Food Addiction? I think so..

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

At least you haven't let your own issues stop you from living your life. That's something I've really let get out of control. I should be proud of myself for what I've done but honestly i'm not. I've lost about 50 pounds in the past 8 years but all I can think about is how I got my weight down to 230 or so (down nearly 100 pounds) and then managed to let it get back to 270.

The irony is I really don't have much difficulty eating healthy most of the time. I also don't like sweets, never have even as a kid I didn't like cookies, cake, etc. My one downfall is alcohol which I like to enjoy once or twice a week and it's really just empty calories. I also like pizza too but that can be controlled moreso since you can get thin crust with veggies and that sort of thing.

I forgot to bring my lunch today but I have a cache of food here at work so i'll probably delve into that and eat some low sodium soup and a banana I have here.

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

Just curious UNC_Pete and anyone here who is overweight: Was(is) your mom overweight? I have a sister who is very skinny and has no issues with weight. She has a different mom but the same dad. Her mom was very thin and never had any weight issues. My dad is overweight by about 70 pounds or so but my mom is overweight by probably 130-140 pounds. I've heard it's usually your mom's pattern you follow in regards to weight and it really seems to be the case for me. Unfortunately for me both of my parents are not helping me at all in the genetics department.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

Just curious UNC_Pete and anyone here who is overweight: Was(is) your mom overweight? I have a sister who is very skinny and has no issues with weight. She has a different mom but the same dad. Her mom was very thin and never had any weight issues. My dad is overweight by about 70 pounds or so but my mom is overweight by probably 130-140 pounds. I've heard it's usually your mom's pattern you follow in regards to weight and it really seems to be the case for me. Unfortunately for me both of my parents are not helping me at all in the genetics department.

My dad has the same issues (and a hell of a lot more). He is worse, though, he's woken up in the middle of the night and cleaned out a box of donuts and a half gal of ice cream. I've never done anything like that. But, he barely eats anything anymore. He used to be about 330 but now he's at a healthy weight even though he doesn't eat healthy. My mom used to be a little over weight but she is a health nut now so she's OK.

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

My mom is a serious sweets eater. She can live on donuts, cake, cookies, etc. I've always felt very queasy after eating that sort of thing so I've always avoided them. One issue I used to have, but don't anymore, is pasta. I would eat a TON of pasta which was very fattening. I really have learned to control that though by buying the occasional weight watchers pasta instead of making big pots of spaghetti. When I do make pasta I add a lot of vegetables and sauce so I eat less at each sitting.

I lucked out today, they had a meeting here at work so I got some chicken noodle soup and a sandwich (half turkey, half veggie). I'll go work out in an hour or so, I do 6 miles on the bike each day as quickly as I can, then follow up with a banana before heading to my fat club tonight.

Yes, that's right, i'm in a fat club. Well it's actually called TOPS. It's like weight watchers but only $1 a week. It's a great support group but honestly I kind of dread going when I have gained weight (they have you announce each week if you lost or gained). But I'm pretty sure this week I've lost weight so I won't have to announce that I've gained. It's mostl women at the meetings but there are a few guys. I'm the only "young" guy there though, everyone else is in their late 60's for the most part. There are all kinds of women there though, old and young.

It's worth checking out if you're looking for a support group each week. We meet for about 30 minutes and just talk about food and exchange ideas.

http://www.tops.org/default.aspx

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

UNC_Pete your dad and my mom sound alot alike. My mom does that 'sleep-eating' deal. She doesn't even remember it the next day. One night when I lived at home she ate nearly a whole chocolate cake and didn't even remember getting up. I could hardly believe it, that's like 2,000 calories or something. I'm glad I don't have that issue.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I barely had the cajones to start this thread let alone a group! Thanks, though.

I have some episodes where I just crave eating really. Very stange and I need to stop, I'm not even hungry when I do it. I'll eat a couple cookies, a few slices of bread, a handful of chips, and then finish it off with a bagel. Yes, very strange, but I have done it more than I'd like to remember and for no reason I can think of.

I especially try to stay away from the kitchen at work, people leave food they don't want or extras out and I usually can't resist. (Like Pizza, Cookies, whatever is out there)

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

That is something I do as well. You know you're not hungry but you just feel compelled to eat. I read it's a psychological hunger. That's what I was saying in my earlier post that I don't fight it anymore, I just try to eat fruit now when I get like that, or drink a V8 or eat some pumpkin seeds.

As for the group, it was very tough to go to the first week but after meeting everyone it's easy now to go to. I just hate admitting i've gained because I feel like such a loser (not the good kind, LOL) when I have to cop to that in front of a group.

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

It's funny btw that you posted this because I was going to post this about the same time.

[Jdurg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

As I get older (turn 30 in a few months) I've noticed that my metabolism has been slowing down tremendously. There is a gym here at my work that I have been a member of for the past few years, but sadly my work schedule and various nagging injuries have prevented me from being able to go like I used to. I'm currently 5'10" and weigh 205 pounds. It's frustrating as I used to wear size 34 pants, but now am starting to bulge out and muffin-top my size 36 pants. A couple of years ago, before getting in a car accident which kept me out of the gym for a few weeks, I was down to 160 with very little body fat and great muscle definition. I looked great. Looking at photos from that time, I really did look lean and trim compared to now where you can see some "fattyness" to my face. I guess part of the weight gain is that I'm getting older, and as a Type 1 Diabetic, my A1c levels have dropped to the low 6's so my body isn't burning fat anymore to get energy. As a result, it can store that fat where I don't want it to.

I recently ripped a tendon in my right calf, so once that heals I'll be able to get back into the gym. I had wanted to climb Mount Washington this June, but with my busted leg I'm not sure if I can do that. For now, I'm just going to have to start reducing portion size and making what used to be one meal, two or three meals.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I was just owned by livestrong..

I've taken in 655 calories today but i'm over my suggested sugar intake by 8g already.. :/

Protein: 49%
Carbs: 28%
Fat: 2%

What the heck am I doing!?

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

8g of what are you over?

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I ate a tad too much too but it was salad and veggie/turkey sandwich so I'm not going to penalize myself too heavily for that. In fact I'm trying to eat a little more when healthy food presents itself so that I will not snack as much later.

[elgreazy1]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

I was just owned by livestrong..

I've taken in 655 calories today but i'm over my suggested sugar intake by 8g already.. :/

Protein: 49%
Carbs: 28%
Fat: 2%

What the heck am I doing!?

Don't overthink it initially. You are going to go over and you will not meet your percantages everyday, especially in the beginning. Those are merely guides for the average person. Case in point, my cholestoral is generally higher because of the protein shakes; while cholestoral can be bad, there is also good cholestoral.

[ODogg]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

Just like carbs & sugar from fruit is not bad but carbs & sugar from donuts and sugary kool aid is.

[UNC_Pete]

Re: Food Addiction? I think so..

hmm what about sugar from skim milk and carnation instant breakfast? lol