I am very perplexed on how to stop the emotional binge eating which, for me, should be called, also, instant gratification eating. I know there is no magical answer but I wish/need something to take its place that is as instant as food. This past week I have, I am ashamed to admit, purchased two 1/8 sheetcakes with buttercream icing. The first one I ate in 2-1/2 days. The second one I purchased about 2 hours ago and ate two average sized pieces chased by diet coke. That caffiene and sugar combination is such a quick fix that I am at a loss on what to substitute for it. I know hobbies and other pastimes are very useful but they are not as instant. I know a spiritual connection is very important. Food is such an addiction for me. I know the unhealthy relationship with food has underlying causes which I am seeing a counselor for but I am so discouraged that I cannot find something else that is as instant as food but healthy or at least healthier. As I read this entry it sounds so irrational but I guess every addiction is.

I have tried OA and it was just not for me.(I know it is a wonderful program for most.)

I know buy rereading this there probably is nothing instant and that is why they call it an addiction but sharing it has been very helpful. I guess shining a light on it hopefully will be the beginning on the end.

Thanks so much for listening!

Bonnie

I'm sure someone with more experience will answer this, but for me when I binge I ask myself WHY? What am i feeling,what was the trigger that got me to this place? Was I angry, sad, bored? am I really hungry?

last week my ex upset me and I was convincing myself that I was hungry for ice cream. I logged onto 3FC and just read posts for an hour. After that the feelings had calmed down and I could move on.

So what I am saying find something that will give you your instant gratification. Maybe its playing a video game, knitting, cleaning.

Also if you can manage it throw away the cake. Don't think of it as wasting money, think of it as saving yourself with is INFINITELY more important.

I read your post twice cause I have never thought of food as instant gratification, now that you say it though it is. Wow!
Sometimes when we want that instant gratification there is something emotional attached to it. Like for some of us anger is followed by a binge to make us feel better, other times it could be happiness. I think as children we associate food with a happy/sad occassion. Like at a birthday there is cake, or Christmas and cookies. So when something in our daily life happens we turn to food like an alcoholic turns to alcohol.
What I'm trying to say is think about what your are feeling when you find yourself looking for instant gratification. Is there something emotional attached?
I mean there are ways to avoid a binge you just have to find something that helps you. For example I always ate at night when nobody was watching but now I go to bed with my husband whatever time he goes down so do I, that way I'm not alone. Or if I am at home alone, I leave, I go to a store and just look or take a walk, or even log on to 3FC.
I for one cannot avoid having cakes and stuff in the house cause I have an underweight little 3 year old with a sweet tooth! So there are always yummy treats around, I just try to find things to occupy my mind and think, think, think before I dare to eat it. Once I start thats it!
Good luck, hopefully others will post and help more than I could.

I am in the same boat. For me I have a huge problem with snacking. I will finish a delicious and healthy meal and then 20 minutes later be reaching for some chips, or cheese, or anything I can get my hands on really, that's quick and "instant gratification". I hate it, and wish I could control it better.

Bonnie 2009,

Thanks for posting this. I understand what you are saying- I could sign my name to your post.
I am going to see a great doctor, who really shows get compassion for issues connected to obesity and morbid obesity. One of the first things he did for me was run a blood panel to find out that the "sugar and caffeine power" which rules my day was partially contributed by a vitamin deficiency. He also has some powerful things to say about brain chemicals and using food to "self medicate" when your brain doesn't uptake chemicals the same way other people do.
Not that his words alone fixes anything, but it showed me some great compassion, and left me feeling that I was not lazy, weak or always lacking willpower. Addiction with food is very misunderstood, and I am always trying to wrap my mind around the baby steps needed to move forward.
He makes food addiction seem very real, and very physical. It helps motivate me to be validated and to get support.

Can you look around to see if there is an internal medicine specialist or physician's group who is doing weight loss/ food addiction work? You will find some great resources, other than OA.
Cheers and thank you.

obsidianbbw,usam, stephandra, macomom

Thank you so much for your very helpful advice. Like all of you have said, it is so much not about the food, really, food is the symptom the cause is something very different, just like fever is the symptom and flu is the cause. I really, for the first time, have so much more appreciation for people struggling with other addictions because until these last few days I never realized my problem with food was a "real" addiction like drugs or alcohol are. I, for the most part, believed and probably still do to some extent that it is a character flaw in me but I know that belief is something I need to address. I do know if I could "will" it away I would of done so already. It has robbed me of so much of my life.

Thank you again for listening. It has helped me, more than I can express, being able to share my experiences. I never knew how profound a toll this issue has taken on me until I wrote the words "It has robbed me of so much of my life.". This site and all of you wonderful individuals are definitely a major light at the end of the tunnel.

Bless you all,

Bonnie