For a long time, I've told people I'm fat because I love food. I'm realizing that I need to change the way I think about food. If I can convince my brain that the only reason I need it is for fuel, then maybe I have a chance at being successful this time. They say you replace one addiction for another... What HEALTHY addiction will you replace your food with?

I'm going to find exercise that I enjoy! What about you?

You're so right. For me it's not so much finding a new addiction, but finding a passion and all sorts of healthy methods of self expression.

I'm teaching myself to play the guitar and the feeling I got when I played the melody of a song I loved was just as rewarding and fulfilling as food was.

It's totally about re-routing the neural pathways in your brain so that it learns to connect other activities with pleasure.

It's amazing how complicated out relationships with food can be.

No joke

My healthier addiction? My son, I really want to be an active person in his life and I want us to become more active together! We are moving to a nice new neighborhood with a few parks and we will have a pool at home, so looking forward to this!

You guys are so right, food addiction is hell;0( I have started going to over eaters anonymous, so that I can understand why I have/had this addiction in the first place. Now that I understand, I will not convert back to my old habits and It's been working! I feel like I am addressing all of my issues so that I can stay healthy and I will never look back and I can continue to enjoy the new me:)

Wow. I am so glad I can finally express myself about this subject. My surgery is scheduled for March 22nd, and I am getting so nervous. I realize I have had a lifelong food addiction. I am so scared that I won't find a healthy addiction. How can I stop depending on food for my comfort and happiness? I can't exercise too much right now because I have a torn meniscus. My fiance is supportive of my surgery but he doesn't understand my deep thoughts about my food addiction.

Wow. I am so glad I can finally express myself about this subject. My surgery is scheduled for March 22nd' date=' and I am getting so nervous. I realize I have had a lifelong food addiction. I am so scared that I won't find a healthy addiction. How can I stop depending on food for my comfort and happiness? I can't exercise too much right now because I have a torn meniscus. My fiance is supportive of my surgery but he doesn't understand my deep thoughts about my food addiction.[/quote']

I know how you feel. What worked for me is baby steps. When I get a craving or I'm dying to eat to help myself feel better or something, if the craving isn't too strong, I resist it. If it was REALLY powerful I'd cave. But before I knew it it wasn't even a challenge to resist those smaller urges. So I stepped it up, and started trying to tackle more powerful urges. And so forth. It's just like physical conditioning. You have to learn to walk before you can run.

It's even easier to fight those urges if you do have a distraction. Paint your nails. Tweeze your eyebrows. Start browsing around online for cute clothes. These little distractions help me get through waiting for the desire to eat to pass.

Wow. I am so glad I can finally express myself about this subject. My surgery is scheduled for March 22nd' date=' and I am getting so nervous. I realize I have had a lifelong food addiction. I am so scared that I won't find a healthy addiction. How can I stop depending on food for my comfort and happiness? I can't exercise too much right now because I have a torn meniscus. My fiance is supportive of my surgery but he doesn't understand my deep thoughts about my food addiction.[/quote']

When you see food you want, consider your kids. Are you willing to leave your kids without a mom for the one moment of satisfaction you'll get from that craving? If the answer is no, you've found your distraction. Take them to the park, go skating, go bowling, something, anything other than eating! *HUGS*

wow! thank you all for your responses. It is so good to hear from folks that understand. I will take this advice and use it wisely!

For a long time' date=' I've told people I'm fat because I love food. I'm realizing that I need to change the way I think about food. If I can convince my brain that the only reason I need it is for fuel, then maybe I have a chance at being successful this time. They say you replace one addiction for another... What HEALTHY addiction will you replace your food with?

I'm going to find exercise that I enjoy! What about you?[/quote']

I think I will replace my food addiction with jewelry making and crochet in addition to exercise

Awesome. Definitely start now, before surgery if you can.

90% of the battle is making it a habit.

Wow. I am so glad I can finally express myself about this subject. My surgery is scheduled for March 22nd' date=' and I am getting so nervous. I realize I have had a lifelong food addiction. I am so scared that I won't find a healthy addiction. How can I stop depending on food for my comfort and happiness? I can't exercise too much right now because I have a torn meniscus. My fiance is supportive of my surgery but he doesn't understand my deep thoughts about my food addiction.[/quote']

I am also March 22... Where are you being sleeved?

I feel you.. You have to WANT to change and the fact that you have even considered this surgery is saying something!

Im looking to improving ME for my comfort and new addiction... I feel like im missing out on so much in life and held back because im fat... Im a mom of 5 boys, i want to be here for them, i want to run with them and not hurt daily or be "the big girl" of the group anymore... Im learning to look forward to making better food choices also which I never thought i would consider... Im gettin comfort from that and changing my way of thinking.. My goal is to run the Disney Princess Marathon next february, heck even walk it!!

I am 1 week post op and have lost 18 pounds. I went in weighing 307, and now weigh 289. However, I still find my food addiction is still there, but I am forced to deal with it. I was out all day and took my daughter to taco bell and wanted to cry that I couldn't get a taco and churro..but this is a daily battle that I will overcome