Food Addicts Anonymous??

vitabella

I also binge eat, and i have every since i was a child. The past 1 1/2 years i binged almost every single night gaining 33 pounds in about 3 months last fall 08. ANyways i found this website and it helped me quit binging. Ive only done it 4 times now in the past 3 months. www.healyourhunger.com

Advengirl

Hello. My name is Sherry and I am a food addict. lol

It all started not too long after I learned how to walk. My Mom potty-trained me using M&Ms. I'm not kidding! She used 'em as a reward (find what works, right?) and ever since, I have used food as my reward, my comfort, my confidant, my stress reliever, my life.
(I'm sure it's not REALLY my Mom's fault...it's mine! I figured out a way, even at <2yrs old, to manipulate my Mom to get mooore chocolate. I'd get 1 M&M for pee, 2 for poo. So apparently I'd go a little...get my M&Ms...and then go get back on the pot to get more. LOL)

My personal trainer (and friend) recommended this site to me- and it looks like a great tool to help get me on the right nutritional track. See, I'm also a vegetarian...which makes getting convenient protein kind of hard and I've turned to carbs & sugar to fill the space.

Regardless of the reasons or excuses I've made in the past...now is the time. Food is no longer my reward etc....it's a necessity of life & growth.

I'm still a 'foodie'...I'm just trying to adjust my tastebuds and portion size to fit the new me

zebras

My first full time job, they realized that I liked chocolate, and whenever there was overtime involved,a big bag of M&Ms would show up on my desk.

Advengirl

Zebras-
Ha! I think we were seperated at birth. LOL
M&Ms are one of my biggest pitfalls. I love 'em!!!

AmandaB4588

I am definitely addicted to food! Unfortunately, I am addicted to the fatty, sugary foods instead of vegetables and fruits.

I would like to share this information I saw on Dr. Oz with everybody as it has really helped me. He said that when you eat the fatty foods, you just want more, more, and more because your body is not satisfied---- you are not getting adequate nutrition from these foods. So not only are you eating fatty foods but you eat A LOT of it!

This makes sense to me because when I eat fatty foods, I eat until I feel like I am going to explode. I can personally demolish half of a large pizza! Yet a chicken breast and veggies will fill me up.

Learning this information has helped me make better decisions. When I get a craving, I ask myself if there is any nutritional benefit or if I am likely to overeat. Hope this can help someone else!

wonderwiiwoman

Can I join? My name is Karen and I am a food addict.......have struggled with my weight all my life....stressed is desserts spelled backwards:grumble: .....I need all the encouragement I can get.....Have a great weekend

leshawnturner

Have a great weekend!!! Let's make good choices and move a little or a lot!!! Me personally, I'm going to try to resist the evil food demons that come around with busy weekends. I have games galore on Sat and I want to be able to tell you guys on Monday that I did not succumb to the tempation of donuts for breakfast and a really bad lunch. Wish me luck!!

FluffnStuff

Me again... obviously I am a food addict....
AButler, I totally get the whole eating junk and still not feeling "full."
The past week or so I've been eating out A LOT and not the healthy stuff either... but I am always hungry again in a short amount of time! It's crazy!

I am going to really focus on cutting out eating out as much as possible and adding in workouts!
I mean, I look pregnant and am not!!!! :sad:

RhondieJFB

I can relate to every one of you who have posted on being a food addict. I would say I am a junk food junkie. LOVE junk food. I actually get moody when I can't have it, so I know for me I must have some sort of dessert in the cabinet that I can eat. Example: one ounce of dark chocolate a day, light cool whip frozen (tastes like vanella ice cream, I'm lactose intolerant) 2 tablespoons, yogurt (I can't have much of this), South Beach peanut butter cereal bars...etc. If I don't have treats for myself I will go get 4 king size candy bars and eat them all myself at one time. Does anyone hide food? If I get snacks I will hide it so my husband and son can't eat it because I want it all! It's awful to admit that.

