You’re not actually out of control—it just feels like it. In today’s episode, Kelly dives deep into one of the biggest hidden triggers behind emotional eating (especially for overstimulated moms), and shares what to do instead when life feels like it’s spiraling.

Let me paint you a picture: It’s 7:40 AM. I wake up to a chorus of screams—my own kids, not a horror movie. One’s demanding a snack he won’t eat. The other is wearing her shirt backwards (and insists it stays that way). Meanwhile, I haven’t even had a sip of coffee or a single mindful breath.

Welcome to the storm.

Why Am I Stress-Eating Cake Pops Like It’s My Job?

Here’s the thing. If you’ve ever found yourself eating cake pops in a Starbucks parking lot like you’re in a sugar-fueled survival movie, you are not alone. In fact, welcome to the club—we have snacks… lots of them… mostly because we were stressed when we bought them.

It’s not that you’re weak.
It’s not that you “just can’t stick to anything.”

It’s that you’re human. And you’re probably just trying to feel like you’re in control when everything around you is, well, NOT.

Control: The Sneaky Villain in Your Pantry

Somewhere along the line, we picked up this belief: if we can’t control life, we’ll control what goes into our mouth.

Rules like:

• No sugar (except for emergencies… which is every day),
• No carbs after 7 PM (but bread doesn’t count if you eat it standing up, right?),
• Gym five times a week or it doesn’t count,
• And breakfast? Skip it—you can chew your anxiety instead.

We trick ourselves into thinking we’re being “good.” But what’s actually happening is that food becomes our emotional mop. Spilled chaos? Grab a snack. Feelings? Crunch ’em.

The Quote That Might Save Your Sanity

At some point (possibly while I was sweating through my maternity leggings in Miami in July), I heard this gem:

“Don’t try to calm the storm. Calm yourself. The storm will pass.”

Boom. Life-changing.

But Kelly, Have You MET My Life?

I hear you. You’re overstimulated. The kids are throwing blueberries at each other. Your boss thinks “micromanage” is a love language. Your partner just picked the wrong time to ask where the scissors are.

You feel like the world is on fire and you’re expected to make Pinterest-worthy snacks.

So what do we do?

Step 1: Stop Trying to Fix the Chaos

You can’t control the traffic, your toddler’s meltdown, or the fact that your coworker still “forgets” to mute on Zoom.
You can control how you breathe through it.

Step 2: Deep Breaths — Literally

I do what I call 4-4-4 breathing:

• Inhale for 4 seconds.
• Hold for 4 seconds.
• Exhale like you’re blowing out a birthday candle you don’t want to relight—for 4 seconds.

It’s not magic. It’s your nervous system saying, “Oh hey, we’re not actually in danger? Cool cool cool.”

Step 3: Shake It Out

Yes, literally. Shake your limbs like a confused squirrel. Dance. Wiggle. Flail dramatically. You’re not just being weird—you’re completing your stress cycle. It’s science. Beyoncé would approve.

Step 4: Say the Mantra

Tell yourself: “I am okay. I am safe.”
Say it like you mean it. Or fake it ‘til you do.

Real Talk: What I Did This Morning

Instead of diving into a breakfast sandwich and iced mocha meltdown (hello, former self), I:

• Took three deep breaths in my car after drop-off.
• Turned on New York Sports Radio because #balance.
• Got a single, glorious iced coffee (not five cake pops).
• Reminded myself: “I am okay. I am safe. It’s not Taylor Ham vs. Pork Roll war zone level yet.”

And you know what? I felt better. Not fixed, not perfect. Just better. Like I could face the day without emotionally eating a small bakery.

Final Thoughts from Your Favorite Food Freedom Friend

If you’ve been using food as your storm umbrella, I get it. But the real protection comes from calming you. Not the world. Not the kids. Not your inbox.

Just. You.

So screenshot that quote. Write it on a Post-it. Tattoo it on your coffee mug.

Don’t calm the storm. Calm yourself. The storm will pass.

You’ve got this. You’re not broken. You’re just trying to ride out the chaos like the queen you are—with deep breaths, iced coffee, and maybe less cake pops.

Love you. Mean it.
—Kelly 💛

Follow me for daily tips on Instagram! @kellylwellness

Are you ready to stop overeating and finally be in control around food? Watch my FREE training How to Stop Binge Eating (Without Cutting Out Your Favorite Foods) to learn how it’s possible!