I have just come to terms with my complusive eaiting habits.

Ok i did not get finished with what else. I wanted to know if there are any good resources to help me control my habits and what not. I have put on over 50 lb and I am so unhappy. I have no motovation or desire for anything. I can't afford to do thins like weight watchers or any thing like that. I plan on detoxing and then constructing a different diet, but are there any tips on how to sick with it or make it work. How do I get out of this rut.

Please help.

M

This is totally off track from weight loss, but what really helped me was to work on my self-esteem, confidence, and thinking more positively first.  I started and stopped dieting for probably a good year (or more), only making it 2 or 3 days before "falling off the wagon".  And I always said I was starting again on Monday.  So every Monday I restarted my diet only to repeat the cycle.  Then I realized it just wasn't working.

So I took the focus off of weight loss for awhile, and started to work on me.  I started reading books on self-esteem/confidence, depression, etc. and really looked at my life and what I'd want to change (other than just my weight).  I tried to start thinking more positively about things, and get rid of the negativity in my life, or at least change how I reacted to it.

After several months of working on me, I went back to the weight loss.  I started losing weight, and it really wasn't that difficult this time to stick with it.  I'm almost to the halfway point of what I want to lose, and feel so much better about myself.

For me, it was finally growing exhausted of all the yoyo diets and gimmicks that lead you to expect miracles and all sorts of unrealistic weight loss amounts.   They don't work.   I can't count all the diets I started and quit over the years because I never got the huge weight losses they promised, and I'd just get discouraged.  Again.  So, what finally made a difference for me was that I decided one day to be happy with less success!!

It may sound crazy, but  I decided to find a program that would take off just 1 pound off a week consistently.  I gave up expecting---or even desiring--big losses like 5 or 8 pounds every week.  Those are unrealistic and unhealthy amounts to lose week in and week out anyway.  I finally settled on plain old-fashion calorie counting.  It's reasonable, flexible, easy to follow, does not require me to buy anything (but food from the grocery store, of course), plus is not so restrictive that I felt deprived all day.  All it has to do was deliver that one pound off a week. 

And...so far so good.  Being happy with just that small amount coming off each week has kept me moving in the right direction towards my goal for nearly six months now.   Six months on a diet---that in itself is a huge accomplishment for me.  I have never before lasted on any diet this long.  I have also just passed (by .2 pound!!) the 30 pound mark, so I am ahead of weekly schedule, and well on my way towards my 52 pound goal.   And I could not be more thrilled.

Is it all smooth sailing?  No.  Many weeks have had set-backs, and real life does have a way of butting in, and requiring some big eating--bbqs, weddings, parties, graduations, you know how it is.  But every time I have fallen off the wagon these past 6 months, I have been able to drag myself back on.  And that is a huge change for me, too.  I mean, I seem to be able to keep at it this time.  And I honestly believe my modest weekly goal is what is making all the difference.  I don't expect any more---although of course I am happy when I get it.  I have also found keeping a food journal to be very very helpful.  It just keeps me honest and accountable--to nobody but myself. 

Anyway, Michele, I hope you find success.  You sound so sad and frustrated and fed up.  I have been right where you are.   But success is out there for each one of us, although it's usually though trial and error.  You are welcome and encouraged to come over and join us at the Weight Loss Buddies thread.   We've got people on all different programs because different things work for different people.  But you'll find lots of encoruragement and motivation over there, and we'll let you vent and complain when you need to, plus we'll cheer for every ounce of success you may have!!  I hope you'll join us!!  But whatever you decide to do, I wish you BIG SUCCESS!!

thank you. it is nice to here people being honest about this. I know I need to change my ways. I was so happy with myself and I do not know what happened. I really don't. Thank you thank you for being honest. and what the two of you said maks a lot of since.

I think we all end up here somewhere in our lives and I have to agree with what everyone has said so far - take it slow because the weight didn't show up overnight it took awhile to get there too.  You have to find yourself and what will make you happy then take care of your weight.  Sounds like you may be replacing something with the food so you just need to figure out what that something is.  Look around for free weight classes-maybe at local hospitals.  I know our area has something called TOPS (take off pounds sensibly)  They do meetings, eating education, and support groups like weight watchers but the cost is free.  Best of luck to you!

You could try to purchase the weight watches point counter/program off of E-bay. 

I got one of the point calculators (the square silver one) and thought it was junk.  I'd stick to the paper slide counter if you attempt this.

