Cravings, eating in secret, ADDICTION
sammilynn624
Posts: 6
I am extremely overweight due to the fact that I LOVE food. It is my "addiction" so to speak. I have a hard time fighting my cravings and saying no when I get an urge to binge eat. I need motivation, encouragement and friends on MFP to help me out. Thanks!
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Replies
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There's lots of people here just like you here! No more guilt! We're proud of you for making this first step for a better you! Invite is being sent, good luck. I believe in you!
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I am addicted to food when I get stressed. I think most people with a weight issue addict themselves somehow to food. I basically threw out all the bad food in my house, killed the kids, but we have no more cookies and chips ect. If I buy for their lunches I buy pre-snack sized food, then if I do get that "craving" to cheat, I eat, log in, adjust my calories for the day and move on. You can't feel guilty. By accepting the fact you can have that 100 gram of chip, you remove the guilt, without guilt there is no remorse.
You can do this!!0 -
You're not alone. Daily I have to choose the choice I make.
I read a great book that really helped me find the want-to in taking better care of myself.
"Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst
All the best to you! It CAN be done, and you CAN do it, you are stronger than any food craving, believe it.
Paige0 -
I hear you loud and clear... I binge when no one is there and cannot stop. My weight is somewhat in control right now, but I get so angry with myself almost daily when I eat uncontrolably at night.
it has been an on going struggle which is at severe low right now for me...
I will win, and so will you. We are all here for a good reason and we can do this!0 -
Hello. I am Athena. I will help support you and anyone who needs it. Feel free to add me.0
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In the beginning I didn't let the bad food in my house, but now, with willpower and self control it's back in my house. I needed to teach myself how to be around the food but at the same time be able to control myself. You can do it! Just make it clear to yourself why you're doing it and let that be the one thing that truly motivates you! GOOD LUCK!!0
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Become addicted to something else – every time I used to want a cigarette I would do 10 pushups. I was fatter at the time so I hated it. Every time I wanted to smoke I dropped and did 10. Now I am addicted to doing pushups.0
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You are doing yourself an injusctice. you have a dynamic smile. Show it off even more by being stronger than cravings. You posted on MFP which tells us you don't want to binge. Binge on success !!!!0
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I, too, LOVE food. Choosing 2013 to work on the cravings and empty-calorie bingeing habits. Friend request being sent; here's to staying motivated!
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Hello! I am also a food addict and think we could help each other! I used to secretly eat in my van. I literally ate 6 candy bars in 15 in like 15 minutes! I still have trouble with cravings every now and then, fast food sems to be my downfall now! I always have gum or mints with me and when I get a craving for something I pop one in and it seems to work for me! Feel free to add me! Anyone can add me as well! Good luck!0
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I am extremely overweight due to the fact that I LOVE food. It is my "addiction" so to speak. I have a hard time fighting my cravings and saying no when I get an urge to binge eat. I need motivation, encouragement and friends on MFP to help me out. Thanks!
You touched my heart, because I'm the same way.
May I friend you?0 -
I struggle with binge eating but I've finally gotten to a place where it happens less often & I've reached my goal weight and have been maintaining within a 10lb range for a year and a half, anyone feel free to add me!
It is all about taking baby steps...learning to find healthy foods you LOVE...finding a food routine...drinking enough water and getting enough sleep...being active every day, even if its just a 30 minute walk...allowing yourself one cheat day each week to eat your favorite foods... recognizing the difference between physical hunger and mental hunger...accepting yourself as you are...being consistent and having patience...and a million & one other things!
It is a life-long journey that you NEED to be ready for...you NEED to embrace it xxx0 -
Explore this a bit, maybe with a counselor. There is probably a reason why you do it, a pay-off that you're getting other than the taste of food.
I felt that I was out of control until the day I realized that I had been in control all along and binged on purpose. It was so much easier to do that and pin all my hatred on myself when the real problem I didn't want to deal with was the fact that my adult son, who lives here, was addicted to meth. I could see what was happening but didn't want to see it, so drove myself to the kitchen.
Even knowing what I'm doing and why - it's still a struggle. I have far too many "who cares?" days. I'm working on that.0 -
Become addicted to something else – every time I used to want a cigarette I would do 10 pushups. I was fatter at the time so I hated it. Every time I wanted to smoke I dropped and did 10. Now I am addicted to doing pushups.
