Food Addiction: First Steps

[dgirl1986]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

I don't know if it would be helpful for you, but sometimes it's better to think in terms of weeks instead of individual days. In terms of calories and such, an overall week matters more than an individual day, if that makes sense... So as long as it's not an everyday thing, you don't have to worry too much about a ruined day, because you can still pick yourself up and have a good week. And like you said, you didn't get biscuits and chocolate, and that's a good change! Small victories are still victories.

I've been dealing with food issues for a few months as well (although a bit different from yours), and it really does get easier. I still have bad days, probably always will to be truthful, but I've noticed even the bad days aren't as bad as they used to be. It's like you say here, I might eat waaay to much of X - but in the past I'd have Y and Z too... so it's still not as bad as it used to be.

Ive never had so many bread rolls in my life! Usually though on a bad day I would have a block of chocolate, a pack of biscuits and a pastry so I guess my brain just latched onto buttered rolls. I think if I hadnt had butter on it I wouldnt have eaten so many. SO I think I have to ditch butter.

[Gardenia]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

I only intended on having 2...I ended up having the whole lot and felt like I was going to explode after. Whole day of good eating RUINED. I hope this gets easier...at least I didn't pick up any biscuits or chocolate like I really wanted to I guess.

I don't know if it would be helpful for you, but sometimes it's better to think in terms of weeks instead of individual days. In terms of calories and such, an overall week matters more than an individual day, if that makes sense... So as long as it's not an everyday thing, you don't have to worry too much about a ruined day, because you can still pick yourself up and have a good week. And like you said, you didn't get biscuits and chocolate, and that's a good change! Small victories are still victories.

I've been dealing with food issues for a few months as well (although a bit different from yours), and it really does get easier. I still have bad days, probably always will to be truthful, but I've noticed even the bad days aren't as bad as they used to be. It's like you say here, I might eat waaay to much of X - but in the past I'd have Y and Z too... so it's still not as bad as it used to be.

[dgirl1986]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Epic fail of mass proportions...I was doing so well yesterday. I had a good amount of snacks, I had rice paper rolls for lunch which were delicious. Then the buttered white roll craving started. I put a 5 dollar note in my pocket and went to to the deli but they didn't have any left. I would've picked up the sugarless biscuits but I didn't have enough on me (luckily) but my "need" for these damn rolls was seriously overwhelming so on my way home I stopped at woolies and grabbed a bag of 6 rolls.

I only intended on having 2...I ended up having the whole lot and felt like I was going to explode after. Whole day of good eating RUINED. I hope this gets easier...at least I didn't pick up any biscuits or chocolate like I really wanted to I guess.

[Willow]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Well, it's not entirely off-topic, I mean, addictions addiction after all!

I'm on my phone and although I can kid myself that I'll remember to do this when I get home, I know myself better than that. So I'll just try to remember off the top of my head for now. The book is called 'From Chocker to Non-smoker, and is purple. It uses playful fonts, kind of like you'd see in a spell book aimed at teens, but I think it just makes it more friendly and accessible. The recording is a little harder. I think his name is Dan Jones. So if you go to YouTube and put in 'quit smoking hypnosis' you should find one by Dan. I think it says somewhere in the description that it isn't the full recording, but it is complete and takes you from start to finish. You know you have the right one if it is to the sound of drumming, with no music. Sorry to make it so awkward.

Can't have been that awkward. I found both within 5 minutes. =P Thanks! *favorites links on hubby's pc...*

[Maria de Luna]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Can I also mention one other thing that I have learned the hard way. If there are foods that you have cut entirely from your diet, but really enjoy eating, try to remove yourself from situations where they are presented. For instance, a family dinner where the only food on the table is garlic bread and pasta, and you are not supposed to be eating them, I would avoid sitting there with the family. Try to be nice about it, but be firm, especially if the family is like hawkfeathers, where you will be pressured to eat. Even if you have something else in front of you, it can be hard to muster that willpower if the food is within arms reach. I have to stay out of the kitchen entirely on pasta dinner nights, because while the family knows I am trying not to eat these foods, they make no bones about trying to encourage me to eat them... Your family may be less manipulative, but they also may not mean to be putting pressure on you...

[DanieMarie]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Different methods for different people and all, but speaking as someone who is familiar with food addiction? The cold turkey approach seems to lead to more issues for a lot of people. Yeah, it might work for some, but it's best to be aware of the problems that can come up with that approach, such as...



