HELP!! I Can't Stop Eating!!

I agree with the weight watchers suggestion. At first it seemed like a lot of money, but I found it to be worth every penny. They really teach you how to eat and how much to eat. I found it kind of fun. And, I even had left over points on a lot of days.

Hi L.. I'm right with you when you say there is too much temptation to eat when you are home most of the day. I find myself snacking more then my children do! And it's just too fun to make a pan of brownies on a cold February day! I find that I have to make up my mind before I go into the kitchen how much I will eat. If I open a tub of ice cream and get out a spoon, it's over! If I get out a child bowl instead of a regular size bowl, it helps limit the quantity.

I have some friends who have had great success with a program called Transitions. Have you heard of it? I can find out more information about it if you want.

B.
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Sounds like you're ready to make some lifestyle changes. Great! Let me tell you something you may or may not be aware of when it comes to cravings. Cravings for sweets and carbohydrates are so common that most of us think nothing of them. Yet, giving in to those cravings can set us up for a lifetime of ill health. Eating what are known as high-glycemic-index carbs - foods like processed grains (white bread), breads, chips, and candy (also known as "Empty calories")- creates blood-sugar swings that provoke cravings and leads to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a contributing factor in almost all or our major health issues, from diabetes to heart disease. Learning how to improve your diet and lifestyle can be the key not only to freedom from cravings, but to dramatically improved health and weight management.
As a Nutrition and Wellness Coach, I have shifted away from a traditional "post-problem" medical approach to a preventative one. My goal today is to empower people through lifestyle changes to avoid the devastating degenerative diseases afflicting our nation. In addition to recommending regular exercise and high-quality nutritional supplements, I alos promote a diet of low-glycemic-index foods. Clients who adopt my healthy lifestyle approach see dramatic results in as little as four to six weeks. They feel better, their health improves, and they NATURALLY lose unwanted weight.
Excess weight is a concern for many of my clients who consult with me. Unaware of the connection between cravings and a diet of high-glycemic foods, most attribute their spreading waistlines to a tendency to overindulge, which they feel powerless to control. They believe they are just emotional overeaters with insatiable appetites until I put them on a glycemic-controlled nutritional program. Within 3-5 days, for many, the addictive eating patter is broken. Then they are on their way to freedom from excess weight for life.
Understanding the consequences of eating high-glycemic carbs can encourage anyone to make the switch to low-glycemic choices instead. Let me explain: Let's say you eat a high glycemic breakfast that consists of a white bages with orange juice. The sugar from the these foods enters your bloodstream rapidly. In response to the spike in blood sugar, your body produces insulin, which moves sugar out of the blood and stores it as fat. As a result, your blood-sugar level drops way down. To drive blood sugar up again, your body produces the stress hormones adrenalin and cortisol, which stimulate cravings of hunger. Meanwhile, the excess blood sugar from teh meal also irritates the fine lining of your arteries, which become inflammed and go into spasms and can continue even four to five hours after your meal. Over time, as these spasms thicken the arteries, your body becomes more and more resistant to insulin, creating further health complications. Signs that you have become insulin-resistant can include weight gain around the waist, high blood pressure and inflammatory diseases.

I realize this is alot of information at once, however, I am extremely passionate about sharing proactive preventative health and it is my hope that it helps you and anyone else that can relate that may be reading this!

A couple of resources that may help you www.releasingfat.com and google "low-glycemic foods" and get a print out of foods that are healthier choices.

Yours in health,
D.

L.! I am so there with you. I just stopped breastfeeding at 6 months but continued to eat like I was still pregnant. Those habits I picked up during my pregnancy seemed impossible to break. The McDonalds Drive through lady became my best friend!

A month ago I joined Weight Watchers and attend weekly meetings. I bring baby along with me. The accountability of weighing in each week has led to me losing seven lbs already. About two pounds each week. It's kind of forced me to write everything down I am eating and be honest about why I'm eating it in the first place. I like this program because it is more of a lifestyle change and not a fad diet program.

Obviously, I can only speak for myself on how awesome I think this program is, only you can find what works for you...but I say...you got to start somewhere.
Best of luck to you!

Hello L.!
I wish I had a cure too.
One thing to have checked is your blood sugar!! If you are Diabetic your going to be hungry all the time.Insulin produced by your Pancreas converts the sugar you eat and allows it to enter your blood stream for distribution to your body (everything you consume has sugar).If your pancras is not putting out enough, your body is not getting the energy it should, and tells you "hey, Feed me"
If you see your Dr. a simple prick on the finger is all it takes to check your blood-sugar. Ideally around a 110 reading is desired, anything higher may or not be a sign, but then you can be monitored to be sure.
I am diabetic and fight all the time anyway, so don't think that you can cure this eating problem overnight.
Watch what you eat and the portions, exercize and be patient, it takes a while to see any weight loss.
See your Dr. and he will set you on the right path..Bless You.