LOL, please add me! You rock.0 -
I get that way when I'm feeling BORED. I eat because there's nothing better to do. And, I get bored easy. So what I did was pick up a hobby that gets you out of the house. Michael's craft store has classes you can take, get out of the house and occupy yourself with.0
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You have our support! I can relate, as I used to eat secretly, and in the middle of the night, to boot. I could only kick the habit very slowly, and motivational stories helped me. Maybe you can be that inspirational story for someone! Here's one that I enjoyed recently:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/terence_haynes_interview.htm
Also, feel free to add me. I also keep my food diary open for anyone to see, for accountability, and for advice!0 -
I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. About two years ago, I weighed in at 297lbs. I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I don't do any kind of drugs. FOOD is my "drug of choice". I don't know the exact reason that food has this effect on me. I know there is alot of pain and anger stemming from unfortunate circumstances all through my childhood, so maybe that has something to do with my choices. I don't really know. I DO know that, ultimately, it is all about choices. I am faced with those choices EVERY moment of EVERY day. I don't tell myself I will NEVER eat bad food again, I will NEVER binge again, I will exercise EVERY day. Realistically, I know I will have moments/days when I fail to make the right choice. However, I CAN say, right now in this moment I WILL NOT eat that doughnut, I WILL NOT eat those chips, today I WILL go to the gym. It's something you have to take moment by moment, day by day, step by step, and pound by pound. Eventually those moments and days will add up, and, before you know it, you will have lost 5lbs, 10lbs, 20lbs, etc... You will find that, the more frequently and consistently you make the RIGHT choices, the easier it will become. Your "small" successes will fuel your motivation and determination to succeed in reaching your goals. You're off to a good start. Today, you have made the choice to get up and do something to help yourself stop making the wrong choices. And THAT'S the first of many RIGHT choices.0
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I think it's an addiction too. To carbs usually. I snack on carby stuff and I get so mad at myself. That's why I really try to have "snacks" around that are more protein than anything else. LIke hard boiled eggs. That reminds me I need to make a new batch. I would try to snack on things like that. Or cottage cheese with some fruit, greek yogurt, even strips of chicken if I make them up ahead of time and just have them in the fridge. I find that having them in my house when I'm not doing well (not working out, just eating what I want), It's much easier to succumb to the urges and temptations. Once I have a good week where I work really hard at cutting those thigns out, it gets easier to ignore and go for a healthier option.
I also love wine. I'm not a big dessert person, I could skip desserts easily, but it's salty stuff, crunchy and appetizers that get me. I don't always drink wine with dinner, but once I get the kids in bed or the day is winding down, it's a glass or two of wine that is my treat. I know they are empty calories and turn to sugar in the body, so I'm going to try to limit how much during the week I treat myself in that way. That's my weakness.
I did start back on Chalean Extreme and my husband and I both did her Ab Burner last night. It's only 10-12 minutes or so, so I really want to make that a routine at night. Before we sit down and watch our DVR'd shows, we both do that really quickly. Maybe that's how I'll allow myself my "treat" of a glass of wine....do that first?????0 -
This is a great book- check it out!!
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-What-You-Love-Eat-Repent-Repeat/dp/1934076244/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_1_8P020 -
I feel for you because it is exactly my problem also, cravings. The days that I take time to write out an eating plan and stick to it are the days I am not defeated by nitetime cravings. I have learned to not only have 3 healthy meals, but also very important to have mid-morning snack and mid afternoon snack also. I am eating more (because I am eating healthy food) and I am less depressed because sugar is not part of my healthy eating. Because of my daily morning time with God, I am gaining strength to stay focused One Day at a Time. Just for today I will do what I have never done (follow an eating Plan) and get what I have never had: peace of mind and a healthy day.0
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Sammi it is not so to speak you DO have a food addiction and the first step is acknowledging and ACCEPTING it and then changing it! I too have a food addiction!!!! I have a feel good relationship with food. I have money i want to use it on food. Something goes good in my day and i'm happy i want to celebrate with food. I want to go spend time with family i want to do it over food. Well atleast that was my old thinking. And in just 10 day's with all of the proactive changes i am making with all of the TALKING TO MYSELF reassuring myself that i feel better now with all my good choices and not feeling guilty for eating something i know i shouldn't be i am getting there! You can too. You just have to talk to yourself. Realize your worth so much more think of how much better you'll feel! And i'm here if you need a friend just add me Good Luck. Oh and your not alone SO many people have food addiction so many more than you'd even think do! 0
