Just Addicted-Now What

[If Not For Grace]

I seem to have an addiction to Carbs-any kind. It's like an alcoholic to booze.

Once I start no stopping, I've never been hungry in my life. It's gotten progressively worse over the last couple of years. Know it's emotional eating, don't know how to stop it.

Family member and myself are guilty of sabatoge, am pre-diabetic with An upcoming Dr Apt (AC1 = 8.0) next week-feeling defeated.

Common Sense does not apply. Have the head knowledge, just cant seem to get a grip? Suggestions?

 

[LovedSparrow]

Hi If Not For Grace,
Proud of you for reaching out! Yes, carbs can be an addiction. Sort of like I have to bread and cheese (I have lots of food allergies and they make me sick.) It takes a couple days to withdraw from both for me.

I validate your feelings, and something just popped into my mind. Is it possible for you to rid your house of them? Just dump them all out. It may be a healing thing to feel yourself dump (or physically throw) them out. The feeling of a new beginning, say, "I'm not going to let these get ahold of me!" or something like that.

I know this is hard, but God is with you.

 

[If Not For Grace]

No, I am not the master of this household by any means..But it is my bad habits that have gotten me where I am, I feel like I am just plain too lazy to go through the "pain" or withdrawal, but then again the habits are worse than the addictions. I know this from smoking. I have been without a cigarette long enough to be over the physical addiction of nicotine, but mentally I WANT to smoke-still can't figure why. I have it associated with some pleasure that I can't seem to identify. I sabatoge my own success.

Prayers for stregnth, please.

 

[Colleen1]

No, I am not the master of this household by any means..But it is my bad habits that have gotten me where I am, I feel like I am just plain too lazy to go through the "pain" or withdrawal, but then again the habits are worse than the addictions. I know this from smoking. I have been without a cigarette long enough to be over the physical addiction of nicotine, but mentally I WANT to smoke-still can't figure why. I have it associated with some pleasure that I can't seem to identify. I sabatoge my own success.

Prayers for stregnth, please.

Speaking for myself, I find that many times when I have issues such as that they seem secondary to a deeper issue. In regards to my issues such as those, I find that underneath the desire to eat / not eat in an unhealthy manner is a deeper seated pain / shame / anxiety. When I work on these root issues the other 'secondary' ones get better. Takes me time and support but the more I make healthy decisions and realize how truly valuable and loved I am by God etc., the more confidence I have in overcoming and get use to living in a healthier way. Of course, this can be easier said than done but it is the only truly effective way I've found for lasting change. God bless!

 

[Angeldove97]

I am an emotional over-eater, who, at times, has punished myself by eating until my stomach really hurts. Once that clicked in my brain-- what I was doing-- I knew I had to stop. I've been on-and-off working on it for about 2+ years now and it is still something I have to be mindful of. Right now I'm doing very well-- thank God

Here's what I've done so far to help myself along:
1) I read the book "The Eden Diet" that is written by a Christian dietician who once dealt with the same issue and was able to get it under control. Great book and she even has an online support group which she actively posts in. There's also a workbook and CD's that are suppose to be very good~ but I've only read the book and posted at the site.

2) I joined Calorie Count web-site which has a great community of dieters who are dealing with the same issue: working on healthy food, the right portions, exercising and losing weight. When I actively track my calories and exercise, read through other people's progress, and check out the forums there, I do much better-- but it is time consuming to do everything. I will track my calorie intake before I actually eat anything so that way I know how much I should eat based on calories and nutrition.

3) Find rewards for yourself that have nothing to do with food. Take an evening off from doing work, find a new online game to play, take a bubble bath, go see a movie (no snacks), call a friend, go buy a new dress, etc. Ask family and friends to help support you with this~ maybe have them not ask if you want to go out to dinner but perhaps go see a movie or a play (go shopping?) whatever that is not food related.

I still have two areas to really work on: exercising (I hate doing it) and being mindful of what and how much I eat when I'm out-- either on vacation or just going out to dinner with someone. I attempt to plan what portion I will eat when I get my dish and then just get a to go box to put the rest of it away. Sometimes it works, other times I still eat a bit too much.

But you're definitely not alone and this is something that is not fixed over night. But it is something that you can definitely fix and work on and I'm sure it is something that I will be working on for a lifetime.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Thank you.

Angeldove: I have just recenlty found CC and signed up. I realize I am an emotional eater and know what Collen says is true but I just can't seem to id the ACUTUAL ROOT cause of the issue. I know I eat when happy, sad, or frustrated. Some one at CC told me that "if food is not the problem, food is not the solution" and that is my new mantra. I have made changes, MAJOR changes but with limited results so far, but I do feel better.

I'm afraid that if I can't get to the ROOT of this thing all my work will be for naught-just like with smoking. Tried twice BF to quit..gained weight both times..started back smoking both times..kept the weight. Now am tackling both at the same time.

Colleen: How did you get to the CORE of the issues? I may not be objective enough or in denial, but I just can't seem to go deep enough or see clearly enough. Suggestions, & Prayers WELCOME

PS I will check out the "Eden" series..Thanks

 

[Colleen1]

Thank you.

Some one at CC told me that "if food is not the problem, food is not the solution" and that is my new mantra. I have made changes, MAJOR changes but with limited results so far, but I do feel better.

I like your mantra and will type it out. I have to find a balance some days between both so... I'm happy for you that you feel better and have made some changes to care for you. You are valuable and many times part of the problem is I do value myself enough / prioritize my needs as much as I should. I don't think our work is ever in vain but I do understand how you feel. I've just come to the realization that the effort we make is constantly teaching us more and more and helping us gain experience we can use to further help ourselves or help others. Very frustrating though I know. Not easy to stay encouraged at times especially when anxiety and those ugly uncomfortable feelings hit. But, if we allow ourselves to feel those feelings we are trying to keep at bay and numb ourselves from, they will most likely lead to the root causes of our problem once we express them openly. Allowing those feelings to surface in a safe way and place will help us make the connections we need too. I ask myself why I'm feeling pain, anger, shame and ask this question until I get to the bare bones. Please understand this is just my take on it and what has helped me.

I will be praying and it is good to get support around us.

 

[Angeldove97]

I love the support I get at CC-- they have some really wonderful members Start small though: one of my goals is to just be able to drink 8 cups of water a day. I did nothing but focus on that and some days I do really well and some days I don't get any where near but I'm a lot better when it is one goal at a time. My school/job just put in a new water filtration system in and now I'm drinking a ton of water-- I'm really picky with how my water tastes-- so that is also helpful. Plus if I'm full on water, I won't want food. Which eventually helped me to be able to eat smaller portions (most of the time).

The biggest challenge I still face is knowing this is a lifetime change. Not a few months or even a year at the most-- for the rest of my life. And that's a scary challenge. Hence why I feel like I keep falling backwards sometimes. But focus on one goal and stick with it to the best of your ability for now-- until you are ready for the next goal and so on.

 

[Angeldove97]

Btw, I'm angelic_rose over at CC if you'd like to be friends there

 

[If Not For Grace]

Great Thanks-I'm the same (Grace) everywhere.

I need to drink more water-that's one of my goals I'm up to 3 glasses per day on a regular basis, but the feeling full is moot, I don't think I ever been really hungry more than twice in my life. I'm totally an emotional eater and carb addict.

The only area I really consider myself lazy in my life is my health & I'm still working on identifying why? I mean the REAL why. I agree with Collen, but can't seem to identify the root cause except when I am Angry or frustrated and then I'm already out of control..I got to find the starting points so I can do something other than eat-it becomes a mindless zombie act and it's just plain stupid.

Have not had a chance to do extra reading but still got some books and research material on my to do list. One area I have found is being depressed over caregiving to my elderly father (85-Parkinson's & dementia) Only child and having to stay with parents more and more (they will soon need full time care) & while I love em, this was not the life I had planned and on some level I mad & sad about it. It is heartbreaking to watch people decompensate to the point of death, but I must take comfort in knowing I am helping them maintain their independance and to transition to the next phase, but That's an area I have to really work on.

 

[Christian Warrior]

When we are tired our bodies want to eat a ton of carbs in order to get energy, so make sure you get enough sleep, that is a big factor.

Also, If you are going to eat carbs, eat the good kind, not simple carbs that turn insto sugar instantly, and definetly not sweets.

You are suppose to eat twice your body weight in carbs a day, for example I weight two hundred and fifty pounds, so I shoot for five hundred grams of carbs a day, I eat this over the course of seven meals a day.

Eat often, start your day off with some carbs right off the bat, try not to avoid carbs, but learn to eat them in small quantities frequently thru out the day, and divide up the carbs thru out the day over seven small meals a day.

You have to count calories and carbs, and you have to eat first thing in the morning, and get lots of sleep.

Carbs = energy, your body knows this, and if you are tired or not fueling correctly then your body will just want as much carbs as possible.

 

[Angeldove97]

I like trying to eat 300-400 calories at a meal-- it may sound like a small amount but I find that when I allow myself to wait 20 minutes after eating I'm really full. I'm use to binging-- thinking it'll give me an energy (or make me feel better emotionally) but it NEVER does. I now have about 3-4 smaller meals and I'm able to save on a lot of calories and lose weight

 

[Colleen1]

I like trying to eat 300-400 calories at a meal-- it may sound like a small amount but I find that when I allow myself to wait 20 minutes after eating I'm really full. I'm use to binging-- thinking it'll give me an energy (or make me feel better emotionally) but it NEVER does. I now have about 3-4 smaller meals and I'm able to save on a lot of calories and lose weight

I'm often fatigued and yes, it's easy to think that certain foods will perk me up. The truth is they do actually do that but then I always crash and it's just not healthy but it's so hard to constantly feel fatigued with nothing that can be done to fix it.

 

[Angeldove97]

I'm often fatigued and yes, it's easy to think that certain foods will perk me up. The truth is they do actually do that but then I always crash and it's just not healthy but it's so hard to constantly feel fatigued with nothing that can be done to fix it.

Have you tried planning out for a day what you'll eat so that you're having small meals and snacking throughout the day that end up to be a healthy amount of calories? I find when I can do that I feel a lot better than having bigger meals. The only thing I hate about doing that, though, is that I don't listen to my hunger~ I schedule my food which isn't necessarily a good thing.

 

[Colleen1]

Have you tried planning out for a day what you'll eat so that you're having small meals and snacking throughout the day that end up to be a healthy amount of calories? I find when I can do that I feel a lot better than having bigger meals. The only thing I hate about doing that, though, is that I don't listen to my hunger~ I schedule my food which isn't necessarily a good thing.

I do plan food (healthy food) but I like having a choice of healthy snacks around. ...but I have certain chronic physical illnesses so this is a factor when it comes to food and the fatigue.

 

[If Not For Grace]

I have to admitt to feeling better since I've been eating better. BUT MY MIND works like the addict (I've worked with em for YEARS and now realize why I was good at it) It tells me you used to eat a bag (I mean a BIG bag) of chips a day, you used to drink all the Cokes you wanted and it tells me how ice cream really is a healthy snack..YEP that's what it says--and how having given ALL that up I have not lost very much weight..

My Body is going through Detox..and it is pitching it's little hissy fit. I'm now realizing that my taste buds were numb...who knew? ) I can taste something besides salt & sugar..I'll take any vicotry at this point, but that's one I like.

I have also learned that I did not know as much about nutrition as I thought. I have been plain wrong. I know now that if I handle calories like money (I'm good w/money) I do better. I know that SLEEP is WAY more valuable than I thought. I know my age is a factor. Extra combat duty there ). But even so-I also know addiction..and the HABIT is harder than the physical addiction. Habits have to be formed, they invovle committment, discomfort and the dreaded CHANGE...

Pray that I God grant me the stregnth to stand up to these challenges, I want to be healthy again BF I die. I want to be physically fit to enjoy the last leg of my journey. I'm want a few good years of retirement, BF someone has to become MY "caregiver".
I've worked hard and I want to play a bit, but I have found out that when it comes to the changes a big part of it is that I am plain Lazy...notice I said part..That's another thing I want to change lest it bleed over into other areas of my life. I have always despised laziness. I certainly do not want to become Lazy-no-not now at this late stage.

I like the scheduling. I know me pretty well and when I do schedule it's to keep me from getting hungry (I know about how that works--) It's just the lazy thing again. Fresh food m eans frequent trips to the store (which I hate) and I'm a bulk hate to go to town person. It means alot of chopping, tweeking etc instead of ripping open a package of convience JUNK food, plus the body yelling and screaming for SALT & SUGAR...this too shall pass, right?

 

[Colleen1]

I have to admitt to feeling better since I've been eating better. BUT MY MIND works like the addict (I've worked with em for YEARS and now realize why I was good at it) It tells me you used to eat a bag (I mean a BIG bag) of chips a day, you used to drink all the Cokes you wanted and it tells me how ice cream really is a healthy snack..YEP that's what it says--and how having given ALL that up I have not lost very much weight..

My Body is going through Detox..and it is pitching it's little hissy fit. I'm now realizing that my taste buds were numb...who knew? ) I can taste something besides salt & sugar..I'll take any vicotry at this point, but that's one I like.

I have also learned that I did not know as much about nutrition as I thought. I have been plain wrong. I know now that if I handle calories like money (I'm good w/money) I do better. I know that SLEEP is WAY more valuable than I thought. I know my age is a factor. Extra combat duty there ). But even so-I also know addiction..and the HABIT is harder than the physical addiction. Habits have to be formed, they invovle committment, discomfort and the dreaded CHANGE...

Pray that I God grant me the stregnth to stand up to these challenges, I want to be healthy again BF I die. I want to be physically fit to enjoy the last leg of my journey. I'm want a few good years of retirement, BF someone has to become MY "caregiver".
I've worked hard and I want to play a bit, but I have found out that when it comes to the changes a big part of it is that I am plain Lazy...notice I said part..That's another thing I want to change lest it bleed over into other areas of my life. I have always despised laziness. I certainly do not want to become Lazy-no-not now at this late stage.

I like the scheduling. I know me pretty well and when I do schedule it's to keep me from getting hungry (I know about how that works--) It's just the lazy thing again. Fresh food m eans frequent trips to the store (which I hate) and I'm a bulk hate to go to town person. It means alot of chopping, tweeking etc instead of ripping open a package of convience JUNK food, plus the body yelling and screaming for SALT & SUGAR...this too shall pass, right?

I does take a while to loose weight and I hit a plateu and it was rather discouraging. It does come off though. My body is the same way when I'm eating healthy food. It notices especially with the fatigue and a couple foods less make a difference with the pain. Yes, there was a difference with my taste buds as well. Now I've been doing lent and have cut out all desserts and junk food and any bit of sugar is sweet. New things about nutrition are constantly coming out. Also, the change in eating did affect my feeling of fatigue and my body still needs to readjust. Yes we do need to be motivated to change. For me I have no doubt I'm doing this for myself and I'm committed. Have I erred since my choice was made...yes. but I do want this for myself. I'm very happy to say I'm not doing this for anyone or because of shame. I want this and I think God wants it for me too. This is my choice.

For me I have both problems now though. I live the first 25 years of my life hardly eating etc and after getting ill and being exhausted etc. I gained a lot of weight and because I could hardly do anything I gained weight and it was one of the few ways I had to deal with the stress. I couldn't go jogging any more and walking etc. so. We all have our history, struggles and times of growth. I think it's important to remember we aren't alone. Can certainly feel lonely though especially when we feel hurt etc by others. It's refreshing to hear people sharing so authentically. I will be praying.

 

[If Not For Grace]

See you hit the nail on the head. BALANCE is the key to anything. Diet has the word Die in it. It's not about a diet. It's about a liefestyle. I finally seen a few lbs come off, but it's SLOW. Like I've stated before my mind is the worst. The lies it tells me, when I know better & I want to beleive it-now that would be the definition of stupid.

Thanks and please keep praying..

 

[Angeldove97]

See you hit the nail on the head. BALANCE is the key to anything. Diet has the word Die in it. It's not about a diet. It's about a liefestyle. I finally seen a few lbs come off, but it's SLOW. Like I've stated before my mind is the worst. The lies it tells me, when I know better & I want to beleive it-now that would be the definition of stupid.

Thanks and please keep praying..

It is all about balance-- people that jump into this with a million DO THIS will probably fail at changing their diet so that it is a lifestyle diet and not just a DIEt.

I failed at keeping myself within a low range of calories for myself-- I could do it for like a week with A LOT of planning every day and obsession and then I would want to eat and eat and eat.

That's what happened last week and this weekend I ate a lot more calories. Today, I feel awful~ I'm clearly dehydrated and I'm still stuffed. So I started drinking my water (I'm up to 7 glasses) and I'm just sipping on veggie juice with extra greens in it. I'll eat when I'm hungry aka "when my body wants me to eat" and I won't push it. I did my exercise-- I hate exercise -- but I would assume that my body knows best on when it needs nutrition-- not me freaking out about planning out each meal and snack or my emotional side that says to give in to food for comfort.

And I got a reward! After I started to hydrate my body and some exercise, two lbs just came off with no problem. (The fiber helps too ) God is good!

 

[Colleen1]

See you hit the nail on the head. BALANCE is the key to anything. Diet has the word Die in it. It's not about a diet. It's about a liefestyle. I finally seen a few lbs come off, but it's SLOW. Like I've stated before my mind is the worst. The lies it tells me, when I know better & I want to beleive it-now that would be the definition of stupid.

Thanks and please keep praying..

I understand. It's not stupid. I think it has a lot to do with habit and what we how we are use to taking care of some of our emotional needs etc. I'm glad you're seeing good results. It does take some time. I've hit a plateau now. So I'm needing to be patient. This is not easy when I'm working hard and seeing no change.