What do you do to fight food addiction?

tamanella
tamanella Posts: 500 Member
edited September 24 in Motivation and Support
Hi there! My name is Tami and I'm an addict...lol. Not really funny, but I realized it sounded like an AA meeting...anywho, I've come out of denial and have admitted to having a food addiction. I'm struggling so hard to stay on track everyday and not go over my calorie goal, but I haven't made it yet. I find myself eating just to eat, whether I'm bored, lonely, need comfort, tired...etc. What suggestions do you have to beat those moments when you're beginning to feel overwhelmed and need a "fix"? I could really use the help! Thanks!! :ohwell:

Replies

  • Terriberry
    Terriberry Posts: 100
    When you feel the need to just eat, stop and ask yourself what is stressing you out? It's not the food you need, but the feelings that you dont want to deal with. I'm no therapist, but O know that that is my problem. Try going for a walk instead of eating. And when you get back, if you still want to eat then eat. But now you have the extra calories that you earned from the walk!
  • PharmCat12
    PharmCat12 Posts: 15
    I have a bit of an oral fixation when it comes to food - I like to eat just for the sake of eating. When I am really trying to stick to my calorie goals but am having trouble controlling my impulse to eat, I eat a large volume of low calorie foods. I particularly like bell peppers and cucumbers for this purpose. For me, just the act of eating something is enough for me to feel better. The important thing is to not beat yourself up about any indulgences you have....realize you could do better, and try again next time. No use getting overly upset about it! That just makes me want to eat more, lol.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Have you ever heard of Celebrate Recovery? It's a Christ-based 12 step program based on the 12 principles of AA, but they have different groups for everything from depression, to food addiction, to chemical dependency to codependency. You can go to their website and click on "Find a Group" to see if there's a group that meets near you. I will put the link below. We have a group at our church, my husband and I are on the leadership team. We meet 52 weeks a year on Monday nights :)

    http://www.celebraterecovery.com/
  • promiseskept
    promiseskept Posts: 119
    I keep a note book and write down why and what I want to eat you will see the pattern.
    I also have changed my routine and have a list of things I need to do to keep me off of food.
    I don't keep the stresser triggers,,,chips, ice cream and such in the house.
  • westwick1
    westwick1 Posts: 44 Member
    I'm a real emotional eater and a lot of it is to distract me from other things or as a way of sabotaging myself when things are going well. I did it today! BUT this time instead of thinking Oh well I've blown it! and carried on eating everything in sight I went and put on an excercise DVD and burnt off what I had eaten. I am finding the key for me is to log it, even when I have gone over. Lets face it the only person I am hurting by not recording it is me! This way I still feel in control and have the choice to excercise off what I have binged on
  • Higglyjiggly64
    Higglyjiggly64 Posts: 136
    I've read articles that recommend you drink a glass of water if you feel a craving b/c most of the time you feel "hungry" b/c you're dehydrated. I love to get the international sugar/caffeine free coffees. I'll make a cup with a dollop sugar free whip cream and that sometimes takes care of the craving. If not, a spoonful of peanut butter does the trick to.
  • Marjorielk
    Marjorielk Posts: 202 Member
    Since I joined MFP I have been logging in and reading all the posts. Helps keep me focused, I get a glass of water and if I have calories left a piece of fruit or several crackers.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Busy hands!! Finding something to do where I can't eat at the same time.
    Knitting or vacuuming both work :)

    This isn't getting to the root of WHY you eat but it does help stop the "mindless" eating when bored.

    I also find that if I prepare my snacks at the beginning of the day I can see what there is to eat and choose from these. Because I know I don't have an unlimited supply I find it easier to survey what is there and choose what I want now and what I'll save for later(usually a couple of the following: crackers, low fat cream cheese with chilli, a few almonds, one sweet biscuit, cherry tomatoes, a few grapes, one slice of cheese, single serve portion of hommus etc).
    I plan my meals ahead so I know if I can fit more or less snacks into my calories for the day.
  • SmartFunGorgeous
    SmartFunGorgeous Posts: 699 Member
    I am soooooo like this! I'm glad you asked because I found a lot of helpful suggestions. One thing I've noticed about myself is lack of activity often triggers desire to eat. This past weekend, for example, I watched WAY too much tv, and that sedentary activity left me bored and needing a distraction, so I turned to food. I should have washed my truck or rearranged my closet, but I let my old habits resurface. (only temporarily- I'm back on track!) I've also realized I crave more at night- again, when I'm more sedentary, but I plan for this during the day by eating low cal snacks and meals. And I try to exercise to offset calories on "bad" days. I also hop online and troll the blogs and forums, and it has been my biggest and BESTEST :tongue: distraction!
  • DyannAlvarez
    DyannAlvarez Posts: 162 Member
    You've lost 16 pounds so far! It appears to me that you're doing a GREAT job. I too have been a food addict. Thank God (and I mean that) I am coming "out" of that addiction. Looking back I can see that it's a process - not an event. It takes time but, again, looking at your results - your doing the right thing. Maybe not every minute of every day but it is a day to day thing. You've identified an issue which is far more than some ever accomplish. Look at what you've done and keep going! And remember... it is a PROCESS. You can do this, be patient and look at the long term and DON'T GET TRAPPED IN THE MISTAKE. Move on, move on, move on. In a week you'll see your accomplishments and your mistakes. By the looks of your results so far, I bet there are more accomplishments! Good luck to you Sweetie! You're on the right track for sure! God Bless you too - we all need more of that! :heart:
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