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hey i am here cause i love eating and cooking food , i have tried other things and they don't work i have a friend that has started this and she is very successful and doing great , i also have a thyroid condition and that is another reason why i have this weight , on meds now and everything is level, going to have to work harder then the regular joe but will be worth it in the end , best of luck to everyone here and if you would like to add me to chat that would be great to make new friends that feel the same as me :-)0
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I have that same tendency- I'll be doing so well for days, and then BAM! a craving hits that is just impossible to ignore… A few things I've found that help:
1) properly fuel yourself. It does take a little bit of time to notice, because you need to give your body time to acclimate and synthesize the nutrients you're now providing, but eating well, providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs via right amound of protein, fat, and carbs is what I've found has helped me make better choices on a day-to-day basis. I feel better, which provides incentive to make better choices, and it does help temper the cravings. With proper nutrition (I focus on making sure I get enough protein and fiber) I am much more in control of what I put into my body. edit- might i add that, once you're properly fueling your body, try to assess your craving. if it's ice cream, maybe your body is telling you it needs more calcium or dairy? if it's french fries, perhaps you need potassium? then try to curb the craving with something like chocolate skim milk, or a baked potato with some butter, etc…
2) when an overwhelming craving that I simply cannot control does strike, I indulge it, but not to the point of excess. For example, I am having a ridiculous craving for baked goods- i've been thinking about making brownies for several days now, but I've held off. Today, I'm going to try making those banana/oatmeal cookies i've seen bouncing around on here, and i'm adding chocolate chips for some decadence. Hopefully they will satisfy.
3) i try to ward off the sweet tooth with something sweet but healthy like fat-free yogurt with some dark chocolate chips, or a peppermint candy. I eat something like that every day, usually in the evening after dinner.
4) if you absolutely *have* to have those french fries, ice cream or whatever- have it, but eat it after you've already had a nutritious meal or snack, rather than eating said craving on an empty stomach.
Good luck!!! Just remember- it's a journey, and not an easy one. you will fall, but the important thing is to get back on that horse… as many times as it takes. practice makes perfect!!0 -
Great advice, jc! You set yourself up for failure if you say "NEVER" a lot. It's so hard with food because we all have to eat!! Many other types of addicts can stay away from their drug of choice. We have to eat food. Our bodies need the fuel. It's harder to handle, in my opinion. And unfortunately many of us learn early on that food is a comfort. (sorry, the psychotherapist in me is coming out). If we don't find the comfort from other sources (parents, family, friends) it's an easy thing to turn to so we can feel comforted. Food doesn't talk back or judge us. I agree that finding something to replace it is a great idea!0
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As, I read all the replys, I thank God there are so many who are willing to bare their souls to the struggles they have had when it comes to food and to share what has helped them to overcome. Within our community, we have so much support, love, and friendship ingredients that will help us all to succeed in our quest to have healthy bodies.0
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Yes, food is an addiction, a drug. I did eat a lot before my body showed me signs that he can't process all of it anymore, and needs to store it in my butt!
The first sign was only 5 or 7 years ago only....
It's still a struggle since I love food! But we will win the battle!!!0 -
I eat secretly and I think the main reason I failed the last time when using this site and other sites is that Im not true to myself and would not put things that I ate secretly on my food diary.I know I will never get anywhere unless I address this.
I binge eat out of boredom and habit.. If I'm in the house on my own I will go hunting for choc, crisps, biscuits and then 5 mins later do the same thing. I am working on curbing this with drinking tea when I get the urge to do it.
I figure a tea worth 40-50 cals with sweeteners, is much better than consuming hundreds of calories on crisps and other fatty snacks.
For most part its working, the past 4/5 days Ive been making meals that fill me up and when after...... say lunch and dinner where Id normally go look for a treat, I drink a tea instead. But that's my way of dealing with the cravings I get.
I plan in the next week to drop the milk and sweeteners from my tea and eventually switch to herbal.0 -
Okay So I agree with the "get addicted to something else" or at the very least distract yourself...When I start to get the cravings for my pizza weakness...well I actually start doing a dance video game...silly I know...but it makes me feel more upbeat and giggle at how horriable I am at this game...lets face it this girl cannot dance...but it is fun and a great sweat with fun upbeat music.0
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Also never be TOO restrictive on yourslef. I will not cut ANYTHING out of my diet completely maybe in the beginning to get myself out of the addictive stage like to Diet pepsi but in the future if i go out to eat i WILL have a diet pepsi. If i have a craving for something sweet something in particular i WILL allow myself to have it just in MODERATION. Do not ever deny yourself something maybe LIMIT but not deny because that is just setting yourself up for failure and one huge binge you may never get off of!0
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