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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 2:42:02
I would really like to hear people's thought on this FOOD ADDICTION? Is it really an addiction???
I am getting heavier and am not liking it. I know what to do but I don't.
I am thinking about starting Dr. Phil's weight loss new book with his people on his show as I found myself in 2 of them (sexually abused, and a former model)
Please......anyone who can shed some light on HOW? WHAT? WHO? I need help.
I'm ok, just really reaching out here. I don't want to be fat anymore.
All my life I was active and thin and healthy.
I went from 125 in 1988 to 246 in 2002.
I am now about 220. I am 5'5
Pleaseeeeeeee
someone shed some light on how I can get started on doing this. I need support and I need comments on where to turn.
I'm scared and I hate this. I am NOT a fat person :(
Thank you for letting me vent!
And pleaseeeeeee anyone's advice, open, honest, I can take it~I swear.
I need help!
Posted by ridesredhorses on September 18, 2003, at 5:37:57
In reply to Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 2:42:02
I have no idea how to overcome the problem..I have it myself. All I know is that I am trying to fill a hole that is shaped like...whatever...and food is the thing to which I turn. Food is my alcohol, my dope, my sex life, you name it. And I know that it is a part of a cycle of self abuse and self loathing...I get so angry at myself for eating when I don't want to eat, when I'm not hungry. Keeping busy, drinking lots of water, and talking to my therapist about it are the only things I do right now. But there are bound to be lots of folks to have been through this, and you will hear from them. Thank you for sharing and for asking for help. It helps everyone.
Posted by HannahW on September 18, 2003, at 11:36:09
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by ridesredhorses on September 18, 2003, at 5:37:57
There's a book called "Love Hungry" which deals with food addiction, its causes, and how to overcome it. It was helpful to me, but I was also in the middle of a major depression and wasn't able to fully apply myself.
Honestly, the only thing for me that has worked is Wellbutrin. It took away my desire to overeat so that I could use what little willpower I had to join Weight Watchers and lose a bunch of weight. I never could have done it without the Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is also the active ingredient in the stop-smoking product Zyban. Somehow it does something to the chemicals in your brain that cause cravings.
The Wellbutrin stopped working for me after a year, and I gained all the weight back. :( I took a vacation from Wellbutrin in hopes that when I started it again it would work again. I've just started it again this week, and think I might be beginning to see its effects. I hope that's not just wishful thinking!
Posted by deirdrehbrt on September 18, 2003, at 19:38:29
In reply to Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 2:42:02
Hi,
I don't know lots about weight loss, but when I was in the hospital a while back, the psychiatrist did talk to me about the effects of different medications on my weight, and the choice of meds was based partly on that.
I tend to walk alot. Some days, I'll walk well over ten miles. I guess that this is the one benefit of not being able to drive. Though I can take a bus to some of the places I walk to, I find that I get there faster by walking, rather than waiting for the bus. I also ride my bicycle at times, so I guess these are my ways of weight control.
My doctor likes the fact that I do so much walking, etc. because I have high blood pressure. My Therapist likes it because I can work on some of the things she wants me to work on while I'm walking.
Talk to your doctor or P-doc. They might have some ideas for you, and I don't think you would want to start a dramatic diet without talking to your doctor first anyway. I think the people on Dr. Phil's diet are seeing a doctor as part of the program anyway. It would make good sense for anyone.
Good luck,
Dee.
Posted by ridesredhorses on September 18, 2003, at 22:50:27
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by deirdrehbrt on September 18, 2003, at 19:38:29
Both of my doctors have indicated that it is not unusual to have a carb craving when you are on Prozac, which I am...along with Wellbutrin and Provigil. I have cut back on the Prozac by 10mg...I can feel a difference in the intensity of my feelings, but my appetite is still over the top. Has anyone else experienced a connection between Prozac and increased appetite? If so, any advice? Thanks.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 19, 2003, at 0:22:12
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by ridesredhorses on September 18, 2003, at 22:50:27
hi ridesred, I still want to respond to your first post but saw this just now.
I gained weight on Prozac. It was the first SSRI I ever took. I feel exactly like I did on the Prozac now lately on the Lexapro. It's weird. On both, my appetite increased and my face became *puffy*
I wish I could be of more help, just wanted to share with you. I think we just need to eat less and get moving~but WAY easier said than done.
Take good care and hang in there:-)
> Both of my doctors have indicated that it is not unusual to have a carb craving when you are on Prozac, which I am...along with Wellbutrin and Provigil. I have cut back on the Prozac by 10mg...I can feel a difference in the intensity of my feelings, but my appetite is still over the top. Has anyone else experienced a connection between Prozac and increased appetite? If so, any advice? Thanks.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 19, 2003, at 3:19:54
In reply to Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 2:42:02
Thanks for your reply. I bought Dr. Phil's book today. Wish me luck! and for strength!!
