eating and eating and eating HELP?

I too have had that problem. I am addicted to food like an alcoholic is addicted to booze. It is my drug and I can't diet for more than 6 weeks it seems. I go to Overeaters Anonymous. I never wanted to as I was overweight and embarassed enough over feeling like a pig with no willpower... but it WORKED!! and there are tons of other women in there and we all agree that the name sucks but the program (which is 100% free) works. Many alcoholics go to AA and get better. This is the exact same thing. You are an addict and there is help out there and no one wants your money. Good luck to you I feel your pain but I have lost a lot of weight and am so happy I found this. It also did help me with the rest of my lifes problems too and I made lots of friends who go through it with me and I have a sponsor. I now am glad that I have an eating disorder cuz i am so much happier now.

Let me know how you do! Jakietye@yahoo.com

For me, eating is an addiction. I did it for lots of reasons, and for no reason, at lots of different times. When I wasn't eating I was thinking about eating, or how much I had eaten, or what diet to go on next, or how much and in what ways to exercize to get the weight off. I knew it was crazy, but I couldn't stop overeating for very long, if at all. I've tried so many diets, and most have worked for some period of time. I've tried many kinds of exercize on many different plans, and most worked for a time. But, for me, the addiction was still there, and until I dealt with that, nothing else could solve my problem.

Everyone has different solutions, and I hope you find one that is perfect for you. My solution is Overeaters Anonymous. I don't have to pay to join, or sign a contract, or buy anything, and I can stay as long as I want or leave if I don't like it. I've lost 40 pounds and kept them off without any diets or exercize plans for over six years. Everything I hear in Overeaters Anonymous is just a suggestion and people told me to take what worked for me and leave the rest. I don't have to do, believe, or try anything, but I found when I put aside my huge cynicism, it actually did work. Whatever you choose to do, I really hope you find something that works for you.

water! I have the same problem! With my first son I got up to 210 and my second 185 now he is 9 mths old now and I am finally to 135 although 125 is my goal. The only thing that I found that really helped was water. And it has to be bottled water with a sports cap. I don't know why it has to have the sports cap but thats the only way I really enjoy it. That and I know gum helps some people. Hope that helps you. Not really a very technical answer but it works for me!! :) Every need someone to talk to keanyn_symon@yahoo.com - sometimes if you talk to someone and talk about what all you have eaten and whether or not you've done good it helps! And a faceless person is always easier! Best of luck!

And don't take up smoking!! That's something that is WAY harder to stop!!

No, you don't need to smoke to achieve that. My heart goes out to you, as I am trying to recover from the same problem (food compulsion). No doubt you want to change the way you view food. You know food is nutritious and necessary for your health, but there's in something that's not balanced in there. And your body has been going through a lot of changes as you just had your last child after multiple pregnancies in a 4 yr period. This is not easy on your body.

