Comfort


I comfort eat.
There I've said it .

Another elephant in the room

I love my food too much and recently have begun to waddle
Gay Man waddling ....
Is worse that Dead Man Walking

I'm back on track from today.
Fresh lemon water to drink and a vegetable stir fry for lunch

No snacks except fruit .
No scotch eggs.
No biscuits at Samaritans
God help my bowels .

The stir fry took an age to eat and even George huffed and walked off after sensing there would be no left overs to eat.

I've spent an age arguing with a dim teenage call centre bod about my nursing registration , it should now be processed within 6 weeks ( and had been put on hold until my enquiry God Knows why).....usually after such phone bun fights I reach for the nearest colourific savoury .

Today I bit the fuck out of an orange

101 comments:

  1. Diets don't work. You already know it. Eat sensibly.

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  2. Living alone is the enemy of trying to keep weight off John as I know only too well. I never buy sweet things (although at night I often long for a choc biscuit or a bit of chocolate.)Today for lunch I had a rice salad with sliced sausage, chopped spring onions, sliced cherry toms, hard boiled egg, grated courgette, balsamic vinegar, capers, bit of left over dressing, bit of grated carrot. Took ages to make and ages to eat - am worn out with all the work in fact. But I shall not gain any weight today. Dog walking will help you no doubt but I walk so slowly that it does nothing for me. But keep up the sensible eating as Gwil says - you have to always see yourself in a good light - that's the secret.

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    1. I think the secret for me is not to hurry when eating.
      Stir fry is ideal for this

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  3. stir fries bore me senseless and i can down a pack of chocolate biscuits without coming up for air.

    Hang in there John, the universe will right itself

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    Replies
    1. I have a weight waters recipe book , which is great but not brill for just one

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  4. Sandwiches, crisps and toast are my go to comfort foods....I've eaten a lot of them lately. Virtuous healthy food is a bugger to prepare and not nearly as nice to eat!

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  5. I eat too much pasta. Are you going back to work John ? X

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  6. Oh, John! I have such a feeling that your life is about to take a turn for something wonderful.

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  7. Yes . . . comfort eating, I know about!
    Stir fry sounds good!

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  8. You didn't mention wine, beer or spirits so your doing something right. Poor George ... he will be very disapproving but trim!

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    Replies
    1. No wine, no beer less Diet Coke more water and lemons

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  9. Oh yes, comfort eating. Been there, done that.

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  10. Ive just been emptying the fridge/freezer (before the removal men cart it away) and found an ice cream Cornetto which I've just pigged and now I'm feeling a bit sick. Can't bear waste and Rick is allergic to dairy.

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    Replies
    1. I've got home made ice cream in the freezer but it's that hard it could stop bullets

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  11. Keep plenty of fresh fruit in the house. Kiwis, apples, bananas, etc. You don't feel guilty when you eat fruit.

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  12. I hope you peeled the orange first!

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  13. Anonymous1:36 pm

    Did you let your registration lapse John?

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    Replies
    1. Yes. I've only been officially gone since November so it should be a problem

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  14. It's hard to get over eating for comfort, I hope you make progress in keeping that under your control. One bit that helped me was if I felt like, let's say toast and jam, first I would have a good portion something healthy. Then I allowed myself a few small bites of the toast. I didn't consider that cheating or a failure, rather a large step in the right direction. I knew from experience saying no to myself constantly just left me needing comfort all the more. You know what works for yourself, take credit for being willing to change and for admitting it is a problem.


    With your experience and record of achievement it will, hopefully, be easy to find a nursing position if you feel you need to work (whether to occupy your mind or to supplement your income).


    You have been dealing with a lot of difficult challenges recently. I'm proud of you for facing them head on and chin up. - Mary

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  15. Replies
    1. I always thought you were rather frugal

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    2. I need comfort at the moment and it comes most easily in the form of eating.

