Help! Food addiction and compulsive = failure?

[BayCityBandster 1]

Hi All!

Has anyone had the band and then realized that their food addiction and compulsive eating (for me, nighttime eating) has helped them to sabotage their band success? My band helps me when out, and all day, but at night, at home, I continue to stuff my emotions down with "slider foods." I sit at my computer, in front of the TV, and alternate between sweet and salty foods (cheese doodles, cheez-its, chocolate, repeat) until I take a shot of nyquil and crawl into bed feeling ill. I finally realized I am like any other addict (if you've ever seen the show Intervention, you know what I mean), and if I don't address the addiction, I will never be healthy.

Has anyone experienced this? If so, how are you doing? Has anyone overcome this? I am looking into therapy, but would love to hear from anyone with any thoughts, ideas, etc.

As background, I had surgery in May of 2008. My high weight was 335, my surgery day weight was 312.5, and I now weigh about 290. I am 5'6" female.

Thanks!!!

Karen

[Jess55 97]

I recommend getting all the junk out pf your house. I might be like that because when people bring stuff to work I have a hard time staying away from it. Since I know this I do not bring anything like that into my house. I do have a snack at night, but it is usually a Fiber One Bar or a 100 calorie bag of popcorn, and I just have one. So I say again, not being mean, get it out of your house!

[Rainydayz 3]

I'm not banded yet, but I think I have some food addiction as well. I worry that I might continue the "bad" eating at times but I'm determined to get help if I do. I've heard good things about Overeater's Anonymous. I'm sure it's not for everyone though. But at least seeing a psychologist that specializes in food issues would be my first advice. I think food addiction is very much like any other addiction. I've read that there are studies that say that the cravings come from the same brain area and are as strong as cravings for opiates. So cut yourself some slack and go see someone who knows how to deal with this. You have come this far, don't give up now! Good luck and keep us updated!

[BayCityBandster 1]

Jess, thanks so much. You are right, and I usually don't buy any of it, but then I run into 7-11 to get milk and grab something. Not always, but enough to sabotage my success. I need to be stronger about bringing it in.

Rainy, you're right...I need to keep on digging and trying. When are you getting banded? I wish you all the luck in the world!

[Jess55 97]

No problem, I wish you success.

[hah131 7]

i'm a complete food addict. i can't have it in the house, or i eat it....i've tried to learn to substitute my desire for sweets with a chocolate Protein shake that i think tastes decent. as far as salty, i try nuts, but i get a little out of hand with those too. i have my good days and bad, but i find that, when i'm having a ridiculously bad spell, if i do a day or two of liquids, i can get my cravings in check. i also find that, if i force myself to work out when i'm craving something really badly, the craving goes away.

i'm only 6 months out from surgery, so it's a day-to-day learning experience/struggle. i'm at a conference for the next three days for work, and there are so many Snacks that it's killing me. i ate three soft pretzel sticks, two brownies, and two Cookies today. all i wanted to do tonight was go somewhere and get something horribly bad for me to eat. instead, i forced myself to go to the hotel's gym and run/walk for an hour and a half. now i don't even want dinner. i don't know if the bad desires will ever go away; i just have to figure out the best way for me to handle them.

[BayCityBandster 1]

Wow, Hah...thank you so much for so much to think about. It is so good to hear of someone who struggles but is doing well, which you seem to be...congratulations on that. I do work from home and am lucky in that I can control what I bring in the house, and I even do okay when I eat out...for me, it's the late night monkey, and I know what you mean...I can even overdo it on the "healthy" Snacks, like nuts. I think I am going to have to be even more restrictive about what I bring in here...no saltines, no low-fat Peanut Butter, etc. -- I just can't have those things around. I also need to ramp up the workouts. I am leaving for a 10 day trip to Pittsburgh and then NY -- that's gonna be tough. But you and others here are giving me strength and hope.

Can I ask what kind of liquids you do for a day or two to get things back in check? You mean like when first banded?

Anyway, good luck on your work trip and stay strong!!!

(And thanks again, Jess!)

[Rsilversea 2]

I have food addictions but what I do is faithfully log everything I eat. I try to keep my carbs in line and my calorie intake between 1200 and 1600. ONCE IN A WHILE I will treat myself (usually by splitting a cookie or candy bar with my 3 year old) but those are treats (as I keep reminding him). No junk food in the house. I have absolutely no will power over them. Like the old Lays commercial said "bet you can't eat just one." I also have to be vigilant after dinner. I like to munch in front of the computer so instead I bring a bottle of Water (not too much since I hate being up all night running to the bathroom). Am I successful? Mostly. I still have problems but I know it's going to take time to correct my problems. I compare my addiction to an alcoholic except that I'm a recovering food addict.

