Any food addicts here?

[EarthyGoalie 253]

I feel so happy for everyone's success on here. However I rarely see a post from someone suffering from food addiction. And I feel that it would help me a lot to hear those journeys. :-) not that it doesn't help to hear other stories as well. But if you are a food addict who has succeeded in losing the weight and staying sane without hurting your poor stomach, please do share. I would love to hear about your success.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I dare say there are MANY food addicts here and almost every story is that of one, whether they own up to that addiction or not.

For me, the removal of my stomach has taken away 95% of my NEED to eat mass quantities of food because it HURTS. Eating more than a few bites is uncomfortable and makes me want to vomit. At least once a week or so, I do have to vomit because I have one bite too many or something gets stuck. Those times are getting fewer and farther in between, thankfully, and I am finding myself dreading eating even when I feel physically hungry. What's really bizarre is that I don't mind dreading food, as I am slowly starting to see it more as nourishment than anything else.

I still battle head hunger from time to time and a need for sweets/carbs/fatty foods/etc. but I am so physically uncomfortable when I indulge, it's getting SO MUCH easier to defeat the "need".

This has been a great tool for me to get my food addiction under control. I don't feel as if I need therapy, but I certainly think that's an awesome tool to go along with this if one does.

[acampbell1318 58]

Hi I am in the middle of my pre op journey, hopefully I will be sleeved in January. I am also a food addict especially my sweets. In the last few weeks I am really been trying to not eat many sweets and cut back on the amount of food and as of now I am finding it is getting easier. I used to drive by Panera or somewhere and think mmm that orange scone would be good and the next thing I knew that it where I was sitting in my car eating an orange scone. Lately I have been able to tell myself no I don't feel like taking the time to stop and I would rather have that few dollars in my pocket and I can go home and grab a yogurt. I know I am going to slip up and by no means am I cured from my addiction I just look at it at the end of each day and say to myself I made it one more day! Plus I am an emotional eater. Lets stay connected and help each other out!

[Camella 209]

I am definitely addicted to food and I have no doubts about where I would be if I had not had this surgery. I would still be eating exactly the same way I use to. Everyday I battled with the urge to satisfy head hunger. Some days I am winning and some days I'm not perfect. I hope it gets easier. I know you are just at the beginning of this journey, and I think for me seeing the weight come off has been enormously motivating. I don't want to go back to the way I felt before. I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm trying to hang in there. I come to this site almost everyday as a way to stay on track and continue to learn from everyone on this board. It is a great resource for me and other peoples experiences help keep me on track.

[Camella 209]

Oh and I forgot to mention that I have figured out that carbs are the devil (at least for me). If I eat carbs I will spend the rest of the day craving sugar and more carbs - I then find it really difficult to control my eating.

[Arts137 1,811]

Oh good gracious, who here ISN'T a food addict? Seriously? I see so many heartfelt pleas saying "I miss food, why oh why can't I be normal?" when in fact normal people don't put food at the top of every activity and as the most important thing to focus on each and every day.

It's hard, very hard, but "Hi, I am Art, and I am addicted to food"

[Arts137 1,811]

Oh and I forgot to mention that I have figured out that carbs are the devil (at least for me). If I eat carbs I will spend the rest of the day craving sugar and more carbs - I then find it really difficult to control my eating.

Me too. One simple carb is too many and one simple carb is never enough.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Oh I so totally agree with the posts here. The majority of fat people ARE food addicts and CARBS are from the devil!! I take it one day at a time and have never vomited. Slider foods I have to stay away from as it really is a slippery slope to get back on track. I love the new me and focus on my success everyday to stay motivated.

[Teachamy 1,042]

I am pre-surgery, but am a mindful food addict. As a type I diabetic, I have had to be mindful of carbs, because the amount of insulin I need to bolus is based on them. That doesn't mean I avoid them though. I eat a lot, so I take a lot of insulin, insulin makes you hungry, so I eat more, then need more insulin, which makes you fat. it's a vicious cycle. I know the sleeve will help me avoid carbs, lower my insulin levels, and hopefully decrease the Type II-esque insulin resistance I have developed. Because I am on the border-line ( I need a 35 BMI to qualify for insurance) I have yet to really alter my eating habits. I've been tracking calories on My Fitness Pal, and I range from 1400-2400. Pretty scary fluctuations based on my stress level and fatigue. So all that head-hunger battling is before me.

[HHHappy 225]

Raising my hand: "Food Addict"

[indecision 863]

I think that would be like going to an AA meeting and asking if anyone there is an Alcoholic. MOST people get fat by eating which in turn means your addicted. I am sure there is exceptions to the rule however like complications with the surgery itself those numbers are small. Purely my opinion though.

[TJL 222]

Yea, count me in. I'm a small person but I could definitely eat a lot of carbs, fresh bread, mashed potatoes, french fries, all the carby goodness that I just can't handle. I always tried to watch the amount of carbs I ate but since the sleeve it at least for me it's so much better. After I've had my Protein and veggies I am FULL! There's no room for anything else, it's so good because I was never full before.

[Skinny in Here 83]

My addiction was Dairy Queen Blizzards. I couldn't stop myself!! I'd buy two mediums instead of a large so they would think I was taking one to someone else ... If that doesn't sound like an addict, I don't know what does.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Skinny in Here

[EarthyGoalie 253]

"skinny in here", I know exactly what you mean. And I have done the exact same thing. Except it wasn't for one specific food, any food I love, any time!

[EarthyGoalie 253]

"acampbell1318", you are not alone. I cannot COUNT how many times I've stopped by a Wendy's, a Panera, a Starbucks, and many other places WITHOUT even being hungry, without even having a previous craving. Just by passing next to it, I'd go "hmm, let me stop and get something", and I'd be sitting in my car, eating. And not long after, I'd be so mad at myself... But do the same thing tomorrow.

I'm glad I stopped doing that, and I hope I don't ever start again. But it is so hard, I know!