Food Addiction?

Nurses Recovery

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Does anyone else out there have issues with food?

I've had issues with food for as long as I can remember. In times of stress, boredom, turmoil, sadness, or uncertainty, food was the only enjoyable crutch in my life. My past weights have reflected my love-hate relationship with food, because I have constantly bounced from normal body weights to obesity to overweight, then back to normal BMI and so forth.

I am so happy that you found your way out. I am inspired by your journey. I found several OA meetings in my area, and am going to go to a meeting this Saturday. My best efforts at dieting have failed miserably....I know that addressing the real issue-food addiction, not weight loss- will be what saves me, too. I'll bet that I have read close to one hundred diet related books, and not one has come even close to the insight of "Food Addiction, The Body Knows". Every single sentence speaks to some part of me that has been lost for a long time. Thank you- you have helped me take the first step in saving myself, too.

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Specializes in CNA, EMT.

I have a issue with food too.

Well, am not overwieght. I'm 5'6" and about 147-150, a healthy weight.

But, when I'm stressed I tend to binge till I get really sick gastro-intestinally sometimes. I've never thrown up but i have felt nauseated and will be in severe pain and -extremely- bloated for hours. I might do this a couple times a month-a couple times a week KNOWING I will cause myself the pain! I think to myself "well, I've only gained like 25 pounds in the last 2-3 years so I'm not worried about it", but I should be because I make myself sick. I mean, I'm lucky to have a good metabolism but, for example, in one binge meal I might eat an entire family sized box of macaroni and cheese, an 8 oz chicken breast, a pint of ben and jerrys, 2 bananas, and a frozen personal pizza. Maybe more sometimes. I think my gal bladder has sludge in it too because every woman in my family gets their gal bladder removed, some of them only in their late 20s. I put myself on a diet for a while and completely relieved symptoms but then stressful things happened a month later and I relapsed.

I used to be on topamax for several years but was taken off it a couple years ago when this started. I wonder if going off of it triggered this/ being on the topamax was preventing the stress eating. But I can't take because it made me more depressed, and now my psychiatrist who I saw for years is retired anyway. :( As soon as my new insurance kicks in I'm going to find a new doc

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
I am so happy that you found your way out. I am inspired by your journey. I found several OA meetings in my area, and am going to go to a meeting this Saturday. My best efforts at dieting have failed miserably....I know that addressing the real issue-food addiction, not weight loss- will be what saves me, too. I'll bet that I have read close to one hundred diet related books, and not one has come even close to the insight of "Food Addiction, The Body Knows". Every single sentence speaks to some part of me that has been lost for a long time. Thank you- you have helped me take the first step in saving myself, too.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

The backbone of 12-step programs is that we tried it on our own and it didn't work, and we need to look outside of ourselves for help. A few years ago at a 12-step conference, I went to a couple of OA meetings and heard people tell my story. It's amazing when that happens. You don't feel so alone.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Thank you for starting this thread.

My Aunt is what I would consider 'addicted' to food. All she talks about is food. She is constantly grocery shopping or cooking. All conversations will come back to the topic of food. To me, she fixates on food like a drug addict would fixate on scoring their next high.

It makes me so sad because she now has a lot of health problems because she is Morbidly Obese.

You know what is really sad? She actually started going to the community pool and was feeling good about getting out and doing something. I was so happy for her! A woman who also swims (and is aware that my Aunt use to work as an RN) said to her one day, "Wow, I can't believe that a person with your knowledge in the Medical field would let yourself go like you have".

Well, my Aunt quit going to the pool.

I tried to talk to her about it, but now she is so concerned that she will run into this woman again, she doesn't want to go. It makes me angry and sad at the same time. She still won't tell me who said it. Apparently, I know this person!!

Anyway, I will talk more about this when I have time. I really am worried about her.

Weird, but when I start getting comments, it tends to make me so nervous and self-conscious that it totally ruins my healthy diet plans.

I wish people would just mind their own business. I KNOW I'm fat. So shut up already.

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Specializes in Tele, Infectious Disease, OHN.

I decided it was time for a major lifestyle change at the beginnig of the year. I have gone off processed food, including anyhitng with sugar or white flour. I am going to the Weight Watchers website and getting free recipes and have changed the way I shop and cook. It truly felt like I was going through detox the first month or so. My issie now is my friends. They have all remarked on how much better I look but encourage me to eat things I am not eating anymore. I do not make an issue of it, I just eat fruits and vegetables if they are there or drink water or coffee. I would never offer an alcoholic a drink. I need a good way to decline what I feel is inappropriate food for me. Any suggestions?

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I decided it was time for a major lifestyle change at the beginnig of the year. I have gone off processed food, including anyhitng with sugar or white flour. I am going to the Weight Watchers website and getting free recipes and have changed the way I shop and cook. It truly felt like I was going through detox the first month or so. My issie now is my friends. They have all remarked on how much better I look but encourage me to eat things I am not eating anymore. I do not make an issue of it, I just eat fruits and vegetables if they are there or drink water or coffee. I would never offer an alcoholic a drink. I need a good way to decline what I feel is inappropriate food for me. Any suggestions?

I'll tell ya what, weightwatchers is EXCELLENT.

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i was with a group a long time ago and i felt the challege to lose weight

WW is a bit expensive but i will tru and find some other group

i too do better on the high protein/low carb diet, drinking water on this diet is even more important than on some other diets

excerise is the most difficult thing to do esp when you are obese because people will stand and stare like you have two heads..i am going to start anyway going to try and get a family member or friend to join me and give me some moral support and maybe a kick in the hinny if i need it

cat lover i feel like that person who insulted your aunt is awful..when ever my ex is around he always has something to say about my weight and always says that he says it because he cares about my health

i do not mention the fact that he buckles his belt under his stomach

thanks for all the posts here, i need this so much

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I have been thinking for days about opening a topic on this very subject so was pleasantly surprised to see it staring me in the face. I think it might be fate because I know I need help and just seem helpless to get it.

I haven't always been morbidly obese, but I am now. I do know that I have been obsessed, addicted, preoccupied with food, etc. for as long as I can remember. I didn't hit big numbers until I was in my 20's. I had a nice figure before that and long for one again.

I want to lose weight so badly. I know my weight controls my life in a lot of ways. I don't go to the doctor because I don't want to get weighed, I'm putting off filling out another application for nursing school because I want to lose weight before starting, I'm afraid of doing a head-to-toe assessment in NS because I don't want to be weighed or anyone to see my body, etc. The sheer thought of any of this makes my blood pressure rise.

I had lost 82 pounds a few years ago and gained 100 back. I can't believe I have done this to myself yet again. I'm disgusted with myself and know I need to get it under control before I hit 300. I'm sure the fact that I exercise is the only reason I'm not there already.

I even dream about losing weight and being fat. I think about food constantly. I eat when I am so full I could burst. It's truly like I can't stop much like an alcoholic or drug addict. Ironically I don't drink or do drugs and live an otherwise healthy lifestyle outside of food.

If anyone would like to start on a healthier lifestayle with me starting tomorrow maybe we could cheer each other on and just take small steps together. I am also going to look into an Overeaters Anonymous group. Something's got to give.

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I have gone to both weight watchers and overeaters anonymous meetings.;) I like OA better because the focus is on the real problem-food addiction itself rather than just losing weight. When I went to WW I felt humiliated because I would have to be weighed every week and I was always gaining weight and paying $12+ each week. The only thing I lost on WW was my money. I think WW is a good program but perhaps only for people who are not true food addicts? It wasn't until I went to OA that I was able to lose 125 pounds. Anyway, if WW is working for you that's great! :yeah:

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.
I am a food addict and always will be. I am 54 years old. I use to weigh 240 lbs and now weigh 115 lbs. I am very fortunate. I found out exactly how to save myself. I found recovery with food addicts anonymous and overeaters anonymous. I lost 125 pounds about a year ago and am keeping it off. The book that saved my life is called Food addiction-The body knows by Kay Sheppard. It costs about $12 and is available at Food addicts anonymous 4623 Forest Hill Blvd. #109-4 West Palm Beach FL 33415;)

Hi, I'm Kimberly, and I'm a compulsive overeater. Ten years ago, I lost 70 pounds by attending OA meeting and living the program. My downfall was deciding I didn't need meetings anymore and the weight has crept back on. I'm thankful for this thread because it has reminded me of my addiction and the need to get back on the wagon.

Just remember: HALT

Do not ever get too Hungry, Angry, Loney, or Tired or you'll overeat.

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.
You named one withdrawal symptom though already.

Just as a reminder to anyone....abstinence can often present symptoms of withdrawal for any behavior that has been overused and now absent. We just need to recognize and accept that as a fact for each other. I would like for us to not get in the mode of saying my habit is worse than yours or yours worse than mine...a habit is a habit, which is just uncomfortable enough all its own. There are discomforts in its overuse and discomforts when faced without it. We all can empathize with the discomfort...for we all share it in one form or another. We also can help each other to rise above it too. Hugs.

I suffer from withdrawal symptoms when I try to "diet". When I'm not eating over my emotions or stressors, I seem to fall apart emotionally. Does anyone else experience this? :uhoh21:

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.
Yes. I always follow exactly what the book says to do period. I tried so many years to do things "my way.":icon_roll I was always rebellious in the past thinking I know what's best for me. I'll lose my weight my way. Well, I did things "my way" for so many years. Yes, doing things "my way" never worked. I was 240 pounds and totally out of control. Finally, I decided I was going to do exactly what the book said even if it killed me. It didn't kill me. It gave me back my life.It saved my life. I believe 100% of that book. It is my bible. If a food I like is not listed in that book I don't eat it. No exceptions. On March 29th I will have 2 years of abstinence from food addiction.:yeah: Thank you GOD.

Congratulations!! :yeah: My best abstinence was 18 months, so I know what an achievment that is! Is the food plan in the book similar to the "blue sheet" in OA? No sugar, white flour, etc.

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