If you eat sometimes to deal with your emotions, you'll be surprised at how powerful it can feel to take this crutch away!
There's no need to hide from your feelings — learning to handle your emotions in a healthy, positive way is key to your success! Need help? Try these tips from experts at Tufts University to overcome emotional eating:

*Learn what triggers your emotional eating so you'll recognize the next time you should tune into your feelings instead of turning to food.

*Make a list of things to do — other than eat — for when the emotions strike. And make sure you carry this list with you as a reminder of your options! There are lots of alternatives to eating!
* You can play cards, take a walk, clean, do laundry, take a nap, or just call a friend.

*Figure out your comfort foods, and then go for the healthier alternatives if you can't resist the urge to eat. It's not that hard! Have low-fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, for example, or air-popped popcorn instead of chips.

*Consider a few sessions with a counselor who specializes in emotional eating issues if you're having trouble dealing with this alone.

(from the Denise Austin newsletter)