overindulgence...do I have a food addiction?

I can TOTALLY relate! I've been doing this sort of binging since Thanksgiving!! It's so frustrating and difficult to break out of it, and the weather this winter isn't helping either. I'm not going to give "advice," because I am still "working on it." I just wanted you to know that you are not alone. Try to keep doing the best you can each day, each moment.

I do the EXACT same thing. My problem comes into play when I think... "I've already eaten like crap, so I might as well keep going" I can't help it. It comes on the weekends and this week carried into Monday. You're not alone!

This is what I believe....you will be able to do it when you want it bad enough. How bad to you want it? You must have the conviction that nothing can stop you and don't let anyone tell you you can't. There is a huge difference between 5, 500, or 5000 calories so stick to the lesser of evils. Good Luck and God Bless, Peggy

I think it's more of a habit than a food addiction. I used to (and sometimes still) do the same thing, especially the "well I'm already over, so I might as well go crazy". For me it finally came down to the choice of whether or not I wanted all those goodies, or if I want to make progress. I surely have my bad days here and there, especially the week of my TOM, but I make myself get up the next day and refocus. My only advice is to take it one day at a time, and you have to mentally let those bad days go. They're in the past, you can't fix them now, all you can do is really focus on doing the best you can on the current day. If you get insane cravings or have a moment of weakness, chug some water, and make sure to have some healthy snack options nearby to grab so you're not reaching for chips or a candy bar. You can do it!!

This does seem to happen to me too. I'm an at home mom and I find myself eating when I'm not even hungry because I'm bored. I live in Minnesota with a 1 yr old so getting out in the winter months to exercise is almost impossible. I use what I have here sometimes but get bored with them as well. I know come spring it will be easier to get exercise. Since i rarely go without the kids with me, my friends and family like to take me to lunch. I have tried to go and just get water or a basic salad but that never seems to work so I end up eating anyway, which completely ruins my diet goals. I think my problem is I LOVE FOOD! Right now its the only "release" I have. For me, I know being a busy mom of 4 boys, ranging in ages 17, to 1, I get tired and don't have the energy to exercise. I am not gaining weight. but really not losing either.

I have a friend who is really into health and fitness, and loves food as well, she eats and works out diligently on wk days but on weekends eats what she wants and does less exercise, she is a firm believer that eating what you want and resting keeps you on track most of the time.

My brain tells me that too, I have to tell myself tommarow is a new day. But I do have to fight the "your already over" attitude. Its really tough, I know.

Honestly, you can't really blame it on anything other than the choices you've made. That doesn't necessarily mean you're a failure either. A food addiction would have you turning to food as a way of masking pain or some sort of emotional distress, as it is with any addiction. I would know because I'm a recovering drug addict.

The one thing recovering addicts learn is that just because you relapse, that doesn't mean you're not seriously attempting to become better. Though, I doubt you have a food addiction, the thought can be applied to anybody's situation. Just because you overindulged 3 days in a row, that doesn't mean you're not seriously trying to lose weight.

The only thing anyone can do to stop whatever it is that's making them feel worse, is to just literally stop. Enjoy the fact that you took 3 days off of your healthy alternative lifestyle. Those days are already done and passed. Just start doing what you normally do now. Considering that today is a day that's easy for you to be strict with yourself, continue that motivation everyday of the week. Don't think of weekends as a rest period from all of life. Sure you can enjoy them, and that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a healthy lifestyle on weekends either.

The leniency you give yourself regarding the "you're already over [your daily intake]" mentality, really does matter. There is a difference between 5 and 500 calories. You can burn off those extra 10 - 15 calories just brushing your teeth for 5 minutes. To burn off an EXTRA 1000 - 1500 calories would take some serious cardio. But they can be burned off. If you enjoy exercise, that wouldn't be a problem. You can't be too lenient or strict. Find a way to make every part of life enjoyable.

[Permanent] weight loss is a lifestyle change. Meaning you change everything in your life to become healthier. If you're just trying to lose, what, 13 lbs temporarily...then you're just on a diet where cheat days couldn't even be considered detrimental because you're just going to try every method in the book just to lose those pounds just to feel better. That is, until you gain weight again and then begin the cycle all over. So decide if your goal is permanent or temporary. Then make a choice with how you seriously you feel about achieving that goal. Then stick with any decision you've made and be honest with that decision. Don't lie to yourself because if you can't even trust yourself, you become your own hindrance, and there's no way another person could do or say anything to help you at that point.

Good luck with your plan. Again, it's never too late to start over. You just have to do it.

Any ladies get really hungry or eat bad stuff right before your TOM? I'm wondering if that plus Superbowl Sunday are to blame.

Sorry TOM and super bowl sunday are to blame ??? are you serious! TOM , don't but snack/ junk food you can't eat it Superbowl sunday did not just appear! you knew it was comming YOU BLEW IT. forget it move on small steps in the right direction, you will get there , but YOU have to take control , nobody else can do it for you..

Good luck on your journey!

I noticed you said you go over board on your days off. Maybe don't give yourself days off but rather incorporate an occasional treat in your daily life. I went through this eating thing this past 9 or 10 days. Too busy with work, school and other projects that needed my attention so I gave myself the time "off" from going to the gym - and found I was eating like crazy w/o any real control.
Good luck - and hang in there - you can do it!

I have been doing this as well. Usually I am good Mon-Thursday and then....terrible!!!! I know that is why my weightloss has been so slow! I get so frustrated! So yeah, I feel your pain!:sad: :blushing: