Food Addiction--New for 2008

[NewYorkGiants32]

I too quit smoking about a year ago. I had been smoking since 16 (gross!!) Quit cold turkey every time I was pregnant (5 times) just had baby this past feb. quit for good.......funny how it's easy to quit smoking for a baby but when it comes to your own health......it does not seem to matter as much.

[Off My Duff]

excellent thread-marking my spot

[ahamiam1]

yes, I agree that cutting out carbs does help me and I am definitely doing that-it has always helped me succeed in the past. No, I don't feel like you are telling me what to do-you are offering your opinion and advice and that is what we all are here to do-listen and share! I quit smoking 9 years ago-cold turkey. I do, on occasion (once or twice a year), have a smoke but it never sends me back into that disgusting habit-it reminds me how gross it is! I wish food would do the same and I know that some day I will reach that point-I am hoping that this is it!

[Aijarama]

Hi all - introducing myself.

I've been looking for a thread like this - I don't know anyone in real life that can relate to my overeating issues.

I've always been heavy, big framed, pretty muscular. Addictive behaviors run in my family (addictions to food, alcohol, tobacco...), so I'm not surprised that I dabble in smoking , and am a compulsive overeater.

4 years ago, I lost 30 pounds on Atkins, but I never was able to do it past induction levels. Induction worked for me because I ate as much food as I wanted, just very low carb. However, past induction levels, I had no kind of portion control, so I gained FIFTY pounds, and was at an all-time high of 280 last winter. It scared me that I was only 20lbs away from being 300 pounds.

Tried LC again, didn't work for me, did some Low Cal/Intuitive Eating, and that really helped me lose. Very slowly, but that's okay. So my big deal is portion control and mindless snacking - aka raiding the fridge when I get home and before I go to bed.

That's my story - glad to be here!

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by Aijarama

Hi all - introducing myself.

I've been looking for a thread like this - I don't know anyone in real life that can relate to my overeating issues.

Hi Aija,
I'm really glad that you found us. All of here can certainly relate! What kind of vegetarian are you? Do you eat eggs? You might want to investigate Dr. Thompson's Glycemic Load diet or Dr. Barry Grove's Eat Fat Get Thin. If you liked Atkins, you will love either of these. I think Dr. Atkins' research would have led him to one or the other of these.

Another thing that helps is planning what you will eat and posting it here or emailing it to someone. I would glad to be here for you for accountability.

As for night eating, I find that I am most stressed then and eating is a problem for me. I now plan a hot cup of peppermint tea. It's part of my bedtime routine. I find that routines help me stay on track.

I hope you will post often, Aija (pretty name!)

Mary - Michigan

[Aijarama]

Mary - thanks! I will definitely be posting meals...it helps tremendously with accountability - it also gives me a lot of insight; too often, I see that I start out okay, then by 3:30 everything takes a nosedive!

Tea at night sounds like a good idea - I already have coffee with skim milk in the morning, which holds me over for the car ride to work (and keeps me from having a Dunkin Donuts Egg and Cheese on a Garlic bagel). I do enjoy eggs, but don't have time to cook and eat breakfast at home in the morning. Maybe I'll get back to having a couple boiled ones on hand.

I'm an ovo-lacto veggie - I've been trying to put the veg back in vegetarian, as lately I feel like I've been getting too many refined carbs, and I want to take it easy on the cheese intake.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by Aijarama

I want to take it easy on the cheese intake.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

Does ovo-lacto mean that you DO eat eggs and milk?
Is there a reason for limiting cheese? Because refried beans and cheese are excellent on a low glycemic plan.

Lowcarb cheesecake is a lifesaver for me.

[Aijarama]

Yes - I do eat eggs and dairy. I try to take it easy on the cheese because I really overdid it when I was on Atkins, and it "stops me up" sometimes. I was in the mindset that everything tastes better with bacon and cheese (it did).
I have cheese occasionally, but I try to limit it to good, real cheeses. Like less processed.

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by Aijarama

I was in the mindset that everything tastes better with bacon and cheese (it did).
I have cheese occasionally, but I try to limit it to good, real cheeses. Like less processed.

LOL! Mmmmmm bacon (in my best Homer Simpson voice

[40winks]

Hello, my name is 40winks, and I'm a foodaholic.

I certainly feel addicted to certain foods! I was reading recently that some food additives are addictive and that they're intentionally added by the food manufacturers to make us buy and buy and eat and eat, our weight and health be d*mned. (Reminds me of the tobacco industry's attitude.)

Anyway, I'm restarting LC this Friday, 1/18 (the day after my birthday). Today I started easing back into exercising. Induction always starts with 3 days of headaches while I'm going cold turkey, getting off the carbs and food additives. In 2002, I lost 89 pounds (took me 18 months with several long stalls), and have gradually regain 56. I don't want to regain the other 33 pounds before getting back to healthy low-carb eating, so I'm back to spend time (probably daily) with LC Friends.

[Aijarama]

Yay 40winks! 89 pounds? Amazing! I wish I'd gotten back on track before I regained and then put an extra 20lbs on top of that! Great jop nipping it in the bud!

I want to get back to the weight I was when people were all "hey, wow, you look great!"

Yesterday I had:
B: coffee with skim milk, Kashi cereal with rice milk
S: baby carrots and a few almonds (like 10)
L: spinach/tomato/hummus on wheat wrap
S: SunChips
D: stir-fried veggies over spinach and rice
S: pretzel bits and 5-6 strawberries for dessert

I had the baby carrots almost throughout the day, as a "Free" food to snack on. I tried to take it easy on the pretzel bits by sharing them with my sister, too. I had to put myself to bed, though, when after the strawberries I went into the kitchen and had 4 more pretzel pieces (they're those Snyder's Honey Mustard & Onion - so salty and so good!).

And I went to the gym. I felt myself slipping when it was time for "night snacks," maybe tonight will be a better night.

[40winks]

Thanks, Aija. (Wish I hadn't regained 56 before getting a wake-up call, though, lol.)

Today is my day one. I've started Induction eating, keeping a journal, and have given up coffee/caffeine. I moved my recumbent bike and stair stepper into the extra bedroom, used both briefly, and did my easiest cardio exercise video (Miracle Mile by Leslie Sansone). I set a week-one exercise goal of 20 minutes or more, 5 days this week (or more). And I'm spending time at LowCarbFriends. Combining all these things works for me for overcoming food addiction and succeed at weight loss.

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by 40winks

Thanks, Aija. (Wish I hadn't regained 56 before getting a wake-up call, though, lol.)

Today is my day one. I've started Induction eating, keeping a journal, and have given up coffee/caffeine. I moved my recumbent bike and stair stepper into the extra bedroom, used both briefly, and did my easiest cardio exercise video (Miracle Mile by Leslie Sansone). I set a week-one exercise goal of 20 minutes or more, 5 days this week (or more). And I'm spending time at LowCarbFriends. Combining all these things works for me for overcoming food addiction and succeed at weight loss.

Wow 40,
It sounds like you have a plan and that's half the battle!
Good job!

[40winks]

Thanks for the kind words, 4313. Yes, I absolutely have a plan! A plan and a goal and determination and hopefully persistence. I've also got a full page written in my journal, my 20 minutes minimum exercise done , and a no-caffeine headache, lol.

[Aijarama]

Hey guys! Looks like things are going okay!

I had a bit of a loss - down to 253 now! So close to being under 250!

Yesterday:
B: coffee w/skim, kashi cereal w/rice milk
S: boiled egg
L: 2 spinach/tomato/hummus wraps (whole wheat tortilla) - I had one at around 10:30 and one at 1pm
S: pretzel bits and baby carrots
D: pasta with half pesto and half tomato sauce, with half a "chicken" patty - I made it and split it with my sister, so no portion control issues there! - and a salad
Snack (kinda) - 1 beer

My goal is not to go overboard this weekend. Wish me luck!

I try not to weigh so often, but maybe twice a week - thinking of that number and how close I am to getting to my first mini-goal might really help me with overeating this weekend! Wish me luck, and good luck to all of you!

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by Aijarama

Snack (kinda) - 1 beer

LOL! I don't know why, but that strikes me as hilarious. But then, I don't like beer.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you hit 250 soon, Aija!

[ahamiam1]

Things have been nuts lately, but I have been doing great food wise

Wishing everyone well

[Cmint]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGiants32

I too quit smoking about a year ago. I had been smoking since 16 (gross!!) Quit cold turkey every time I was pregnant (5 times) just had baby this past feb. quit for good.......funny how it's easy to quit smoking for a baby but when it comes to your own health......it does not seem to matter as much.

I think it's great that you did it for your unborn child. Some people don't!

I'm not a smoker but I know how you feel about doing something for others and not being able to do it for yourselve. Once ,in my twenties I fasted by drinking water for 3 days because I was pretty sure that's what Jesus wanted. On a roadtrip, My SO bought mcdonalds food back to the car instead of eating it inside of the resturaunt but it didn't fazed me one bit. But when I try to duplicate a fast for dieting or even cutting back..I'm telling you hard as dried nooldes to accomplish!

