My name is Natasha, and I am an addict...

[Natasha~]

Hi Friends,
I need help. I have an addiction, you may think it's funny, but it's not. I'm addicted to food.
When I first got married I weighed a slim 140lbs, then I gained 20lbs in our first year together.
I had a nervous breakdown in June of 2002 and I've gained 40lbs in less than 6 months.
I'm addicted to food, I sneak food when i'm not supposed to, i eat junk food behind my family's back and i don't tell them. I do this because I'm depressed or bored mostly. I weigh 200lbs and i need help.
Please help me, if you have ANY suggestions or support please leave it here for me.
I have just discovered this problem was a major problem and i need help.
thank you for listening.
xo

[Angie812]

wow nattie i feel you. i have always had issues with food!!!! (recently i have been reading on how it is for nutrionial value and how is works in your body) i mean dont get me wrong i love to eat!!
so definatly ur not alone...i had been like 140 forever!!! then boom here comes like 30 pounds im getting rid of it slowly...i cut out fast food like mcdonalds and ive stopping drinking pepsi...(which i used to LOVE!!)
but i eat more salads...and i am trying to dabble in heathlier choices...

one step at a time sweety ;D


major hugs....

[DaturaFae]

Food has always been an outlet for my stress, too. My weight goes up and down like a yo-yo. Sometimes I'll go through phases when I can't stop eating, and other times I'll eat only a bite or two a day. I went through a period of weight-gain like that a couple of years ago. I actually just went through a period of weight-loss. In a couple of months I randomly dropped 20-something lbs.

I've found that the times when my weight remained at a healthy level is when I found other outlets for my stress / depression. Usually when I thought that I needed food (I completely understand the "addicted" feeling) that what I really needed what something to do (the boredom / depression thing applies frequently to me too) or a way to relax.
When you see yourself going to the fridge, just grab a glass of water, change whatever activity you are doing, and get away from the kitchen. The out of sight, out of mind thing works well for me. Try to be where food is less available and you'll find better ways to lift your mood. Chewing gum helps me a lot too -- it keeps my mouth occupied and mint helps to stifle the appetite.

Most of all, just be easy on yourself. Getting upset about it makes it a thousand times worse, trust me. Just know that you have friends to support you.

*love 'n' hugs*

[Natasha~]

wow, daturas...thanks so much for your advice about the water/changing activites thing..that's a really good idea, i've taken up chewing gum and it really helps with the cravings and the obsession to constantly eat.
thanks again girls for the help.
xo

[Angie812]

wow i just noticed that the 2 daturas handled this thread....

datura chica....great minds think alike....lol

[DaturaFae]

hehe... yep! They always do

[Natasha~]

xo

[LipGlossAddict]

Nattie,

I have a similar problem with eating, although I haven't gained a lot of weight, I have gained some. Food is comfort to me...I use it when I'm mad, sad, even when I'm happy. I have a hard time eating what's right for me and then when I give in, I eat a lot of what's wrong. I'm paranoid about turning into a diabetic, because I love carbs and sweets and I also worry about heart disease. I know that I will never be super model thin, but I want to get back to a healthy weight.

I've recently heard of OverEaters Anonymous. It is a support group...kind of like Alcoholics Anonymous. They have a really great website that can help you find meetings in your area. I'm thinking about going to a meeting sometime soon.

www.overeatersanonymous.org/

I don't know if that will be any help to you, but I thought I'd mention it, incase you're interested.

You are not alone.

*hugs*

Mandy

[♥Mary♥]

ok, lipglossaddict already posted what i was gonna post for you, nattie! (the OA info) I have a few friends in OA....it really does help. You can even do things online with others from the group.

The biggest/best thing you did was admit/accept the 'problem'....that is HUGE, I tell you!

~♥ Mary

[Natasha~]

thanks girls, it really means a lot to me that you would care so much. Keep the support coming, i really need it!
xo

[♥Mary♥]

nattie, you are soooo welcome.

Been there, you know?

hugs, Mary

[♣Miranda♣]

Hey Nattie, I think it's really brave of you to share this with all of us! Everyone else has given you such good advice, I don't really have any, lol. Just want you to know, you can do anything. I believe in you! Good luck, sweetie.

[raisangrrl]

hey, sweetie! it is my firm belief that is it easier to get addicted to food than anything else. whenever i'm stressed, mad, depressed i look for the junk food, or usually whatever i can find to binge on. fortunatly, i've had alot of luck with the 'no junk food in the house' rule. we don't buy any chips, soda, ice cream, cookies, etc. most of the houses we go to don't have these foods either, which helps alot also. we keep alot of fresh veggies and fruits, cheese, peanut butter, etc. in our house, anything that is healthy is acceptable. i also chew gum alot. it helps with not only the food cravings, but the ciggerette cravings as well (down to 3 a day!!!!). good luck sweetie. *hugzhugzhugzhugzhugzhugzhugzhugz*

[Daemeon]

I hope I don't sound harsh, but I think your best bet is to sit down and say "no more, I am stopping now" and dicipline yourself into stopping your addiction. Read a good diet plan (maybe a nutrition guide off the internet) and stick to it. I am a really big believer in the idea that people have much more control in their lives than they realize, it just takes willpower. Hope that helps

[Daemeon]

Here is some info I found that may be helpful.

- Eat three small meals a day instead of one big meal. Your body burns calories more efficiently and your stomach will shrink so it takes less food to feel full.

- Pause for at least 12 minutes after eating a small meal. Thats how long it takes for the chemical "I am full" signals to reach your brain from your stomach. (Have you ever noticed that you can eat a lot of food at a sitting but not until 20 minutes later do you realize you ate too much and feel sick)

- A good diet has 1200-1400 calories a day and a balance of meats, grains, vegatables, etc. Exercise vigorously 3 times a week for 45 minutes.

[Pinkdesaster]

I´m sorry you´re having this problem. I am always hungry, too, but I have to eat much, because I´m skinny and when i eat less for some days I´m losing too much weight. I need my vitamins and fat!!!

You should eat about five small meals a day and if you have the time cook it yourself, buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

[elizabeth]

I just want to say this must be so hard for you. And I think you are really brave for telling us about it. I don't have much advice except maybe you can try to understand the feelings , the boredom and depression, that make it happen. Maybe it's too intolerable to listen to those feelings so we smoke or eat? All I know, is if you do listen to these feelings, you know, in a quiet, comfortable place, it gets easier after the first 20 to 25 minutes, and you realize there's really something big going underneath the boredom and depression. Usually, some feeling very simple and very understandable and loveable! Like, I really miss my friens and feel like I have no one to talk to , or I'm not working on my writing and that makes me feel sad. This is just my experience. Be gentle with yourself, some unhappy part of you is trying to get your attention..It won't hurt (maybe a little at first) to listen to her. Take good care!

[♥Mary♥]

I just want to jump back on this thread & say....
There is lots of support & understanding for you here, nattie. And please know that's it's not about the FOOD itself.....it's not a matter of willpower, necessarily, because we do need food to survive....
It's a matter of figuring out the root of the problem that leads to using excess food for comfort....in other words....getting to the heart of the addiction. And that is the most difficult part.

Nattie, there is a really good book called: WHY CAN'T I STOP EATING?, by Deborah Danowski. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are just realizing that this is something you need to work thru.

IM me or email me ANYtime....I'm here.

[♥Mary♥]

.....and I like what elizabeth said, too!

[Pinkdesaster]

Yes, she just hit the nail on the head!