Food addiction struggle

[casacera]

Anyone else struggling with life long food addiction, overeating and weight gain?

[Grigid Moderator 4 stone]

Hi casacera

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the Weight Loss Support forum.

This is a very friendly place where members offer each other support and share ideas and experiences as we travel along our weight loss journey.

A good place to start looking at how to navigate the forum, and find the information and support that fits you best, is to have a look at the pinned posts which you can get to here:

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

We’ve found that participation is a key element to success, and the Daily Diary and Weekly Weigh In are a good place to start.

If you’ve got any questions please ask away, and the very best of luck on your journey 😊

[casacera in reply to Grigid]

As a writer in career and personally, have done daily diary, may be helpful to others (great), but not what's helpful or needed for me right now. I know what I weigh within a few lbs. without getting on "Mr. Judgement", the scale. The way my clothes fit confirms it as well. I also speak to a eating disorder specialist every week who really hears me but when one has , (me) an overeating food addiction, particularly when Covid keeps me in my home so much very little success. For me the immediate contact through my e-mail connecting with other "foodies" struggling, whether in a good place that day or not just sharing what's up with them , what's working or isn't without judgement or advice. Open and real.

[Fabfor50]

You may be interested in the work of Dr Jen Unwin on food addiction, which is apparently sugar addiction rather than food addiction. forkintheroad.co.uk

[casacera in reply to Fabfor50]

Thanks so much for replying. I do not have a sugar addiction. I love and eat all foods equally but I can graze for 2 or 3 hours. I love my soups , salads , veggies , proteins and carbs equally. It's ending the meal or any eating that blocks my sensible self and stopping. And that's even the most healthy foods whatever.

[Fabfor50 in reply to casacera]

The idea is that once in the bloodstream the body treats the glucose molecule that comes from a potato or rice, the same as a glucose molecule from a Twinkie. If we eat too many carbs over time (even ‘healthy’ carbs), the excess of insulin blocks the voice of the feel full hormone, leptin.

[PandQs Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to casacera]

I agree very much with what Fabfor50 says in their second reply to you and have come to regard anything that requires an insulin response (carbs) to be something that will cause me to overeat. Once I started to monitor carbs and keep them to a minimum, I suddenly became aware that I had found my "off switch" again which told me it was time to stop eating. You may not believe that is your problem, but would there be any harm in cutting right back on carbs for a couple of weeks to see if it made a difference to you? I particularly liked Dr Robert Lustig's video series "The Skinny on Obesity" which were an eye opener for me, episodes 3 and 4 in particular.

[Purplelady02 in reply to Fabfor50]

That's really interesting thanks, have bookmarked it 😀

[molly1972 in reply to Fabfor50]

Hi not been on.here for a long time & as I'm getting older my addition to sugar seems to be getting worse so I will definitely look at this book, thank you 👍

[Gizmocat Moderator 13kg Maintainer in reply to molly1972]

Hello and welcome to our friendly and supportive forum. You might remember your way around but if not everything you need is in pinned posts

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Do have a good look around and particularly at the Weigh In and Daily Diary. Both are a great way of meeting people.

If you have any questions just ask

[PandQs Maintainer 3st 7lbs in reply to Fabfor50]

Her husband Dr David Unwin has an excellent video online too "Hope on the Horizon"

[casacera]

We're all different, our own DNA etc. life history and certainly problems re: disordered eating of any sort. I just want and enjoy being a comfortable, healthy weight/size for me.I have no problem managing my food "drive" out of my home but unfortunately (my history) during dealing with puberty, in a very short period of time this got implanted (as it were) in my brain and as I was told by an experienced professional. "The brain never forgets". I do know what works for me and that is a support group with very large numbers as everyone has their own life and schedules. Someone else "who walks the walk" is available 24/7. Food addiction takes no holiday, weekend etc.

[casacera in reply to casacera]

Where are other's who want to share what's going on in their own challenge?

[Fabfor50 in reply to casacera]

I’m new to the site myself, but my impression is that sharing challenges around eating takes place in the daily diary and weekly weigh that Grigid told you about in her post above.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone in reply to casacera]

They are active in various places around the forum. If you follow the link to Pinned Posts that Grigid gave you, you'll find members interacting on our events and clubs, and talking about their struggles and successes

[MariaSophie in reply to casacera]

I would love to be part of your support group. I have been trying to lose weight for many years unsuccessfully. Need to lose 10 kg for medical reasons because of prediabetes.

[springersrule Moderator Host 76kg in reply to MariaSophie]

This whole forum is one huge support group MariaSophie. Joining in with events and giving and receiving support in the events being run can really help.

