I think I'm a food addict

marrieandfive
marrieandfive Posts: 51
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I was watching Celebrity Rehab last night, and Dr. Drew said that "normal people" don't reach for a substance when they need to feel better...

It hit home for me because I'd been doing exactly that with cupcakes and sugar all weekend after my stupid little car accident. I'm back "on the wagon" but now I'm wondering how to change my coping mechanisms so I don't end up morbidly obese by the time I'm 60...

I'm stressed right now and I'm shakey and jittery :(

Replies

  • LFern
    LFern Posts: 141
    I do the same exact thing. Like with any addiction, a person must find HEALTHY substituions. Excersize, go for a walk - chew gum instead of food. . . I brush my teeth to deter my wanting to eat something, the taste of the toothpaste mixed with food is not my favorite.

    You have to set your mindset to wanting different things instead of the unhealthy ones. If you have to have something sweet, try a lowfat yogurt or a flavored sweet tea. I'm having success with the licorice spice tea - it seems to really calm my sweet craving.

    Good Luck!!
  • mresta
    mresta Posts: 33
    I find the same thing happens to me, anything negative and my first thought is "what can I eat", it's really wrong and annoying and I have to fight it tooth and nail. But look on the positive side of things, you've made changes to your lifestyle already and know how to control your diet. So, you had a bad weekend, lots of us do, it's what you do most of the time that's important, the occasional slip up is ok. :)
  • Liatush
    Liatush Posts: 627 Member
    You are not alone.... I think that's the main reason for overweight people - I know I emotionally eat as well. It's hard and while I am trying to watch what and how much I eat, I think it takes some serious digging to find out why one eats and how to change one's response to stress/emotions and find a healthy way to cope...
  • dawnkitchen
    dawnkitchen Posts: 161
    I have the same type of issues. I have some things hanging out in my head that I learned when I was younger that have associated a lot of feelings with food.

    I'm still working on it in counseling, honestly. It can be really hard. Once you put some sort of recognition and thought around what you're doing and why, it can be easy to see it. My counselor even told me at first, if you notice it but still go for food - okay, but you're learning.

    I don't really know what to tell you to do, but journaling works for me. Sometimes I do a crossword or a logic puzzle. Sometimes I play with my dogs. Sometimes, I get a healthier snack (apple + peanut butter, yogurt, granola ... it all depends on the craving I'm having).

    Good luck!
  • helenamonks
    helenamonks Posts: 176
    I don't like to call it food addiction because that sounds more like you would lie cheat and steal to get food, similar to heroin or alcoholism or something like that.

    I lovingly call it my vice which while thats no better and it amounts to the same thing, it lets me know that theres nothing WRONG with me.
  • marrieandfive
    marrieandfive Posts: 51
    Thanks everyone, it's good to know I'm not alone...I mean, I KNOW it's a common thing, but I'd never heard it put so bluntly...

    I guess awareness is the first step though.
  • mresta
    mresta Posts: 33
    maybe we should start a thread for ideas to combat emotional eating?
  • marrieandfive
    marrieandfive Posts: 51
    that's a good idea!
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