Thread: How are you dealing with your addiction?

I am a food addict.
I have gone out in the car for a secret eating session of a familysize bucket of kfc and eaten it, taking the dog with me so no-one wonders where I am. I have also done this with a chinese meal.
How many times have I eaten until I felt sick and thought I would explode, having to lie down till I felt better!
When going on days out, my first thought has been, ooh what do I get to eat- fish n chips/kfc/chinese...rather than other aspects of the day, talk about food overtaking my life!
I have lost weight in the past, ignoring posts like this, thinking I would deal with it when I got to goal, never quite getting there and so putting all the weight I lost back on again. I have learnt the hard way that problems cannot be avoided, and will come back unless resolved.
So time to start dealing with it. start feeling desires, to try to understand them, not giving in or distracting myself, instead working out why, is it an emotional response, or a food that triggers bingeing, and learning new responses appropriate to the reason for the desire. Ok it will take practise. I have plenty of time.

Your mini goals look quite major to me. Don't forget to build in some positive treats as you reach them.
If you are determined you will get there. I used to focus my whole life around food too. I realised my whole identity had morphed into a food person, expert, cook, provider, taster, arranger, planner, eater etc, etc. ]
When I went out for a meal i always decided by portion size and never considered calories. I could annd did eat for England.
Now things have changed for me. I still enjoy food, but it doesn't rule my life any more. I'm in charge of IT now.
It's a release.
I hope it turns out like that for you. Keep busy with other things.

Originally Posted by shrinkingsarah

I have lost weight in the past, ignoring posts like this, thinking I would deal with it when I got to goal,

This is really common, along with people on TFR thinking that just because they can manage a TFR, they are 'cured'.

I see it over and over again.

Have just done a couple of posts about putting things into practice, so it's at the forefront of my mind at the moment

So time to start dealing with it. start feeling desires, to try to understand them, not giving in or distracting myself, instead working out why, is it an emotional response, or a food that triggers bingeing, and learning new responses appropriate to the reason for the desire. Ok it will take practise. I have plenty of time.

Yep. Got it in one. Reading about it is really helpful. Putting it into practice is the clincher and the bit people tend to forget.

Thanks guys. that's what I'm aiming for slendablenda, to be in control of food. and I fully intend to get there. I amended my goals to add some treats, I'm sure there'll be more, moneys tight but I've managed to buy enough takeaways in the past so I'm sure I can afford to pamper myself! ooh and i love your outfit in your after photo, shape + design, it's lurvely

and KD, I'm working on a bit at a time, I have worked out several possible things to do when I have a craving, after acknowleging it, to overcome it if needs be, and then the questions I have to ask myself once it has passed to discover and understand the cause, and then I can work out how to best deal with the trigger. I'm sure I'll have plenty of practise to see if my method works. I'm also planning on working on my assertiveness, as I know being submissive most of my life (then getting upset as my needs are ignored and I am misunderstood, then turning to comfort food....) is a major issue for me, so I ordered a CBT workbook to work through, and intend on getting lots of practice at home and where I work as a volunteer. And when things don't go as planned, I shall cope in one of my new ways and hopefully overtime, learn that food is not the answer!

Sarah, let us know how you get on... am very interested in your pro-active approach, fighting the same battles myself. I am especially keen to know whether you think the CBT book is helpful... thanks, and good luck!

xxx

You struck a chord with me Sarah. I too am working on the reasons behind my addiction. Have started to work through a cbt book today - the beck diet solution. First days exercise is to make a list of all the advantages of losing weight and list them in order of how important they are to you. Have written mine on some small index cards, one to keep in my bag, one for upstairs and one for downstairs! Aim to be prepared, must read and consider them twice daily so have posted two post it notes around the house to remind me.

Good luck with your work on cbt what book are you going to use?

Vanda

Hey Katycakes and Vanda I just want this to be my last diet, and be in control of food, and know if I don't sort my issues, I'll permanently be losing then putting on. That is so not the life i want! I have a looong list of reasons I am losing weight on my wall, but the card thing is such a good idea, I'm going to borrow that and put my top reasons in my wallet incase of times of weaknesses when I go out. Thanks!
My CBT book is specifially for assertiveness as this is a major issue for me, and I know although it will be hard, it will also make a major difference to my life and how I feel, so the hardwork'll be worth it. (It's called the assertiveness workbook incase anyone has the same problem).
Good luck to you too ladies, let me know if you have anymore fabulous tips! xx

What you say is totally true and has described me to a tee, im not as strong as you yet so I have a photo and a large poster in the pantry and in the sweety cuboard, I dont bother with the fridge so that one is safe.

Its a picture of me at my biggest and a note telling me not to be so weak and stupid and go pamper myself, so far working for me telling myself off, plus I hat that pic and would rather not see it.

Thank you for your words of wisdom