Food Addiction--New for 2008

[hippiegirl]

I've been lurking on this thread for about a month or so. Thought I'd chime in with what I've been doing that has been working...

My biggest problem is binge eating. I've done it since I was about 9yo. Partly for emotional reasons, and partly because my parents would "hide" food from us. If they bought a bag of m&m's, it wasn't for the whole family, it was kept in their room, etc. So that, coupled with emotional confusion from being molested without really having it addressed and dealt with properly, has equaled a life time of binge eating, and a steadily increasing weight gain throughout my life. I really wasn't all that heavy in high school, but I steadily, and sometimes rapidly, put on weight - depending on what was going on in my life at the time.

One thing I know about myself is that it's a "protection" for me - each time, throughout my life, that I've actually slimmed down some, I've been hurt by a man (date rape, etc). So when I'm losing weight, I have to really fight myself not to sabotage myself.

So what's been working for me: I've learned a lot from reading postings by TaDa! (Pauline). The single most important thing I think I've learned, and that has helped me to stay a steady course, is being gentle with myself. I try not to talk negatively about myself, especially when it comes to "food abuse". If I have a binge or a couple of days, or even a week, off - I do not "punish" myself by being more strict, exercising more, etc. I try to look at it objectively. The way I put it to myself, is that I try to treat myself as if I were one of my kids if they had this problem. I would not berate them. I would not put them on stricter rations. I would not make them take a long walk, etc. So in this spirit, I simply acknowledge it happened, and pick back up where I left off.

I started really working on this a few months ago, and the change has been nothing short of miraculous. This is the longest I've stayed on a diet, I think ever. My whole attitude has shifted. I'm no longer frustrated with myself. I no longer feel like I was "bad". It's just food, and I acknowledge and move on. This is life. The scale shows me a number - data to be used - it does not validate my worth as a human being.

I highly recommend searching out TaDa's journal - she summarizes a lot of good books that address binging, and shares what's worked for her. It has definitely helped me tremendously!

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all. It's a horrible thing to have to wrestle with, and it's hard for anyone to understand who doesn't have these problems.

to us all!

[Pcola Girl]

Hi Christi and to the rest of you to.
I think we all have had a issue with portion control at sometime, I know I have. I can put alot fo food away to if I did not watch my portions.
I love Mexican food and if I am not careful when we eat out there I can eat a whole months worth of carbs. But really I watch my portions there to and most always bring home half of my food on my plate to have another day.
Have you ever wondered why you are addicted to food like you are? I often think of that and what made me become a food acholic. Its really hard to pin point any one thing that may have set it off.
I began gaining my weight after I had my second child and just never could get rid of it no matter how hard I tried to, and over the years it just crept up even farther until I was so big I looked awful and began having health problems.
But when I found low carb and lost alot of my weight it was only then that I began eating healthier and realized how being fat harmed my body. When I was younger all I wanted was to lose the weight and never thought about it harming my health but I sure do now.
Today I had some slice chicken and lettuce rollup in a low carb wrap and some green ice tea.
Will see you all later, post often everyone. watch those carbs.

[Pcola Girl]

Hi hippiegirl, Nice to have you here with us to.
You must have been posting the same time as I was..

[Smythe]

Hi Mary-
Yeah, I couldn't find the article I was thinking of..maybe it was just a post on the subject and not an article at all.

Good to see so many of us here...not that misery loves company or anything. But seriously, it is a unique struggle we share this crazy addition, obsession with food. I'd go out on a limb and say most of us find comfort in eating...followed by intense guilt...and we comfort again with whatever our particular choice of poison is. I'm an oreo girl myself, but almost anything will do in pinch.

I've been on track for about 2 weeks now, at the gym and eating on plan. So far so good...
Thanks for providing me/us with a safe place to come and share.

[Pcola Girl]

Smythe, I love Chips Ahoys chocolate chip cookies. I will eat one every so often but have to put them up in the freezer so I won;t eat all of them at once. They keep good in a freezer bag in the freezer for a long time. Try that and just eat one every now and then, its hard to resist them but over time you can learn to break the habit of eating the full package.
I guess all the low carbers here will fuss because I just said that but I know they have eaten them to at some time....

