Being an addict and staying focused (or lack thereof)

BuffingButtons · May 2017

I'm curious how many out there have an addiction (to something/anything) and how you manage to stay focused on logging entries into your diary and/or a disciplined weight loss. Do you? Do you find it over-whelming?

Do you find yourself putting MFP to the side and "treating" yourself to a good meal to counter-act an addiction?

I leave addiction undefined as many out there can struggle with a wide range of addictions. The most obvious addiction could be a food or sugar addiction, but what about an opioid, drug or smoking addiction? An obsessive compulsive addiction? For privacy and removed judgment, responses don't need to name the addiction.

What have you done about your addiction? Do you find MFP and the maintenance with eating right/counting calories distracting from the addiction? Was it too over-whelming and made your addiction worse and you've recovered and returned to MFP? Since you're reading this, you're obviously using MFP -- what changed? What helped?

candylilacs · May 2017

I find it to be one step at a time.

"Just don't drink," they say in AA.How's that going to work for an addicted eater? Food addicts have to take the tiger out of the cage three times a day. I've read that some drinkers have tried "controlled drinking," and it hasn't been very successful. Eaters don't just have to try it; they must practice it to survive. -- Michael Prager

While on a diet, do I “lose it” after a few days?
When I lose weight, do I gain back even more?
Do I obsessively calculate the calories I’ve burned against the calories I’ve eaten?
Am I thinking about food or my weight all the time?
Do I have physical problems resulting from the way I eat, or don’t eat? x
Do I eat large amounts of food in a short period of time? x
Do certain foods trigger binges?
Do I weigh myself once or twice (or more) a day?
Do I eat differently in front of people than I do when I’m alone?
Do I have emotional problems resulting from the way I eat or don’t eat?
Do I find it difficult to stop eating without a struggle after one or two sweets? x
Have I done serious work in psychotherapy only to find my “food problem” was unaffected?

Answering one or more of these questions with a “yes” could indicate a food addiction.

I answered three questions with a yes.

womanisadevil · May 2017

Recently kicked opiate addiction cold turkey. Was hell. Actual living hell.

Weighing and counting all my food and exercising now is actually keeping me busy and filling the small "void" I had afterwards. I would literally cry because I didn't know how to be normal or how to spend my time.

I lost about 4 pounds from almost 2 weeks of withdrawls so that kind of jump started me to just keep going.

Some days are hard, I have to stop and sleep or I'm feeling depressed and just mope about. But the next day I just push harder.

elphie754 · May 2017

I was addicted to alcohol for years, but have been sober for years now. I had a great support system and without them, I don't think I would have succeeded. Only after I tackled my addiction did I attempt weight loss. I am very open about my past because it could help someone else.

nmiddleton · May 2017

I am definitely a food addict. I just eat to eat. I don't know how to stop it. I've tried mental help. I've been very over weight most of my life. I've lost weight and gained weight many times. I want to stop the cycle!!!

kommodevaran · May 2017

To become free from the addictive behavior, you have to let go of the restrictive mentality.

kevin_montgomery · May 2017

I have been alcoholic before. I recently found myself drifting down that path again. After some seriously dark times, I decided that I needed to step away from the booze for a while and focus on improving myself. Have I quit drinking all together? No. However, my new dedication to my health has helped me get back in line. Now I may have a beer or two on the weekend if friends are over. This is much better than killing a bottle of bourbon a night with a 2 liter of coke and about 3,500 cals of food for the day.

355Suzy · May 2017

Addicted to FB, and gaming. I keep deleting the games and then adding them back; my food plan reflects that same behavior. Four to seven hours gaming is not normal behavior. Have deleted the games again and will install the Freedom app in a few minutes to limit my FB time. Many personal issues out of my control cause me to bury my head in social media sand and knowing what I should do and then not do it adds to the anxiety. My faith is my biggest strength and gives me the courage to keep trying. I am almost halfway through my weight loss journey. Physically active but no regular exercise.

mph323 · May 2017

nmiddleton wrote: »

I am definitely a food addict. I just eat to eat. I don't know how to stop it. I've tried mental help. I've been very over weight most of my life. I've lost weight and gained weight many times. I want to stop the cycle!!!

So sorry you're in that space. Have you worked with a therapist who focuses on cognitive
behavior therapy? I found this extremely helpful when I felt my life was out of control. Wishing you the best of luck!

Being an addict and staying focused (or lack thereof)

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