Food Addicts Anonymous??

dms24

Ok, so yes I am a food addict and I don't see anything on here about this topic. Anyone else want to join?

So here's my story: My name is Kim, I'm a mother of 2 and a full time Nursing student. I should know better about bad eating habits but when I'm stressed they come back stronger then ever. I had a really bad day yesterday so what did I do? I turned to food and ate 8 chocolate chip cookies!! Yes 8 of them!! I feel awful today, almost like I let myself down. But I am going to push through and get back on track. My goal for today is to stay within my fat, carbs and protein limits and to remind myself that food is fuel, not a comfort measure!!! Thanks for listening:) Have a good day!!

klybarger

Hi, my name is Karen. I am a food addict. (would be funny if it wasn't true!)

I'm very sorry you had a bad day. Really sucks sometimes. But I can't even say I was stressed yesterday. I knew my son was going to make dinner (Italian with that darn fresh garlic bread). Even did extra exercise in planning for it. I did good limiting the pasta but just could not stop eating the bread!

I think we all need to look at the big picture. Overall you're eating better, right? I know a few months ago I would have had 2nds (maybe 3rds) on the pasta and never thought twice about eating bread. So I'm doing what you are, re-focusing and moving forward. Can't let one day undo all of our efforts!

Good luck and hope you have a much better day.

ColoradoGirl

I am right there with you! Decided this past week I HAVE got to do something about it and learn to control my emotional eating before it kills me! Fall is the season of change so why not start now!

yoopergirl

I'll join!!

My name is Sue, have been a nurse x 32 years & been on "diets" for 30 years, so I definately have had multiple chances to learn new behaviors . I am also a food addict:sad: . I have found that I do eat when I am sad or stressed . Yesterday was good...I was allowing the stress get to me re. my job & home life, BUT instead of eating junk food, I vented to my BF (who doesn't have a clue that he is part of the problem:grumble: ) & then had salad, roast beef & yogurt, then a hot bubble bath. Of course this does not solve anything & I did not sleep well, but at least I did not eat a bag of cookies. I am very proud of myself & Kim, I am very impressed that you ate only 8 cookies.

One of my biggest goals is to be kind to myself. I think that is something that has usually sent me flying to junk food. I think you need to tell yourself, yes, I ate 8 cookies, but that is in the past now & I will do better now. Just a thought.:flowerforyou:

zebras

I'm here, too! I've always battled my ability to eat tons of food and never understood how people can just take one cookie or a small piece of cake, or not put too much butter on their bread etc.

cdickey

I'm Cathy and I'm a food addict. I find myself eating when I'm tired, when I'm stressed, when I don't feel well, etc....I just lean on food to make me feel better. I'm trying to break this pattern and hope to be a much better person for it in the near future. Food is FUEL, not COMFORT.

dms24

It's so reassuring to have others feel the exact same way. Thanks all for sharing:) I am going to eat some grapes and then exercise :drinker: I know I couldn't have gotten this far without the support of everyone on this website. Your all awesome:) Thanks for doing this with me!!

JessiJean

I would like to join!

My name is Jessi and I am a food addict. If you want proof (this past weekend I ate a carton of ice cream in 2 sitings!) I do various things like this then I work out like crazy to try and take off the 5 lbs gain from the snacks.

:flowerforyou: Jessi

LittleSpy

Also a food addict.

The real insanity with me is a lot of times I have been depressed about my weight, so what do I do? EAT! How does that make any sense at all?

I've been doing so well since 09/08/09. I've pinpointed my issues and now I'm using exercise as a stress reliever and self-esteem builder instead of food. And I've lost 21 pounds. :drinker:

JessiJean

Congrats on turning it around! I have been trying very hard but I think what the heck, I ran 3 miles so I can eat ALL the ice cream!

:noway: We are all in this together!

parrotlover

Hello,

My name is Lori and I am a food addict. I am married and have 7 parrots and I cat. I love food and it loves me back by adding on a bigger, butt ,belly and thighs! lol I lean on food for comfort when I am bored or sad or I just plain over-eat at meals. I am glad to know I am not alone while at the same time wish you all didn't have to go through this struggle with me.

leelees64

Hello! My name is Hayley, and OHHHH yes! I am a food addict. And unlike any other addiction in the world, you can't really just quit food "cold turkey" You have to learn to conquer the cravings and avoid the temptations, sometimes easy, sometimes impossible. There have been times in my life when I could eat a whole bag of keebler cho. chip cookie, after I had half a pizza, and some donuts, washed all down with a 2-liter of soda. And then I would be so disgusted with myself I couldn't function properly for the rest of the night. Today is a very difficult day, and I am acknowledging the difficulties and doing something good and positive, going out to jog. I am not going to buy a dozen donuts and a pizza to lull myself into a unfeeling vegetative state. We all fail sometimes. We just keep trying and keep moving forward. We'll get there!!!!!

jklm

I must be a food addict, too. I weigh 21 pounds more than I did when I gave birth to my last child in 1984! My life is pretty easy. I've got an elliptical and treadmill in an air conditioned garage with a large flat screen tv...and I'm still NOT exercising regularly and NOT logging food regularly. I have lost 18 pounds since April and feel good about that. MFP has worked...when I log my food and exercise.