This battle we all face here with our weight is tough, and we need to remember we are not alone, there are alot of us Americans who are over weight these days. Guess we all learned how to eat wrong and before we knew it we had gained weight.
There is a national weight thing going on now in America and Jarad from the Sub-Way commericals I believe is heading it. He was here in my city talking to all the school children and has started a walking program for kids and adults to do every week. Our daughter and two children paticapate in it. I would have with them but with my arthritic knees its hard for me to walk much like that.
For Breakfast today i made a two egg omelet, I like to make it spanish style with green peppers and onion and alot of cheese.
For lunch I was not hungry but knew I had to eat something so I just cut up me some cheese cubes and rolled me a piece of turkey up and ate that with some green ice tea.
Supper will be grill chicken and some green beans. I bought some fresh ones and shelled them and everything, can you believe that!
So fresh ones take awhile to cook so I have them on already with some bacon in them for flavoring.
What are you cooking tonight? anything special? We grill out on the patio alot and eat there to out by the pool, its nice and relaxing.

see ya later. got to get clothes out the dryer.

[Christi722]

Originally Posted by Pcola Girl

Hi Christi and to the rest of you to.
I think we all have had a issue with portion control at sometime, I know I have. I can put alot fo food away to if I did not watch my portions.
I love Mexican food and if I am not careful when we eat out there I can eat a whole months worth of carbs. But really I watch my portions there to and most always bring home half of my food on my plate to have another day.
Have you ever wondered why you are addicted to food like you are? I often think of that and what made me become a food acholic. Its really hard to pin point any one thing that may have set it off.
I began gaining my weight after I had my second child and just never could get rid of it no matter how hard I tried to, and over the years it just crept up even farther until I was so big I looked awful and began having health problems.
But when I found low carb and lost alot of my weight it was only then that I began eating healthier and realized how being fat harmed my body. When I was younger all I wanted was to lose the weight and never thought about it harming my health but I sure do now.
Today I had some slice chicken and lettuce rollup in a low carb wrap and some green ice tea.
Will see you all later, post often everyone. watch those carbs.

I have always been a big eater but I never weighed more than 110 until my first pregnancy. Because I never learned portion control I never practiced it. I gained 60lbs with my first pregnancy and have yo-yo'ed in my weight for the past 13 years from 130 - 180. Portion control is just something that I must learn and practice now as an adult.

[Sugar Free Franny]

Hi everyone, thanks for all being here. I really appreciate this thread (I know I said this before, but it's true).

I agree with the Mexican food and overeating carbs. I actually eat the tortilla chips and salsa as if they are calorie/carb free. I lose all control. I really have to be conscious of how much I am eating.

I weighed in this morning at 159. I didn't lose anything this week. No doubt taking a little bite of chocolate cake here and a little bite of chocolate chip cookies there has shown it's affects. I am not beating myself up. I am identifying what I am doing to myself that isn't helping me. If I truly love myself then I won't abuse me this way. So, I make amends with my eating behavior today.

The one exuse I keep making up in my head is that now that I am 40 I am losing weight more slowly. Maybe this is somewhat true, but because I have this addiction, that can easily be my way of giving up.

Thanks for listening.

[caribe]

Reading through so many of these posts I can pick something from each one and relate to it. I do so good with eating for a couple days and then I give into one craving and then it goes down hill from there. Sadness sets in and I get so mad at myself. My dh and I had our first baby a year ago and I lost the 55 lbs. I gained and then when I got to my goal I slowly just started slipping with the eating. UGH! I need to get a grip on this!!!