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  16. Oh, comfort eating, you're talking to the expert here! When I was young, I went right off all food if I was upset or worried, but these days I turn to food at the first sign of upset!
    So much so that I've recently joined WW, just online, I'm not the type to
    attend the meetings.
    It's working well so far and I'm really enjoying all the fresh fruit and veg, and lighter meals I've been having!
    I will admit to stealing a few chips from friend's plate when we were out last week, but she did have a huge steak with all the trimmings, whereas I had a Caesar Salad, so I deserved a chip or five!
    Hopefully your registration will be sorted soon, it'll give you another string to your bow, and open up all sorts of possibilities. I know the cottage will feel weird at the moment, but you never know, maybe if you start working again, you'll start to see life a bit differently, give things time!
    X

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    Replies
    1. The registration will hopefully just take a few weeks

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  17. I can relate to this. I have eaten my way up the scale, been threatened by the doctor with diabetes, etc. Finally this year I found the books by Dr Jason Fung. At first I thought that they were just another "diet" book, but when I finally started the intermittent fasting (basically you don't eat for one day), I have lost 24 lbs since April 23. This has been life changing for me. My appetite is more under control, cravings are down, and I feel much better. I know it sounds a bit "born again" , but it does work. When all about you is seems to be whirling out of control, you can take control of one thing at a time.
    Barb

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    1. I should say one day a week :-)

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    2. I too follow Dr Jason Fung on email - he writes a lot of sense about how your waight doesn’t just depend on what you eat but is influenced by hormones - insulin being one. He says the time of day when you eat your main meal can really influence your weight. I will be interested to try the one-day-a-week fast, but haven’t quite got round to it yet!

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  18. "Today I bit the fuck out of an orange."

    Hahaha!! This made my day. As someone who has been on a weight loss journey for 3 months now (down 25 pounds this morning!) I can so relate to this!

    Give those oranges hell, John!

    I know that you'll be slim and trim again in no time. Cut yourself some slack. You've been under a lot of stress and there are far worse coping mechanisms than food!

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  19. That salad looks delicious. It is the type of food I positively crave - must have been a rabbit in a previous life.

    As there always have to be exceptions to a rule, I do NOT comfort eat. Never have. When I am upset or stressed out I actually lose my appetite completely. Neither do I have a sweet tooth.

    I suppose I am lucky; on the other hand, John, not that I wish to sabotage your efforts I think it's better to satisfy the odd little craving rather than abstain completely.

    Bon Appetit,
    U

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  20. I'm not a comfort eater either - food was very much just fuel when I was young. I have, though, suffered from psoriasis for most of my life, and find that food makes a huge difference (as does stress).

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  21. Anonymous2:45 pm

    Unfortunately, I need comfort whenever I am unhappy, happy, angry, calm, hungry, not hungry etc, etc. In fact I just love eating.....and if I can't put the last bits of my food in between 2 slices of bread and butter then it's a fail!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. I adore nice food......that's my problem

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  22. Heidi2:48 pm

    I comfort eat. There I've said it too. There's a lot of us about John.

    I'm unable to satisfy "odd little cravings" as suggested by another commenter, as I have no willpower to only have one or a little of anything. One biscuit? Not a chance, it would be the whole packet. One piece of chocolate? The whole bar, followed by something else!
    For me the only way is to abstain from all "treats" completely.

    Been back to Sl.World again last week, hey ho.

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  23. I don't comfort eat... I'm just a greedy so and so. Crisps are my downfall...…. there I said it too.

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  24. "The stir fry took an age to eat"

    That's the problem I have with "healthy eating". I become a kid again picking at my food.

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  25. The stir fry looks delicious! Just eat sensibly and drink lots of water. Poor George. Perhaps he'd enjoy a slice of orange? Preferably from the side without the teeth marks?

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  26. I tend to comfort eat, too, although I just like the taste of some foods and have poor self-control. I was a string bean when I was a kid and young adult, but that was many years ago. It's a constant battle. I do find that I need a certain amount of protein at each meal or I'm reaching for quick-energy foods. Good luck, John. You are not alone.

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  27. Your stir fry looks good and healthy. It sounds like you are sorting things out. One day at a time and all the best.

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  28. Anonymous3:28 pm

    I comfort eat too.....Emma

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  29. Anonymous3:37 pm

    Gay man waddling had me.

    Ever had Fattoush John, amazing salad with chicken shish taouk.

    Traveller

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    Replies
    1. Off to google the recipe

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    2. Anonymous7:23 pm

      Is amazing stuff as is the chicken shish with Toum.....but that has a lot of oil, so best to wait until you are waddling a little less.

      Traveller

      Traveller

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  30. Yep, I'm comfort eater too. Over here we call it stress eating. Either way, I stuff my face when I'm going through crap...

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  31. Anonymous3:48 pm

    Are you still taking on other peoples problems at Samaritans? Don't give too much of yourself right now JG..you need to care for yourself

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    Replies
    1. No, I find that part pretty easy and a diversion

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    2. You know what's best for you!
      Sorry about anonymous/unknown identity..i don't know how to change it ! Doh!!