The problem with this from a food addiction perspective, rather than say a dieting one, is that you run a risk of simply replacing one addiction with another. I mean, replacing cake with say, carrots or whatever, it sounds helpful, but if you then sit and eat carrots until you're sick (which is what often happens with a food addict) then you're not much better off. Yeah, maybe it's better than eating that much cake, but the problem's still there. That's also the issue with the cold turkey approach - you simply can't stop eating. An alcoholic or smoker can just stop totally, but you have to eat, of course. So the idea of just totally giving up all the foods you love leads to that replacement problem - or, in a lot of cases to doing well for a while then going on a total binge.

I think this is why it's really important to not only get some support from other addicts, but also to actually get professional help and talk about the various methods before just going at it, if that's possible to do.

I see what you're saying. I guess I don't really know anyone who was actually addicted to food (only cigarettes and booze), and though there are foods that I like a lot (chocolate), I'd hardly call myself addicted to any of them. Unless we're talking about coffee, which is more of a caffeine addiction.

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That is what I have started doing, finding alternatives for the foods I should stay away from. Some of them are really tasty, some not so much lol.

Yeah, the trick is pretty much a trial and error sort of thing. Some things you will like, and some you will not.

For the sweet stuff, I'd give Chocolate Covered Katie's blog a try. I've recommended it here before, but she has a lot of dessert recipes that are based on fruit and other plant sources. Some are straight-up delicious.

[Jembru]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Off Topic: Do you happen to still have the names/authors/links of the book and recording? You can pm me if we're trying to keep this thread on topic.

Well, it's not entirely off-topic, I mean, addictions addiction after all!

I'm on my phone and although I can kid myself that I'll remember to do this when I get home, I know myself better than that. So I'll just try to remember off the top of my head for now. The book is called 'From Chocker to Non-smoker, and is purple. It uses playful fonts, kind of like you'd see in a spell book aimed at teens, but I think it just makes it more friendly and accessible. The recording is a little harder. I think his name is Dan Jones. So if you go to YouTube and put in 'quit smoking hypnosis' you should find one by Dan. I think it says somewhere in the description that it isn't the full recording, but it is complete and takes you from start to finish. You know you have the right one if it is to the sound of drumming, with no music. Sorry to make it so awkward.

[Hawkfeathers]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Lol I guess we use the english terms for these haha. I take it you are from the US then :P

Yes I am! I'm a Jersey girl planted in the Midwest Ozarks.

[dgirl1986]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

Thanks! I would call that cookies and candy. Biscuits are a breakfast bread and lollies are lollipops, in my world LOL

Lol I guess we use the english terms for these haha. I take it you are from the US then :P

[Hawkfeathers]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

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Thanks! I would call that cookies and candy. Biscuits are a breakfast bread and lollies are lollipops, in my world LOL

[dgirl1986]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

I'm not too sure what I'm picturing as "biscuits" and "lollies" are what you mean,. Please describe.....

These

[Hawkfeathers]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

yeah that kind of thing certainly doesnt help. When I was younger my fathers mother would sit me in front of a movie with a jar of biscuits in one hand and a jar of lollies in the other.

I'm not too sure what I'm picturing as "biscuits" and "lollies" are what you mean,. Please describe.....

[dgirl1986]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

My dad was only able to beat smoking cold turkey, and I know a few other people who could only quit their addictions that way.

If you do cut the foods cold turkey, it can be helpful to replace them with something. Most people I know who quit things found it helpful to replace their addiction with something else (something healthier). It could be an activity, or another food. I think those "if you crave this, then eat this" posts on various parts of the web are helpful. You could also go for an alternate food....like if you crave chips, you could make yourself kale chips.

That is what I have started doing, finding alternatives for the foods I should stay away from. Some of them are really tasty, some not so much lol.

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I'm a Diabetic. So I can understand having to limit (don't say get rid of or you just set yourself up as a Villian about to fail). I have also used http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ to help me keep track of what I really eat on a daily basis.

But. I have to warn you of something. Do not end up switching your 'addiction to food' for an 'addiction to thinking about your food' on a daily basis. You need to, at some point, just eat and move on with your day.

When I was first getting my new eating under control, I could spend all my waking hours thinking of how I was going to consume my next meal, my next day, my whole week. You need to eventually just eat. Good luck.

Yeah I am constantly planning the food for the next day, but I am trying to establish a food routine so that I wont have to think about it so much.

I was obsessing over soup last night o.O

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The problem with this from a food addiction perspective, rather than say a dieting one, is that you run a risk of simply replacing one addiction with another. I mean, replacing cake with say, carrots or whatever, it sounds helpful, but if you then sit and eat carrots until you're sick (which is what often happens with a food addict) then you're not much better off. Yeah, maybe it's better than eating that much cake, but the problem's still there. That's also the issue with the cold turkey approach - you simply can't stop eating. An alcoholic or smoker can just stop totally, but you have to eat, of course. So the idea of just totally giving up all the foods you love leads to that replacement problem - or, in a lot of cases to doing well for a while then going on a total binge.