[pantherider]

I too am struggling with many years of being addicted to food. I quit smoking Nov 2002, which is awesome, but I am 259 lbs, which is about 100+ lbs overweight. I recently have been able to loose 24 lbs. But this out of control binge eating is driving me mad! I catch myself just getting mad that I keep doing it to myself, but then I do it again! I am restarting LC because if I can keep the taste of chips, and sweets, and fast food out of my system, I won't crave them, and binge on them. These next 2 weeks are going to be hard. I am turning 34 on 03/15, and really (REALLY) don't want to be this weight any longer. I feel crappy, I physically am tired, achey, and unhealthy. I work out, and have changed my work schedule to work out more. It's not helping when I binge on food, because the exercise isn't enough. I consider myself to be pretty smart, so I'm mad that I do this to myself. It's not like I have a reason to emotionally over eat like I hear on all the talk shows, so not sure why I do. The hardest time I have is at work, because I can eat without an audience, and feel I can hide junk food at work without the boyfriend seeing it at home. I don't want to do that. I am lying, and I don't like it. I would also say that over 50% of the people I work with are overweight, and there is always junk food around. The toughest thing I have to overcome is only eat what I plan for, don't cheat, and use my journal, friends, and family for support. Thanks for letting me vent. I'll write more later, when I get through these first 2 weeks.
-Amy

[Sugar Free Franny]

Amy, it's great that you have lost 24 lbs. I understand how difficult it is when you work with people or in my case live with people that can eat whatever they want and not gain an ounce, or act as if they don't care (cause no one wants to be overweight and unhealthy).

Reaching out and admitting that there is a problem is the first step in the many steps to follow.

I also do not have the cravings for the junk food when I don't eat them at all. For some reason though, I will get the feeling that I am depriving myself in some way and that I deserve to have that chocolate cake or french fries or whatever it is and then I will have it. It only sets me up for more binging and disappointment when I get on the scale. Not to mention it makes me feel physically ill.

It feels so good to be healthy, even when I am not at my desired weight, I know I am eating well to take care of my body. As long as I follow my program of low carb eating and exercise, I know that I will weigh what I am supposed to weigh. Sometimes saying that I want to weigh a specific weight seems unrealistic because I know I have tried to be really low on the scale and I basically had to starve myself to be that weight (this was when I was a teenager). I am feeling that I had anorexic behavior at that time.

Thanks all for listening.

[bilsan]

Amy , I too quit smoking about 18 years ago and after a few years weighted more than I ever have . I eat ouyt of boredoom , lonelyness , habit , because it is today lol , because I want to . Then I feel terrible . I have lost 76 pounds and gained back 25 or so since last sept . I am back on atkins except for today . I wanted to eat so I took the opportunity that it is my sons b day so what the heck . Now I am feeling like like a crumb and at the sametime plotting a reason to go to the siore and pick up chips . I am in that oh well you blew it stage and I know for me this is dangerous . Congrats on quitting smoking that was a hard one for me . This is harder . Anyway I am new to here and I hope to hang around .... Sandy

[Off My Duff]

Hi, everyone...I marked my spot here awhile ago, and am hoping this thread stays alive.

I hit a new high with my weight today, and I am scared because it's no longer all that far to 300. I now have to lose 30lbs just to get back to 250. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself getting to this weight. I am so ashamed and embarrassed, and hate to have people see me like this.

Though I do not binge, I am an emotional eater, especially in the evenings. I crave carbs like you wouldn't believe, and it's to make myself feel better (seratonin jolt?), to calm myself, to soothe anxiety, and to avoid negative emotions that I, for some reason, don't want to allow myself to face or admit.

I read tonight that HOPELESSNESS is a major cause of emotional eating, and that is true for me. I have many reasons for feeling this way, but won't take up space here to write it out. I feel especially hopeless about my weight, because I've tried SO many times to lose without success. I'm almost too exhausted to try again, but I know I must.

One weird thing that's happened to me is that my body image has done a complete reverse: years ago when I was just a few pounds overweight, I felt monstrously huge. Now, when I am very close to 300lbs, I do not feel that big. Big, yes, but not nearly-300lbs-worth of big. I just saw a photo that was taken at a church dinner last week, and I was SHOCKED at how large I appeared. I don't FEEL as big as I obviously am.

