Hey Rachel,

Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if the hemorrhoids are related to weight. This is yet another reason to lose weight!

More fiber in your diet can help this to some extent. There is a cereal a lot of folks here like--Fiber One. Or you can use a product like Benefiber.

Jay

Bless your heart Rachel! - smoking & obesity are probably the two worst things you can do to your health... so, first I want to say CONGRATS!- on quitting smoking! - I've never smoked, but have friends/family who do... and I've watched them as they tried to quit... some quit but started again, etc. So you have done a WONDERFUL thing for yourself by quitting!

Now for the compulsive eating problem - personally, I think you should see a doctor. Your weight is high enough to be an extreme hardness on your general health. I think you should see a doc to make sure you are physically able to do a diet, and see what he/she recommends. They may even send you to a nutritionist. (It's generally always recommended that one sees a doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.)

You know you can come here for support & general advice. We're here for you! But please make your health a priority FIRST. The weight will come off if you make YOU the most important person in your life. That's not selfish; it's self-love.

:hug:

Rachel, BeachPatrol had a great idea there. Nutritionists are most often covered by insurance. Completely. Maybe you want to call your carrier and find out. It will be someone for whom you can be accountable to and she can guide you step by step with an eating plan.

Another thing you mentioned, is that you are obsessed with food. So was I, I still am in fact. Probably more so. I took that obsession and swtiched it around - to my advantage. I got really into finding healthy and TASTY recipes . I got into planning and shopping and preparing my foods and my weekly menus. I also got into reading up on nutrition and the such. And then of course there's 3FC. A great place to "talk" about food, weightloss, cravings, struggles and successes. I just switched around the focus of my obsession. Eventaully, I became more "addicted" to the weightloss and all it brought about then I ever was the food, hard to imagine - but really so. It is doable. 100% so in fact.

You might want to check out the "Chicks in Control" forum here -- it is a great support for those with food issues. Hope it helps!
Hang in there...