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I Live In a Sexless Marriage

Are You Substituting Food For Sex?

By: bronhi
Written on January 27th, 2012
By: bronhi
Age: 26-30 , Female
1,136 people have read this story

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18 responses
  • Missladymam

    I can relate to this. I Sometimes find myself crying to get to sleep at night because I live in a sexually un fulfilling marriage. I used to be healthy and working toward fitness but the state of my marriage has shaken my sense of sexiness and desirability. thus I have given up and given in to binges in order to cope with having a high sex drive by eating for pleasure. I have tried talking to my husband but nothing works. I am miserable, eat constantly, and i am determined to get my mojo back. If our sex life does not improve I fear for our marriage and my waistline.

    Jan 19
    1 like
  • SilentFemme

    I have many responses to stress. And eating is definitely one of them. Over the holidays I gained a little bit of weight and I actually realized it was easier to tolerate being celibate when I felt less sexy. Overrating definitely made me feel less sexy. I realized this on a day that I polished off an entire pint if Ben & Jerry's. This is self sabotage to the max. I started healthy eating again for the past two weeks and I'm feeling better physically. I seriously need to get to a psychologist. But anyway, thanks for the article. It's definitely relevant in my life anyway.

    Jan 29, 2012
    2 likes
  • rosedl

    Been there....done that....



    Wasn't just for sex. Emotional eating to fill void in myself. But, the lack of sex compounded it. I often said 'if I can't have sex, I am at least going to have FOOD'.



    First year in confronting the issues around my sexless marriage, I confronted the emotional eating and lost 40 lbs. This elevated my confidence. It also removed the excuse of my body being the issue for his lack of interest in sex. I didn't just look good, I looked GREAT for the first time in a few years. My increased confidence led to a wider social circle and reaching out. This led to the development of a community of friends that have become like family. And, that led to having the emotional support to leave my sexless marriage.



    Dominos my friends.



    Dominos

    Jan 28, 2012
    3 likes
  • Cucly80

    Yes, I find confort in Belgian chocolates and new interesting restaurants. I have gained 20 pounds since we got married. I was very skinny before maybe too skinny, now I am curvy but cute as hell.



    I shoud take it out on the treadmill instead of the chocolates....

    Jan 28, 2012
    2 likes
  • nocupid

    I originally turned to living a much healthier lifesyle and getting myself in shape with the thought that this would ignite her interest. That did not work so I found and still find myself turning to food for pleasure and to deal. Pitiful, I know.

    Jan 27, 2012
    2 likes
  • flyingstone

    I have used them all--working out, food, distractions with hobbies. I know I am only substituting and I also know it is for the desire of a relationship. Now I work so hard that there is not much time except for a bit of rest. I am going to file my divorce papers this Monday at long last-----another step. Maybe I will get a chocolate ice cream cone afterwards lol.

    Jan 27, 2012
    5 likes
  • elkclan

    Yes.

    Jan 27, 2012
    2 likes
  • curiositykilledcat

    Different people deal with stress differently. For me, when deprived of sex, I hit the gym hardcore. Actually, when I'm stressed, annoyed, horny, confused, whatever, I take it out at the gym.



    I've also realized that the other motivation to work out from lack of sex is that I'd subconsciously feel unattractive and undesirable when turned down. Which leads me to strive to be in better shape, so that I'd be more attractive, whether it's for my wife, or for other women. I've yet to pursue other women, but I do appreciate the sneaky glances at the gym (even if they're usually from cougers), or random compliments from strangers ("do you work out?" Um, duh...people aren't usually born with 46" chest). Ironically, I get more glances and compliments from other men (no, I've not pursued that either, and it's out of the question)



    My best physique was at 28-30. It stated with my wife being pregnant with our first, and we were both committed to eating healthy. Her for the baby, me for support. That plus no sex (she was a nauseous, bloated, emotional wreck) meant great gym workouts, and I went almost every night, often solely to avoid her hormonal mood swings.



