My oh my...you hit the nail on the head!!! Food addiction is my best friend. I have even become morbidly obese and want to get help, maybe someone can offer some help in here. I eat when I am happy, sad,lonely, glad, up, down...you name it. I need help..I really do!!! My health insurance won't pay for gastric bypass because I'm not sick enough. So what the hell...I'm a healthy obese person??? C'mon, you think that the insurance would want to help me so that I can get off my meds and prevent future illness. We live in a real backwards society as far as the insurance companies are concerned. Anyway, I'm gonna try to get them to consider me again, I WANT TO LIVE!!! I just think that if I could get a little surgical intervention that I could work on the behavioral part and get healthy for once in my whole life. I have been heavy for as long as I can remember. I do want to be healthy as soon as I can. Any suggestions???
I'm far from an authority on health insurance, but I wonder if it's one of those deals where they routinely reject first requests....just kind of thinking out loud, I guess. It is absolutely mortifying that we are a world power and are in this healthcare crisis. Sorry to hijack the thread.
As far as food addiction: I went vegan a couple weeks ago (mostly because I'm a huge animal lover and read some really disturbing propaganda). I didn't notice a difference in how I felt until today, when I gorged on cookies and Hershey chocolate (eggs and milk). UGH, I felt miserable. I am convinced I have a sugar addiction; I really "get off" on the sugar high and then crash really hard. The question is, what can I do about it? I feel so out of control while I'm pigging out, but then I can go days or even weeks and do ok. I don't get it! Thanks for listening.
Psych, I totally get what you're going through. Hang in there...hugs.
Many thanks to Commuter for starting this thread and to everyone else who shared their stories and made me feel less alone, especially the person who recognized that eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. This board has everything, doesn't it?
At age 8, reacting to stressful life events, I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Since then, I've lost the same 60-80 pounds and gained them back numerous times, and bounce around from underweight to obese on a regular basis. I eat when I'm hungry, full, happy, sad, depressed, etc. I'm obsessed with chocolate and baked goods and will leave the house at 2am in my pajamas if the urge comes on too strong. I've read all the books, taken Nutrition classes, and I know how to eat healthy. But once I start the "new eating plan for life", that little demon in my head starts talking. The one that tells me that if cutting down to 1500 calories a day is good, cutting down to 500 is even better! If exercising for 1 hour is good, 4 hours is better! So then I get scared and chuck the plan. I sure wish there was a reset button on the back of my head that would make food exactly what it is supposed to be--energy for my body, nothing more, nothing less.
Hey all, I'm reviving this thread. Yes, I think I have food issues. I mean I get it into my head that I need something to eat when I just ate a meal about an hour before. It's horrendous. I don't keep anything in my house anymore because I know I will eat it. Sometimes I can't stop myself. Lets put it this way, yesterday I ate three California kitchen pizzas for one and two of those betty crocker brownie things that you put in the microwave. I don't know what is wrong with me.
Don't worry. There is hope for us food addicts. If you want to find out exactly what is wrong with you please get the book that "saved my life". It's called Food addiction-The body knows by Kay Sheppard. All of your questions will be answered in this book I swear.
This entire month has been a "fall off the wagon" for me. I've been experiencing some changes in my daily routine due to a new job, and have not eaten a meal prepared at home in several weeks. All of my meals have come from fast food places, restaurants, or the local convenience store. I think the only reason I have not gained the weight back is because I still exercise at the health club several times weekly.
This is an uphill battle. Life would be easier if I craved broccoli instead of pizza!
Is anyone familiar with Clover Park Tech-college..they have a new LPN-RN bridge program I am being told. Does anyone know if they have a wait list???
Hey there Psyknurs-
My lab partner's husband applied to this program and was accepted right before the Winter session began. Since it was so new, they were accepting applicants literally up until the last minute. I don't know if this is still the case, but it wouldn't hurt to try. Give them a call... who knows, you might be able to start very soon with their next cohort. Good luck!
Now I wasn't just stepping back into a direct care role on "the floor" of Med/Surg. No, I took a role as a field nurse in an area considered taboo by even the best nurses.
Most nurses cringe when hearing that name with the usual remark, "I could never work there. It takes a special person to work in that area."
Yes, I accepted the job and began working the first week of May, 2007 in none other than Hospice. I chose Hospice because it really was nothing like what I had worked in the past. I thought it would get me out of the hospital walls and the headache of management.
I had worked in community health nursing in the past an enjoyed the autonomy it allowed. The time for private thought and traveling farther then the bathroom or the cafeteria was oddly appealing to me. It even seemed weird to say but I thought after working in management I owed it back to the direct care nurse to put my hands to the grindstone, a philosophy I appreciated as a floor nurse and held myself to as the coordinator. I looked forward to giving of myself to my patients. What I have gotten from my patients, however, has left me often feeling like the receiver instead of the giver.
Hospice: A Never-Ending Experience
In a nut shell, the Hospice philosophy is to provide the patient with the best quality of life for as long as the patient is alive. That sentence doesn't give Hospice justice, but this article isn't about what we as nurses can do for the patient. This article is about what the nurse takes away from the experience.
Call me the eternal optimist, but in a world where gray clouds loom and joy gets robbed with every heartbeat I believe God provides a silver lining. In the realm of a dying person there are always treasures to uncover. I never imagined how a job taking care of others in their greatest time of need could give back so much. Sure, everyday I see a patient and I am reminded that my problems are not life ending. Every moment helping them when they deal with pain or breathing difficulty I thank God my problems are life changing, not life threatening. Every time a patient dies I know I am blessed to be alive.
Patients Share The Greatest Wisdom
I am amazed when out of the crackling voice of a dying patient comes words of clarity, truth, and strength. When we are not treating, comforting, and answering questions; when our mouths are shut and our ears are open, it is the patient who usually has the greatest wisdom to share.
In providing the best quality of life to a dying person, it is that person who has spoken so much into my life. I find myself driving away from the home speechless at the boldness and profound words that pour out of them. In eight months I am honored that my life has been blessed by my patients. I honor the wisdom, knowledge, and strength of a man, woman, or child who faces the greatest unknown and has made peace with their life. They get it. They understand it. If only we, the non-terminally ill nurse, social worker, therapist, and doctor could learn to live with that passion and boldness. If only we could learn to live like we were dying. It is that knowledge and wisdom, when we listen, that is worth dying for.
Food addiction is sometimes not taken seriously--think of chocoholics or getting a sugar fix--but if you've ever watched one of the shows about the super-sized folks who are struggling, it doesn't seem all that humorous anymore.
All you have to do is look at the crowd in a mall food court to see how strong this compulsion is. Just as with alcoholics, many people will tell themselves that they're not really addicted--they can quit any time they try to get serious. But just let them try, and then watch the sweat break out and their hands begin to shake with the effort.
This ranks right up there with nicotine, drugs and alcohol in level of challenge. Only, as some have pointed out, you can't entirely stop eating as you can with with smoking. Even quitting smoking is said to be "going cold turkey," and right there you have yet another reference to food.
Anyone who understands the true nature of addiction and addictive thinking would not hesitate to recognize someone willing to enter the battle. No matter what they see as their "drug" of choice, the fight is still the same.
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
As far as food addiction: I went vegan a couple weeks ago (mostly because I'm a huge animal lover and read some really disturbing propaganda). I didn't notice a difference in how I felt until today, when I gorged on cookies and Hershey chocolate (eggs and milk). UGH, I felt miserable. I am convinced I have a sugar addiction; I really "get off" on the sugar high and then crash really hard. The question is, what can I do about it? I feel so out of control while I'm pigging out, but then I can go days or even weeks and do ok. I don't get it! Thanks for listening.
Psych, I totally get what you're going through. Hang in there...hugs.
Many thanks to Commuter for starting this thread and to everyone else who shared their stories and made me feel less alone, especially the person who recognized that eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes. This board has everything, doesn't it?
At age 8, reacting to stressful life events, I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Since then, I've lost the same 60-80 pounds and gained them back numerous times, and bounce around from underweight to obese on a regular basis. I eat when I'm hungry, full, happy, sad, depressed, etc. I'm obsessed with chocolate and baked goods and will leave the house at 2am in my pajamas if the urge comes on too strong. I've read all the books, taken Nutrition classes, and I know how to eat healthy. But once I start the "new eating plan for life", that little demon in my head starts talking. The one that tells me that if cutting down to 1500 calories a day is good, cutting down to 500 is even better! If exercising for 1 hour is good, 4 hours is better! So then I get scared and chuck the plan. I sure wish there was a reset button on the back of my head that would make food exactly what it is supposed to be--energy for my body, nothing more, nothing less.
This entire month has been a "fall off the wagon" for me. I've been experiencing some changes in my daily routine due to a new job, and have not eaten a meal prepared at home in several weeks. All of my meals have come from fast food places, restaurants, or the local convenience store. I think the only reason I have not gained the weight back is because I still exercise at the health club several times weekly.
This is an uphill battle. Life would be easier if I craved broccoli instead of pizza!
My lab partner's husband applied to this program and was accepted right before the Winter session began. Since it was so new, they were accepting applicants literally up until the last minute. I don't know if this is still the case, but it wouldn't hurt to try. Give them a call... who knows, you might be able to start very soon with their next cohort. Good luck!
Hospice: A New Direction
Now I wasn't just stepping back into a direct care role on "the floor" of Med/Surg. No, I took a role as a field nurse in an area considered taboo by even the best nurses.
Most nurses cringe when hearing that name with the usual remark, "I could never work there. It takes a special person to work in that area."
Yes, I accepted the job and began working the first week of May, 2007 in none other than Hospice. I chose Hospice because it really was nothing like what I had worked in the past. I thought it would get me out of the hospital walls and the headache of management.
I had worked in community health nursing in the past an enjoyed the autonomy it allowed. The time for private thought and traveling farther then the bathroom or the cafeteria was oddly appealing to me. It even seemed weird to say but I thought after working in management I owed it back to the direct care nurse to put my hands to the grindstone, a philosophy I appreciated as a floor nurse and held myself to as the coordinator. I looked forward to giving of myself to my patients. What I have gotten from my patients, however, has left me often feeling like the receiver instead of the giver.
Hospice: A Never-Ending Experience
In a nut shell, the Hospice philosophy is to provide the patient with the best quality of life for as long as the patient is alive. That sentence doesn't give Hospice justice, but this article isn't about what we as nurses can do for the patient. This article is about what the nurse takes away from the experience.
Call me the eternal optimist, but in a world where gray clouds loom and joy gets robbed with every heartbeat I believe God provides a silver lining. In the realm of a dying person there are always treasures to uncover. I never imagined how a job taking care of others in their greatest time of need could give back so much. Sure, everyday I see a patient and I am reminded that my problems are not life ending. Every moment helping them when they deal with pain or breathing difficulty I thank God my problems are life changing, not life threatening. Every time a patient dies I know I am blessed to be alive.
Patients Share The Greatest Wisdom
I am amazed when out of the crackling voice of a dying patient comes words of clarity, truth, and strength. When we are not treating, comforting, and answering questions; when our mouths are shut and our ears are open, it is the patient who usually has the greatest wisdom to share.
In providing the best quality of life to a dying person, it is that person who has spoken so much into my life. I find myself driving away from the home speechless at the boldness and profound words that pour out of them. In eight months I am honored that my life has been blessed by my patients. I honor the wisdom, knowledge, and strength of a man, woman, or child who faces the greatest unknown and has made peace with their life. They get it. They understand it. If only we, the non-terminally ill nurse, social worker, therapist, and doctor could learn to live with that passion and boldness. If only we could learn to live like we were dying. It is that knowledge and wisdom, when we listen, that is worth dying for.
T.J. Bristle RN BSN CLNC
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Food addiction is sometimes not taken seriously--think of chocoholics or getting a sugar fix--but if you've ever watched one of the shows about the super-sized folks who are struggling, it doesn't seem all that humorous anymore.
All you have to do is look at the crowd in a mall food court to see how strong this compulsion is. Just as with alcoholics, many people will tell themselves that they're not really addicted--they can quit any time they try to get serious. But just let them try, and then watch the sweat break out and their hands begin to shake with the effort.
This ranks right up there with nicotine, drugs and alcohol in level of challenge. Only, as some have pointed out, you can't entirely stop eating as you can with with smoking. Even quitting smoking is said to be "going cold turkey," and right there you have yet another reference to food.
Anyone who understands the true nature of addiction and addictive thinking would not hesitate to recognize someone willing to enter the battle. No matter what they see as their "drug" of choice, the fight is still the same.
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
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