Thank you for some great tips!
Appreciate it:-)
I'd read Dr Phil's book. He makes pretty good points, mainly in acknowledging that we're not wholly in control of ourselves, so we need to find ways to sabotage our own bad behavior. We also need to find substitutes for our vices. By this logic, you make sure that you don't buy calorie laden food so there's none in the house, take a route home that doesn't go by any convenient food stops, throw away leftovers immediately, ride a bike instead of eating and watching TV, etc. When you're *not* hungry, do things to make it hard for yourself to eat later, when you are hungry.
He's also onto the idea of allowing yourself indulgent things only after you accomplish something positive (walking a mile, etc).
These are all tricks to help you stick to the core of weight loss, which is eating only X number of calories a day, and getting some exercise. His reasoning is that most plans are only temporary, and don't address the issue of "willpower" (how you stick with it).
If you can manage to maintain a low calorie diet with exercise for a couple months, it becomes easier, much like quitting smoking. Much like smoking cessation, this is something that you'll have to do for the rest of your life, though you can add some more calories when you've reached the weight you desire.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 19, 2003, at 3:23:05
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by ridesredhorses on September 18, 2003, at 5:37:57
THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH for so much information~what a nice person!
I really appreciate it!
Posted by galkeepinon on September 19, 2003, at 3:26:26
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by ridesredhorses on September 18, 2003, at 5:37:57
I hear you here~yep I'm trying to fill up a hole, an emptiness obviously. I will keep at it and just chill and not be too hard on myself for it. It just gets frustarting sometimes. Some more than other times.
(((hugs to you)) hang in there
> I have no idea how to overcome the problem..I have it myself. All I know is that I am trying to fill a hole that is shaped like...whatever...and food is the thing to which I turn. Food is my alcohol, my dope, my sex life, you name it. And I know that it is a part of a cycle of self abuse and self loathing...I get so angry at myself for eating when I don't want to eat, when I'm not hungry. Keeping busy, drinking lots of water, and talking to my therapist about it are the only things I do right now. But there are bound to be lots of folks to have been through this, and you will hear from them. Thank you for sharing and for asking for help. It helps everyone.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 19, 2003, at 3:29:09
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by HannahW on September 18, 2003, at 11:36:09
Hannah W~Thank you very much. I'm actually going to check out a few books. I bought Dr. Phil's new one today. The book you mention here sounds great!
I lost 25 on Topamax but just stopped it about a month ago. Maybe I should go back on it just for the weight loss effect it had!
Thanks again:-)> There's a book called "Love Hungry" which deals with food addiction, its causes, and how to overcome it. It was helpful to me, but I was also in the middle of a major depression and wasn't able to fully apply myself.
>
> Honestly, the only thing for me that has worked is Wellbutrin. It took away my desire to overeat so that I could use what little willpower I had to join Weight Watchers and lose a bunch of weight. I never could have done it without the Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is also the active ingredient in the stop-smoking product Zyban. Somehow it does something to the chemicals in your brain that cause cravings.
>
> The Wellbutrin stopped working for me after a year, and I gained all the weight back. :( I took a vacation from Wellbutrin in hopes that when I started it again it would work again. I've just started it again this week, and think I might be beginning to see its effects. I hope that's not just wishful thinking!
Posted by galkeepinon on September 19, 2003, at 3:33:40
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by deirdrehbrt on September 18, 2003, at 19:38:29
Dee, thank you so much for your feedback. Good for you!!! Sounds like you get a lot of exercise. More than me anyhow. I did buy Dr. Phil's book today and I'm going to be doing a lot of reading and taking some action. It's all up to me, I know that. I just don't know what I'm so dang afraid of. I want to change.
Thanks again:-)
> Hi,
> I don't know lots about weight loss, but when I was in the hospital a while back, the psychiatrist did talk to me about the effects of different medications on my weight, and the choice of meds was based partly on that.
> I tend to walk alot. Some days, I'll walk well over ten miles. I guess that this is the one benefit of not being able to drive. Though I can take a bus to some of the places I walk to, I find that I get there faster by walking, rather than waiting for the bus. I also ride my bicycle at times, so I guess these are my ways of weight control.
> My doctor likes the fact that I do so much walking, etc. because I have high blood pressure. My Therapist likes it because I can work on some of the things she wants me to work on while I'm walking.
> Talk to your doctor or P-doc. They might have some ideas for you, and I don't think you would want to start a dramatic diet without talking to your doctor first anyway. I think the people on Dr. Phil's diet are seeing a doctor as part of the program anyway. It would make good sense for anyone.
> Good luck,
> Dee.
