Food addiction: how do u get urself back on track?

tdfarmer

Food is addicting, carbs are addicting; just as addicting as alcohol and cigarettes:frown:
Just a little back ground on me. I've been logging for over 480 days. For about the past 4 months I've been struggling. I've made it to goal and set other goals for myself to try to keep me motivated. In October I had my annual doctor's appointment. Results or blood work was improving but not what I thought it should be after a year. Starting cutting carbs majorly, been struggling since. Aloud myself a little slack and now things are going out of control. First time around was easy for me to resist the urges. This time it's just a struggle, just like an addiction. I've kept my diary open to my friend, but pretty much quit supporting and stopped communicating with the automatic post. If your smuggling its hard to support others. 480 days in I feel like a total failure( a word I have discouraged others from using). I've even given up on exercise this week, but life has also gotten in my way. I'm still logging, but how do you get yourself back on track and stop the cravings? I'm not willing to give up, although I really do feel like it.

tdfarmer

Any advice?

Linli_Anne

I have problems from time to time when my old habits of mindless eating, no regard for portions etc. gets out of control. We all do to one extent or another.

One big thing for me to be successful and not have those binges is to never allow myself to feel deprived. I made a promise to myself, and a verbal declaration to my husband, that this weight loss plan did not include deprivation just for a number on a scale. This is how I want to live, which includes foods that I often ate too much of.

So, I do eat cake, and bread and wine and cheese and chocolate. But, I eat a serving. I weigh/meaure it/count it out. It may sound silly to only have 18 doritos, but it satisfies the craving/the need and it doesn't blow my whole day off.

What in your bloodwork are you hoping to see improve? Blood Sugar? Cholestorol? Even if the changes are small, they are happening, and with every healthy choice you are undoing damage done by the old unhealthy lifestyle.

tdfarmer

Cholesterol 2011 was 230 in 2012 198. Glucose 2011 was 122 In 2012 was 113. Was advices on here to cut more carbs. Now feel I've tried to hard and just feel like giving up but still have the deep down desire.

BreakingOath

Go to YouTube and enter "boogie2988" into the search bar. He is a morbidly obese youtuber who has struggles with food addiction his entire life. He is just now breaking that cycle and has lost 55 lbs over the last few months. He has many videos on his journey. But beware,he also has tons of funny videos as well lol

sue4981

food addiction has been a struggle for me for as long as I can remember. Others can regulate the amounts to avoid a binge, for me, it's more all or nothing. When I eat certain foods I crave more and more and it spirals out of control. Once it's out of control it's so hard to get back to sane and healthy eating (at least this is true for me). I have started eating six small meals a day, which seems to keep my blood sugar very balanced. My sugars spike and then drop pretty low. Bottom line, It's a matter of knowing what works for you and finding a way to get through the cravings and urges -- the more you can abstain the easier it will be. Food addiction can be both physical and psychological (behavioral). Notice how rehabs are usually 28 days? Because that's generally the amount of time to break the behavioral cycle. It was easier for me to quit smoking than to stop the addiction of food. But, usually after three weeks of clean eating I'm back on track and the urges subside.

Kaylaef

food addiction has been a struggle for me for as long as I can remember. Others can regulate the amounts to avoid a binge, for me, it's more all or nothing. When I eat certain foods I crave more and more and it spirals out of control. Once it's out of control it's so hard to get back to sane and healthy eating (at least this is true for me). I have started eating six small meals a day, which seems to keep my blood sugar very balanced. My sugars spike and then drop pretty low. Bottom line, It's a matter of knowing what works for you and finding a way to get through the cravings and urges -- the more you can abstain the easier it will be. Food addiction can be both physical and psychological (behavioral). Notice how rehabs are usually 28 days? Because that's generally the amount of time to break the behavioral cycle. It was easier for me to quit smoking than to stop the addiction of food. But, usually after three weeks of clean eating I'm back on track and the urges subside.

This is me...I am also a smoker. The last time I hit my goal weight, I decided to quit smoking. Mostly due to that, and a couple of other factors, i rapidly put most of the weight back on, it seems I cannot manage to cope with the withdrawal from two additcions at once. Which is heart breaking to me, because I really just want to be the healthiest person I can be. So I am trying again. But eating the 6 times a day (which is what I do) seems to keep my cravings under control. And maybe, just maybe--i'll be mentally ready to quit smoking. Please don't give up. Addiction is a life long struggle--but trying out best to control it is all we can do.

joleenl

For myself I find staying away from processed sugars and artificial sweetners help reduce future cravings. Same with white flours, and white rices and starchy foods - I find these things bring on cravings so I would honestly recommend avoiding them. Most food addicts are usually addicted to sugar, but can be addicted to fat, salt, and/or caffeine as well. I would also start communicating again. You are not allowing yourself to get the support and encouragement from others which is one great thing about this website. Maybe make a friend whom you can confide in when you are struggling, that won't judge you but give you encouragement to get back on track. The biggest thing is you need to find away out of this slump..... like an outdoor walk daily - even if it's short, or a daily hot bath, or maybe go for a massage.... whatever it is that makes you happy but not related to food. Also tell the people around you that you need their help. They can help correct some of food smuggling and/or remove some stuff from your path. Start back up slowly with exercising or switch it up try something new.

You can add me if you want and I could try to cheer you and/or support you or just listen when life gets you down.

I'll add this a closing, "Falling down a step or two doesn't mean you go all the way back to bottom to start again."

ChantelJamail

The only thing I have found to help me in this situation is to make sure you stay on track with 5-6 small meals a day. The minute I feel hungry I automatically want to jump to cookies or bread. Then once I do I feel terrible. When I eat often through out the day and plan each meal ahead of time I ensure that I won't feel hungry or feel the need to devour sweets or carbs. Three years ago I was at 36% body fat, today I'm at 13% and it's all because of this one idea that eating is OKay. It's just how you eat. (Portion control and planning.) Also, if your body is craving something, give it to it. BUT, keep in mind that there's plenty of ways to give it what it's craving. For example, you're craving something sweet? Get some fruit and put some Splenda on it! Craving carbs? Fruit or a few whole grain crackers with peanut butter on it usually does the trick. Even if you have a cookie every now and then, it's OKay! Find a healthier choice in a cookie though. I LOVE making homemade protein cookies. (You can find plenty of recipies online!) I keep them in stock just in case I'm getting an urge. This way you can "cheat" but you're not really cheating! It's all a matter of tricking your mind and body that you're cheating when in reality you're right on track. And, if you actually do cheat one day just make sure you put that extra 30 minutes into the gym that day and burn it off. No harm, no foul if it's only every now and then.

Hope that helps! Good luck!!!

tdfarmer

Thanks everyone!

joleenl

If you love carbs eat them! Try like making a big pot of steal cut oats or oatmeal once a week. Then you'll have enough for the week. Eat sweet potato instead of white. Eat quinoa or brown rice instead of white rice. Experiment with different whole grain breads like rye or pumpernickel. Refined carbs will leave you hungry and wanting more.