I'd love to find out why a person who knows they're a food addict, would stop logging food and exercise on MFP after it has been proven to work in losing weight and getting fit?

I'll recommit today to MFP and try again to make it my number one priority to log my food and exercise. Good luck to all of us today...I definitely know what you're talking about and how you're feeling when you admit you're a food addict, too. :flowerforyou:

JessiJean

Leelees64: You sound like you just read off one of my weekend binges to me :blushing: Go for that jog! I just ran 15 minutes on the stairs and I feel great (I just have to tell myself that just because I exercised does not mean I can eat junk food!) :noway:

I encourage you all to encourage me!

:smokin: Jessi

jklm

jdubard0413: "I just ran 15 minutes on the stairs and I feel great (I just have to tell myself that just because I exercised does not mean I can eat junk food!) :noway: I encourage you all to encourage me! :smokin: Jessi

I'm impressed with those 15 minutes on the stairs and am definitely encouraging you!:flowerforyou:
You're right - exercising does not mean we've earned "free roaming" on calories the rest of the day!

bootsnspurs4horses

Food is FUEL, not COMFORT.

I LOVE THAT QUOTE !!! that is an excellent way to put it ! ! ! !

yoopergirl

WOW! We are all doint very well already, really. I turned down going to DQ after lunch today & instead went for a 20 mintue walk! Yes I CAN DO IT!!

dms24

I did my 45 minute tape today and have been eating really well I do the same thing, I get lazy about tracking my food. I think when I eat badly one day, I feel like the day is wasted so I might as well wait till tomorrow to get back on track. And then tomorrow comes and I do the same exact thing and then I feel like a jerk Execising though, I gotta say I am really good about it. I make the time for it. But then I eat the calories away. So it looks like we all do the same thing!! Glad your all doing well today:) Keep it up! Me too!!

BrendaLee

Hi. My name is Brenda, and I am a food addict.

I have a real problem with cookie binges. For a long time I didn't buy them, and only had an issue when I visited my mother who is always well stocked, but lately I've been buying them and polishing off the bag in a day or two...sometimes in one sitting. As far as hinderances to my weight loss go, cookies would have to be my number one issue. And...did I mention pizza? Damned, cursed, ooey, gooey, cheesey pizza...and icy squares...and why can't I quit the diet soda? It doesn't even taste that good! Grrr@food.

zebras

Brenda:

I'm that way about hot fudge. We have frozen yogurt and a toppings bar at the cafeteria at work, and I finally stopped putting the yogurt in the bowl and just put the fudge. Despite all my hard work and weight loss I cannot break free of this habit. Now, its a nice perk that we have a free cafeteria, but if I had to pay for this fudge everyday, I wouldn't and would probably at least be 10 lbs thinner by now!

BrendaLee

Brenda:

I'm that way about hot fudge. We have frozen yogurt and a toppings bar at the cafeteria at work, and I finally stopped putting the yogurt in the bowl and just put the fudge. Despite all my hard work and weight loss I cannot break free of this habit. Now, its a nice perk that we have a free cafeteria, but if I had to pay for this fudge everyday, I wouldn't and would probably at least be 10 lbs thinner by now!

A bowl full of hot fudge? Add some cookie sprinkles, and I'd be all set.

MissKim

Hi, my name is Kim and I'm addicted to food. If I'm feeling any emotion at all, I eat! Tired, bored, lonely, happy, sleepy, sad, mad, hurt, etc...etc...etc....I eat. I've always looked to food to make things better. I cut my finger today on lunch and I ate a piece of cake to make it feel better!!! I had a long day at work last night so I fried chicken!!! I have been doing better at making the right decisions, but it always catches up with me. I fall for it eventually. Especially if I get upset about something, which is at least every other day!! I'm a very emotional person. I'm giving it everything I got though. Starting today. I'm tired of dissapointing myself everyday. I'm so ready for a change.

FluffnStuff

Oh! Can I join the group?

I never would of thought of myself as a FOOD ADDICT, but it has to be true. I kind of "took a break" from healthy living for 2 months and GAINED 10lbs!!!! Talk about a wake up call.
Now, I am TRYING to get back in the groove but am really struggling. I always feel/think I am hungry.
I am a total emotional eater and have been stressed out for over a year and am still completely stressed.

I need to get back on track and I need help from others who understand.

fjm1061

I don't remember a time when I wasn't addicted to food. Just like any other addiction, you have to recognize the problem and start working on recognizing triggers, people and situations around you that enable the behavior. If you don't exercise and watch portion size and eliminate sugars, excess carbs and alcohol from your diet, start. I began walking and now I'm running 10Ks and this Saturday I am running my first 13 mile half/marathon and feeling better than ever. My wife alf1163 is a zumba trainer and is my guiding light and inspiration. You can do this, and you will.

macfizzy

I think it is safe to say that almost anyone who is struggling with his / her weight is a good addict to some degree. If one wasn't, one would not need to struggle or diet. And 8 chocolate cookies is nothing...I gained 40 lbs when I went back to graduate school....I was a nurse becoming a nurse practitioner. Stress can make us do crazy things.