Well, good news is: there's hope! No doubt the source of your food addiction is anxiety, not really hunger. You said: "when I get bored I find myself eating". A ha! Now you need to work on this "boredness". Rule number one: don't stay home all the time. When you feel you are going to "attack" food, just take the kids for a walk around the block. It will be hard at first, but you have to push yourself to it. Then, don't buy junk food or snacks. Do you like veggies? The most satisfying and healthy "snacks" you can possible get are baby carrots, apple (just the "ritual" of slicing them and eating them slowly will make you feel filled up). I know it's hard, I've been there! Here is how it works: quitting food (I don't mean not eating at all... but quitting the urge to eat all the time) is like quitting a drug or alcohol habit. The first two or three days is the "abstinence" period. It will feel very weird. This is the time you need to program yourself to do things. Call a friend, go walking in a park, get some racketballs and play with the kid for the whole afternoon. The thing is: you need to get busy! Pretty soon your stomach will get used to you not overstacking it and as you might know the stomach is a muscle. The more you stack the more it expands. So try cutting food amounts slowly, as the stomach will unswell and pretty soon you will mentally will know when it's time to say "enough". It's all in your head! Do you know how big the stomach is? Close your fist tight and that's how big it is. That's how much food you should put in it in order to fill good. I used to overeat to the point I had terrible headaches and stomachaches, but one day I put in my head I was killing myself. Do exercise everyday! Walking is a great exercise. Exercise is a habit that can be developed: like you wake up every morning and use the restroom and brush your teeth. Exercise should be a part of your routine. I think you need to see a doctor first of all and talk to him about all these problems. Don't worry too much about going on a diet. Diet to me sounds like a prison, or obsession. You should concentrate in the source of your anxiety: not doing anything and thinking about eating. Junk food are a poison for you. There is nothing wrong about eating an ice cream now and then. But separate a day in a week for that: maybe just Saturday. Tell the kids that Saturday night is the ice cream night. That won't be too restrictive on your mind. And it will give you room for adjustments. Another secret: I know it's hard, but try not to eat carbs at night. No eating after 8PM. Just lots of tea and water. Maybe for dinner you can have a biiiig plate of salad (substitute salad dressing for homemade dressing: vinegar, lemon juice, little bit of olive oil and little salt... trust me you will love it!) with a lean piece of meat (about the size of the palm of your hand). Oh you know what else will help you? Green tea!! Hot tea makes the stomach feel filled as it gives that warm feeling. I know you can do it. I am being able to get rid of my food obsession, so why shouldn't you? Oh another thing: don't tell ANYONE you are re-educating yourself with food. They will try tempting you and joking with you, and this is not encouraging. Just do your job and keep quiet. This is a new discovery for yourself. It's possible, only you can achieve it!

Its the same cycle I am trying to break. I eat when I am depressed, sad or angry and then I grow even more depressed, sad and angry because I am getting fatter and lazier everyday. But I took counseling and were prescribed some medicines for my depression. It has seemed to help a little bit but I still give in to temptations and fighting it off. I keep two bottles of water by my side and when I 'want' but do not 'need' food, I make a point to drink one whole bottle and then wait for half an hour before really going to grab something. It takes tons of self-control. I reduced two pounds last week but then, I am just a beginner too.

Try these easy tips;

1. Hear your favorite music and you will forget your junk food. This will surely reduce your taken calories that day!

2. Concentrate to the food you are eating. Don't eat during watching Tv, reading or studying. These would make you eat more than usual.

3. Eat in a small plate.

4. Take your foods away from TV. Removes all the foods to the kitchen. It will make you feel lazy to take it from there.

5. Brush your teeth and your tongue. Making this will reduce your desire to chew.

6. Don't take food that kept in the bottle or jug. Because you will not realize how much you have taken. But pick up a handful and put in a small plate.

Well, it's common to want to eat often after a recent pregnancy. And a lot of times people eat out of boredom. At least I do. So instead of thinking about eating and then just eating, find something else to do that will keep you busy. Then you might be able to not thing about eating, which will keep you from eating. If that doesn't work, you need to get help. Like from a doctor kind of help.

You're not alone. There is a community of people who are recovering from eating disorders just like yours (including me) - called Overeaters Anonymous. I know, not a lovely name, but a lovely 12-step group. It's given me my life back. You can find more info on oa.org, or just google overeaters anonymous and find meetings. One caution - always call the contact number first - sometimes meetings move or the times change, and the websites don't always keep up well with the latest information. I promise you, this will work, if you're willing to give it a try. I haven't binged in 11 years, thanks to the OA program.

Don't you dare take up smoking and I hope you're only joking. The only time in my life that I've had the problem your having is when I quit smoking! I would eat then 10 minutes later eat again. I'd be full yet I'd be forcing myself to eat more. I freaked out and picked up smoking again. Now my lungs are rotting again and all I can think about is how I'm killing myself.

When you get the "eating" feeling, chew on gum. If you constantly eat and cant stop try eating fresh fruits, fresh vegetables. Maybe you need to talk to a dietitian and (I don't mean to sound rude) a counselor for depression? I know your not hungry so you might chose to take your children for a ride in the car, for a walk. Do something with your children to keep your mind off eating. Remember who you are reflects who your children will be.