July challenge: Stop Mental Food Addiction

Tara_S

Hi,

Today was Canada day, and I spent the day in a yacht party/BBQ. Then had a girls' night out and ended up eating at a restaurant late night. Had an awesome day, but my body is just hating me right now. I am just super determined to get back on track starting tomorrow (Sat, July 2nd).

Here is a bit about me:
I am 25, female, 5' 3". I was overweight as a teenager, but I lost so much weight through healthy eating and exercise in the past few years. I was always emotionally addicted to food tho, I just *love* food.
I tried every diet out there, ... calorie restriction, low carb, high protein, paleo, raw food, and fad diets like liquid diets and many others. I finally found what was best for me: a healthy diet with no restriction on calories or carbs. I basically ate lots of vegetables and fruits (unlimited), and limited types of fats and lean protein. I was maintaining my lowest weight of 110 lbs for 3 months starting Jan 2011 and I was pretty happy.

Then I started a new job in April. The job is very stressful and emotionally demanding, but the pay is good. I also shared an apartment with my cousin (who is my best friend and just like my brother). Before then, I did not have much money to spend on food or dining out, and I *never* kept bad food at home (or anything not in my diet). Now I have some major problems:

1) He keeps delicious food at home. Or orders delivery or brings his leftover from work (takeouts). We are like family, so we share the food in the fridge. He's a skinny guy, loves to eat and never puts on a pound. I've tried but can't stop him.

2) My new place is in downtown (Toronto). Huge 24 hour supermarkets (with grab & go sections & salad bar) and tons of restaurants in 1 minute walking distance. And now I have as much money as I want to spend on food. And he is always up for eating out too.

3) Number 2 led to trying many new foods and restaurants. And in my experience the more you eat out, the more you get addicted, as now you know what you are missing.

My job is also very physical with whacked schedule, which makes me tired and hungry. I have no bad habits (I do not smoke, drink, or use drugs), so food is my only comfort zone. I also had no time for working out since I started my new job.
Although I LOVE, love, love to be slim, food is just in my mind 24/7. Even when I'm not hungry. Something I'm doing recently is to go on "food porn" sites (stunning food photos, no porn here!), or forums where people post food pics. I found it to really trigger my cravings much more, but I can't help it. Unfortunately I gain weight veryyyy easily too, so I can only keep my low weight with a super clean diet.

My weight has crept up to 116 (in 3 months), but that 6-7 pounds damn shows. I am making this thread as a journal to try to stick to my diet and do not cheat. I also love to get support from other members with mental food cravings. I also want to set daily goals every day (not necessarily weight related), and come back the next day and say if I did them or not. So here is my plan/goals for the next 3 days:

On Sat and Sun, I will want to do a fruit/veggies only diet. Just 2 days, to reduce the damage of all the junk food and fat and sodium I had today. Also, I am going to do 1 hour of cardio on Sat and Sun.
I am also going to clean my room on Sat, and clean the whole house on Sun. (It's so messy, and it triggers my emotional eating).
On Monday, I am doing my last weight in in June, and just hide away the scale and go on a balanced healthy diet. My next weight in will be Monday August 1st. Scale is my worst diet enemy.
I will come here everyday, to update about my diet, my daily goals, and how I (hopefully) overcame my food cravings.

Everyone is welcome to join me. We will keep each other motivated.
Wish me luck Ladies and Gents!

phoenix1972

I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS my whole life too. Will be right here with you. What helps me is I love to read. So, when I get the urge to eat just bc of stress or love of food, etc..i go to the library and "Overeat" on books..It sounds nuts I know but it works!! Replace the food addiction with something else pleasurable to fill the gap. because I have found just gutting it out is not enough. I have been in recovery from food addiction for 3 years..and will ALWAYS have to watch very carefully...got 90 pounds to go!

bluefox9er

great post..i think this should be a 'blog', it is very well written.

You keep saying how skinny your cousin is...well you are skinny too!!!

I visit Toronto frequently from England and know about what a food paradise it is, so much so I am dreading my next trip there as the last time I was there I had not yet embraced this new 'lifestyle' and threw myself at every restaurant going, care free.

I don't do 'food porn' ( that made me LAUGH!) but I do walk the chips/candy sectors of the grocery store for some strange masochistic reason. I have not yet binged on these treats ( almost 2.5 months now) but instead keep in my mind that sooner or later I will have to 'splurge', and that 'splurge' would be better used with family and friends eating out than eating chips and ice cream alone in a 'sopranos' marathon.

Clearly, you are in control of what you want, just stay focused, keep your eye on your objective and hey..it's absolutely OK to indulge every so often...this lifestyle isn't a gateway to food misery! Moderation is the key. I'm sure you know that the support that mfp members give each other is beyond incredible...so keep at it, and you can do it!!!!

Tara_S

Thanks phoenix,

I loved your reply. That's just my point. I need to find another pleasurable thing to distract myself from food.
Like reading books on investment and finances, something that intrigues me now.
I am not really concerned about number on scale right now, or calories, etc. I know that with a clean diet and no cheating, it'll take care of itself.
I just don't want to be a food slave. I mean, when I go out with my girls, instead of enjoying the night, all I'm thinking is eating out after. I rarely have food cravings during the day, but in the evenings and late nights, it just gets crazy.

I cannot imagine how much my life will be easier if I am not constantly thinking about food. I sometimes undo all my healthy eating and workouts with a binge. I am focusing mainly on the mental techniques in this challenge.

Here is one helpful link for all of us:
http://www.realage.com/tips/curb-food-cravings-with-imagination

dragonladywendy

WOW what an inspirational post! I'm fairly new to MFP and have lost 20lbs in two and half months, with another 2 stone to go.....but I've found my weakness is when I 'eventually' get to sit down in the evening and truly relax, then the hunger/cravings/wants for high sugar high carbs hits! So far I've tried ignoring the pangs, but I then stuggle to sleep with a gurgling stomach. Sometimes I've given in and had a chocolate biscuit (worth 120 calories on its own!!!) and gone to bed satisfied but the scales are no longer showing a loss! I'm banging my head against the wall as nothing I do seems to stop this need! Watching TV, reading a book, going on the laptop, having a drink - nothing seems to work. So any suggestions would be fantastic!
As for your post, you seem motivated, sure of your goals and totally focused! Keep up the fantastic work and would love to read how you get on.
Love MFP!
Wendy :flowerforyou:

phoenix1972

What helps me, is literally getting out of the house...sometimes i Just look at the stars...just get away from the situation. When I go to the libray, I am walking around and searching..this is the redirection part.Kinetics seems to help...anything moving. COs tv laptop etc, all involve sitting. Nighttime IS hardest.. itry going to bed asap! LOL. I have been enjoying a slim fast chocolate shake when i have the night craving. ANd also remembering my trigger foods...things i cannot keep in the house. And prayer everyday. and lots of water> I will be here anytime! let me know how its going...I LOL at the candy chips isle!

phoenix1972

Masochist candy seekr!! LOL! I do that too! looks like ur almost there..awesome!