Hi L....I saw your request and it reminded me of something I have been through. This past summer (2 1/2 years after my son was born...also Christmas day), I noticed my appetite increased 10-fold. I also love to workout, but noticed I was getting very thin. Basically, I went in for a physical and found out I was hyperthyroid...and eventually found out it was caused by Graves disease. My advice to you is to get your thyroid checked out. It is very common for a thyroid problem to go unnoticed. It is also very common for thyroid issues to occur after a pregnancy.

I knew something was off...but I would have never guessed it was a disease. So, my advice for you is to get a routine check up if you havent done so already.

Take care...
K.

buy the book called Weigh Down by Gwen Shamblin -- it is THE WAY to go. It really works and changes your patterns of eating and you can eat ANYthing that you want.

There is also a program you can attend instead of reading the book.

if you'd like more information (anyone) just ask... I'd love to tell you more. I can even tell you what you would read and need to do without the book or program - but with those, it would be more beneficial.

I went through the program and lost 22 pounds in a year

Hello L. and good luck! One simple thing to try, especially since you have the "I'm at home all day" syndrome too (Someday's I feel like I'm a charter member of that club!) is to drink a lot of water. Sometimes all your body is wanting is liquid and the signals come across as "I'm hungry" instead of thirsty. I keep a pitcher of water in the refrigator at all times- or if you like, buy bottled water and keep it handy. The granola bars that I keep on hand of for the kids snacks are very filling and healthy as well, so you may want to try those.

I've always been a round girl too, and it seems to have gotten worse the last couple of years since I've been home, but I'm planning on joining the local Curves, or women's only gym with our tax refun and hope to shed most-if not all- of my unwanted fluff, so I wish you best of luck on your endevor as well!

I can totally relate to your situation. The thing that no one tells you when you quit your job to stay home is that is is a very lonely thing. I have just this week started a new diet. I have to, as my cholesterol is high, so I am motivated not to get on meds. If you want, reply and maybe we could do it together and give each other some on line support. My diet is that I have cut out butter, cheese (which I love) and breads. I am just trying to make smarter choices. You could do any diet you want, but if you want to talk about it on line, I certainly could use a little help myself. It is hard to find something that you can do and when food takes the place of companionship or conversation that doesn't involve Clifford or Power Rangers, I has been a very hard habit for me to break. I have been fighting the fat for a while now. I am 38, a SAHM of two beautiful kids and one strange dog. I would love a free support group in my quest for a healthier life. If you would to, just reply.
Thanks,
M

I would talk to your doctor about getting a blood sugar test done. Are you also very thirsty?

It sounds like your body is not sending you the signal of FULL, that would have to do with your insulin absorption. If you are serious about wanting to get this under control you will have to re-train your cells, eat lots of fresh raw, fruits and vegetables, 7-13 servings a day, that will increase your fiber and help you fill more full and help your cells to work better. If you can't get that many fruits and vegs. a day you might want to learn more about Juice Plus, its 17 fruits and vegetables in a capsule.The water and sugar have been removed. It's not a fad diet, it just better nutrition. I lost 5 pounds when I started taking it and Ice cream went bad in my freeze, because I wasn't having snack attacks all the time. You can learn more at www.bebetterwithfood.com

Along with possibly going to the doctor and having some things checked out like the other ladies said my only suggestion for a good diet is Weight Watchers. This is a diet that will teach you how to eat and when to stop, unlike all the fad diets that don't allow you to live a normal lifestyle. I have been doing WW and it is amazing how I look at food now, it really helps me to not eat some of my daughters snacks, and I have also developed some very good eating habbits.

Hope this helps!!

Hi L.

I know where you are coming from
I too love food and have an eating problem/ I have made every excuse for my overeating including blaming my deceice Italian Grandma who would often say' manga , eat... you know love me?" for my eating problems.
but thamk God I am NOW in a prgrom that is WORKING. I joined Overeaters Anonymous. OA. right before Christmas . and am learning that I am a compulsive overeater, and have a problem just like an alcoholic that needs to be dealth with in the same way. OA is a twelve step program and like our ending prayers says.....it works if you work it , ...
GO on line and you can find where OA meetings are held and what times
GOOD LUCK and GOd be with YOU
clar

Have you had blood work done to see if you may be diabetic or pre-diabetic,or have any other problems thyroid etc. Excessive hunger is a symptom of diabetes,as is excessive thirst and urination.If everything metabolic is ruled out. You need to find something else to do when the hunger pangs hit you hard. You sound like a busy person or I'd think it may be boredom. You may be eating due to stress or depression. Food is an antidepressant for many people. You need to find something relaxing to do,or a substitue for food that packs on weight.(Try sugar free gum or candy. Taking time for yourself to relax,listen to music,read the paper or a book even if just for a short time is very calming.If you do this,you may find that just rewarding your body with something other than food, you won't be so hungry. If one eats a Carbohydrate, crackers,goldfish etc. that defeats any effort to cut down on eating as it is energy food and the metabolism speeds up and activity increases and so does the hunger. It becomes a vicious circle.