I think this is why it's really important to not only get some support from other addicts, but also to actually get professional help and talk about the various methods before just going at it, if that's possible to do.

I only have issues with food that are rich in salt, fat and sugar pretty much...and maybe even wheat. I do not tend to want to eat a lot of...say...bananas or something.

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My relationship with food has been difficult and storied....my parents were the kind who made me clean my plate as a child, and they literally set a dish of spinach in front of me for 3 days until I ate it, when I initially refused it. I was not allowed to say when I was full - I'd be coached as to how there's just a little left, you can do it! There are children starving in other countries, etc. Plus, it was considered a sign of prosperity to have a well-fed, chubby child. Many of my classmates were chubby. We walked to school, we did not eat fast food, we did not play video games. We simply ate what was put in front of us! Showing a "healthy" (big) appetite was better than getting straight A's. Food was a reward, a comforter, you-name-it. It was all good food, I want to interject - no soda, little candy, all homemade healthy stuff. Just too much of it!!

SO I became a teenager and my big rebellion was getting thin. 700 obsessive calories a day, slipping my morning toast to the dog under the table, lying about eating lunch at school, sometimes even saying I was having dinner at a friends house, then telling the friend I had to go home for dinner, and getting out of eating entirely. I was bikini-thin and that's all that mattered. Stayed that way till I hit 30 and then the you-know-what hit the fan, my hormones went insane, I got fibroids and a host of other weird issues and gained a ton of weight. Fast forward to my late 40's and I lost a lot of that, the healthy way, but I still, to this day, eat too much......it's all good healthy stuff, but I think my "full meter" was destroyed in childhood. I remember so clearly, as an 8 year old, eating SIX hot dogs at a family barbeque and being PRAISED for it as if I'd found the key to world peace.

yeah that kind of thing certainly doesnt help. When I was younger my fathers mother would sit me in front of a movie with a jar of biscuits in one hand and a jar of lollies in the other.

[Willow]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

It was a book my friend recommended, that started the ball rolling. Until this book, I found books very patronizing and condescending. Like, the author would go on about how pathetic smoking is, how stupid you are for doing it, how anti-social it is, tell you how much you stink.. and so on. Being told what to do in such tones, especially as an adult, is just going to make you want to rebel and resist. It seemed there were two types of non-smoker: those who'd never smoked, so couldn't possibly understand the feelings involved in cigarette addiction, or militant ex-smokers (still the most loathsome of creatures in my opinion: hooray, well done, you quit.. now shut the f*ck up and drink you capri sun). This book was different. It worked with you, not against you. It let me choose when I was going to quit and gave me little exercises to do on the build up to the big Q day. Even then, it recognised that you WILL have slip ups, that there will be those times that are just too hard to resist smoking. Rather than reset you to day 1 again, you were able to continue along the process, still considering yourself to be N days into your quit, and instead, suggested ways to reduce these slip ups until they no longer happened.

That book really helped. What also helped, was a hypnosis recording I found on Youtube.

Off Topic: Do you happen to still have the names/authors/links of the book and recording? You can pm me if we're trying to keep this thread on topic.

[Hawkfeathers]

Re: Food Addiction: First Steps

My relationship with food has been difficult and storied....my parents were the kind who made me clean my plate as a child, and they literally set a dish of spinach in front of me for 3 days until I ate it, when I initially refused it. I was not allowed to say when I was full - I'd be coached as to how there's just a little left, you can do it! There are children starving in other countries, etc. Plus, it was considered a sign of prosperity to have a well-fed, chubby child. Many of my classmates were chubby. We walked to school, we did not eat fast food, we did not play video games. We simply ate what was put in front of us! Showing a "healthy" (big) appetite was better than getting straight A's. Food was a reward, a comforter, you-name-it. It was all good food, I want to interject - no soda, little candy, all homemade healthy stuff. Just too much of it!!

SO I became a teenager and my big rebellion was getting thin. 700 obsessive calories a day, slipping my morning toast to the dog under the table, lying about eating lunch at school, sometimes even saying I was having dinner at a friends house, then telling the friend I had to go home for dinner, and getting out of eating entirely. I was bikini-thin and that's all that mattered. Stayed that way till I hit 30 and then the you-know-what hit the fan, my hormones went insane, I got fibroids and a host of other weird issues and gained a ton of weight. Fast forward to my late 40's and I lost a lot of that, the healthy way, but I still, to this day, eat too much......it's all good healthy stuff, but I think my "full meter" was destroyed in childhood. I remember so clearly, as an 8 year old, eating SIX hot dogs at a family barbeque and being PRAISED for it as if I'd found the key to world peace.