Posted by Dinah on September 19, 2003, at 11:52:44
In reply to Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 2:42:02
I wish I had some advice. After being diagnosed with diabetes in late April, I lost about fifteen pounds. But I couldn't keep it up. In the past two months, I've either held steady or gained a few pounds back. Eating the way I do jeopardizes my health at least, perhaps my life. But I can't seem to care consistently.
When I feel flat out miserable it's easy to lose weight, and hard even to remember to eat. But when I'm stressed, I just can't keep those carbs out of my mouth. And when it's hard to make it through the day, worrying about long term consequences isn't a priority.
I consulted a dietician, who just gave me the same diet I could have gotten off the internet. A diet there is no way I will stick to. And she wasn't willing to work with me to customize a diet I can live with.
I just cancelled an appointment with my internist. We were going to see if I could go off Glucophage. But given my eating habits the last two months, I'm not even going to bother. I'll see her next month instead at the regular three month point.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 19, 2003, at 18:12:55
In reply to Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight???, posted by galkeepinon on September 18, 2003, at 2:42:02
[Posted by JLx on September 18, 2003, at 22:04:43
In reply to http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20030903/msgs/261240.html]
> I was in OA for 3 years and was a "true believer" back then in addiction theory for food, but no more. In fact, I think now that it's particularly counterproductive to think of oneself as a "compulsive overeater" or a "food addict" as that belief in itself can motivate the behavior. Even though I lost 70 pounds in OA and felt good in many respects -- I went to a LOT of meetings and enjoyed the camaraderie for one thing -- I was never free of food complusiveness and ideation.
>
> I do think that certain foods are addictive though. I read "Sugar Blues" back in the 70's and have never quite been able to put sugar in my mouth since without thinking that I'm poisoning myself. I absolutely feel 100% better when I don't eat sugar, both physically and mentally.
>
> Obesity research has been coming out with lots of interesting info lately about other things as well. I read recently about casomorphins in cheese, for instance. http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030726/FCCHEE/TPFocus/ Chocolate is known to be addictive because of various chemicals in it. Sugar and fat are soothing, at least in the short run, which is why we eat them while under stress. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/16/health/nutrition/16FOOD.html?ei=1&en=2bbd683b57c8b908&ex=1064793485&pagewanted=print&position=
>
> Another recent scientific discovery is regarding a hormone that surges after weight loss prompting us to regain that weight:
>
> "Ghrelin (pronounced GRELL-in) secretion follows a daily pattern, peaking just before each meal and falling afterward. In addition to acting on the brain to boost appetite, ghrelin also acts on on other tissues to slow metabolism and reduce fat-burning." (Quoting the Washington Post in this link: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/openbb/read.php?action=newest&TID=196 )
>
> Some good books, I've read recently on food/fat related topics, were "The Hungry Gene", "When Your Body Gets the Blues", "Fast Food Nation", "The Cortisol Connection". There are plenty more, such as the books about diet types, or the latest "no grains" theory.
>
> Granted, sometimes we have to address emotional and psychological issues, and certainly there are practicalities to attend to as well regarding our fatness, such as Dr. Phil is peddling, but I believe there are also nutritional/alternative med choices we can make to help us with the underlying biochemistry so that it's not all so damned hard. For instance, I've posted previously on this site about magnesium and stress for depression. Well, when I started magnesium supplementation it was also EASY and painless for me to break my food addictions and lose weight. Here's the site that got me started: http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html
>
> Knowledge is power! :)
>
>
>
>
Posted by galkeepinon on September 20, 2003, at 1:07:38
In reply to Re: Please advice/feedback/guidance~Insight??? » galkeepinon, posted by Dinah on September 19, 2003, at 11:52:44
Sometimes experience is better than advice. Thanks Dinah for replying. I can relate, when it's hard to make it through the day, worrying about long term consequences isn't a priority.
Sounds like you suffer too concerning this, you have diabetes too. I'm sorry. Hang in there and I appreciate you replying to my post.
Thanks:-)> I wish I had some advice. After being diagnosed with diabetes in late April, I lost about fifteen pounds. But I couldn't keep it up. In the past two months, I've either held steady or gained a few pounds back. Eating the way I do jeopardizes my health at least, perhaps my life. But I can't seem to care consistently.
>
> When I feel flat out miserable it's easy to lose weight, and hard even to remember to eat. But when I'm stressed, I just can't keep those carbs out of my mouth. And when it's hard to make it through the day, worrying about long term consequences isn't a priority.
>
> I consulted a dietician, who just gave me the same diet I could have gotten off the internet. A diet there is no way I will stick to. And she wasn't willing to work with me to customize a diet I can live with.
>
> I just cancelled an appointment with my internist. We were going to see if I could go off Glucophage. But given my eating habits the last two months, I'm not even going to bother. I'll see her next month instead at the regular three month point.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 20, 2003, at 1:09:58
In reply to Re: Insight Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! « JLx, posted by Dr. Bob on September 19, 2003, at 18:12:55
THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH for so much information~what a nice person!