I don't have any choice but to keep trying to help myself, so I'm going to start fresh again tomorrow. I look forward to hearing from everyone, and wish us all the best in reaching our goals.

[bilsan]

Hi Becky . I am new to this site , not to eating lol . I am also making today a new day . I did really bad yesterday . Had done fairly well until all week was slipping up to the big one . Gained 2 lbs over nite . I am a binge eater , over eater , compulsive eater or whatever term I fall under lol . I just can not stop once I allow myself to start certain foods or behaviors . I have been messing with the food / eating for a few years now . Up and down ect ect ect . I got to my top weight in 06 . Started back on , woops actually I started with curves in 06 , jan . Went to atlins , again in feb and have been somewhat ok since . I lost in 06 and maintained in 07 until around sept we went on a short trip that planted the seed . Then from thanksgiving until the first week or so in 08 I was totally out of control . Gained 26 or so back , have lost 6 since feb 20 . I am so addicted to sugar . I never actually get away from the gravings like people say they do . I see comericals and want to die . People have b days and I feel so sorry for myself ect ect ect . My family are eaters so all family get togethers include eating somewhere . we go shopping , we eat , you know the drill . Any way thanks for listening . I just do not talk about my eating enough . I will journal some and that helps .

Sandy

[Pcola Girl]

Just wanted to say hi to everyone today. Just been really busy with us moving into the new house and all. Haven't had time to relax at all.

Trying to eat right in spite of all our running around doing this and that. I have been buying the salads in the grocery deli while we have been moving because we have not bought groceries yet, just a few items thats all. Guess I do need now to go get some now that things have slowed down some.

I to am a binge eater, or was, I am finally breaking that habit, don't do it much anymore now that low carb has entered my life. Also was a emotional eater to.
I think low carb has shown me that I can eat good and healthy and like the food to and get full on what I eat and not want to binge anymore. I stay full longer and don't seem to get those binge cravings like I use to do.
Have you all noticed that low carb helps you to not want to binge to much anymore?

I love eating low carb, I have searched the net for all sorts of low carb recipes and try different ones, some I like and some I don't but I have found that the ones I like I cook alot and my Hubby and I both love the food. Its not like any diet food, its like eating great tasting foods so you keep going back to eat them alot.

Will check back in with ya all later. Be good............

[Off My Duff]

Hi, Sandy!
From your stats, it looks like you are doing very well.

I know what you mean about family and eating. It's the same way in my family. Every occasion seems to be a FOOD occasion. (And just about all of us have the extra weight to prove it.)

I agree with you that talking about our eating seems to help. I know that it helps me.

Keep up the good work!

[Off My Duff]

Hi, everyone...I'm starting fresh today. It's 2:30pm and I've done well so far. Had cheese omelette for breakfast, and a salad with cheddar and ranch for lunch.

I woke up with a bad headache, so having no sugar today will not help that at all, but I'm going to try to get through it.

My hardest times are late afternoon and into the evenings, so I'll have to be on guard for the day soon. I might make a batch of cream cheese muffins so that there will be something for dessert tonight.

I hope you are all having a nice Monday.

[bilsan]

Good luck Becky , I am starting over today too . No sugar yiks . I am doing ok for now . I will get the crazies around 8:00 pm or so lol . I am trying to focus on the future as far as what I wish to accomplish by not eating and that is 20-25 pounds thinner .
I love this site . I can talk and the low carb police from the other site are not going to jack my jaws lol . I am glad to have found them so I would look for this . Do not care to go back . Anyway have a good night all . Husband will be home for supper soon . Yea we have an extra hour of sunlight . Sandy

[Off My Duff]

Hi, Sandy...It is now 8pm, and that is usually my hardest part of the evening too. I still have a bad headache. I'm sure it was compounded by not eating sugar today. I think I might just go to bed early tonight--but I'll feel good because I did not go crazy with food today.

I hope you get through your evening as you want to too.

