I literally feel obsessed. More than I was before I ever started losing weight. The last 9 months I haven't been able to stay on plan for more than a couple of days, and even then I've slipped back into really bad eating habits (for weeks and weeks) every time. I just want to eat everything (bad), all the time. When I'm at work, I think about picking chocolate (not a bar, like box!) up on the way home, in the morning I think about buying cake for a morning break, I can't stop thinking constantly about what I want to eat. And then I do eat it! It's driving me up the wall!
I keep saying I'm going to start fresh today, but I've become so dependent on food lately, that the thought of not having what I want, when I want it seems impossible and intimidating. And when I do manage to stay on plan, it's just a different kind of obsessing, and I'm still thinking about food all day. I'm sure I didn't used to be this bad, I just wish I could stop it. I don't want my every waking thought to revolve around food
I was in the same boat as you. It seems that you've lost control. Relax, all you have to do is regain control of your appetite and your mind.
Let me ask you something. Why do you want to eat those foods? Because they'll make you feel good, right? But do they really make you feel good? Or is it only a temporary high? I know that after I eat a dessert, I sit back and reflect on how pointless it was because I was only happy while eating it, and now I've put crap in my body. Talk about a lose-lose. So next time you eat something bad, think about how you feel now. Consider: was it worth it? Don't beat yourself up, though, just notice how empty you feel now.
Next time your mind pops up with thoughts of food, just observe it. Don't judge yourself, just watch how insane it is in thinking that eating those foods will make you feel good. Because they won't. If the cravings become too much to bear, go ahead and give in! Then afterwards think about how you feel. It'll be a good lesson.
If you're looking for a more concrete solution, something that cured me of cravings was a two week detox diet where I cut out sugar, gluten, soy, corn, dairy, meat, caffeine, and processed foods. I only ate fruits, vegetables, legumes, non-gluten grains, nuts, seeds, and lots of water. After the two weeks was up, I was more in tune with my body. I was satiated after eating less, and I don't know... my body was just communicating with me better. It told me when to eat and when to stop. Also, sugary foods didn't appeal to me anymore. I just wanted a green juice or a salad. When I did eat a dessert, I felt HORRIBLE. I was jittery, sleepy, and nauseous. Now I'm practically dessert proof because I never want to feel like that again, lol. I think that a sugar detox might be a good idea for you. There are plenty of books and programs on how to do it.
If you're looking for a more concrete solution, something that cured me of cravings was a two week detox diet where I cut out sugar, gluten, soy, corn, dairy, meat, caffeine, and processed foods. I only ate fruits, vegetables, legumes, non-gluten grains, nuts, seeds, and lots of water.
I'm liking that!
For me, I realized it is a blood sugar thing. When my blood sugar rises so high
with junk type food then falls like a faulty rocket then nothing can stop me
from grabbing more to stop the fall. Every hope and dream disappears when
I crave like a crazy person. That happens when I under eat and/or when I
eat things that zoom up the blood sugar quickly then drop it again later like
a lead balloon. It's a see saw effect, up and down, up and down. The only
way out is to stop what makes that happen. It usually only takes a few days
for me to stable my mind and body so I can press on.
Personally, diets are too rigid. I know what's good and I create a mind trip
of falling in love with beautiful earth produced foods, not manufactured
foods. It helps to visualize the beauty of good food that comes from the
earth and is eaten raw or lightly cooked. I use real fat, too: Olive oil and
organic butter in most cooked food, balsamic vinegar and olive oil on salads.
I use full fat cheeses, too. I eat small portions knowing I can always have
more later if I need it. We use 1% milk because that's what my husband
prefers but I use 1/2 & 1/2 in my morning decaf (regular coffee makes me
jittery). I don't trim beef and I enjoy crisp chicken skin on my baked chicken.
I like fat! it gives meat flavor and tenderness and juiciness.
Hope this helps! for me it never ends, it's a daily mind set that I mess up on
sometimes but have to just keep on going. Even "naturally thin" people have
off days.
Sometimes obsessing about food & overeating is a way of keeping ourselves from thinking about other more messy & troubling things in our lives. I think I read a good discussion of this in a book called Overcoming Overeating.
What you are experiencing is common and can be so frustrating. I found Overeater Anonymous really helpful with getting a handle on my food obsession though I didn't follow the whole program. You can participate face to face or online and it's free. Intuitive Eating threads on 3FC might also be helpful.
I literally feel obsessed. More than I was before I ever started losing weight. The last 9 months I haven't been able to stay on plan for more than a couple of days, and even then I've slipped back into really bad eating habits (for weeks and weeks) every time. I just want to eat everything (bad), all the time. When I'm at work, I think about picking chocolate (not a bar, like box!) up on the way home, in the morning I think about buying cake for a morning break, I can't stop thinking constantly about what I want to eat. And then I do eat it! It's driving me up the wall!
I keep saying I'm going to start fresh today, but I've become so dependent on food lately, that the thought of not having what I want, when I want it seems impossible and intimidating. And when I do manage to stay on plan, it's just a different kind of obsessing, and I'm still thinking about food all day. I'm sure I didn't used to be this bad, I just wish I could stop it. I don't want my every waking thought to revolve around food
I don't even know where to start, you've described something that I felt for a really really long time. Diets don't help, they keep us more focused on food and control. Think about it, food and control food and control, the more you try to control it the more obsessed you become with food. Eating becomes a chore, parties become danger zones, restaurants are landmines, food becomes the enemy and you become a lunatic. That was my progression.
Thank you mars for bringing up intuitive eating. IE focuses on rebuilding your relationship with food and learning how to trust yourself again. It's all about neutralizing your relationship to food. It's not a diet plan, it's more like a personality overhaul. You gotta change your thinking, your self talk, and your beliefs about food.