I really appreciate it! Hope you saw this, I moved it after Bob asked us to redirect it, you gave me A LOT of great things to look at JLx~~again thank you!
> > I was in OA for 3 years and was a "true believer" back then in addiction theory for food, but no more. In fact, I think now that it's particularly counterproductive to think of oneself as a "compulsive overeater" or a "food addict" as that belief in itself can motivate the behavior. Even though I lost 70 pounds in OA and felt good in many respects -- I went to a LOT of meetings and enjoyed the camaraderie for one thing -- I was never free of food complusiveness and ideation.
> >
> > I do think that certain foods are addictive though. I read "Sugar Blues" back in the 70's and have never quite been able to put sugar in my mouth since without thinking that I'm poisoning myself. I absolutely feel 100% better when I don't eat sugar, both physically and mentally.
> >
> > Obesity research has been coming out with lots of interesting info lately about other things as well. I read recently about casomorphins in cheese, for instance. http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030726/FCCHEE/TPFocus/ Chocolate is known to be addictive because of various chemicals in it. Sugar and fat are soothing, at least in the short run, which is why we eat them while under stress. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/16/health/nutrition/16FOOD.html?ei=1&en=2bbd683b57c8b908&ex=1064793485&pagewanted=print&position=
> >
> > Another recent scientific discovery is regarding a hormone that surges after weight loss prompting us to regain that weight:
> >
> > "Ghrelin (pronounced GRELL-in) secretion follows a daily pattern, peaking just before each meal and falling afterward. In addition to acting on the brain to boost appetite, ghrelin also acts on on other tissues to slow metabolism and reduce fat-burning." (Quoting the Washington Post in this link: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/openbb/read.php?action=newest&TID=196 )
> >
> > Some good books, I've read recently on food/fat related topics, were "The Hungry Gene", "When Your Body Gets the Blues", "Fast Food Nation", "The Cortisol Connection". There are plenty more, such as the books about diet types, or the latest "no grains" theory.
> >
> > Granted, sometimes we have to address emotional and psychological issues, and certainly there are practicalities to attend to as well regarding our fatness, such as Dr. Phil is peddling, but I believe there are also nutritional/alternative med choices we can make to help us with the underlying biochemistry so that it's not all so damned hard. For instance, I've posted previously on this site about magnesium and stress for depression. Well, when I started magnesium supplementation it was also EASY and painless for me to break my food addictions and lose weight. Here's the site that got me started: http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html
> >
> > Knowledge is power! :)
> >
> >
> >
> >
Posted by JLx on September 21, 2003, at 21:05:58
In reply to Re: Insight Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! « JLx, posted by galkeepinon on September 20, 2003, at 1:09:58
> THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH for so much information~what a nice person!
> I really appreciate it! Hope you saw this, I moved it after Bob asked us to redirect it, you gave me A LOT of great things to look at JLx~~again thank you!I didn't quite understand that redirect...and didn't know one could move one's own post to another section. Nor do I even know where I am! <g> (Haven't posted here that much.) What board is this on now?
It wasn't the type of info you were looking for maybe...but it helps me to think about weight/weight loss that way -- with physical causes being as likely to determine our psychology-of-weight as the other way around.
Magnesium supplementation for me is a major appetite suppressant and curb to addictive-food choices. I've lost 45 pounds since I've been on it as it's now so much easier to avoid my trouble foods. (I hope you saw my post to you on the other board about magnesium, headaches, and PMS.)
What do you think of Dr. Phil's book?
JL
Posted by galkeepinon on September 22, 2003, at 18:17:55
In reply to Re: Insight Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! « JLx » galkeepinon, posted by JLx on September 21, 2003, at 21:05:58
Good for you!! 45 Lbs:-) That's awsome!!!!
This post is on Psyhological Babble now lol. I really need to start my Magnesium therapy again. I really felt better when I was taking it everyday!
Is there a certain brand name of Magnesium that's 'better' than all the others, or are they pretty much the same? What one do you take?
Yes and thank you for your post on the headaches. I know Magnesium will help these too. I just get lazy.
Dr. Phil's book is pretty good so far:-)
> Magnesium supplementation for me is a major appetite suppressant and curb to addictive-food choices. I've lost 45 pounds since I've been on it as it's now so much easier to avoid my trouble foods. (I hope you saw my post to you on the other board about magnesium, headaches, and PMS.)
>
> What do you think of Dr. Phil's book?
JL>> > THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH for so much information~what a nice person!
> > I really appreciate it! Hope you saw this, I moved it after Bob asked us to redirect it, you gave me A LOT of great things to look at JLx~~again thank you!
>
>
>
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