Is it me or do people look at you crazy when you say you're addicted to food? I was trying to explain to my husband how I've been feeling and when I tried to explain my relationship with food he kind of looked at me like I've lost my mind. The samething happens when I try to talk to my sisters and friends. It's so frustrating! I just want to throw in the towel, grab the muffins off the counter and run away with them haha just kidding, but seriously, food addiction is real and I wish those around me would stop making me feel otherwise.

It's tough. And like any addiction or mental disorder, you will have a LOT of people in your life say "why don't you just...."? As if it's the easiest thing in the world. Addiction is not reasonable or rational. No matter how much the rational part of your brain tells you it's bad for you and that you have a real problem, the irrational/emotional part of your brain still wins out a high percentage of the time.

And, unfortunately, as food addicts, we are still forced to eat and deal with food multiple times a day. We can't go "cold turkey" or remove ourselves from the situation like a drug addict or a gambling addict might be able to.

I think part of it is because we (people who over eat or emotionally eat) have a relationship with our food. When you are sad it comforts you, when you are depressed it makes you feel full and whole, when you are happy you want to celebrate with it. It does not judge you and because of these things we become addicted to it. The best thing I have ever heard someone say was "You are not a dog, do not reward yourself with food." It really resonated with me. I think food addiction is very real. When you are sitting around and all you can think about is what you are going to eat later. When the best day of the week is the day you go grocery shopping because you get to go look at food, you know there is an issue. That is why I am so excited about getting this surgery. It will be nice to eat to live instead of living to eat!

Jeff Garlin's book My Footprint really helped me with realizing how I felt about food. He's a really famous comedian and writer who has struggled with his weight for a long time.

Yes absolutely they do I think people feel that food isn't really an addiction and there's always the why don't u just stop comments but once upon a time drugs and alcohol were viewed the same way that ppl could just stop if only they tried or tried harder etc etc if only it were that simple we would have no use for rehab clinics 12 step programs weight loss programs diet pills etc etc I don't think anyone can understand unless they live it's much the same with those of us that don't have drug or alcohol issues if u don't struggle with it it's hard to understand what it feels like plus it's so acceptable to shame ppl who are overwieght it's a thing that shows on the outside so the judgemental ppl can point and talk about others

Find yourself an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.

Find yourself an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.

Agreed.

www.oa.org

My husband doesn't understand it either. Although he remains supportive!! I have tried to explain it a million times to no avail! But don't worry, there are many of us that completely understand your addiction!! I am praying this surgery will help me deal with mine!!! OA definitely helps!!!! If you can't get to a meeting, listen to a podcast!!

Best of luck!!

Maria

Thank you for the suggestions and for sharing! Each day seems to get a little easier, especially now that I'm only 5 days away from my surgery