I am doing good right now.. so I am proud of me, but tomorrow I am taking my neice trick or treating and I have to be on my best behavior. I already told myself I can have 2 snack size candy bars.. I will eat them slow..and I will eat them right before I leave to go home so I can't keep snacking. We are all in the same boat with the holidays here. We have to plan ahead. I am, right now, commiting with you all to plan ahead for the holidays, have the healthy snacks I need to get me through, and to allow myself some treats on the holidays it'self. That is my commitment to you and to me.

Best of luck to everyone here....We CAN do this!!! Bring snacks with you when you take your kids out trick or treating...reach for the snack in your pocket, not the one in their bag....

mrsb0310

hi im liz and im a terrible emotional eater. i get really confused because i can be really spot on with my diet and really enjoy it but but thie will only last around a week then its all downhill and i cant get enough junk food. this happened last week, after my really perfect days, in the next 2 days i secretly ate my way through 10 doughnuts, 5 bags of crisps, various chocolate bars, 6 boxes of party food (this was for lunch and it was sooo much food!), a chinese takeaway, an indian take away (after a healthy dinner of fish rice and sweetcorn!) with wine and 2 spirits. i feel totally ruled by food when this happens and DESPERATLEY want to break the cycle. ive tried every diet going and just feel like im going to get bigger and bigger until i die which wont be long. im 312lbs this morning, 36 years old and mum to 3 little ones.......I NEED TO CHANGE, HELP ME!

alipetrey

Yes, I never thought I would say it but I am a food adict as well.

I have similar feelings to you all who have posted. I've struggled with weight my entire life.

I did not realize the emotions involved. I thought if my emotions controlled me than I would be weak. Of course I was stronger than that! My WILL POWER would get me through it right!? I'm strong.

Nope.

Overeaters Anonymous is a great group for those who are trying to loose weight but can't, or tend to be thinking about food often, but don't seem satisfied.

I'd say google.

strongandfit

Thanks for creating this group. What a great idea. It's weird, I clicked Success Stories and did not expect this group here but it makes perfect sense to have it here. To find success, we have to address what we're doing. I think it's great we're all openly sharing with each other our challenges with food. Actually, not food, but ouselves. Not sure why but this thread is making me feel really safe to talk about my relationship with food and my weight. Thank you. Sure, I use food as comfort. I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs at all. Over the last many years I've used food as my coping mechanism. Whenever I'm lonely, bored, upset, stressed, anxious, want to hide, want to shrink away and not be noticed. Food is the only comfort I've found. Even when I'm happy, I celebrate with food. So, it's hard to deal with all the extra weight that comes with it. I'm 40-50 lbs overweight. May not seem like much to others but it's a weight I've been stuck at for so long and can't seem to get it off. Well I don't think I'm trying hard enough. I guess it's too easy to just not try sometimes. The funny thing is that it just stays around this 170 mark forever!!! Goes up and down a couple of lbs.Sure, I don't need to eat another chocolate chip cookie but it just is the thing to do.What is it that I hope to gain from joining this group? To talk about our relationships with food/weight/selves and hope we all find a healthier, more productive way to cope with life. So far, I've been using food as one unhealthy way to cope with life. It's not working. The other night, I could not stop eating. Seriously, eating one thing after another and my appetite would not stop. I tried my best. Just would not stop.Finally, had to just sit down and told myself to just stop. I told myself that no matter what I put into my mouth next that it would not take the appetite away, the craving. When I heard myself say that, I stopped. Stopping eating is sometimes tough because it is to deal with all the troubles we have in life. For those who drink, do drugs to escape. Yeah, they can quit cold turkey and not have to deal with the substance again. Not that way with food though.

Oh well we're all here to learn and if this is one of the lessons I have to learn in life then it would be a good one.

Wish us all the best.

p.s., also getting dark cold and wet out this time of year, it's too easy to eat food to warm us up. Let's find other ways to do so. Going out for a walk out!