Get to a doctor now and have them do a complete blood work up. I went through a similar thing when I started to have thyroid problems. I was constantly hungy, and no matter how often I ate I was never full. A week long course of steriods corrected the situation. Also are you taking any medications as some medications or depression can do the same thing. Good luck.

Hi L.,

Avoid the colors red and yellow ... wearing them, in your decor (especially in the kitchen and dining room), or looking at them in restaurants. Red stimulates the appetite, thus why restaurants use it everywhere. Yellow reminds us of comfort thus comfort food. Let me know if you notice a difference.

D.

Hi L.,
I, too, had the same feeling after my son was born, 12 years ago. As it was, mine had something to do with my thyroid. Having kids often throws off the levels. It was diagnosed at a doctor's visit when they did a blood test. I still eat frequently (6 times a day)but little amounts. I call it grazing, and it actually keeps my metabolism higher than eating 3 times a day. My thyroid unbalance was taken care of with a homeopathic remedy recommended by the doctor. It is definitely something you may want to get checked. I also noticed that drinking diet soda increased my hunger instead of helping and since I gave up diet soda I lost 10 pounds in one month! (No other lifestyle changes to account for it.) Who would guess diet soda could have that effect, especially since there aren't any calories in it? Now I drink green tea and noticed my hormones have really balanced out, too. (I thought I was going peri-menopausal, but not anymore.) I wish you luck. Keep taking care of yourself. Maybe I'll see you at the gym?
~N.

L., Have you ever been tested for diabetes or thyroid disease? Is there any family history of either disease? I would have your MD do full blood work ups on you to rule these two problems out. Both diseases can seriously mess with your body's metabolism and can be life threatening if not properly managed. You sound like you are commited to getting this problem under control. I would definitely ask your MD for their opinion on some testing and other ways to help you regain your healthy eating habits. Best of luck to you.

L., I was overweight as a child and spent most of my teens and early 20s yoyo dieting, obsessing about food and weight. It was psychological for me, if I stressed too much about the food I was eating it made eat more. When I finally stopped "being on a diet" all the time and started letting myself eat, normally, the weight came off easily. I've maintained a healthy weight for 2 years just by going to the gym a couple of times a week and watching my calories. I allow myself to eat plenty, but I make sure I don't go crazy, as in over 2000 calories, more than once a month. I have a very low metabolism, so I used to be terrified of eating that much, but when I let myself have the food I want I actually end up eating less. I would say if you have a craving, don't try to ignore it or it will get worse. Eat what you are craving. Then go find something to do to get your mind off of it (go work out!!)

Have you thought about having a hemagolbin A1C test done to see if you ,sy be diabetic?
It could be the recent weight gain has pushed your system over the edge. Excessive eating can be one of the systems.
Don't wait too long. I almost died before getting mine back under control. In the ER I was 700 and it peaked at a 1000.
I wish you well. Keep trying.

Go through your cabinets and throw away or give away all your junk food. If it isn't in the house, you can't eat it. You may be tempted to go out and buy it, but that involves packing up the baby and spending more time thinking "do I really want this?"

Do the grocery shopping and have restraint when buying things. Stock your cabinets with fruits, cut up vegetables, and other items that are quick fixes and healthy. Your son doesn't need the junk food either - teach him healthy habits and model good eating behavior.

You are by no means alone in this! I too have been going through the same thing. I am a SAHM to my 16 month old son. I've never worried about my weight before until after my son was born. I lost the baby weight for the most part and only of late, have noticed my jeans are getting a bit tighter (I hate scales!). I tried Slim-Fast for the first time, did it about 2 months (it made a difference), but the shakes were just too icky. I finally realized the more I THOUGHT about dieting, the more I actually ate. That and with trying to find foods my toddler would eat, I ended up either finishing his food or snacking when he did. I wish I could say 'try this diet or that diet', but honestly, I think it's all mental (being that there are no health issues/concerns aside). I eat breakfast (turkey sausage, eggs, or oatmeal) lunch - my main meal (turkey sandwich/cottage cheese, turkey chili, or indian food), and fruit/bowl of cereal for dinner. I try and eat sensible. Depriving yourself of something will only make you want it more. I give myself Sundays to SPLURGE!
I know it's hard and it'll always be a battle but it is POSSIBLE! Just don't get discouraged. (If any of you moms are in/around North Olmsted and would be interested in getting together for daily walks/outings, do let me know!)