[RoseAnn in NY]

I went to an OA (overeaters anonymous) meeting tonight and left with so many questions. I heard several stories from people who are either compulsive overeaters or bulemic. Now I know that I'm not bulemic cause once I eat food, I WANT TO KEEP IT! But I'm seeing a few things I identify with and some other issues that I just can't relate to. I am genuinely trying to figure out if I am an overeater. Yes, I love food! But that' doesn't mean I'm an overeater.

I'm seeing that if I have a sugary food, I do react. I've read about how sugar raises your insulin level and insulin makes you want to eat more. Yes, sugar makes me want to eat more sugar, or whatever. Then I seem to get on a vicious cycle. I eat, raise my insulin level, and that makes me want to eat more. Of course, I gain weight then. I'm finding that if I keep my sugar low, (low glycemic levels), I don't get the craving for food nearly as much. I eat much more sensibly. Guess it's kind of like a sugar buster's way of thinking. But it seems to be working for me.

I also see that I am an emotional eater. I use food to change my moods.

But at the meeting, there were those who spoke about eating (binging) till it hurt. I don't do that. I eat till I feel wonderful!!!! (Sorry but it's true.) So I don't relate to that part. I never got to the point where I was grossly overweight. My highest has been 194 (that's heavy enough for someone with high blood pressure). I don't hide my eating. (Quite honestly, I'm proud of it! Maybe a little arrogant too!). So there's things I relate to - like the sugar "addition", but other things I just don't relate to. Maybe that's a "yet" for me. (I haven't gotten there "yet".)

Please reply. I'm still trying to figure this out. I've been eating this way all my life - be that good or be that bad. But when I was 20, I was able to still be thin. Now that I'm 46, I just can't eat how I use to eat and remain thin. I've been on so many diets I have at least 5 different sizes of clothes in my closet. (size 10, 12, 14, 16, 18). I'm tired of my weight being a yo-yo. And want a real food plan - one that works for me and is realistic. I'll never starve myself That just wouldn't work for me. But I do need something.

Thanks for your help.
RoseAnn

[sunnyday0011]

i don't know how much help i can offer, except to tell you that i relate to the sugar "addiction." ever since i was a little kid, i just want more and more sugar. there were actually times when all i ate in a day were sugary foods. i don't know if this classifies as overeating though. i always thought of it as similar to a caffeine addiction. our bodies actually become accustomed to the state of increased sugar. that's my two cents!