Doritos are not meth.

WendyTerry420

Willpower is a stupid diet industry buzzword, points off for that.

Willpower is about so much more than simply your diet. It's what gets you out of bed on days you feel too groggy. It's what gets you to pay your bills. It's what keeps you from choking a co-worker or in-law that is royally pissing you off. Willpower is another word for self-control.

G30Grrl

The GREAT thing about this thread is that it has brought me in touch with some AWESOME new MFP palsies! to all my new friends.

Jessymyn

http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/foodaddiction.htm

"Just as alcohol is the substance that triggers the alcoholic's disease, there are substances that trigger a food addict's out-of-control eating.These substances are typically refined carbohydrates, sweeteners, fats and processed foods. These foods seem to affect the same addictive brain pathways that are influenced by alcohol and drugs."

As the adult child of an alcoholic reared in A.A. meetings, it just infuriates me to hear people state that addicts merely lack willpower. Obviously, the OP doesn't suffer from food addictions--neither do I. My go-to drug (which kept me skinny most of my life) was nicotine. Considering the fact that nicotine works on brain receptors in the same manner that many foods work on the brain receptors for those with a food addiction, I would never be so arrogant as to tell people that all they need to incorporate these foods into their lives is a little self-control.

Would you have told my father, a man who worked at his sobriety every day of his life for 51 years that he could incorporate alcohol into his daily life in moderation--all he needed was will power to overcome its addictive affect on him?

Would you tell me, or any other ex-smoker that all we need to obtain is a bit of constraint and restraint in order to smoke again in moderation?

No you wouldn't--because an addict cannot have just one drink, one cigarette, one line of meth, or one Dorito. One is too many--100 is never enough. And when it comes to addiction and brain chemistry--for an addict, food works on the human brain in the same manner as alcohol, drugs, and nicotine.

Addicts cannot have their addiction in moderation, plain and simple.

allisonlane61

Willpower is a stupid diet industry buzzword, points off for that.

Willpower is about so much more than simply your diet. It's what gets you out of bed on days you feel too groggy. It's what gets you to pay your bills. It's what keeps you from choking a co-worker or in-law that is royally pissing you off. Willpower is another word for self-control.

It's also what keeps you from buying the Doritos at the grocery store. :-)

StephCoff1969

The big picture is, food can not own or control us. We have power over our own minds.

^^^^This^^^^... Thank you for posting this, I agree 100%... We all have food issues that is why we are here... When I get to a point that I want something, whatever that something may be; I have it, I just practice moderation..
If I end up gorging myself on whatever it is, I ask myself a few questions... What made me feel I needed this particular item? What do I feel while eating it? I think you get the point... I think for me personally it is about figuring out my own personal demons and work through them, so I can learn to eat everything I love without hindering my health and sanity...

WendyTerry420

My realization about myself was, surprise, if I buy it, I'm going to eat it. And not likely in moderation, I might add. For me, pre-packaged snack bars are bad news. I don't eat chips anymore, and I have to say, I don't feel deprived of them. I guess I never liked them much anyway. Big deal. My boyfriend will not buy foods that he knows I'll have a problem eating in moderation. Because of this cutting out entirely, it's been much easier to reincorportate small amounts of "bad" foods back into my life. It's much easier for me than slowly cutting them down, because for me, Doritos were meth. Cookies are crack. And no one would ever know it by looking at me that I'm a prisoner to food and I'm obsessed and disordered and all that. It's messy as hell. So yeah, I'm the one sobbing uncontrollably after eating something I "know I shouldn't".

I'm much better off telling myself that foods are forbidden, because after not having them for a couple of weeks, I don't miss 'em anyway. The desire is gone. I subsist mostly on veggies and lean meats, with some dairy, and I feel good about that.

So, to clarify.... for you personally, Doritos prevent you from sleeping, make you want to chain smoke cigarettes and so horny that you want to watch porn and make love for hours on end? Lucky you!

