Self Control

I feel your pain, I tend to do the same thing. I found that forcing myself to count to ten chews with every mouthful slowed down my intake a lot, and I felt fuller after less than if I gorged..

There is a support group in the "real" world called overeaters anonymous. I don't know much about it, but it helped a guy who stayed with us a couple of years ago. He was close to 400 lbs. several years ago, couldn't stop himself from eating waaaay too much. Joined OA and learned how. Has maintained a healthy weight for several years. You could probably google the group. Good luck! It has to be really tough since we all must eat. Not like other addictions that are optional.

barb

eat slowly...this is key. Put the fork down between each bite and really notice the taste of what you're eating and enjoy it. Try to listen to your hunger signals, and notice when you begin to feel full and stop. When you eat slowly, you are naturally more satisfied! Try to eat filling foods too, not like potato chips on their own for example...it's easy to down a bag of those in front of the tv and not feel a thing. Foods with nutritional value. Choose foods that are tasty and will also make you feel good!

that is very difficult.. I have a family of 7.. and I have to cook foods that my young children will eat.. most of the time that means I cook different meals for me! It is costly to do that, and also more time consuming.. it is not easy EVER.. it's difficult. I can only imagine having a coffee bar stocked with free junk food.. lol I buy junk for the family.. but I try to buy the stuff I don't like to eat. Sometimes I eat it even though I don't like it because it is junky.. last night I made cookies that were made out of oats, protien powder, milk and butter.. and of course sugar.. but I used half sugar and half sugar substitute. Maybe you could bring fruit with you so when you go for your coffee you grab some grapes or something equally as easy!

Good luck!

I personally didn't read her post as food addiction... I read it as not knowing when to stop. Self control is real in every area of people's lives. Look at anger, cleanliness, tact... its everywhere.. some people can't control what comes out of their mouth... cursing, truths they really shouldn't be saying.. whatever.. I really think it is just a mental block she's got to get passed. She says NO i can't have it... and ends up wanting it.. don't you always want what you can't have? It's mind over matter. YOU have to say I don't need it. You have to tell yourself, "no, I don't want it" ... or "no, i'm not really hungry" or just stay away from the coffee bar altogether if it is a trigger.. let's face it... we didn't all gain the extra poundage by having self control. we lost our self control somewhere along the way, and it takes a long time for some people get past the fact that they can't just get whatever they want anymore. You are doing it for yourself, though... and therefor your motivation AND will power is there.. you just have to be conscious of it, and acknowledge it.

Thank you all once again..I found a colleague in office who lost a lot of weight and is quite determined and has good self control...I have thought that I will always take her along in coffee breaks so that she motivates me and stops me from putting my hand in cookie jars...and yes at home I have to think of something similar but difficult to control when all others can have whatever they want and how much ever they want...atleast with this new friend in office I can control this habit 5 days a week and 12 hrs a day when I am in office....but I will still need some help from people who have been in the same situation and come out of it...thank you all....

I used to nosh constantly on carbohydrate- and sugar-laden foods....I have been low-carb (high protein/high-fat) for two weeks now, and the cravings are gone. No more do I eat the crusts from my kids' sandwiches, the leftover pasta in the pot, the crackers in the cupboard at 10:00 at night.... I have even cut the sugar from my coffee in the morning (a large feat), and I find I don't really get hungry until lunch, and then I am stuffed for hours on my meat-and-veggie lunch. I think it is carbs that are addictive, and they are always hanging around in offices, be it bagels, donuts, cookies. They are quick, easy and satisfying, and when you need a little pick-me-up, they are always there. You have to make a conscious effort in the beginning, I even went through some nasty withdrawals for a few days. But every time I dump leftover bread or pasta in the trash I feel proud. I downloaded a little reminder that says "My stomach is not a garbage can." It helps keep me focused.

Self control is a definite struggle. I've faced it, and I still do to this day. But it takes baby steps. Just as a baby learns to walk by first crawling, and then standing, you've gotta take baby steps. Self control won't just appear out of thin air. You've got to work your way there. Tell yourself no more of the cookies and stick to it. When you grab for a cookie, think about that - you've told yourself you wouldn't do it, and stick to it. And when you get through the day, think about the victory that you've had. You've beaten the cookie, or whatever else it is that you've said no to. And then let that continue to fuel you to say no to other things. Just take it one day at a time.