I am so gladthat I stumbled upon this forum.  Michelle, I feel for you.  I just started the Atkins Diet thispast Monday due to feeling out of control with my weight issues.  I have followed Weight Watchers several times and think it's a sensible diet.  However, I am so disgusted at this point and felt that I needed to follow a more rigid program.  Atkins is a very rigid program, especially during the "induction phase", a two week period of NO Carbs ( including FRUIT), Sugar, Dairy...  I read the book over the weekend and thought I would give it a try.  Some time ago, my MD, whom is also a cardiologist, recommended Atkins to me.  I have made it through Day 3 and have lost 2 lbs thus far.  I am encouraged and impressed thus far.  I will take small determined steps and re-access after the 2-week induction phase whether I move on or remain on Phase 1.  Take a look at the book and see if it appeals to you. It is not costly and has an excellent success record.  It's not easy, but may be worth it if works for you.

I wish you all the very best and Michelle, please let me know how you are doing.

JillianW

you all are wonderfull thans for the post and encouragments.

I think what everyone has said so far is really great.  Now that you KNOW you want to do something --heck, that's half the battle.  Start simple and small.  A walk around the block (up the road whatever) -I started at my hs track, it is across the street.  I could only make it once around before I was winded.  I started that in the fall, walked everyday as long as the weather was good --by June I did a 5k (walking) Were there a bazillion ahead of me yes, did I finish - yup!

I would also recommend looking at and WRITING down what you eat.  Just changing what you eat a little will help. Sure we'd all like to go whole hog and say I won't eat any more carbs.  I did South Beach (lost 30lb and kept it off) but was miserable! I'm not a seafood or veggie person -- so I subsisted on grilled hamburger and eggs (wonder what that did to the ole arteries!)  BUT-- quitting the carbs for just that 2 weeks (after that you can add some back in) amazed me.  I no longer (even now) NEED, CRAVE, YEARN FOR carbs.  I can give or take them. 

Don't get me wrong --you sit a qt of b&j ice cream in front of me, or a bag of chips/candy -- I'll snarf it right up.  But I no longer bring it into the house...so I only snarf once in a while!

My dad was diagnosed as a diabetic about a year ago -- he was having trouble knowing what to eat.  I had him (or rather my mom) write down EVERYTHING he ate in a day...no cheating.  We then calculated the carb count --he was over 400grams.  So we simply cut that in half- 200 grams and he had to stop eating.  It sounded like a huge cut.....but once he was more intune with what he was eating... it was nothing.

ok...sorry I babbled! jeesh!  This happens to be one of my favorite topics anymore -diet/exercise.  Used to be my most scary!

you should try to eat green vegitables.
it will surely maintain your weight

http://quickpersonalloans.cn

I am doing Weight Watchers on my own. I don't go to any meetings. I got the books from here and amazon.com and got my weight calculator from amazon. If you sign up to get an amazon card they give you $30 just for signing up and you could use that to get some items you need and then just don't use the card after that. I love weight watchers because I can have whatever I want, but it's all about portion control! It's teaching me about portions. I had to go off the plan for 3 weeks due to being affected by 2 hurricanes, but I'm about to go back on it and the best thing is in 3 weeks I only gained 2 pds! I was expecting much more! You can do it! I woke up one day and knew I had to do something! I was just fed up with how I was eatting and I was depressed. I think they call that rock bottom. If you need anyone to talk to, I'm here and log on often.

I went with making the effort to lose one pound a week.  Just think if you lose one pound a week for one year you will have lost 52 pounds. 

I made up my mind that I was overweight and had to do something!  I've found different site that have the calories of food.  Another thing I did was get rid of my fat clothing.  Also, I'm not going to be Oprah and have a skinny to fat wardrobe.  I've had that and didn't do well keeping the weight off.

I write down what I put in my mouth.  That's one of the things that Weight Watchers and other diets recommend.  I'm down to the last 20 pounds.  I've lost 80 pounds to date.  Yep, let myself get to 100 pounds overweight without even realizing it!   

Good luck!

I have a book on my bookshelf that might be helpful to you.  I think it is the first listing - Abstinence in Action.  Check it out.

Michelle B., I think coming to terms is an important first step towards change. Congrats on that!

My advice is to keep a food diary for two weeks, of EVERYthing you eat. It will provide data for analyzing how many calories are being consumed, what types of foods you need more or less of, times of day where you are prone to eat, etc -- in essence, how or what to change.

I agree with what LuvMyPaps said too.  I have a subscription to Good Housekeeping and every issue there is a column about emotional overeating by Geneen Roth. I'm sure she has her own website too.

Good luck and let us know if you need some moral support.