[bilsan]

Good morning Becky and all , Yes I did make it . Not because I was overly ready , I had to have a couple talks to my inner food junkie . And grab a celery stick lol . I feel good this morning , a spark of hope has embered up . YEA . I truely believe having someone to share with has helped . Thanks . I was reading where another post said they now can eat sugar on special occassions and let that be . I am not sure I can ever do that . I hope to be able to . I am fighting that one and still have not got to a clear ahhh it is ok decission in my head . I seem to go nuts after sugar . It starts binges . How about others ? I am fairly sure I am in denial about it . Sandy

[Pcola Girl]

Hi everyone. I know its hard to cook for your family and stay on low carb to because they may not eat the same as you do. Our daughter has been on low carb for almost a year now and when she cooks for her two children she just cooks all low carb, mostly veggies and meats. She will only cook them french fries and hamburgers every now and then and not every night. She has been trying to get them to eat healthier to. Why don't you talk to your family about starting a healthy eating program and I bet they will agree to it if you make it fun for them. Our daughter has a walking program for her and her children and after they eat in the evenings and get cleaned up they all go for a walk in the neighborhood. She has combined eating healthy and exercise and the kids love it, they can't wait to go for the walks.
This is just a idea for you with families.
Its just my hubby and I so cooking is easy for me because we both eat low carb. My hubby doesn't need to lose weight but he likes the healthy part of it, the veggies and such.
For you who get the afternoon and evening snackies, make you some jello moouse, its really good, the recipe should be here on the board in recipes. If you can't find it I will send it to you. Also just plain sugar free jello is good. I make that alot to but I add can fruit to it that is sweeteneed with splenda. I think its Dole who puts it out, I like the tropical blend the best.
You cannot eat this on induction though.
Go online and check out some of the low carb snacks they have and order you some. But be careful and do not over eat the good low carb snacks. Some of us did just that and that is not good.

Take care and will check back in with you all later.

[Smythe]

Hi All-
well, crashed and burned last week. Tom seems to be a big factor...loss of energy and wt gain when eating on plan lead to a "what the heck" attitude and out of the gym I come and into the cookie jar.

I have to get a grip!! My clothes are sooo tight and uncomfortable

[bilsan]

Originally Posted by Smythe

Hi All-
well, crashed and burned last week. Tom seems to be a big factor...loss of energy and wt gain when eating on plan lead to a "what the heck" attitude and out of the gym I come and into the cookie jar.

I have to get a grip!! My clothes are sooo tight and uncomfortable

I am also struggling lately . I am not eating tottally out of control and I still have my foot in the door of yes I do care , sort of lol . My clothes are also getting too tight . I am sick of myself . I wish I was different and did not have this eating disorder but I do . I am getting scared about easter I am scared I am not going to do well . I have such a sugar intolerance . I crave it all the time . I did so well last year and I just can not get back my comittment . sandy

[TimeToDeal]

Hi,
I'm new to this so forgive my ignorance on how this works! I was just really glad to find real people to talk to about being an addict.

[bilsan]

Welcome Time To Deal , I too am fairly new . I will be glad to talk with you . I hope you are doing ok . The day is young so I am ok lol . I will be so glad when this weekend is over . I do not think people who are not addicts do understand . Just do not eat it . HMMMMM. OK . I can sometimes do that and sometimes not . I have still not decided for the weekend , which is so dangerous . See this is where the sddictive part comes to play . Oh you can do this . It will not hurt one day . What is Easter without chocolate ECT ECT ECT . lol . Later ...Sandy

[Sugar Free Franny]

I like that expression. May I use it too? I have also been eating way too many carbs. Ugh! I started off by making this Pumpkin cake (with 1/2 the sugar the recipe called for, but still more then my body could handle.) It sure tastes good though. There is still a 1/2 cake left and no one in my family likes pumpkin I am trying to find it a good home. A home where the people that live in it don't have the same addiction as me.

So, I am back today. I haven't given up on walking. I even did yoga last week. I am not giving up on myself. If I give up then I am sure to gain back everything I lost and then some.

I give everyone here kudos for making an effort to take care of themselves. We are all on this journey together. Ok, I am off to start drinking water now that I have breakfast.