Can't stop eating

paulav99 · 09-22-2004, 09:59 AM

I'm 23 years old, and have been overweight all my life.

I've been "on" Atkins since about January, but I can't make it long enough to say I'm even on it. I last a couple days, and then I binge on everything I can find. Lately I've been going to gas stations/fast food places and buying everything I want, taking it home and eating it all in one sitting, and finish before my boyfriend gets home to see what I've done. Yesterday for lunch I went and got 2 tacos, a bag of chips, and 2 donuts. Last night it was a donut, sandwich, chicken strips and popcorn. One night I ate a whole pizza! I know it's wrong, but I just keep thinking about the next time I can go get food. How do I stop? I know that this WOE works for me, but why can't I stick with it.

Stormyskies · 09-23-2004, 10:08 AM

Honey, I don't know why we do this. I know I shouldn't eat certain foods, but I do it anyway. It's an addiction, plain and simple. When food becomes your focal point in life, when it's the number one thing in your mind when you wake up, that's an addiction. I think a group like TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) would be good. Or Over Eaters Anonymous. I do know this about myself. Anytime I tell myself that I'm going to start a diet, I freak myself out and eat everything in sight. It's like my body is afraid I'm going to starve it or something. Making low-carb a way of life can be fun. Now there are so many more things in the stores to help you out. Back when I first started, we didn't have store bought low-carb bread. Anyway, knowing you have a problem is the first step you've admitted that. I wish you luck, Paula.

HeatherNicola · 09-25-2004, 05:36 AM

Oh Paula sweetie!

I have to agree with the sensible advice given by Stormyskies. Comnpulsive overeating is a problem many of us have to fight on a day to day basis. You are not on your own. Compulsive overeating is why I'm obese, I can't blame my thyroid, or the fact that I'm menopausal, stuffing food any food into my mouth was the cause.

I tried low-carbing a few years ago but like yourself after a few days I found myself yet again consuming anything and everything, then I would feel so disapointed in myself, I would declare to myself that I would try again. This was a vicious cycle, the more I fretted over "cheating' the more the urge to cheat was there.

What changed? I suddenly realised that all this stopping and starting was making me ill, it was increasing the number of panic attacks I had. Something had to be done.

So I gave myself a break, I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted. The surprising thing was that within a week, I was ready to re-read my Atkins book. This I did and managed to get through the 2 weeks induction without a single cheat.

I still have to watch myself, and as a compulsive overeater, each day I stay on plan is a bonus.

Maybe allowing yourself a more varied diet, for a while by going onto maintenence level foods may help. But please don't give in will you?

Oh and get your but back onto the Delta Challenge thread! We are all there to help each other, through the bad as well as the good times. There is more to life than winning a prize. Helping a fellow dieter through a tough time is the biggest prize of all.

Impoverished Writer · 09-26-2004, 06:24 AM

They are right Paula, don't give up on yourself and this WOE. We know it's hard, we understand. Try to remember all the reasons you want to lose weight. Write them down and keep them close by. You are on this WOE because you want to be, no one is making you and therefore you are in control. When food calls to me, and it does.. I remind myself I'm the boss and no food is going to get the better of me. You can do it Paula, forget yesterday, just jump back in and give yourself a pat on the back because you're still here! You can do it!!!

Division56 · 09-26-2004, 10:27 AM

TLW took the words right out of my mouth.

Take a week or two to just relax. Forget about Atkins, then try again. These rapid-fire tries won't help you. Just take a break and meditate on your goals.

You can do it babe, just relax a bit first.

manalu · 09-29-2004, 05:32 PM

You know when you are addicted to carbs, there is a chain reaction that your body does. I am Insulin Resistant(IR), my pancreas makes too much insulin. Then something as simple as a Diet Pepsi can trigger my chain reaction.
When you are IR(I am not saying you are) and eat alot of carbs, your body thinks that at every meal it needs to make insulin. So I drink a Diet Pepsi, my body reacts the same as it would to a chocolate donut. The more insulin it makes, the more carbs I crave, the more carbs I eat, the more insulin my pancreas makes.
It is a vicious cycle. What happened to me was: once my organs and cells had enough insulin stored for energy, they rejected the rest of the insulin which turned into fat. I kept gaining weight, though I was eating the smallest meals of anyone I knew.
Once I got off the carbs at every meal, my cravings went away. I was only eating carbs 1x a day and it could be pie, as long as it was in proportion to the meat and veggies I ate.
I got the information from a good book called "The Carbohydrate Addicts Lifespan Program: by Dr's Richard and Rachel Heller. It gives you alot of information!
Good luck!

CurlsNCuffs · 10-27-2004, 07:37 AM

You can do this! Read the book, then read it again and then again! You want to be healthy! DO it for YOU! You owe it to yourself.