As a reminder, here's a link to the pinned posts where you'll find all our events in one place.

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

I hope you join in 💖 xx

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to MariaSophie]

You may find this helpful, MarieSophie healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

[Fabfor50 in reply to MariaSophie]

Dr David Unwin has a lot of advice on addressing pre diabetes & diabetes itself. You can find him using Google. Edit: also in Moreless’ link above.

[Helenbrc Restart March 2024]

Morning I am eating late night it would be nice to support each other? X

[Alness33]

Hi casacera. I too have had this struggle my whole life. I am wondering if you could be using food as a coping mechanism? I ask this as I am 51 now and having seen many professionals over the years I was lucky enough to see an eating disorder psychologist 2 years ago. She took me back to basics, breakfast, snack, dinner, snack, tea, snack. She wasn't concerned about what I was eating initially but said not to go more than 3to four hours without eating. This helped me so much and after the first few weeks I started to eat healthier. I lost 3 and a half stone over the 18mth I was seeing her and that was not dieting. I am now actively trying to lose weight but use the strategy she gave me and it really helps. Good luck, I know how difficult it is x

[springersrule Moderator Host 76kg in reply to Alness33]

Hi Alness33 and welcome to this amazing forum. How lovely of you to join us, I hope that with mutual support we can help you on your continued weight loss journey. Well done on losing 3 1/2 stone already, that is amazing.

Here’s the link to the pinned posts, healthunlocked.com/weight-l... this is where all are events are held for easy access for everyone.

Have a good read of the pinned post “Welcome Newbies” and follow every thread.

Getting involved with 'forum life's is a great way of giving and receiving support and I would strongly suggest you read and contribute to the Daily Diary and participate in a Weekly Weigh in as a minimum.

You will find there's loads of tips about better eating, from other members. Sharing your daily menu not only helps you stay committed, it can help other members too.

Good luck I hope to "see " you around.

[Pandalover1971]

I struggle with Cadbury chocolate- if it's there I will eat in until its all gone- big bars, bags of twirls...I cannot buy the m anymore and I've asked my children not to buy them or keep any in their rooms. I feel bad as feel unable to best the craving. I have up cigarettes and alcohol but struggle to give up chocolate. x

[Gizmocat Moderator 13kg Maintainer in reply to Pandalover1971]

Hello and welcome back to this friendly and supportive forum. You may remember your way around. If not you will find everything you need in pinned posts

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Do have a look around and check out the weigh in and Daily DIary. Both are a great way of getting to know people.

If you have any questions just ask

[Alisongold Restart June 2023 in reply to Pandalover1971]

I am the same, I really struggle to eat only one piece of chocolate. Oddly This craving persists even though chocolate no longer tastes particularly nice since I had Covid , it tastes stale. My daughter-in-law lives with me and is also struggling with recent weight gain, annoyingly my husband and son are stick thin ! We have piled all the Christmas chocolates, biscuits and other sugary junk into a hamper and put it in my husband’s study. We find it much easier not to steal it back from their hamper than we would if it was in the kitchen cupboard. Understanding our metabolism and the role of insulin and of leptin is important, especially for those of us without the best set of genes or who grew up with sweet things as rewards for good behaviour or to cheer us up .Understanding why you have this urge to keep munching is very empowering.

[amykp Visitor]

I once thought I had a food addiction until I discovered, it wasn't that--I was simply hungry all the time. Fact was, I DID get full after an enormous meal, and for at least an hour or so I actually didn't want to eat. Likewise, when I was nauseated for some reason, I didn't want to eat, no matter what was in front of me. So it wasn't just a head thing. There had to be something physical going on.

I now believe it all has to do with insulin, and whether your body regulates it properly, and if it doesn't, you simply feel hungry all the time. You can call it an addiction if you want, but IMO it has a basis in your physiology, and you shouldn't blame yourself. AND, there are things you can do that will help.

Watch or listen to Dr. Jason Fung online. He's better at explaining it than me.

[casacera]

Lost the long paragraph I wrote in response to everyone's comments. Sooo appreciated, but when I read or listen to others "worlds" around food & or eating, how different our history's, experiences and views. Oh, and weight, too of course.I have compassion for myself but no guilt as I've worked at this in every possible and positive way I could through out my life.

[Alisongold Restart June 2023]

‘Compassion for ourselves and no guilt ‘ thank you for that insightful comment.

[casacera]

Thank you ALL...as I get better at maneuvering around this site.. and go to links suggested...casacera