If this were true then we have a new cure for meth addiction! :laugh: :laugh:

Natihilator

Willpower is a stupid diet industry buzzword, points off for that.

Willpower is about so much more than simply your diet. It's what gets you out of bed on days you feel too groggy. It's what gets you to pay your bills. It's what keeps you from choking a co-worker or in-law that is royally pissing you off. Willpower is another word for self-control.

I was referring to it's use when it comes to weight loss, not in general.

rpmtnbkr

Well said... I learned long ago to not 'deny' yourself your favortes. I went down that road and went nuts.... Moderation is the key!

I'm a self admitted 'salty snack addict'! I enjoy a portion almost every day! What helped me was switching to Pringles form regular chips.... (regular chips = open bag, empty, throw bag away!)... Pringles allowed me to easily count out a serving (or two) and then put the can away...

BTW... I love Pringles and have no problem devouring a whole can in a setting either... mind over matter....:)

It's nice to reward your efforts with that piece of chocolate cake, or cupcake or whatever... write it down and go on... cut back the next day... overall for the week you will be down which is what you intended to do anyway.

PQ4321

Interesting thread.

I laughed at the OP, her view was stated humorously, but it was dismissive of addiction. What had me really laughing was the aside of why the Mayans died and agism rearing it's ugly head. It amazes me where threads can go.

That said, I am on the side with the addicts. I quit smoking 10 years ago. I had quit many times before that for various lengths of time, just as I am sure for many people MFP is not their first attempt at weight loss. The difference between the quit 10 years ago and previous attempts was that I told myself it was the most important thing I had to do and I accepted any and all help including meds. I had to also tolerate everyone who had ever quit smoking telling me exactly how I should do it, because that was the way they did it and what I was doing wouldn't work. That was annoying, and very demotivating. The way I quit worked for me, or I should say it has worked for 10 years. I no longer cry because I can't have a cigarette as I did the first week of the quit. I no longer have anxiety attacks and hyperventilate when I get into my car. I no longer feel like someone is reaching in and ripping my heart and lungs out of my body every time I see, smell or think about smoking. Those things are addiction, and anyone who has not been there does not know that will power only takes you so far. Medical help, medications, counseling, and support groups got me through that quit and I am one who can never ever have a cigarette again. Now I am at a place where I very rarely think about it, mostly in an "I remember what it was like" way and my personal willpower takes me through those.

To a certain extent my weight issues stem from the smoking quit. So, now I have started a new journey and I will take all the help I can get to be successful. I will try every single strategy that might make a difference. Please do not assume your quit is everyone's quit. You don't know their medical background, personal history, or present circumstances. Without that knowledge, it is difficult to help someone and easy to be an obstacle to their success. Some people need to freak, to learn how not to freak. Some people need to fear, to learn how not to fear. Some people need to binge to learn how not to binge. Diversity is a good thing...

WendyTerry420

Willpower is a stupid diet industry buzzword, points off for that.

Willpower is about so much more than simply your diet. It's what gets you out of bed on days you feel too groggy. It's what gets you to pay your bills. It's what keeps you from choking a co-worker or in-law that is royally pissing you off. Willpower is another word for self-control.

I was referring to it's use when it comes to weight loss, not in general.

Ok, but it means the same thing, no matter what the context. A lot of things in life require willpower, not just food.

rm7161

All chips are crack to me, hahaha. Even my super healthy Mary's Gone Crackers which I adore, but while healthy not low calorie!

The way I control my willpower is to use the food scale and never ever eat them out of the box or the bag. I measure my portion, log and eat it. That way works for me.

ETA: Sorry, I was just WAITING for someone to say crack so I could bring up Dave Chapelle

No worries

It is true tho! I have no willpower if I am faced with the whole bag in my lap. If I stick it in a serving sized bowl measured out, I eat all of that and the bag/box sits in the cupboard. (I use the same method for ice cream, which also works)

Rhonnie

It just hurts me to read posts where people say "I ate a brownie and now I feel worthless and hate myself, etc, etc" That's what triggered my OP. Not to push an agenda or mock you.