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  32. ">>>Later on BBC One it's our new comedy drama "Gay Man Waddling" starring Chris Waddle as John Gray and Reece Witherspoon as Mrs Trellis... and now The Weather with Cameron the Teenage Boffin"

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    1. we can always count on YP for a chuckle. and I read that comment in a mellow british accent.

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  33. I understand, having the same tendencies myself. I look at 'comfort food', alcohol, weed, napping as all different pages from the same book. We all want to feel better, ease whatever is causing the pain or anguish we feel. An escape, however brief, feels worth it. Some of these have greater consequences than others, but many of us don't consider them when hurting.
    You'll get better, John.
    Trust me (snicker), I'm a doctor.

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  34. I can't comfort eat because I can't swallow much when I'm troubled-I gag.I can't face tea or coffee either just water.Recently I find cocoa comforting though.I used to use alcohol though & then get the munchies.Now I just allow myself to breathe through the troubles and if it's not too hot ,wrap myself up on the sofa when it gets too much with a soft blankie x

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  35. I eat/drink whatever/whenever I damn well please. and yes, I too waddle; I don't care. I like food, it was put here for me to eat. if cancer didn't kill me, food ain't gonna!

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  36. If this method of weight loss works for John that's great...for me to lose weight I have to go on low carbs. The only fruit I get is berries. There isn't a safe place in the house for a berry to hide believe me. Good luck with the diet and with reclaiming your registration.

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  37. I am diabetic and need to stick to a low carb way of eating. It works - I lost a stone and a half and felt so much better AND it reversed my Diabetes diagnosis. But that was last year and I've gained a stone since then. I am addicted to bread; my go-to snack is buttered toast, morning or night. Scrambled or poached eggs are recommended - but they really do need toast, don't they? Woe is me! I could just tuck into your stirfry at the moment - and I have that same plate (it was my Dad's plate and now kept safely away from my washing-up breakages!

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    Replies
    1. I'm pretty good once I start healthy eating only 2 small slices of bread a day

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  38. beautiful food photo. Do you make the stir fry from scratch? Recipe? And what kind of noodles do you use?

    lizzy

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    1. Rice noodles, packet pre sorted stir fry veg, soy , garlic
      Heat!

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  39. Because my spirits are down, I eat protein drinks for energy. They take away my appetite, probably due to their horrible taste. However, I always reward myself daily with a WW fudge chocolate bar. It is a much better mind booster.

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  40. Anonymous5:57 pm

    john if you like bananas peel one rap tightly in tin foil put into freezer until fully frozen. makes to best ever banana ice lolly. and they are good for you
    Tina

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    Replies
    1. I've just put three into the freezer for tomorrow

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  41. It's no wonder you're comfort eating! It'll all balance itself out. My youngest sister has just spent the last three months in a Residential Eating Disorder Unit trying to deal with Anorexia Nervosa so I feel I'm not in a position to comment on diets,etc. There, I said it.

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  42. I find ALL food comfort food! I like when it is eating time. I do have to watch 'sweets' as I could easily/have done in the past get carried away.
    Once your body begins to enjoy what you are eating, John, it/you will be thankful.

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  43. Anonymous6:12 pm

    LOLOL!

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    1. Anonymous6:13 pm

      on second better thought... have some ice cream.

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    2. I'm not a sweet tooth so lucky that way.

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  44. I had a friend go on a diet once and she got really thin ! When I asked what she did she said she went on the "White Diet" ...
    She quit eating Everything White.
    No pasta, no rice, no bread . no sugar etc
    You could try a version of that to just get you started .. or do what I do ... just don't eat :D

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    1. I have noticed over the years, of people watching, that some people on diets, become obsessed with dieting in the same way they were about just eating.
      The cause of a lot of people being overweight is that Food had too much Importance .. it was the Main part of the day .. too much time spent on what to eat , buying it, cooking it, eating it ..
      If you fill your day with activities, you will burn off calories and fat plus you will not be thinking about eating.
      Good luck dear ..

