Main Entry: en·abler

Pronunciation: \i-ˈnā-blər, -bəl-ər\

Function: noun Date: 1615:

one that enables another to achieve an end ; especially : one who enables another to persist in self-destructive behavior (as substance abuse) by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behavior

food ADDICTION

Food addiction manifests itself in the uncontrollable craving for excess food that follows the ingestion of refined carbohydrates, primarily sugar and flour substances that are quickly metabolized and turned into sugar in the bloodstream.

Due to those uncontrollable cravings, a food addict's quality of life deteriorates when he or she eats sugar, flour or wheat. It can deteriorate physically, emotionally, socially and/or spiritually.

If any of the following symptoms are familiar to you, you may be a food addict:

Physical Symptoms of Food Addiction

• Do you think you cannot control your intake of food, especially junk food or high sugar foods?

• Have you tried different diets or weight loss programs, but none has worked permanently?

• Have you found yourself vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics, or exercising a lot to avoid a weight gain after you have eaten a lot?

Many food addicts are obese and have tried numerous methods for weight control (diets, drugs, surgery, etc.) yet nothing has created a permanent solution. Other food addicts have never been obese. Their physical weight has been controlled by extreme measures such as excessive exercise, purging through vomiting or laxatives (bulimia), or the severe and unhealthy limiting of food substances(anorexia). No matter which version of food addiction fits you, all of these symptoms become more severe with time and eventually lead to physical problems that can create an early and sometimes painful death.

Emotional Symptoms of Food Addiction

• Do you find yourself feeling depressed, hopeless, sad or ashamed about your eating or your weight?

• Do you find yourself eating when you are upset or reward yourself with food when you do something good?

• Have you ever noticed after eating sugar, flour, or wheat that you become more irritable?

Food addicts notice that their emotions become more severe, intense, or unreasonable when eating the addictive substances. For many food addicts, emotional life may deteriorate into despair, depression, or thoughts of suicide.

Social Symptoms of Food Addiction

• Do you eat in private so no one will see you?

• Do you avoid social interactions because you feel you do not look good enough or do not have the proper fitting clothes to wear?

• Do you steal other people’s food?

• Are you more interested in what food is served at social gatherings than looking forward to the warmth of being with the people attending?

A food addict’s social life is affected by intense obsessive thinking about food. Making eye contact with people and taking an interest in developing friendships or intimate relationships become secondary to locating and eating addictive foods. Food addicts often hide or steal foods and eat in secret.

But-TER! But-TER!

Are you sure it's the camera you want me to hold?

Well you do have 2 hands right?

So do you...

I applaud anyone who decides to take the powerful and empowering step of WLS to move their future in a better direction. In my circle of friends and family I know two banders and a sleever. We all want to be healthier - how we get there is up to us. I love my sleeve. I knew from the moment the surgery was explained to me that it was what I wanted. My SIL has a band and she feels exactly the same way about her band. She looks great and I am happy for her! I am happy for me too. My choice ended up being the best decision I have made for myself in 30 years. Would I feel the same way if I had chosen lapband? I don't know. If my outcome had been the same - I think so. I am just so glad to be succeeding...finally!

So do you...

I'll be holding the fire extinguisher.

Double post. This app is whack.

I'll be holding the fire extinguisher.

Enough with the talk you go. Get on it...erm...so to speak.

My husband's out of town and I need to be entertained so let's see it.

I'll be holding the fire extinguisher.

stupid app double and triple posting

No one else in my family is fat. I am the only one. I take after my father's side of the family, where the women were huge. My kids have all got their father's skinny gene. (Luckily, they all have my good looks and intelligence!!!)

And, by the way, who says that 75% of my stomach was perfectly functioning? I think it was making too much ghrelig, making me too hungry and was way too big. If I had an enormous nose, I have that trimmed a bit, even if it was "perfectly functioning".

Actually, that's the same argument as the skin. Ignore me.

In my defence and in reference to the 'other thread'. After seeing the inaccuracies and sensationalist rhetoric being promulgated (not just about the sleeve), I thought a bit of balance in the form of objective academic research would be useful. Primarily to those who, as this site is advertised as being targeted to, may be researching the pro's and cons of the various procedures. As I have oft been chastised; if there is no 'other side to the coin, information is mis-interpreted and people could get an inaccurate view of the 'journey' to which they're embarking; ultimately using it to 'exonerate' their negative food-related behaviours'. Sadly, because of that lack of objectivity and ability to accurately extrapolate all relevant data; all that might be taken from these issues on a freely combined forum, is the 'club' mentality. If cross pollination and healthy debate (without the accusations and assertions) cannot be generated - is there a point? If it is the case we should support in 'silo's', we are not helping the uninitiated much with their ability to analyse the daunting variables of choice which are in front of them. Not everyone is gifted in being able to do that type of analysis on their own and I refer to my previous post about those with 'stronger voices'. With regards to the surgery choices? Each to their own. I personally couldn't give a rats as* whether you choose the band, the bypass, gastric balloon, or want to hang your backside out of a third floor window painted with the face of Kim Jong Il - if you think it'll help you lose weight and get you healthy. Just make sure that whatever you're stating, it is balanced and it is accurate. If it isn't... and you know it isn't... you have to prepare yourself for someone to throw in some corroborated facts - whether or not it is inaccurately perceived as a targeted proverbial hand-grenade. As it stands; I have my kevlar and it's all good in my hood.

Sigh, I made the mistake of attempting to make a heartfelt reply to that freaking thread and got accused of taking pot shots....self righteousness at its best. Sheesh.

Sigh, I made the mistake of attempting to make a heartfelt reply to that freaking thread and got accused of taking pot shots....self righteousness at its best. Sheesh.

I saw that. I think it's best we stay off that particular thread. Emotions run high and people get defensive when others say something negative about their choices....especially when it isn't true. (but to be clear I didn't see you taking any pot shots...you were nothing but nice)

I only ventured over there to educate myself on the other options. and to verify all the hear-say I had read on vst. In doing so I realized there's a lot of hear-say over there about the sleeve as well. And much of it wrong. I'd like to help dispel those misconceptions but it's hard to do without people on both sides of the debate getting hot.

I saw that. I think it's best we stay off that particular thread. Emotions run high and people get defensive when others say something negative about their choices....especially when it isn't true. (but to be clear I didn't see you taking any pot shots...you were nothing but nice)

I only ventured over there to educate myself on the other options. and to verify all the hear-say I had read on vst. In doing so I realized there's a lot of hear-say over there about the sleeve as well. And much of it wrong. I'd like to help dispel those misconceptions but it's hard to do without people on both sides of the debate getting hot.

No problem with educating us re sleeve just try not to educate us on our "bad" choice re the band. Ask questions? Be curious? Please don't post studies dismissing the band as a failed WLS. We have studies and history/experiences to support otherwise. Ive never had sleeve surgery so I wont pass judgement on your choices.

But, if you are asking WHY people made certain choices, then someone posting an academic article that was written on the subject is hardly trying to educate you, other than to perhaps explain why individuals made their decisions.