Gotten off track with the non-diet plans

[Off My Duff]

Hi, folks...I usually post on the Century Club, but realize that I still have many "eating issues" that need sorting out.

My problem lately has been all the non-diet approaches...Geneen Roth, Overcoming Overeating, Solution, etc.
Though these plans helped me resolve a lot of my issues, I think I'm just at the point, physically, where I have to change completely the type of foods I eat.

I could easily live on chips, bread, potatoes, baked goods, and never eat any protein, fruits or veg! This is not good, and my body is starting to react badly to many of these "favorite" foods.

My health isn't the greatest right now anyway, so I really need to eat better. (I am already increasing my walking.)

But these non-diet plans have messed with my mind so much that just the THOUGHT of restricting any of the foods I eat can throw me into binge mode. (And let's face it, lowering our carbs IS "restricting".)

So here I am, trying to do what's best for my physical health, and in the back of my mind is what I've learned from all the non-diet plans: dieting doesn't work; restricting ANY type of foods will cause you to rebound and binge; etc.

Can anyone identify?

PS I can do fine most of the day--right up until late afternoon, and from there on, up until bedtime, it's usually eating one thing after another, whether I'm truly hungry or not. It's as if I roam around in the kitchen, looking for that "one thing" that might satisfy. A lot of it is "automatic" eating too, which is a hard habit to break.

[MaryMary]

I can relate to the notion that dieting doesn't work.

I had to ultimately incorporate a 12 step approach along with a structured low carb food plan. I have heard at the 12 step meetings that it is not about the food, but about what is between our ears, "our attidues". I needed to develop three qualities - that of honesty, open-mindedness and willingness.

Today I follow the Cambridge Greysheet which could be just another diet except that I do it willingly with the aid of my sponsor and my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God. I needed to get honest about my food and figure out which foods trigger me to binge. I became willing to be open-minded that maybe God could do for me what I could not do for myself and I had to take responsibility for my actions by becoming willing to be willing. I belong to GreySheeters Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous, where I am learning to work the 12 steps as decribed in the book Alcholics Anonymous. I am starting to know me and all my faults and to forgive myself for my misstakes. I am starting to see my part in broken relationships. I am learning to set boundaries around my food and other parts of my life. I do not feel deprived from food. I eat 3 beautiful, colorful, joyous meals a day that are weighed & measured so that I can learn that it is okay to weigh & measure things in my life. I don't rely on the feeling of willpower to control my food instake instead I rely on the power of my willingness to align my will with God's will and receive strength and power from Him. Net result, it works for me one day at a time. I had to do the research (trying all the different diets and non-diets out there) until I was willing to let go of it all and let God run the show. But whatever I was trying at the time, I didn't give up. Ask God to direct your day and your journey to health and wholeness and the answers will come.

[Michaela]

wow.. yes I can relate....

[loadislight]

Off my duff – I understand what you are saying. I am working through a 12-step program, which has helped me in lots of ways – except with my compulsive overeating. I prayed a LOT asking God to help me surrender my eating. I have come to realize that for that prayer to be answered, required me to be willing to submit to an eating program – something I would not do in the past. The issue for me was control - that little voice in my head that said ‘you can handle this by yourself’. My need to have control was stronger than my desire to have recovery. When I finally submitted to a food plan and got the sugar and carbs out of my system, the cravings stopped. This only helps the physical part of my recovery. I will continue to work the spiritual and emotional sides as well. Good luck on your journey.

David C.

[Lenny38862]

Wow can I have a link to one of the twelve step plans for not over eating. I really need something with structure and guidance too. I do well for a while and then boom just drop the ball. I need to connect with my higher power too. GOD!!

Lenny!!

[loadislight]

Hi Lenny,

The 12-step group I belong to is called “Celebrate Recovery”. It is not specific to food issues. However, food just happens to be my ‘drug of choice’ for medicating the pain/issues in my life. CR has helped me to deal with the underlying issues that make me want to medicate. The web site is www.celebraterecovery.com and if you look under Global Locations you can see a Church in your area that holds meetings. I hope this helps you.

David C.

[Lenny38862]

Thanks David I am going to go now and check it out.

Lenny