Mickie17

My name is Mickie, and I'm also a food addict. Currently undergoing hypnotherapy with a Life Coach to work on this. I'm learning a lot about myself...not losing weight quite yet, but am on the brink of dicovering the underlying reason why I turn to food for comfort, solice and fulfillment. Stay tuned...LOL!

leshawnturner

Mickie - how does the hypnotherapy work?? I mean do you remember what the hypnotist tells you while you are under??

kcdore_2469

Hi my name is Katrina and I am a food addict. I am 31 and currently over here in Guam. When we first got here I HAD to try everything the Island had to offer. I eat when I am bored, hungry, depressed and just because I feel the need to. I have been doing well for the last couple of months. My husband is currently deployed and I am thousands of miles away from any family. So you can imagine that I am quite down..... :ohwell: I do have some friends here that are helping me get back into shape... The good way. I am addicted also to those 6 hour power shots... about 3 a day.... on top of my diet pepsi and such.

I have been struggling with my weight for over 10 years now and it is darn time to get into shape... not just for myself but also to look sexy when my hubby comes back. It will be our 10 year anniversary and I want this one to be a (bikini year)

Thanks for hearing my story.... Keep your head up and when cravings start........ try to drink a glass of water and then wait 15 min........... if the cravings are still there eat it................

Starting weight 211
current 194.5
goal 150

PhotographerOfNature

My name is Sandy and I'm a Foodaholic. I love food, look forward to food and really have trouble with my portions. I feel as if I have to eat it ALL and not leave any behind. I had lost 20 pounds on here but have succeeded in gaining 10 pounds back. :sad: I hate to lose those same pounds over and over. But, today is new again, and i will try and behave. Tonight is my son's 22nd birthday, so I'm not sure which restaurant he will decide on, but I just have to be prepared for it.

Good luck fellow Foodaholics!!!:drinker:

Mickie17

Mickie - how does the hypnotherapy work?? I mean do you remember what the hypnotist tells you while you are under??

Hi there! Yep, I sure so...I know everything that is going on...it's actually really cool! Your mind won't let you do anything you don't want to...it's actually very relaxing. I never thought I'd do something like this, because I'm such a control freak...but it's helping to me to uncover what the underlying reason is that I'm turning to food...just as someone may to to drugs, (nicotine & alcohol), or other destructive sources.

I also get audio copies of my session, which I listen to each night when I go to bed. I've found that, for me, it's easier to download to my mp3 player, instead of wearing big clunky headphones...in case I totally fall asleep for a couple of ours afterward.

I decided to do this, becaue my dad is doing it, and he's losing weight easily now...but steady...like 2 pounds a week, which is very healthy. So far he's lost about 20 pounds in the last 2 months...and he no longer has the cravings he used to have.

I am hopeful it will work...so far I'm really seeing a change in how drawn I am to healthy, vibrant foods.

B4its2L8

This is interesting.

leshawnturner

Mickie - thanks for the info I think I'm going to look into that in my area.:flowerforyou:

mrsb0310 - hang in there!!! Don't give up!!! This is a hard journey for all of us, if it wasn't hard everyone would be their ideal size and in shape. Google any ideas you might have that will help you. For example, Mickie (she's on here) is going to hypnotherapy and she says it has been very helpful. Just keep trying and keep talking to us!! :flowerforyou:

Well this week was a bust!!! I worked out but I didn't do my pushup challenge workouts and my eating was pretty off. I tried to not do too bad, but I don't think I succeed. Although I didn't gain any weight this week. I didn't lose either but I'll take the little victory of not gaining. This weekend i plan on going to buy a food scale. It's on the top of my list of things to do. Actually I get off work early today so I'll probably do it today.

Sunsh1ne

My name is Anne and I'm a food addict. I have a whole bunch of issues with weight and food that are tied up in emotional abuse from my parents as a child and adolescent, and I didn't even realize most of it until I got to college. I'm in therapy to deal with my parent issues and I'm on MFP to teach myself how to actually take care of my body. I'm learning, very slowly, how NOT to go for the mac'n'cheese every time I have a tough paper to write.

Sunsh1ne

Congrats on keeping 10 of those 20 pounds off!

strongandfit

It's the middle of the night. Can't sleep. Ate one thing after another to take the edge off. Remembered this thread, so grabbed some gum and chewed it till the craving went away. One day at a time.That's all we could ask for right? To manage our food addiction one day at a time. I know I know I realized my craving had nothing to do with hunger. Everything to do with being bored anxious and curious what I could find in the kitchen. Like a treasure hunt or something. The gum really helped.