I'm 40 years old - two grown children and a grandmother! I have been heavy all my life! You have to decide you want to change.

When I first began just 18 months ago - I didn't tell a soul - no one - I was afraid to fail.

The truth is - CARBS are addictive - as addictive as, crack, heroine and of those drugs - the more you do - the more you want! If you cut way back on the CARBS - keep them to 20 (read the book) you will break the addiction and truth is - you won't want food! That is what I prayed for when I begun this journey - I prayed for my appetite to be GONE! When I drastically cut my carbs - it did leave! You can control this! Be honest about what you are truly eating! You appetite will disappear!

Good luck

hippychikk · 10-29-2004, 09:14 AM

Can someone tell me how to join the group and get a support buddy?

Thanks,

Hippy

hippychikk · 10-29-2004, 09:22 AM

Can someone tell me how to join the group and get a support buddy?

Thanks,

Hippy

puttchikins · 10-31-2004, 04:53 AM

Paula...I am right there with you only I'm 66 not 23...What a struggle...I am sure this is not the place to mention it but locarb isn't structured enough for me...I stuck to locarb for 2 years and managed to gain 40lbs because of wrong choices...Have been on South Beach since july 26th have no idea how much I lost I am terrified of the scale but I have gone from a size 24 to an 18...but I am still terrified every minute of losing it and have nightmares about regaining the weight...Just hang in there and don't beat yourself up about your mistakes......

09-22-2004, 09:59 AM	#1
paulav99 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,869 Gallery: paulav99 Stats: 295.4/295.4/199 (1st goal) WOE: Atkins Start Date: Let's try this again!	Can't stop eating I'm 23 years old, and have been overweight all my life. I've been "on" Atkins since about January, but I can't make it long enough to say I'm even on it. I last a couple days, and then I binge on everything I can find. Lately I've been going to gas stations/fast food places and buying everything I want, taking it home and eating it all in one sitting, and finish before my boyfriend gets home to see what I've done. Yesterday for lunch I went and got 2 tacos, a bag of chips, and 2 donuts. Last night it was a donut, sandwich, chicken strips and popcorn. One night I ate a whole pizza! I know it's wrong, but I just keep thinking about the next time I can go get food. How do I stop? I know that this WOE works for me, but why can't I stick with it.

09-23-2004, 10:08 AM	#2
Stormyskies Notorious Veteran who doesn't know when to stop! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Where I wish I could see my reflection in the snow covered hills... Posts: 20,472 Gallery: Stormyskies Stats: Too embarrassed to tell ya! WOE: Mostly Atkins, but not as strick as I should be!!! Start Date: Over and over and over and over...	Honey, I don't know why we do this. I know I shouldn't eat certain foods, but I do it anyway. It's an addiction, plain and simple. When food becomes your focal point in life, when it's the number one thing in your mind when you wake up, that's an addiction. I think a group like TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) would be good. Or Over Eaters Anonymous. I do know this about myself. Anytime I tell myself that I'm going to start a diet, I freak myself out and eat everything in sight. It's like my body is afraid I'm going to starve it or something. Making low-carb a way of life can be fun. Now there are so many more things in the stores to help you out. Back when I first started, we didn't have store bought low-carb bread. Anyway, knowing you have a problem is the first step you've admitted that. I wish you luck, Paula. __________________ Member since April, 2001 *<><The Christian Gang><>* On the Playground Every Day! My Pastor says, "God Bless America."

09-26-2004, 06:24 AM	#4
Impoverished Writer Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west coast USA Posts: 834 Gallery: Impoverished Writer Stats: 339/223/140 WOE: Atkins OWL Start Date: July 12, 2004	They are right Paula, don't give up on yourself and this WOE. We know it's hard, we understand. Try to remember all the reasons you want to lose weight. Write them down and keep them close by. You are on this WOE because you want to be, no one is making you and therefore you are in control. When food calls to me, and it does.. I remind myself I'm the boss and no food is going to get the better of me. You can do it Paula, forget yesterday, just jump back in and give yourself a pat on the back because you're still here! You can do it!!! __________________ Patti 5'8 Mom to two wonderful sons. On a bad day remember, If you dented the bumper of your car, would you total it? Member of Total Woman. 110 pound club member!! All I Want For Christmas Challenge!!!! Former Member of Tryingitout's 12 week Boot Camp Challenge, Delta Company Lost 61 pounds! I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails, to always reach my destination.

