[Imready85]

Hi everyone. I am new here. I am 28 years old and I have been struglling with my weight since 13. I lost 35 lbs once but that was when I was 17 and have been struggling since. I try to eat better everyday but I just succumb to the uncontrollable cravings for sweets and fats. I guess I am a food addict. Recently I searched on the internet for food addiction resolutions and all I found were 12 step groups who abstain from the foods that set off their cravings. Sounds kind of rough for me. The thought of never having a slice of pizza or oreos just kills me. Sad as it is I would rather stay addicted to food. It has been a rough past few years and since my new job I gained thirty pounds. My question is does anyone consider themselves a food addict, and how did they resolve their issue? I need help very badly. Book recommendations would also be great. Thank you so much in advance.

[Imready85]

Any advice please?

[Tai]

Welcome to 3fc's!

I think I was a food addict but what I learned was that I wasn't addicted to all foods. I do abstain these days from the things that trigger me to overeat but I understand that's not for everyone. Many people have good luck eating foods in moderation so that may be something you could try.

I really like both the Beck Diet Solution (by Judith Beck) and The End of Overeating by David Kessler. The first has some great cognitive techniques and the second helped me understand why certain foods were such a problem for me.

Good luck!

[mars735]

Originally Posted by Imready85

Hi everyone. I am new here. I am 28 years old and I have been struglling with my weight since 13. I lost 35 lbs once but that was when I was 17 and have been struggling since. I try to eat better everyday but I just succumb to the uncontrollable cravings for sweets and fats. I guess I am a food addict. Recently I searched on the internet for food addiction resolutions and all I found were 12 step groups who abstain from the foods that set off their cravings. Sounds kind of rough for me. The thought of never having a slice of pizza or oreos just kills me. Sad as it is I would rather stay addicted to food. It has been a rough past few years and since my new job I gained thirty pounds. My question is does anyone consider themselves a food addict, and how did they resolve their issue? I need help very badly. Book recommendations would also be great. Thank you so much in advance.

Fat Chance by Robert Lustig has been helpful to me in understanding the addictive nature of certain foods, like ones that you mentioned. Also Brain Over Binge by Kathryn Hansen.

You sound like someone who is honest with yourself. 3FC is a great support and has good info on virtually any topic relating to weight loss. While a 12-step program offers great structure & support, maybe there is a plan that better fits YOU.

I felt overwhelmed by the idea of giving things up. I focused first on getting the weight off and decided to worry about maintaining as a separate issue--just too much to worry about it all at once. While losing the weight, I felt ok about cutting out the addictive foods, after all it was just temporary. Once I got to my goal weight, I've struggled with the lure of addictive foods. But it is so much easier to manage now that I have a figure that I want to fight to keep.

There is some plan out there that will work for you. As hard as it is to get started, it's worth it the effort to feel energetic, good-looking, and healthy.