Obsessive Eating ?

[Jaime]

I think i might have thi problem. I know everyone thinks they have a little of this, but mine is really starting to take over my life. I think about food ALL the time, even when im not really hungry i crave food. I sometimes hide food, because im afraid of what people might say about what im eating. I cant seem to stop the junk food cravings, and i swear i spend just as much money on food as anything. Im really starting to worry. Before i always thought it was just me needed to control my eating more, but now, well i just dont think i can. My weight is really starting to balloon. I go to the gym but its not enough. Does anyone know anything about this, or where i can read about it and get some help ? I really dont know what to do. I eat alot of fruit , and i think i try and fool myself into thinking its ok to be eating all the time, if its fruit. I know it still has alot of sugar in it though. I really need some peace of mind here.

[Jaime]

I think i might have thi problem. I know everyone thinks they have a little of this, but mine is really starting to take over my life. I think about food ALL the time, even when im not really hungry i crave food. I sometimes hide food, because im afraid of what people might say about what im eating. I cant seem to stop the junk food cravings, and i swear i spend just as much money on food as anything. Im really starting to worry. Before i always thought it was just me needed to control my eating more, but now, well i just dont think i can. My weight is really starting to balloon. I go to the gym but its not enough. Does anyone know anything about this, or where i can read about it and get some help ? I really dont know what to do. I eat alot of fruit , and i think i try and fool myself into thinking its ok to be eating all the time, if its fruit. I know it still has alot of sugar in it though. I really need some peace of mind here.

[OobabyoO]

In psychology I learned about a few eating disorders. Bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorders.

I am definately not a doctor, but my bf's cousin probably has a binge eating disorder. He says that his cousin can't help it, when he wants food, he has to have it. I don't know too much information about my bf's cousin because he isn't very close with him.

You may want to join a support group in your area.

Best of luck.

[Laura]

I agree w/ Jenny, about a support group. Try talking to your dr. & see what advice s/he'll give.

I'm also far from being a dr. but maybe portion control will allow you to eat more frequently. Just a thought, could be completely wrong...

I wish you all the best, Jaime http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Jaime]

Thank you girls. Ive been trying to watch what i eat, but it seems everytime i do i fail miserabley. I tried talking to my doc a few years ago about my weight and she didnt seem to think it was a problem and even after i mentioned the eating she just said i needed to get more excersize. Sigh, there arent really support groups around here for that thing unless i want to pay for weight watchers, which im not in the position to do. Maybe i can find something online.

[princessalli77]

Here is my take.... Since I feel the same as you. I have seen your photos and I know Im bigger than you. I am constantly trying to diet/lose weight etc. What ends up happeneing is that I start obsessing about food constantly. I am on a diet now for good. Working out 4x a week and trying to stay within 1200-1400 calories. PM me if you want. You are totally normal. Its mind over matter. I know you will succeed!

[Jaime]

Thank you Alli, i appreciatte your thoughts. Please know though that my pics are all at elast 2 years old. In the past 6 months ive put on a ton of weight. I am at my heaviest. I would love to know more about the diet youare on. I will PM you.

[luv2dance]

You might need to get your blood checked. Cravings usually for non-food such as ice or even dirt can be caused by low iron. Even though that's not your cravings, it still would be good to check it and your thyroid.

I've heard about a new diet called the 3 Hour Diet meaning you eat every 3 hours. I think it could work since I've tried eating less but more often. For instance, for lunch I will have half a sandwich and then I can eat something else in 2-3 hours.

[Jaime]

Luv2dance, maybe i should get my thyroid checked, since my mother has a thyroid problem and it made it very very hard ( impossible really) to lose and keep weight off. Do you knwo how they check for somethign like that ( they being the docs of course lol)

[princessalli77]

I have an appointment to get my thyroid checked too!

[luv2dance]

They just take a blood sample to check for thyroid hormone levels. There are other tests but they probably would not be ordered unless something shows up on the blood sample or if you have other symptoms.

I thought about this too. With anything obsessive, you need to break the cycle whether it's eating or cleaning or whatever. See if you can find something to interrupt the cycle.

Also see if you can substitute foods for what you're eating now. I love Cokes and hate the taste of diet drinks. I recently found that Diet Rite has splenda in it and I can tolerate it. The cola is too sweet but the tangerine is good. I found a Del Monte french style green bean is good and use it to replace potatoes. I found a popcorn that is good and I snack on it at night. It has 90 calories in indiv bag so I know I can have all of it. For sweets, I have a hard candy that takes a long time to dissolve and after I have that taste in my mouth, I don't immediately want something else. If I want salty, I eat a pretzel. I hope this gives you some ideas and you can find something that works.

You might check the glycemic index on fruits and eat the ones with the lower glycemic levels.

[HunnyB]

This is a pretty common phenomenon with females who think a lot about weight and dieting.

I'd suggest seeking therapy through a group or a good therapist ASAP. When you realize that it's taking over your life, that you're thinking about food *all* the time, and that you even hide food, these are good indicators that things are getting out of your own control.

Just trying to find things online will not help you adequately enough, IMHO.

Please take this input from someone who has an undergraduate minor in psychology, a master's degree in counseling and guidance (in which we explored a lot about eating disorders and social stigma with females and weight/appearance), and her own past issues with food/eating... please try to get some in-person help ASAP! It will help you tremendously.

This can be through your university or a referral from your primary physician.

Good luck!!

[HunnyB]

Also, your primary care physician can do a thyroid check (as well as liver functions, etc) with a simple blood test.

[Anaisa]

i am the same lately, and ever since i have started the GYM again, i have gined 2 kg, since i am hungry all the time! i would try the South Beach diat now.
i could rec the colon cleansing (every night for a week, every second night the second week, then just once per week - anema in the shower (with a bit of lemon juice, plus have apple sider vinegar in a glass of water with honey , when you are hungry. What also helps is the barley powder- "Green mama" - sold in health food stores. The Pu er tea is good for apetite suppressing.
It is also good to clean your liver once a week- have a glass of warm mineral water with honey on an empty stomach, then lay down on your left side and put hte warm water bottle (warm not too hot) on the right side (where the liver is, lay for 20 minures, sipping the water.
What is great for the late night binge eating- the sedative tea- like (Sleeping tea)- works for me great. All that has been working for me in a past and i am taking this over again soon.
Good luck!