Some books that will helps - Overfed Head, Overcoming Overeating, Intuitive Eating.
Also an intuitive eater (but not a typical one, from what i've been reading). Is it possible your plan includes a too much restriction of your food intake or not eating food you love and miss? This can make you feel terrible cravings and obsess with food.
Last edited by Marina Brasil; 09-17-2014 at 03:20 PM.
Omg, I could have written this myself, lady. My highest weight was always in the 190's... Now I am up to 205 and I don't know what to do. I gain and lose the same 2 pounds. I don't have the will power or diligence to track what I am eating.
I am also on the road all day from place to place, so if I dont pack a good lunch, it's fast food. Or, sometimes if I am passing it, i get fast food even though I did eat a healthy lunch, just because I want it. I am right there with you. I don't know what to do either!!!
I think that diets should be renamed "dealing with our food addiction" because thats what it feels like sometimes.
The biggest problem I found is that if you give up on all your favourite naughty foods you will want them more, thus bingeing and will end up fatter than you was to begin with.
I used to have a bar of chocolate every night and now have 4 squares of a small dark chocolate bar instead. So instead of 500 calories a day on chocolate its more like 100.
The hubby had issues too with comfort eating and for him hypnosis and sticking to the eat when you're hungry and stop when you are full has had the best success for him. He has been obese since I have met him (always around 20 stone) and now he is just over 16 stone and still has a way to go but he is getting there.
Many, most people nowadays are metabolically 'deranged'. Appetite and hormones completely whacked out. Combination of processed foods, chemicals in environment generally, stress, lack of sleep, not enough sunshine.
And quite often low nutrient food. So your body is often simply doing what it is supposed to. Hey buddy I need nutrients. It doesn't 'care' about calories if it still needs nutrients. I eat nutrient dense, low carbohydrates high fat food and appetite went from constant hunger to non-existent. Lots easier to be in control when your appetite isn't even there. Many people get there by changing their foods. There is a transition period for sure. But then....great things can happen.
Last edited by diamondgeog; 09-20-2014 at 09:40 AM.
I've been an over eater since forever and I'd say I'm fairly food obsessed. It's been indoctrinated into my brain since birth growing up in an Italian family. Our lives literally revolved around food. If you didn't finish your plate it was an insult and everyone always asked if you wanted more. Food was serious business.
It's been a life long struggle to push a plate away when I'm full.
Many, most people nowadays are metabolically 'deranged'. Appetite and hormones completely whacked out. Combination of processed foods, chemicals in environment generally, stress, lack of sleep, not enough sunshine.
And quite often low nutrient food. So your body is often simply doing what it is supposed to. Hey buddy I need nutrients. It doesn't 'care' about calories if it still needs nutrients. I eat nutrient dense, low carbohydrates high fat food and appetite went from constant hunger to non-existent. Lots easier to be in control when your appetite isn't even there. Many people get there by changing their foods. There is a transition period for sure. But then....great things can happen.
I see you have not taken my advice to branch out from your old reading spots and are just continuing to spread pseudoscience. Most people are metabolically damaged and/or their hormones are whacked out? Poor dietary habits have led many people to become insulin resistant and most people are deficient in vitamin D but if you have any evidence to back up the rest of this nonsense I would love to see it.
The nutrient idea is also rediculous. If hunger was being driven by lack of micronutrients we could solve the obesity crisis with multivitamins.
Actual science tells us Fat and protein are more satiating than carbs. Dietary choices have a direct impact on compliance. This is what happened to you. Keto dieting works well but not for the reasons you're suggesting.
Also an intuitive eater (but not a typical one, from what i've been reading). Is it possible your plan includes a too much restriction of your food intake or not eating food you love and miss? This can make you feel terrible cravings and obsess with food.
I agree that too much restriction can be a recipe for disaster. Try to incorporate foods that you love but a healthier version. If you want dessert, make a sugar-free, gluten-free dessert. If you want pasta, make some with a pasta replacement, like shirataki noodles or black bean noodles. That kind of thing.
I gotta disagree, personally (and respectfully of course!) with the post above me.
First, not really sure what "gluten free" has to do with anything, besides being a fad that is misunderstood by many. Second... For me, a small portion of something rich and "real" does me a lot better than a big portion of something sugar free, low cal, fat free, etc. I think it's okay to treat yourself if you watch it!
Calorie counting has worked best for me historically... A calorie is a calorie. It just matters what will keep,you full and satisfied... The problem for me is willpower!! P
Well, for me I think gluten free is a HUGE piece of my overeating/bingey behavior. I can eat a pint of ice cream here and there with no ill effects on my overall way of eating, but if I have wheat, it just snowballs and all I can think about is more wheat. I only just realized that I really truly have a problem with gluten (after finally going a substantial amount of time gluten free, like 4 months, had a gluten binge and blew up like a balloon, big swollen ankles and such, got crazy sores in my mouth, started bruising like crazy, itching so bad that I was scratching off big swathes of skin, and had all the awful digestive issues I used to battle when I was a wheat-eater. I hadn't had all of those symptoms in the past, and the ones I had not as bad, but I think actually going g free made me more sensitive). I had suspected it for ages, but this was dramatic and clearly related to the wheat.
Anyhow, for about the first 36 hours w/o wheat, I was climbing the walls, but my appetite has totally gone back to the pre-wheat binge level after a couple of days, thank god!
I'm not suggesting, of course, that this is true for anyone else, but if my story sounds familiar... may be worth experimenting.
Obsessed with food.
I don't want my every waking thought to revolve around food