I will say, I read an article in Time yesterday online. I am hoping I can keep the info in my head to remind me, but basically what it said is that the trick with losing weight really is about how much one eats. I have been one to increase exercise, but in the end, that often doesn't work unless I am training for a marathon, which i have not done for several years. The reason it doesn't work is that I am often even hungrier and I feel like I deserve something for it. LOL. So now I am trying to really pay attention more to what i eat which means I am writing it down.

vrdz3215

Oh! Can I join the group?

I never would of thought of myself as a FOOD ADDICT, but it has to be true. I kind of "took a break" from healthy living for 2 months and GAINED 10lbs!!!! Talk about a wake up call.
Now, I am TRYING to get back in the groove but am really struggling. I always feel/think I am hungry.
I am a total emotional eater and have been stressed out for over a year and am still completely stressed.

I need to get back on track and I need help from others who understand.

I am going through the same...I lost a good bit of weight and decided to let myself eat bad for a week or two which turned into a few months...and a 10 lb gain. I too tend to eat when stressed, trying to get back on the band wagon with my eating habits. I have never had a prob with working out, but have always had a problem with eating too much without thinking about it.

FluffnStuff

Oh! Can I join the group?

I never would of thought of myself as a FOOD ADDICT, but it has to be true. I kind of "took a break" from healthy living for 2 months and GAINED 10lbs!!!! Talk about a wake up call.
Now, I am TRYING to get back in the groove but am really struggling. I always feel/think I am hungry.
I am a total emotional eater and have been stressed out for over a year and am still completely stressed.

I need to get back on track and I need help from others who understand.

I am going through the same...I lost a good bit of weight and decided to let myself eat bad for a week or two which turned into a few months...and a 10 lb gain. I too tend to eat when stressed, trying to get back on the band wagon with my eating habits. I have never had a prob with working out, but have always had a problem with eating too much without thinking about it.

I am glad I am not alone!
The food is really my down fall right now...
I work out, although not as crazy as it once was, but it's not counter balancing the calories I am taking in.

courtney_love2001

Hello everyone, I am a recovering food addict. If there were 12 steps, I would be on step 9 or so

I started out just like all of you, addicted to anything terrible, whether it be cheesy, greasy, creamy...Now, I try to listen to my body when I think about eating. I still love food, but I have a greater appreciation for it, and when I do indulge I am sure to make room for it in my daily calories (sometimes teehee), and a lot of times I will just have a bite of something bad to make my craving subside. I used to eat just because it was time to eat (really bad about that), or just because I was bored. Now, I eat because I am actually hungry. I get actual hunger pangs, and I didn't get those before. Food is for fuel and for pleasure in moderation, and I am striving to keep that in mind.

I do have binges, especially involving pizza, cheeseburgers, bread, or peanut butter. It is a daily struggle to keep the portion sizes down and to not eat that whole giant cheeseburger AND fries AND brownie. Sometimes I wonder how I ever even got this way. How did food become my everything? Well, it won't be anymore!! We are all in this together and we can conquer the food monster!

zebras

Courtney:

Its funny you should mention hunger pangs. When I overindulged all the time, I was hungry all the time, too. When I eat healthily and smaller quantities, I hardly ever get hunger pangs. Its really weird.

katznketo

Food Addict? yes.

The one thing I've noticed is that when life comes, I eat. Doesn't matter the emotion. I always thought that I would learn what my problem was and then I would be fixed. Everyone has some kind of issue. It's human.

This past week, i prayed to God to please, help me! And He did. He brought a friend to me at the kids school and she told me about South Beach. Now, I've tried that before.

God said at that moment. "I know you've tried it before, just stay quiet and listen. And so I did. I went down afterwards and got the book at the Thrift Store and have been doing it for less than a week. I've lost 7 pds. But I feel great and the addictions and cravings are already gone. (I think it's cause I wasn't into them for the last few weeks anyways. You know sugar and breads.)

So anyways, the same friend today says that when we eat foods like flour and sugar, our cells can't handle it. She has a science background so I can't say what she said. All I know is that it confirms why I feel so good OFF sugar and flour. So here's to Jesus. Thank you so much. Hope it helps someone. kc

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
There really is a program called "Food Addicts in Recovery" and another one called "Overeaters Anonymous". I have friends who are members They weigh and measure food, stay away from sugar and simple carbs (like white flour). They plan their food for the day ahead of time and call someone and tell that person their eating plans for the day then stick to the plan. The use the 12 Steps which include making use of higher power. KC mentioned God and Jesus. These programs don't require that you be Christian. The refer to "God as you understand Him" They also suggest that you stay out of "slippery places" like bakeries and your mom's kitchen :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: And they hold regular meetings.

There are great tools on MFP that will do of those things. There is a solution even for people who have a history of eating the whole bag of cookies chips or eat to stuff emotions. :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: