Problems with Food

LegacyUser

hi all,

I'm hoping if someone can help point me in the right direction or share their similar experiences.

Basically I can't stop myself from eating. all I think about for the day is food, I'm ok 9-5 in work, I can controll it, but when i get home I want to eat.
i live with my partner, and I hide what I'm eating from him.

i never used to be like this and I don't know why i am now. i've started to put on weight and can't fit into some of my clothes, yet still I can't stop myself.

i presume its an addiction but I don't know if there is a specific place that helps with this kind of thing? has anyone else had this? how did you deal with it?

any advise greatly appreciated.

Ann22

Are you sure you're eating enough wholegrains during the day? I worked with a girl once who ate so little I couldn't believe it. She was on a seriously strict diet for the whole time I worked with her. She must've been half starved all the time. If that was me I'd be astray in the head with hunger.
If you're sure your diet is adequate I saw some tablets in Holland and Barrett that make you feel full. You need to sort it out in case you end up with bullimia.

Nevyn

http://www.bodywhys.ie/t.php?c=about_eating_disorders/bed.html

What Is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder or Compulsive Overeating is characterised by periods of compulsive binge eating or overeating. There is no purging (getting rid of the food) but there may be sporadic fasts or repeated diets. Weight may vary from normal to significantly overweight.

In an eating disorder, food is not used to nourish the body. It is used to take care of emotional needs. Eating to meet psychological needs in this way is often referred to as emotional eating. Binge eating disorder is a form of emotional eating in which overeating has become a way of coping. A person with binge eating disorder becomes caught up in a vicious cycle of bingeing and dieting or restricting their food intake.
Characteristics

People with binge eating problems often experience some of the following:

* Eating is out of control.
* Eating much more quickly than usual during binges.
* Eating until uncomfortably full.
* Eating large amounts of food, even when not hungry.
* Eating alone due to embarrassment about the amount eaten.
* Feelings of disgust, guilt, self loathing and shame after overeating.
* Depression and anxiety.

Contact Details

Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association Of Ireland.
PO Box 105,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.

Admin Tel: 01-2834963
Fax: 01-2056959
Email: info@bodywhys.ie
Helpline: 1890 200 444
E-Mail Support: alex@bodywhys.ie

LegacyUser

I think I eat enough wholegrains but i could add more. I eat porriage for breakfast, fruit during the day and my lunch varies from sandwiches to salad and soup. I'll want to eat if I'm hunry or not though. no matter what i'm doing I am thinking about when I can go and eat. I don't want to end up with bullimia.

thanks for the link Thaedydal, I'll have a read of that now.

LegacyUser

Thanks Thaed for that. I have the same problem. I'll have a look at their website.

I've been overeating now for a few months and I don't know why.

LegacyUser

thesameproblem wrote: »

Thanks Thaed for that. I have the same problem. I'll have a look at their website.

I've been overeating now for a few months and I don't know why.

Hope you can get it sorted too. good luck.

LegacyUser

Hey, I had the same problem only a year ago. I cud have ate until literally the cows come home. I found a non evasive remedy. Acupuncture!! Of course i had a secondary reason for eating like that. Stress!!! I hate needles but it was such a breeze and with a carefuly planned diet with extra fibre and vitamins i now have a relatively normal diet and exercies programme but i treat myself once a week. It will take time but best of luck.

PS talking to your OH wont do any harm, Yes he may be shocked at what you have to tell him but you will have his support and other networks are there too.

LegacyUser

I really feel your pain. I am in recovery from the same situation. The out of control binge eating and feeling of remorse afterwards...it's an endless cycle. I've started to go to OA (Overeaters Anonymous) and have found that it has really helped, there are prople from all walks of life and all shapes sharing the same addiciton. You can find meeing info on OA at www.oa.org

I've also been to FAA (food Addicts Anonymous) and I have also found them to be really good aswell- their philosophy is based on an addiction to sugar and carbohydates which, if eaten in large quantites stimulates certain people to binge eat- it certainly resonated with me. Again info on their meetings can be found online.

Good luck in your recovery!

S XX.

not yet

Sounds to me like your seriously bored....

In work when your busy you dont have time to think about food but at home its different. get busy at night (pardon the pun)

xfirefishx

Hey, I think you need to look at things that are happening in your life and work on those before considering whether you have a disorder. That may be true but you may find that these is something going on in your life - anxiety, stress, boredom or something that is causing this. I sometimes find that I feel hungry all the time as well, even when I shouldn't be and sometimes its not having enough to do or lack of exercise or when I'm feeling depressed. Talk to your partner about it and work it out together.

RossFixxxed

This seems like any addiction, hiding it, obsessing.

Follow Thaed's advice and get a professional. Speak to your OH about it. these things are solvable but you need the right mindset. And being open will clear the air. The more you obsess in your own head the worse thing seem and the bigger they get (and the worse)

Good luck with it.

joenailface

i had the same thing, whoever said bored is totally right. if yer sitting there watching tv or start thinking over your day chances are your going to remember eating which leads to 'oh ill cook and eat something that'll kill some time' to be honest though if its sugary stuff you're thinking about or getting a taste for its some type of addiction, what i done was just cut all sugar out, started eating more fruit, veg, bran, that kinda stuff and that made me physically feel better, which made me mentally feel better (because you feel proud of yourself for eating right instead of guilty for doing something you know you shouldnt). it makes you happier to realise you can set goals for yourself and it kinda turns the bad cycle into a good one...i know that is the vaugest answer in the history of answers but it's a vauge subject to be honest, different for everyone.

excersise though is just the best solution, most jobs have people sitting down and doing mental work all day, which leaves you mentally exhausted but not physically tired. going swimming for the win relieves boredom, makes you hungry, you can do it alone, you dont need any expensive equipment. i know a downside is sometimes you can feel embarrassed but i know when im swimming im having fun, not caring about what other people look like .

someone also once mentioned that this was a perticually bad problem in ireland due to the guilt we associate with gluttony due to christian upbringings...food for thought

summery: fruit, veg, fibre, excersise and a positive outlook