Mickie17

My name is Anne and I'm a food addict. I have a whole bunch of issues with weight and food that are tied up in emotional abuse from my parents as a child and adolescent, and I didn't even realize most of it until I got to college. I'm in therapy to deal with my parent issues and I'm on MFP to teach myself how to actually take care of my body. I'm learning, very slowly, how NOT to go for the mac'n'cheese every time I have a tough paper to write.

Hang in there! I'm so sorry that you've been going through all of this. I guess the silver lining is that you're figuring it out while you're young...instead of 15 years from now, like me. Hopefully you'll figure out how to break the vicious cycle right away, instead of spending decades more repeating it. The people here on MFP are great and very supportive...so please know you are never alone in this!

strongandfit

Another bad night of eating nonstop last night. Not eating breakfast did not help and running away from problems of life did not help either. Well at least I was aware I was eating nonstop.

Hope everyone are doing better since this thread started.

Can't wait to watch The Biggest Loser on Tuesday night.

Mickie17

Another bad night of eating nonstop last night. Not eating breakfast did not help and running away from problems of life did not help either. Well at least I was aware I was eating nonstop.

Hope everyone are doing better since this thread started.

Can't wait to watch The Biggest Loser on Tuesday night.

I actually had a great day yesterday. I didn't eat overly healthy, and I went out to dinner with friends, but overall, I didn't gorge myself. A FIRST in a long time. I'm with you, watching BL gets me remotivated. I wish the new Australian season was on UTube already....have you watched those? They are even better thanthe American version!!!! I used to watch those everyday, and that really kept me going...oc course until I ran out of episodes!!!! LOL!!!! I recommend starting at Aus Season 1, Episode 1 if you need a little BL pick-me-up!!!!

dms24

wow!! bad bad 2 weeks. I have been eating so bad!!! I feel totally fat and pathetic. I think the only reason I haven't gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks is because I force myself to exercise daily. But getting back on track right now. Going to eat a salad later and then exercise. No excuses. I put the food in my mouth, noone else did. Enjoy the rest of your weekend folks :noway:

jseward

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!!

I have always had issues with food. I have always had a weight problem, but since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I have noticed a new trend. I am binge eating. I have never done that in my life. I just eat and eat and eat till I am sick and it is coming out of my ears. It makes me want to cry but I can't seem to stop. I ask myself "what is wrong with me?" I could always handle myself the way I was before, I was overweight, but now this new binge eater is really scarry to me. I have so much guilt for doing it but can't seem to stop when I am in the middle of it.:sad:

SkyraBee

Wow. I feel like many of you. Food is addictive, but I figure I need something in my life to trump food and that is exercise. I've always been a very competitive person and so I let exercise fuel my day, rather than food. Keeping a very busy workout schedule with keeping up with teaching high school kids and taking two graduate school courses is not easy, but the schedule has helped me to focus on the kind of food I need to make it through my workouts and days without being hungry, even if I don't count my calories everyday. So far so good.

Nice to know I'm not the only one though.

rockgoddess

Hi, I'm Judy,
I've always been a food addict. My weight goes up and down about 60 lbs. throughout my life. I get fed up and then I'm back to getting healthy again. I always have an excuse for eating in excess, same as drugs and alcohol. Yes, I'm all three. And I'm kicking them all at once as I do everytime. I actually gained weight being sober. Seems I always look for another pleasure, then do it in excess. I know I can do this. I also, get away from others that put me in a bad place even if it means being alone.

leshawnturner

Hey guys!!!

Judy - congrats on trying to kick all of your addictive habits at once!!! Feel free to vent and talk to us as often as you want. Don't forget to get some professional help if you can. The church might be a great place to start. I've started going to exercise classes offered at my church and I'm having a great time doing the class. its zumba!!!

Trying to work on my water!!!

Have a great day peeps!!!!