    She had some tearing during delivery, due to her tightness from lack of vaginal activity. She also had some complications with her episiotomy, which meant no sex for 6 months. I continued to hit the gym hard, and had 4 separate people approach me privately asking for my source of steroids. Which I found both offensive, yet flattering. (I don't use steroids)

    Jan 27, 2012
    2 likes
  • Kimstarway

    I go to over eating (and yes, that numbs your sex drive), to not eating at all...back and forth...



    Next time H takes me to the restaurant (we do that fairly frequently), and server asks what I'd like, I'll say: "Sex, please!". That what the author meant about asking for what you really want without guilt and shame, right? :P

    Jan 27, 2012
    6 likes
    • bronhi

      great idea :) I might try that out myself!!!

      Jan 28, 2012
      1 like
  • Xevaster

    I eat like a garbage compactor. My stress relief when there is nothing happening in the bedroom is to eat and play video games. I just got Rocksmith so at least I'm learning a skill and it is hard to eat while holding a guitar.

    Jan 27, 2012
    2 likes
  • Awakeforthedance

    This one is so near and dear to my heart because YES, YES, YES - I did substitute food for intimacy! Not by choice, but by rejection (my husband played video games instead of pursue his wife long before I started to eat to numb the passionate desires that were not being met). This led me to the worse downward spiral ever into depression. (which did not help my sex-life, admittedly, overweight and depressed.. woohoo!!) So about three years ago I went on this personal development kick... work on me, can't blame my husband, etc... and all that is very, very true! I owned up to my own miserableness and took action - joined things I loved such as poetry and writing and painting groups, kayaking and hiking and outdoor adventure groups. The first hike with a group, I about died, but i saw how out of shape I was. I made a few personal goals - jog/walk a half marathon, do a 300 mile bike tour, etc.... Slowly, I started to find my way back to myself and I am still on this journey. But, I would always find myself at a plateau of sorts and then kinda start slipping backwards again. Wanting the comfort of food. Well, it hit me that's because I am not living life alone. I am in a partnership. And this partnership is holding me back from fully acheiving all my dreams. I know I can't blame my husband, BUT, there are limitations with that frame of thought.... I mean.... I start feeling great about life and then BAM hit that wall of lonliness and constant rejection. That's whenI would seek the numbness of food. This time I refuse to go backwards....... as uncomfortable as all this is, I am breaking through that wall and loving life. Talking to him about all of this has freed me so much already. I fee I am reaching new levels in life and I am excited! Food is no longer even an issue......... it never was in the first place. This marriage was!! ;) But yes.. if you find yourself looking for ANYTHING to numb the pain, that's a good indicator something else is up....

    Jan 27, 2012
    4 likes
    • bronhi

      the last part is as if I wrote it :)

      Jan 28, 2012
      1 like
  • Windylindy

    Yes and no. I cooked a lot the first couple of years hoping for a good outcome, like feeding each other, having good wine and bringing the bottle to bed to finish. Nope... that tactic didn't work. So that is my only food/sex experience. I never over ate as a coping mechanism. He on the otherhand did.

    Jan 27, 2012
    2 likes
  • voetbalmum

    Personally, I prefer to combine the two...



    strawberries and cream, chocolate, cheese and wine...



    One of my favorite movies is "Like Water for Chocolate"....



    I gained weight because pregnancy was unkind to me, and I pinches a nerve, and couldn't even walk for 6 weeks...much less exercise...



    No, I guess my instinct is to lose weight if not having sex in hopes of making myself more attractive to potential suitors...

    Jan 27, 2012
    2 likes
  • NowSeekingHookups

    I have never been one to eat during times of stress. But that's just me. If anything I eat less. This next comment is not meant as sexist in the least.



    But this subject came up in a thread in the forum before. It seems most of the women gained weight & most of the men lost weight. Not meant as a knowck on women but an interesting observation :-)



    Personally I lost weight. I am now 5ft 11in tall & weigh 165lbs. Now that I am having sex again (got out of the SM) I thought I would gain some back. But apparently, having sex, I am buring off more calories because I have gained a pound...HA!!!



    Bang Away

    NSH :-)

    Jan 27, 2012
    5 likes
    • flyingstone

      LOL you are a hoot and a half...meant in a good way.

      Jan 27, 2012
      1 like
    • Hypericum

      Can belief this.

      Mar 15, 2012
      1 like