Food Addiction? I think so..

[matt8204]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

How is it possible to cut out all sugar? Even fruits have natural sugar in it.

I think you should cut out all excess sugars like High Fructose Corn Syrup, candy, and other junk.

Thats what I'm currently doing. I'm trying to cut back a lot on sugar but even healthy foods like yogurt, oatmeal, and fruit have sugar.

I think you need some sugar, though. If your blood sugar levels are too low, it can be just as bad as having it be too high. I don't think any diet that completely eliminates a certain nutrient or element of food (fat, sodium, carbs, etc) is good, at least long-term. If you're looking to drop a quick 10 pounds, then maybe you can get away with no/very little carbs for a short time but long-term, it's not sustainable and probably not healthy either.

[Schism 6]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I know I would, I lost 60 in 5 months on the atkins diet as posted above. Just don't see how feasible it is to stay on such a restricted diet.

It's called self control.....

[Adam Dayton]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I think the key word here is sustainability. Diets are just that, restricting your normal dietary pattern and they imply something transient and unstable. You seem to be very obese and correct me if I'm wrong, but the crash diet to fit into a size 4 bikini to sweep the boy from under his feet at the local beach party isn't exactly what you are striving for? Ignore all no sugar talk immediately. Someone said it right that sugar exists in almost everything, carbohydrates obviously play a very important role in your health. Things like the Atkins diet you can forget about. As soon as you touch carbs you will gain a good portion back, something of which will damage your psyche immeasurably after all the hard work you put into yourself. If you pm me your current diet I think I can work with you and help create a feasible plan that will help you lose weight in a safe, healthy and effective manner. This is a marathon, not a sprint. This is for life.

[Aces15]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

It's called self control.....

But that's his whole point. He's arguing that he considers his problem an addiction more than just excess. You're not going to tell a crackhead "it's called self-control" and expect them to stop.

[Adam Dayton]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

But that's his whole point. He's arguing that he considers his problem an addiction more than just excess. You're not going to tell a crackhead "it's called self-control" and expect them to stop.

Exactly. Eating is oftentimes an emotional experience and anytime you have to make a lifestyle change that effects your behavior/mood a psychiatrist is oftentimes a good person to introduce into the equation. The self control argument can be used for anything. How about eating every other day? How about jamming your finger down your throat. You can lose a hell of a lot of weight fast that way. You don';t wana do it? You lack self control. Absolute hogwash.

[Schism 6]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

But that's his whole point. He's arguing that he considers his problem an addiction more than just excess. You're not going to tell a crackhead "it's called self-control" and expect them to stop.

Cmon, addiction to food, if that were the case he'd get fatter and fatter, not drop some weight, get fat, wash rinse repeat....

[Aces15]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

Cmon, addiction to food, if that were the case he'd get fatter and fatter, not drop some weight, get fat, wash rinse repeat....

I'm not siding with anybody here, I'm just telling you his side of things.

What I will say though is that there have been studies where it has been found that eating to a "food addict" stimulates the same kind of response that getting a fix would for a druggie.

I personally don't know enough about the matter to go with one side or the other, I just understand what he's saying.

[elgreazy1]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I don't necessarily agree that there are food addictions but more so that the mind and person have addiciton-like tendencies. Many times it's triggered by association: ex: I always eat when I'm (sad/happy/nervous). I always drink when I (want to have a good time/depressed/need to forget things). I always smoke after (sex/drinking/etc).

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I don't necessarily agree that there are food addictions but more so that the mind and person have addiciton-like tendencies. Many times it's triggered by association: ex: I always eat when I'm (sad/happy/nervous). I always drink when I (want to have a good time/depressed/need to forget things). I always smoke after (sex/drinking/etc).

I agree 100%. I don't know how many people I met that have told me thy only smoke if they drink or something. And I know that when I'm having a bad day or something I will eat much more then I usually do.

[Streets]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

Good luck UNC,

I know a lot of people in my life that are struggling with similar issues. And yes, food can be addicting and also provide emotional comfort as well.

As far as all the advice, I guess I can co-sign the people in here that say you really have to want it (which I'm sure you do). One of the truest things I've ever heard is that motivation is constantly wavering/fleeting. At night I get pumped about going to the gym the next day. My adrenaline's rushing, and I'm SO motivated, but come morning, I have to drag myself out of bed (if I even end up going). Motivation is rarely consistent and people have to constantly re-dedicate themselves, which can be tough. You also have to believe in the process and not get discouraged at the first plateau. Fighting the addiction piece, staying motivated, believing in the process, and making changes that are permanent (yes permanent, because once you go off your "diet" you will gain it all back) are things that are extremely difficult to maintain. And you are not a "weak person" or "lack all self-control" if you at times falter. I believe people do the best they can given their circumstances, and hope you can get down to a weight that you're happy with.

I've been overweight most of my life. Vanity has been my motivation to lose weight rather than health (I know it's shallow and a bit weird, but I own up to it). Luckily I noticed the health benefits (not to mention the emotional ones) afterwards and can't go back to my old lifestyle.

One day I decided that looking good all the time was more important than eating whatever I wanted and feeling self-conscious about my weight. I decided to change up my eating habits and decided to just eat less calories than I was burning (I figured, it's science, it has to work! Even if I plateau or go into "storage mode" or whatever, my body can't fight forever). That was it though. No crash dieting or cutting out sugar or carbs, just watch the calories. I started January 6th 2009 and went from around 250 to around 170 (I'm 5'10") and I think I look pretty good. I've been maintaining this weight for at least 3 months now if not longer. Again, I believe you can do it man.

[Adam Dayton]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I don't necessarily agree that there are food addictions but more so that the mind and person have addiciton-like tendencies. Many times it's triggered by association: ex: I always eat when I'm (sad/happy/nervous). I always drink when I (want to have a good time/depressed/need to forget things). I always smoke after (sex/drinking/etc).

You do all of those things because they elicit chemical reactions in your brain.

[Adam Dayton]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

FYI, for anyone who doesn't believe in food addictions then you might as well not believe in gambling, alcohol, porn, exercise or any other addiction. The truth of the matter is that eating changes your brain chemistry and triggers the reward centers in your noggin like all those other vices.

[Aces15]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I started January 6th 2009 and went from around 250 to around 170 (I'm 5'10") and I think I look pretty good. I've been maintaining this weight for at least 3 months now if not longer.

Wow that's really impressive if all those numbers are true. You basically went from being obese to being in a healthy weight range

[mudman]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

FYI, for anyone who doesn't believe in food addictions then you might as well not believe in gambling, alcohol, porn, exercise or any other addiction. The truth of the matter is that eating changes your brain chemistry and triggers the reward centers in your noggin like all those other vices.

I believe in this magical thing called self control as well.

If you want something bad enough you'll do what it takes to get whatever it is you want. Anybody who is overweight and says that they "can't lose weight" is full of ****. It might be much harder for you to lose weight than somebody else due to genetics, but fact is, anybody can lose weight if they want to bad enough.

Nicotine is highly addictive yet lots of people quit smoking....because they wanted to bad enough.

Most every single person who is overweight either 'wishes' to lose weight or 'wants' to lose weight. Those who 'want' to lose weight will lose the weight, those who 'wish' to lose weight won't.

[stewaat]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

Food is addictive. I'm in about as good as shape as anybody on these boards but I crave sweets like you would not believe. I could eat a dozen cookies with no problem.

I've got an addiction to sweets, no doubt about it.

I believe anybody can lose weight, but to say there are no food addictions...get off your high horse.