Trying not to stress eat

My husband and I have been spending this holiday weekend visiting family, which is fun for neither of us. Several times I've been tempted to just shove food down my gullet as a way of dealing with the stress that both his family members and mine bring upon us. I'm doing okay, but it helps to post on this board and talk about it a little bit. Fortunately, no one has really been trying to force me to eat more than I can, but I wound up throwing up from stress this morning. Thank heaven we're leaving later today.

Thanks for listening. :)

That sounds really stressful.  I had a similar experience when I was with my parents at the beginning of July. Not that being with my parents is hard, but the cir****tances were really stressful and I just wanted to snack all the time when my dad was snacking!  

I'm glad you'll be home soon.  

I was actually just thinking about your post, Gwen! I remember you talking about that ... and now I can relate! It's funny because we've only been with family since Wednesday, but it FEELS so much longer. I'll give them all credit for being sensitive to my food stuff, but they as people are just really stressful. I'm glad I'm going to be home soon too!

I'm so sorry you and your husband had to suffer through that. Good for you for handling the stress like you should. 

~Jan

Thanks, Jan. I appreciate that!

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear you are having to deal with so much stress from family. My extended family dynamics are also stressful, so I can imagine your stress.  Be gentle with yourself around your eating.  You can get back on plan when you get home. 

best wishes,

Carol

My family is doing a beach vacation starting today for a week. I arrive Thursday and leave Monday. For just this reason :)

Good job not feeding the beast and safe travels home!

You're almost done!  I have family that can bring me to that point, too.  I've not been to a family reunion with that side of the family for about 12 years.  My husband nearly 15 years.  One-on-one most can be delightful, but together, they feed off of each other and it starts to get ugly, and it's usually around two aunts that start the negativity.  I have been asked to attend one next year.  I agreed mostly because my son is bringing his fiance and I want to protect her from a crew that can be pretty overwhelming.  I'm already planning out my defenses.  First, and most important, because this eased a lot of stress in the past, have your own space.  This means do NOT stay with relatives.  Get a hotel so you have some place to retreat.  This is the absolute best advice I can give you.

Other things - if it's a big enough group, once you're exchanged pleasantries with everyone, find the ones that don't drive you crazy and stick to them while ignoring the rest.

I have to ask why do people put themselves in these situations? I've always made it a policy not to put myself in situations that cause that much stress whether it be my relatives or my inlaws. I've either learned to go and not allow them to stress me or I just don't go if I know there is gonna be drama. Sometimes hubby goes to his family gigs without me and sometimes I go to mine solo and all we tell people is that the other one just didn't feel like going, end of story. I'm not trying to be snarky but I just don't understand why go into a stressful situation, life is too short to waste it on drama! I'd rather be knitting!

In my case, my dad has cancer. What am I supposed to do?  Cut him out of my life so I don't get stressed?  Life is not always so black and white, eh?