I think this is a different issue then what I felt the original post was saying. I could be wrong, but the original post was saying that everyone should be capable of eating anything they want in moderation, which obviously several people have had issues with that broad statement.

The issue of people eating one brownie and hating themselves is indeed sad, but also complicated. Are they posting that because they actually feel terrible? Are they posting that because they want to hear everyone tell them it's ok? When everyone tells them it's ok do they take that as its ok to keep doing it as long as you 'confess your sins'? Are they looking for validation? Are they seeking attention? Again, idealy when you get to a place you have a healthy relationship with food you don't have that guilt associated with little indulgences - but most people can't just 'decide' to not hear that voice, they have to work to get to that point. And if the reason they are posting that statement doesn't have anything to do with food then it won't matter how healthy their relationship with food is, they have other issues to work on.

TheRunningGuppy

Oh, and ONE MORE THING! There was not ONE OUNCE of shaming anyone else in the OP's post. For pity's sake, the "shame" you feel is coming from within yourself! Own it, admit it, stop blaming everyone else for your own feelings of shame, ESPECIALLY when there isn't anyone making you feel that way except yourself, and let it go.

The purpose of this post was to share HER experience, and encourage people that they, too, can find the place they need to be to feel that food is not their enemy. PERIOD.

STOP placing your own issues onto everyone else.

Please.

Ah... common sense

WendyTerry420

Willpower is a stupid diet industry buzzword, points off for that.

Willpower is about so much more than simply your diet. It's what gets you out of bed on days you feel too groggy. It's what gets you to pay your bills. It's what keeps you from choking a co-worker or in-law that is royally pissing you off. Willpower is another word for self-control.

It's also what keeps you from buying the Doritos at the grocery store. :-)

Yeppers

WadeLam

PHENOMENAL... :laugh:

Sending friend request now...

MoonieH

Fantastic post.

G30Grrl

It just hurts me to read posts where people say "I ate a brownie and now I feel worthless and hate myself, etc, etc" That's what triggered my OP. Not to push an agenda or mock you.

I think this is a different issue then what I felt the original post was saying. I could be wrong, but the original post was saying that everyone should be capable of eating anything they want in moderation, which obviously several people have had issues with that broad statement.

The issue of people eating one brownie and hating themselves is indeed sad, but also complicated. Are they posting that because they actually feel terrible? Are they posting that because they want to hear everyone tell them it's ok? When everyone tells them it's ok do they take that as its ok to keep doing it as long as you 'confess your sins'? Are they looking for validation? Are they seeking attention? Again, idealy when you get to a place you have a healthy relationship with food you don't have that guilt associated with little indulgences - but most people can't just 'decide' to not hear that voice, they have to work to get to that point. And if the reason they are posting that statement doesn't have anything to do with food then it won't matter how healthy their relationship with food is, they have other issues to work on.

Great stuff right there!! ^^^

WendyTerry420

Addicts cannot have their addiction in moderation, plain and simple.

So I guess food addicts should be simply provided ......what? Pills or IV tubes? Should they get their dietary needs by prescription? I'm sure you don't think they just starve to death?

majikmiker

I believe I could have the will power to resist Doritos. It would be a battle, like say the Doritos are the Emperor in Star Wars, and I'm Luke Skywalker, and my will power is Darth Vader - You think the evil emperor doritos are going to conquer because it looks like Darth Willpower is on his side, but then Darth Willpower decides to be good, and destroys the evil Dorito Emperor in the end.

Everyone just needs to use the Force.

shellyann1180

Oh my that was a funny post. I think I cracked a rib laughing about rubbing sensa crystals all over yourself. I wonder if that works?? You are one funny lady