09-29-2004, 05:32 PM	#6
manalu Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Queen-dumb Posts: 6,257 Gallery: manalu Stats: 26/20/???? WOE: Carb Addicts	You know when you are addicted to carbs, there is a chain reaction that your body does. I am Insulin Resistant(IR), my pancreas makes too much insulin. Then something as simple as a Diet Pepsi can trigger my chain reaction. When you are IR(I am not saying you are) and eat alot of carbs, your body thinks that at every meal it needs to make insulin. So I drink a Diet Pepsi, my body reacts the same as it would to a chocolate donut. The more insulin it makes, the more carbs I crave, the more carbs I eat, the more insulin my pancreas makes. It is a vicious cycle. What happened to me was: once my organs and cells had enough insulin stored for energy, they rejected the rest of the insulin which turned into fat. I kept gaining weight, though I was eating the smallest meals of anyone I knew. Once I got off the carbs at every meal, my cravings went away. I was only eating carbs 1x a day and it could be pie, as long as it was in proportion to the meat and veggies I ate. I got the information from a good book called "The Carbohydrate Addicts Lifespan Program: by Dr's Richard and Rachel Heller. It gives you alot of information! Good luck! __________________ Nancy *************************** Jeremiah 29:11 My plans are in His hands!

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09-25-2004, 05:36 AM	#3
HeatherNicola Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 987 Gallery: HeatherNicola Stats: size22/size18/size14 WOE: Atkins Start Date: July 2005	Oh Paula sweetie! I have to agree with the sensible advice given by Stormyskies. Comnpulsive overeating is a problem many of us have to fight on a day to day basis. You are not on your own. Compulsive overeating is why I'm obese, I can't blame my thyroid, or the fact that I'm menopausal, stuffing food any food into my mouth was the cause. I tried low-carbing a few years ago but like yourself after a few days I found myself yet again consuming anything and everything, then I would feel so disapointed in myself, I would declare to myself that I would try again. This was a vicious cycle, the more I fretted over "cheating' the more the urge to cheat was there. What changed? I suddenly realised that all this stopping and starting was making me ill, it was increasing the number of panic attacks I had. Something had to be done. So I gave myself a break, I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted. The surprising thing was that within a week, I was ready to re-read my Atkins book. This I did and managed to get through the 2 weeks induction without a single cheat. I still have to watch myself, and as a compulsive overeater, each day I stay on plan is a bonus. Maybe allowing yourself a more varied diet, for a while by going onto maintenence level foods may help. But please don't give in will you? Oh and get your but back onto the Delta Challenge thread! We are all there to help each other, through the bad as well as the good times. There is more to life than winning a prize. Helping a fellow dieter through a tough time is the biggest prize of all.

09-26-2004, 10:27 AM	#5
Division56 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Northeastern, PA Posts: 435 Gallery: Division56 Stats: 445/277/195 WOE: Atkins Start Date: May 16, 2004	TLW took the words right out of my mouth. Take a week or two to just relax. Forget about Atkins, then try again. These rapid-fire tries won't help you. Just take a break and meditate on your goals. You can do it babe, just relax a bit first.

10-27-2004, 07:37 AM	#7
CurlsNCuffs MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,450 Gallery: CurlsNCuffs Stats: 240/145/125 5'2 WOE: Atkins Start Date: April 2, 2003	You can do this! Read the book, then read it again and then again! You want to be healthy! DO it for YOU! You owe it to yourself. I'm 40 years old - two grown children and a grandmother! I have been heavy all my life! You have to decide you want to change. When I first began just 18 months ago - I didn't tell a soul - no one - I was afraid to fail. The truth is - CARBS are addictive - as addictive as, crack, heroine and of those drugs - the more you do - the more you want! If you cut way back on the CARBS - keep them to 20 (read the book) you will break the addiction and truth is - you won't want food! That is what I prayed for when I begun this journey - I prayed for my appetite to be GONE! When I drastically cut my carbs - it did leave! You can control this! Be honest about what you are truly eating! You appetite will disappear! Good luck

10-29-2004, 09:14 AM	#8
hippychikk Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 17 Gallery: hippychikk	Can someone tell me how to join the group and get a support buddy? Thanks, Hippy

10-29-2004, 09:22 AM	#9
hippychikk Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 17 Gallery: hippychikk	Can someone tell me how to join the group and get a support buddy? Thanks, Hippy

10-31-2004, 04:53 AM	#10
puttchikins Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 992 Gallery: puttchikins	Paula...I am right there with you only I'm 66 not 23...What a struggle...I am sure this is not the place to mention it but locarb isn't structured enough for me...I stuck to locarb for 2 years and managed to gain 40lbs because of wrong choices...Have been on South Beach since july 26th have no idea how much I lost I am terrified of the scale but I have gone from a size 24 to an 18...but I am still terrified every minute of losing it and have nightmares about regaining the weight...Just hang in there and don't beat yourself up about your mistakes......