I'm addicted to sweets. It took me years to cut greasy foods out of my life. I had to keep sweets in my world because I would get sad if I didn't have any...I even start to shake once when I don't have any for 3 days. When I went without the taste of Plax mouth rinse taste good to me ( I don't swallow) I can taste the sugar in it.

Over years I thought that I killed my tastebuds for the taste of refined sugar because of diet protein bars and stuff but when I do have a real slice of cake I realize it's still there.

I'm 38 now and I just don't buy junk food and keep it in my home because I can't, I will over eat. Luckily my SO isn't big on sweets like I am... Laawd Chile'....I'm addicted to sweets!

[Cmint]

Good luck Aija !


Hailey

[Aijarama]

Thanks Hailey!

Do any of you guys weigh every day? I stopped because I didn't want it to make me crazy, but I feel like I stop weighing from Friday to Monday, then I come back and it's a huge gain from "letting myself go" over the weekend. Maybe if I do it every day I can be a little more accountable? I know you can't put a lot of faith in what the scale says, but a lot of those gains aren't water/poop related .

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by Aijarama

Thanks Hailey!

Do any of you guys weigh every day? I stopped because I didn't want it to make me crazy, but I feel like I stop weighing from Friday to Monday, then I come back and it's a huge gain from "letting myself go" over the weekend. Maybe if I do it every day I can be a little more accountable? I know you can't put a lot of faith in what the scale says, but a lot of those gains aren't water/poop related .

Aija, I weigh every day, but instead of comparing it from yesterday, I compare from a week ago. That way, the daily fluctuations don't get me down. I don't look at yesteday's weight, I look at the weight from a week ago. It gives me a better idea of trends.

[Aijarama]

Good idea! Thanks! That way, at least if I'm comparing it to a week ago, I won't feel so obsessive about it.

[40winks]

Feels like my food addiction has disappeared! I think it's due to both the low carbing and the exercise I'm getting. The supplements may be contributing too. And I used to have almost constant cravings.

[COLOR=red] I LOVE LOW CARB!!!!! [/COLOR]

[amadeus4313]

Originally Posted by 40winks

Feels like my food addiction has disappeared! I think it's due to both the low carbing and the exercise I'm getting. The supplements may be contributing too. And I used to have almost constant cravings.

[COLOR=red] I LOVE LOW CARB!!!!! [/COLOR]

That is the beauty of banishing the "white" out of our diets (except for cauliflower ) If you take in no sugar for 4 days, your body no longer craves it. When I am "in the whites" I cannot stop eating. It's like I am driven. When I cut out sugar and refined carbs, I feel so good.

[ahamiam1]

Me, too Getting through those first couple of days is not easy-but then it is a bit easier So happy that you are feeling more in control!!!

[Aijarama]

Great going guys! I think exercise really helps me to not overeat, especially at night. Last night I felt the "urge" and went nosing around in the kitchen, and was able to shut it down and go to bed in just a couple bites of pretzel . It's a work in progress.

One of my issues is that I think about food so much...I learned from IE to try and calm down about food, and that just because my stomach growls (or is even close to growling), it's not a big emergency - because that was when I'd drop everything and eat ANYTHING because I was "starving." I also make my lunch for the day and I used to worry that I wouldn't bring enough food...RELAX. So that's what I'm trying to do now, to not obsess. And STOP the mindless eating!

Minor victory - I had work and class last night, and got home at around 9pm. I get up at 5:20, so I had to shower (I went to the gym - yay!), put laundry in, and pretty much go to bed. My mom told me she'd made me a little pizza and put it in the fridge. I wasn't hungry. I wish I didn't eat anything, but I had a ltitle slice and packed the rest for lunch. Better than eating the whole thing just because it was there.

[Pcola Girl]

I feel I am no longer addicted to food anymore. I do not allow it to control my eating like I use to do, I now control it............

[edenedee]

hey everyone. I wanted to join the group. I actually have an eating disorder. I have anorexia, bulimia, I abuse laxatives, and I also binge eat (no purging involved). I started the Atkins diet mainly to get healthy but actually i kinda have not been following the induction completely. I just crave sweets so bad. But I have just been eating proteins and cheese until those dump binge cravings come. I hate them, I feel like I can't control myself. I just start and can't stop. I hate them. I hate myself for giving into the cravings. I am actually in school right now and I have such a hard time b/c of my eating disorder. I just wish I could be normal. I don't understand why I am such a retard and won't just stop binging or whatever.

[NewYorkGiants32]

It is an addiction (in my opinion) an eating disorder has to be looked at like any other addiction, I have struggled w/ bulemia for YEARS and probably always will, it will always be there. No easy answers just take it one day at a time.

[edenedee]

NewYorkGiants32---
Hey, how can I send private messages to ppl. When I click on people's name sometimes it doesn't give me the option??