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  45. I don't get too hung up on dieting . I know what suits me and what doesn't

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  46. A couple scotch eggs and an "everything but the kitchen sink" salad would be an excellent low carb meal for an occasionally treat once a week! Carbs are my enemy and I do very well on high protein, low carbs diets. Helps with my hypoglycemia too! Yet, I am weak and will eat my carb heart out occasionally! Like this past weekend! Maybe we could start our own little diet club here on GG! :)

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  47. I love the plate, also the pretty tablecloth.
    Greetings Maria x

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  48. I've been waiting seven weeks for a partial refund of my late mum's care home fees. They don't give me any reason, they just keep dragging their feet. Why do some people get a perverse pleasure out of being totally uncooperative?

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    1. I have found keeping icy calm and repeating myself constantly finally gets results nick

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    2. nick dont kid yourself that they get pleasure from inconveniencing you. You are a tiny cog in a massive wheel. It's just a stuff up in a poorly designed system

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    3. John is right. Broken record usually works. Stand firm, and repeat, over and over again.

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  49. And what Maria said....

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  50. You don't comfort eat alone.
    Good luck with reclaiming your registration.

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  51. Debbie7:45 pm

    I’m with Gailstorm. I have no willpower when it comes to donuts, ice cream and chocolate. I eat when i’m bored so the secret is to keep busy!
    I love the plate, too!

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  52. Everyone has a different attitude and relationship with food. I find it fascinating. I grew up skinny and got teased for being a "toothpick", but secretly loved being so thin. After I had two babies, I put on too much weight and felt luck a lumpy, frumpy blob. I finally did something about it when my youngest was around 5 years old and started exercising regularly and reducing my portions. (OK, I had to f'ing starve myself for nearly a year to restart my relationship with food)I lost 30 pounds in just over two years. Kept it off for over 20 and just in the last three years, I have unfortunately regained 10 pounds. For me it is all about portion control. I try not to deny myself something I really love, I just eat a tiny bit of it. I understand that is extremely difficult for others. As I said, everyone has their own approach to weight loss. I say do whatever seems to work that doesn't seem like torture.
    Good luck with your registration. I think it will be wonderful for you to help folks again in your new career path.

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    Replies
    1. And I will never give up pork scratchings!!
      I actually import them from England since there aren't any decent ones in the U.S.

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  53. Anonymous8:24 pm

    I was looking at the tablecloth and thinking that if I put something down on a cloth like that I'd never find it again. It reminds me of the carpet my mum and dad had when I was little. It was probably designed to hide dirt and stains but it hid everything else too. That made it a danger to walk across sometimes because there were toy soldiers and marbles hidden there.

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  54. My biggest downfall is nibbling on things and before I know it, I've eaten the whole thing that I've been nibbling! Since I don't work in the summer, it is hard to resist. During the school year, I am too busy and preoccupied.

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  55. I too was ‘addicted’ to sugar and comfort food , particularly when stressed or very tired . However in the last 3 years I have discovered a hypnotherapist who has turned it all around . I see her once every 3 months and she has the ability to totally relax me and then talk about changing my eating and exercise habits . It has truly worked fir me , and I would suggest giving it a go . I was quite sceptical, but was at the end of my tether eating rubbish and heading into obesity . I can honestly say it’s the easiest and most relaxing way I have lost ( and kept off ) weight xxxx

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  56. I like getting old(er). I can eat whatever the fuck I want.

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  57. These two free podcasts are all about the head game and overeating. They helped me.
    https://www.phit-n-phat.com/category/podcast/
    http://www.halfsizeme.com/category/podcast/
    Mary

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  58. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  59. It is aggravating that it takes so much longer to lose weight than it does to gain it. I walk like a penguin because of arthritis stiffness in my knees. I recently had knee replacement surgery on one knee and it is healing, but I have to concentrate on bending that knee when I walk. The other knee is still stiff with arthritis, and doesn't bend much, so now I walk/waddle like a penguin with a limp. I am just glad to be limp/walk/waddling at this point. I easily lost some weight while taking the horrible pain medicine after the knee replacement, but two weeks after being off of the pain medicine, my appetite came back with a vengeance. The stir fry you made looks delicious!

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  60. Ah food. It's just so fucking delicious isn't it? Comfort eating isn't unexpected given what you're going through. xx After years of eating to fuel working outside I've recently struggled with my weight. Dieting just doesn't work for me so now I pound the exercise bike three or four times a week pretending I'm beating Team Sky in the TdF lol.

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  61. Me, too. Even though I am aware I do, and know the consequences (a diminishing wardrobe), I usually just figure, fuck it, and eat until I feel better. Then I take the dogs for a brisk walk because they comfort eat with me.

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