Chronic Conditioned Hypereating

jbootman

I have just read 'The End of Overeating' by Kessler, which I HIGHLY recommend. I have been a lifelong overeater and exercise avoider. The book has outlined the eating issues and I am confident the exercise will come as I continue with MFP.

What I hope is to hear from those of you who have like me a long term problem with portion control. I am needing to hear your story of regaining a 'normal' appetite. I can see how the avoidance of processed food is necessary, but how long will I be driven to want to consume pounds of even good food, I could easily overeat good foods. Please do not reply if you are not a Hypereater, you just will not understand.

So have any of you had this problem? How are you doing?

Kminor67

I am from a family of "big eaters". Portion control never crossed my mind until I took a more sedentary job and the weight started piling on me. Now I still have a tendency to overeat, but I'm eating healthy, low calorie foods that don't hurt as much. I know that as I lose more weight, my portions are going to slowly fall in line. I'm eating less than I used to... my big problem time of day is dinner time and after. I'm getting there.

Mindful_Trent

I also read "The End of Overeating" (well...I'm about 1/2 way through) and have switched to a mostly clean diet - I eat very few processed foods, and I'm trying not to eat out very often. I don't really know if I'm technically a "hypereater" (?) but I do know I've always had a problem with portion control. When I lived alone, I would make a batch of desserts and eat the whole batch (ex. fudge / brownies/ etc.). Some nights I would just eat and eat even when I wasn't hungry... I've even eaten an entire pizza by myself (plus wings)! I can only imagine how many calories I was consuming!

I HAD to start measuring/weighing ALL my foods - vegetables, meats, fruits, etc. so that I know exactly how much I am consuming. (I still weight/measure just about everything.) I try to plan my food out in advance, and I bring my lunches to work so that I have a set lunch that I can eat without having to make spontaneous decisions. Building structure around my eating has really helped. Some days it's a pain, but I'm so used to it now that it's not a problem.

I just forced myself to start eating appropriate portions - I log EVERYTHING - the good, the bad and the ugly. I still have bad days now and then, but over the past year my body has adjusted to eating more appropriate portions. I'm better at listening to my body and stopping when I'm starting to get full. I feel much worse now when I overeat - I can tell my body doesn't appreciate it! I also find that if I eat the right foods, I tend to fill up more naturally without having to stuff myself - plenty of protein and fiber.

Also, eating slower makes a big difference. I've always been a quick eater, which doesn't give my body time to catch up with what I'm eating, so by the time I stop, I had overeaten. By taking more time to eat, I'm getting better at learning when my body really starts feeling full. Some people put their utensils down between every bite. Some people do that and take a sip of water between every bite. Some people chew each bite a certain number of times (20 or so) before they move on. Whatever you have to do to slow down, if this is a problem for you.

I don't think it's the same process for everyone, but you just need to find a way to get into a routine that works for you and stick with it. It may be tough, and boring/annoying at times, but if you just stick with it, evenutally your appetite will adjust. I do highly recommend buying a cheap digital scale for your kitchen if you don't already have one. I'm happy to recomend the type I got if you want the info.

Dietexpert

I have always been a huge overeater and despite having had bariatric surgery still don't know when to stop. I just keep going for the sake of it. When I am eating at home I quite often make myself sick but am more careful when I am out. I agree that part of the answer is strict portion control, however, I will still go and get some more from the kitchen if there are leftovers. Even having drastic surgery doesn't cast a magic wand over the issue.

cory17

I too am a hypereater, most of my life has been a see food diet. Six years ago I had a strong mental motivation and through stringent healthy eating and daily exercising took it all off. My situation changed and the weight has been creeping back. I LIKE TO EAT! Compensate by eating very healthy but rarely feel full (even after a huge, giant salad full of bulk fiber additives). Have also been reading about emotional eating, which asks you to look at triggers and mindful eating. My worst time is right after work when I get home - I could eat nonstop for an hour or more of anything available. Some of it has to be stress relief. Also it's a means of avoiding getting on with all the chores hanging over me.

What has helped me is when there is food prepared that is very low calorie that can just munch and munch on (sliced watermelon, veggies). Have to mentally push to move on to other activities and get away from the things I would normally eat with (reading the newspaper). Also try to drink LOTS of water (I use a mason quart jar).

It's a struggle, no question about it. Sometimes I feel like a ravenous beast.

jbootman

thank you to all who replied, I am strictly logging each bite, I have a great scale for weighing my food, and I have only been at this for a few months, I can see that I have at least a year ahead, I have designed a menu plan that although I eat the exact same thing each meal I have been able to go out to eat etc by serious planning, I am getting my water, exercise, well it will come, just hate sweat, ,

but I can feel the brain neurons going nuts when I see and smell yummy things, the family has a great cook, not me, I can get my foods myself and join them literally for one oz meat in yummy sauce and their even yummier buttered veg, wonderful family support honestly, but last night I could have dunked the household pet in the stroganoff sauce and licked it clean, others round the table praised the dish, but took a normal portion, ate it, and put down their forks,

I dealt with the craving last night but am wondering if I will be this way forever