under control is really a top priority.

When you spend all your time worrying about food you become fixated and then you end up hungry and miserable all the time. Eat when you're hungry and spend your time thinking about things you like to do and do - and do those things.

Stop focusing on losing weight, then. Focus on being healthy instead: work to improve your diet (by which I mean "eat more vegetables and less processed food", not "beat yourself up for eating"; if you eat healthy food you're generally fine, even if you're eating more of it than you really need), and take up regular exercise. You might lose weight, you might not, but either way, you'll have got healthy without having to deal with all the stress and shame.

It's so so hard when you get trapped in cycles like that - hope that you are perhaps getting a bit of help? Wish you well

I have this same issue, but over the past two years I have confronted it and lost 50 pounds. Some tricks I have discovered: * Don't buy sweets. Instead, buy fruit to munch on in case of emergency. I go for frozen blueberries because they're difficult to eat compulsively due to the cold, and they're good for you. * Don't diet to lose weight. Diet to feel better. This means scratch out all crash diets that are stressful to your mind and body. Don't freak about the number on the scale. That is another stressful moment that doesnt have to be stressful. You shouldnt worry about the scale because youre not dieting to lose weight. * Learn to love to exercise. It is great for the mind, it will make you feel better and in control, and it will consequently help you lose weight. The relaxation and control it gives you will carry you through the day and away from the sweets. * Don't hate yourself for stress eating. Once the wave is over, ask yourself why it happened, and what you can do to avoid it. I have been following these ideas, and I have lost ten pounds in the past month without trying (too hard). You can do this. Sorry for the long post.