Food Addiction??

god iam the same, iam so glad other people feel like this, as all my friends dont under stand. They eat to survive. I eat because i really enjoy it. I love talking about it, buying it, cooking it and more so eating it. I evan be came a chef then restaurant manager because i love being around it. I can spend hours in asda just looking at all the different foods there is and thinking hiow good it would taste.
I feel i really do have a problem, my life revolves around food.
I really want things to change.
A month ago i saw a hypnotherapist to try and help me with my obsesion with food, i feel it really hepled me understand alot about my self and how i thought about food. Since then i have lost just over 7lb but i am not dieting i am changing my life, if i want to eat some thing i eat it, just in moderation. i feel great.
I have a long way to go but i have to it for my health. xxx

Thank you for you post. I have been suffering from binge eating for almost 2 years now. I exercise regularly so have managed to only put on 10 pounds. (I'd hate to see what it would be if I didn't exercise!) Still, on a 5'3 frame, I hate what I see in the mirror. I have fat where I never had it before all due to bingeing on junk food. I do good for about a week and then binge for 1-3 days. I hate it! I hate how I feel after stuffing my face and the guilt I have when I go to bed. Then the resolve to do better the next morning. I still haven't quite figured out why I do it though, so it's really frustrating. I just want to eat normal again and quit worrying about food and weight 24/7. I know it's possible, I've seen others do it. But it is not easy. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one and that there is hope.

I'm glad you can relate - don't feel alone - I was that way for 30 years (and maintained a healthy weight until I gained 50 lbs in pregnancy) so I can relate to you! For me, I really found that in the moment I needed to think of what was going on. It was hard to pin point at first, but then it got easier. I also found that stream of conciousness journally (I know it sounds corny - but without thinking, you just write any words that come to your mind) and things started to reveal themselves to me.

Good luck - I wrote "recovered" because after being in a good place for almost a year, my niece died over Christmas, and I was right back in the box of choclates to "feel better". With that said, I'm back with healthier behaviours again! Just because you are slim, doesn't mean you don't struggle - and I can appreciate that, and empathize.
:flowerforyou:

Thanks for all your insight. It truely does help to here others stories and know that there is a way out. Last night in fact, I had already eaten and my husband got home almost two hours later, so I was dishing up his food. I really wanted to eat again. The food had tasted so yummy! But then I remembered what you wrote and tried to think what was really going on. I was tired and wanted the comfort of food. But, I didn't. I got busy doing something else and then it was time for bed. If I can just stop and focus like that more often, I think it will really help. So thank you.

I 'm sorry about your niece. My mom, who was my best friend, died very suddenly April of 2002. Sometimes I wonder if that is one of the reasons I binge. Even though I didn't start until 5 years after she died. I don't miss her any less than I did then. Sometimes I wonder if it's even more, as my children are growing up and she's not here to talk to and share it with. Losing somone close sure stinks!

First, I'm so very, very sorry to hear of your mother's passing - what a heartbreaking loss. I would imagine it gets harder, especially as you say, with your children missing a grandmother as well.

I think missing your mom could be a MAJOR part of binging. Next time you feel like eating something that you know is not out of hunger, see if you can figure it out.

Second, AWESOME job on not having the second plate of dinner by realizing you wanted the comfort - do you find something else comforting to do? Hug your hubby? Sit with him and chat? Hot bath? I know this all might sound corny, but I really do find it works!
:flowerforyou:

My hubby noted that evenings after I talk to a certain "relative" of mine (with whom I have a strained relationship), I go get a snack. Then I noted that 9 times out of 10, after speaking with or seeing this person, I feel worse about my self. Making this realization has changed (1) how I speak with and to this person, and (2) made the relationship better because I try and make a real effort to change the negative patterns to positive (on my end), and oddly enough, it is making HER more positive as well, and (3) After speaking with her, I have a little therapy session with my hubby to talk it out instead of eating.
:ohwell:

Have you guys read this post?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/31501-why-am-i-eating-this-by-geneen-roth

Have you guys read this post?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/31501-why-am-i-eating-this-by-geneen-roth

Thank you! That is just what I needed to read. I really need to apply her principles and see what is at the root of my binges. I've been doing them for almost 2 years now. I'm so ready to conquer them! This is empowering!

Thanks for all your insight. It truely does help to here others stories and know that there is a way out. Last night in fact, I had already eaten and my husband got home almost two hours later, so I was dishing up his food. I really wanted to eat again. The food had tasted so yummy! But then I remembered what you wrote and tried to think what was really going on. I was tired and wanted the comfort of food. But, I didn't. I got busy doing something else and then it was time for bed. If I can just stop and focus like that more often, I think it will really help. So thank you.

I 'm sorry about your niece. My mom, who was my best friend, died very suddenly April of 2002. Sometimes I wonder if that is one of the reasons I binge. Even though I didn't start until 5 years after she died. I don't miss her any less than I did then. Sometimes I wonder if it's even more, as my children are growing up and she's not here to talk to and share it with. Losing somone close sure stinks!

First, I'm so very, very sorry to hear of your mother's passing - what a heartbreaking loss. I would imagine it gets harder, especially as you say, with your children missing a grandmother as well.

I think missing your mom could be a MAJOR part of binging. Next time you feel like eating something that you know is not out of hunger, see if you can figure it out.

Second, AWESOME job on not having the second plate of dinner by realizing you wanted the comfort - do you find something else comforting to do? Hug your hubby? Sit with him and chat? Hot bath? I know this all might sound corny, but I really do find it works!
:flowerforyou:

My hubby noted that evenings after I talk to a certain "relative" of mine (with whom I have a strained relationship), I go get a snack. Then I noted that 9 times out of 10, after speaking with or seeing this person, I feel worse about my self. Making this realization has changed (1) how I speak with and to this person, and (2) made the relationship better because I try and make a real effort to change the negative patterns to positive (on my end), and oddly enough, it is making HER more positive as well, and (3) After speaking with her, I have a little therapy session with my hubby to talk it out instead of eating.
:ohwell:
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AJCM,

I'm so glad for your post. I realized in reading it, that I've never talked to ANYONE about my bingeing before. Too embarrased and ashamed. I've gotten books from the library to try and help, but it's so different talking to someone who knows first hand. Your advice is awesome and I've already seen it help in just a few days. Crazy how stress and self esteem plays a huge role. I have been saying to myself lately, "I am bigger than this. I will not let it control me anymore.". And if I say it out loud, it can really be empowering. Another thing I need to work on is to stop comparing myself to others. Not easy!