[kshallow 9]

I appreciate the honesty here! I struggle with the same issues. There are days that I literally feel worn out trying to keep not only my food intake in check but my thoughts about food in check. Even on days where I had a good eating day, I still have to constantly "tame my food thoughts" which can be all consuming at times! I've had success with the band but definately not a cure all for overcoming all the food struggles

[Amanda1982 142]

I felt I was struggling with the same issue and decide to do something about. I was banded on Mach 7^TH 2 days before I decided to go back and see the therapist who did my psych evaluation. It has been a blessing. We found out that my night eating was just so I could stay up. Sugar=Energy and energy allowed me to stay up and watch my favorite shows and do other things instead of listing to my body which was clearly telling me that I’m tired. We are also going through this Workbook together which is called “Don’t Diet Live It” it has been extremely helpful in determining the root of why I’m overeating and obsessed with my weight. So I say thumbs up to getting help. Good Luck!

[wilson350 0]

Therapy! Only way to beat it! I had the same issues as you, I see a therapist every two weeks and will continue until I know Ive beaten it!

Hi All!

Has anyone had the band and then realized that their food addiction and compulsive eating (for me, nighttime eating) has helped them to sabotage their band success? My band helps me when out, and all day, but at night, at home, I continue to stuff my emotions down with "slider foods." I sit at my computer, in front of the TV, and alternate between sweet and salty foods (cheese doodles, cheez-its, chocolate, repeat) until I take a shot of nyquil and crawl into bed feeling ill. I finally realized I am like any other addict (if you've ever seen the show Intervention, you know what I mean), and if I don't address the addiction, I will never be healthy.

Has anyone experienced this? If so, how are you doing? Has anyone overcome this? I am looking into therapy, but would love to hear from anyone with any thoughts, ideas, etc.

As background, I had surgery in May of 2008. My high weight was 335, my surgery day weight was 312.5, and I now weigh about 290. I am 5'6" female.

Thanks!!!

Karen

[Rainydayz 3]

Rainy, you're right...I need to keep on digging and trying. When are you getting banded? I wish you all the luck in the world!

I don't have a date yet, just starting out with everything. But I'll be seeing the nutritionist tomorrow and starting my supervised diet. Thanks for the good wishes. We'll all hang in there together. We can do this!

[vickyd 24]

For me, the food items that I find that I have trouble controlling quanities with don't come into the house at all. This past weekend when we were at the grocery store, the girls scouts were out front selling their crack cookies and my husband looked at me with the question in his eyes...I told him that if he wanted Cookies then he needed to buy them and take them directly to his office becuase they weren't coming in the house. I also keep lots of lower calorie, high Protein items that I know I won't go overboard with in the house so if I do get hungry I will make a good choice and I won't eat too much of it. I'm a carb girl so if I have to have them in the house I try to make them types/flavors/brands that I don't like so I'm not tempted.

[hah131 7]

baycitybandster, glad i could help, even if just a little. when i do a day or two of liquids, i generally stick with Protein Shakes, broth, sugar free Jello, and sometimes cream based Soups that are either blended or strained. i also make sure i drink LOTS of Water. sometimes when i'm craving 'bad' things, i just force myself to drink a big glass full of water. then i'm so stuffed, i can't eat or drink anything else. everyone is different, so i keep trying new things to see what works for me. good luck!

[CheckYes 46]

Hi,

Have you considered checking out foodaddictsanonymous.org or seeing a therapist? I'm currently, an have been for almost five years, in intensive psychodynamic therapy. I've made so much progress since my surgery. It works. Best of luck to you. You're stronger than you think.

Hi All!

Has anyone had the band and then realized that their food addiction and compulsive eating (for me, nighttime eating) has helped them to sabotage their band success? My band helps me when out, and all day, but at night, at home, I continue to stuff my emotions down with "slider foods." I sit at my computer, in front of the TV, and alternate between sweet and salty foods (cheese doodles, cheez-its, chocolate, repeat) until I take a shot of nyquil and crawl into bed feeling ill. I finally realized I am like any other addict (if you've ever seen the show Intervention, you know what I mean), and if I don't address the addiction, I will never be healthy.

Has anyone experienced this? If so, how are you doing? Has anyone overcome this? I am looking into therapy, but would love to hear from anyone with any thoughts, ideas, etc.

As background, I had surgery in May of 2008. My high weight was 335, my surgery day weight was 312.5, and I now weigh about 290. I am 5'6" female.

Thanks!!!

Karen