A prime example of this is what happened to me yesterday. My mom is uber supportive of my weight loss, but she decided to bring me a big old box of assorted donuts and a smaller box of powdered donut bites to share at work. Before I started losing weight, I would have taken the small box of powdered donut bites and had them all to myself. And when I quit focusing on losing weight, I would have told myself that just one donut would be okay. But yesterday, I had already eaten breakfast, and it was about time for my morning snack, which I pack and keep in the fridge with my lunch. So, I told myself no. Even though the donuts were in the cubicle I share with my co-workers and I would have to stare it in the face all day long, I told myself no, and I stuck to it. So every time I looked at it, or walked by it, or smelled the donuts, I thought to myself - before I could even think about grabbing one - "you told yourself no, and that's that. You've already eaten, and you'll be having your lunch before you know it. No need to spoil your lunch on one measly donut." And that's what helped me get through the day. And so this morning, the last of the donuts were eaten, and I relished in the fact that I avoided them at all costs. Now, my self control's not perfect. I still struggle at times, but its something that I am slowly but surely building up.

I feel exactly the same way you do.
I was thin in high school. I wasn't the best eater but I didn't overeat and I was really active.
I graduated, moved out on my own, got pregnant, became a full time stay at home mom while my fiance worked. I am only 23 so while all of my now-old friends (when your the only mom in a group of young people you tend to drift apart) are out partying, staying out late, going out and doing other things I stay home with my little girl. To top it all off we moved away when my fiance got a new job so we are in a new town, new state where I know nobody and am still figuring my way around. My comfort has been food. The most exciting thing I do is eat. Of course I love my daughter, I love being with her. She is so happy and wonderful but she's only 16 months and we can't have conversations, she wants to watch her cartoons and explore, play with her toys, nap all the things young toddlers do so when I am home alone with her I eat and being someone who used to just eat when I needed to otherwise I was too busy being young and on the go I feel like for the first time I'm really discovering all the great foods out there, I'm really tasting things and unfortunately I feel I have become a food addict. Even since I've started this program I will put together my food list in the beginning of the day, make sure I have my 1200 calories but towards the end of the night when my fiance gets home, after dinner he will pull out a bag of chips, or ask if I can grab him some ice cream and there I am starting to nibble on things. As soon as he takes the chips out I'm like "Oh that sounds good" or I start scooping the ice cream for him and "wow that looks amazing" and then I go ahead and have the chips or the ice cream and say its okay tomorrow will be better. Lately it seems to be getting into a routine.So while are situation differs I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have an unhealthy relationship with food as well where I love to eat, I love food and I have the worst self-control in the world. I always start off the day saying okay today I'm going to do it and by the end of the night the food always wins. But I know what I need to work on. It's my self-control. I know I have none. ZERO self-control. And I envy people who have great self control. I am very ashamed of the fact that my self-control is so horrible. But that is my motivation, I know the problem, I know what I need to work on. Today has been a good day. Today I was really able to reel in all my cravings, I finally was able to stick to my 1200. I am so proud of myself, hopefully this is the start in a good pattern. The thing I found to be very helpful is thinking about how I felt the night before. I don't know about you but every night when I know I've eaten more then I should have I lay in bed and I feel incredibly guilty and I feel disgusted with myself. Today whenever I had the urge to just go for it and eat this or that I just reminded myself of how bad I felt the night before and promised tonight I would not feel that way. Tonight I would go to bed feeling good about myself and that's what I am going to do.
Sorry for the long post. I guess I need some support myself!
But I hope that helps you as well.
Just whenever you think of grabbing that extra cookie or whatever it may be just think of how good you will feel about your day if you don't do it. How much closer you will feel to meeting your goals not just to lose weight or be healthier but to gaining your self-control.
I really hope that helps you.
I wish you the best of luck in everything!

Need Help---I am addicted to food.No matter how much I control myself the minute I am near food I lose control and over eat. Not sure how to change what I feel for food. I want to eat to live and not other way round. Has anyone gone through this. How did you over come your weakness towards food. Thank you in advance for reading this and posting your views.

Change the type of food. I bet you can't eat too much baked chicken, broccoli, and blueberries. Go ahead...try it.

I've just read a GREAT book on this - eating less - say goodbye to overeating. by Gillian Riley. I REALLY recommend it. You can get a kindle version from Amazon so you could start reading it today.

Good luck.

I eat on a small salad plate with a small fork. I drink a lot of water before I eat and I always eat my veggies 1st. If I go out to eat, I eat a full salad instead of an appetizer and I always box 1/2 of my food up. Now there are times that I love to go and just eat, like at mexican restaurants. I love chips and salsa/cheese queso and beer. Before I allow myself that, I figure out how many calories I would eat and how many calories I need to burn and then try and do a nice workout before. But then the next day I tend to try and eat very healthy.
I would try to drink a glass of ice cold water before every meal. If you feel that you hungry thoughout the day drink an 8 to 10 oz ice cold water and wait 15 mins. If you are still hungry have a piece of fruit. It is okay to eat when you are hungry but try and make healthy food choices. Fruits and veggies actually fill you up with less calories. I could eat less calories eating carrots (and eating a boat load) then having a small french fry at McDonalds. Plus I would stay full longer.
Good luck. Make sure your diary is open so people can help and make suggestions for you.