Compulsion

January 1, 2008

I have been hesitant to post after my initial introduction, since so many of

you seemed upbeat and motivated, and on track, and I felt totally out of

control, but I really do need some support, so here I am.

I have faithfully listened to the podcasts, but continue to struggle on a

daily basis with what feel like overwhelming compulsions to eat. I had been

in Weight Watchers, but decided to leave after my group leader responded to

my comment that I couldn't seem to stop eating by saying that we all have

choices. A lot of the time lately I don't feel like I have choices. My

compulsion to eat is every bit as strong as any alcoholic's compulsion to

drink. After having lost 85 pounds, it is nothing short of devastating to

me that I'm regaining that weight, and yet I can't seem to stop myself from

putting that next bite (and many after that) in my mouth.

Are any of you having such a struggle? If so, how are you dealing with it?

If any of you can reach out with some words of comfort, support,

encouragement or advice, I would be eternally grateful.

Pat

January 1, 2008

Pat,

Every day, every meal is a struggle. I doubt anybody in this group would

tell you how " easy " it is for them. Even staying positive is tough. What I

try to look for is the small victories. " I ate two less bites than last

time. " Big changes rarely stick; small changes are what wins the race.

's podcast is awesome for developing small changes.

Also, the fact that you are recognizing when you are over eating is a small

victory. There are levels of progress. Most people dont recognize their

mistakes. As you become more aware, and use the techniques in the podcasts;

you will begin to recognize the mistakes sooner and sooner, until you see

them before you make them.

Many people talk about stop eating. But very few talk about what to replace

it with. talks about that in the three levels of self correcting. If

you havent got that far in the podcasts, just be patient. Follow her steps

and you will feel as positive as the rest of us.

Randy

> I have been hesitant to post after my initial introduction, since so

> many of

> you seemed upbeat and motivated, and on track, and I felt totally out of

> control, but I really do need some support, so here I am.

>

> I have faithfully listened to the podcasts, but continue to struggle on a

> daily basis with what feel like overwhelming compulsions to eat. I had

> been

> in Weight Watchers, but decided to leave after my group leader responded

> to

> my comment that I couldn't seem to stop eating by saying that we all have

> choices. A lot of the time lately I don't feel like I have choices. My

> compulsion to eat is every bit as strong as any alcoholic's compulsion to

> drink. After having lost 85 pounds, it is nothing short of devastating to

> me that I'm regaining that weight, and yet I can't seem to stop myself

> from

> putting that next bite (and many after that) in my mouth.

>

> Are any of you having such a struggle? If so, how are you dealing with it?

> If any of you can reach out with some words of comfort, support,

> encouragement or advice, I would be eternally grateful.

>

> Pat

>

January 1, 2008

Pat, are you feeling anxious about something? Often when I am eating

compulsively, I'm self-medicating. But before I could change eating

wildly, I had to sort out WHY. It's most likely not about hunger. I

wish I could reach out and give you a big hug right now. Just know

that we are all in this together, and I am so rooting for you!! We

can do this! We can change our habits, and we can wake up our true

selves and get to know why we do what we do, and how we can choose a

better way. It doesn't happen overnight, but we CAN change. So don't

give up on yourself. And every time you fall, get up and try again.

That's the most important lesson that I have learned. Don't ever give

up on yourself!!! There's hope!

Love,

Michele

>

> I have been hesitant to post after my initial introduction, since so

many of

> you seemed upbeat and motivated, and on track, and I felt totally out of

> control, but I really do need some support, so here I am.

>

> I have faithfully listened to the podcasts, but continue to struggle

on a

> daily basis with what feel like overwhelming compulsions to eat. I

had been

> in Weight Watchers, but decided to leave after my group leader

responded to

> my comment that I couldn't seem to stop eating by saying that we all

have

> choices. A lot of the time lately I don't feel like I have choices. My

> compulsion to eat is every bit as strong as any alcoholic's

compulsion to

> drink. After having lost 85 pounds, it is nothing short of

devastating to

> me that I'm regaining that weight, and yet I can't seem to stop

myself from

> putting that next bite (and many after that) in my mouth.

>

> Are any of you having such a struggle? If so, how are you dealing

with it?

> If any of you can reach out with some words of comfort, support,

> encouragement or advice, I would be eternally grateful.

>

> Pat

>

January 1, 2008

Pat, I think you're on to something with both the journaling, and

especially with the scrapbooking. Finding something to keep your

hands and mind busy during down time can really keep me from stuffing

myself mindlessly. I am working on this myself. Another thing I'm

just getting started on is Qi Gong, which is a real stress reliever.

I learned about it from Dr Oz on Oprah, and my husband and I are

working toward using a dvd every other evening. When I have used it,

I have felt so much better afterwards, and he is very stressed at work

as well. I'm excited at the prospect of another new tool. Anyway,

keep up the great work, and the willingness to try new things. This

is definitely a journey of many steps, and no quick fixes.

Love,

Michele

> >

> > I have been hesitant to post after my initial introduction, since so

> many of

> > you seemed upbeat and motivated, and on track, and I felt totally

out of

> > control, but I really do need some support, so here I am.

> >

> > I have faithfully listened to the podcasts, but continue to struggle

> on a

> > daily basis with what feel like overwhelming compulsions to eat. I

> had been

> > in Weight Watchers, but decided to leave after my group leader

> responded to

> > my comment that I couldn't seem to stop eating by saying that we all

> have

> > choices. A lot of the time lately I don't feel like I have choices. My

> > compulsion to eat is every bit as strong as any alcoholic's

> compulsion to

> > drink. After having lost 85 pounds, it is nothing short of

> devastating to

> > me that I'm regaining that weight, and yet I can't seem to stop

> myself from

> > putting that next bite (and many after that) in my mouth.

> >

> > Are any of you having such a struggle? If so, how are you dealing

> with it?

> > If any of you can reach out with some words of comfort, support,

> > encouragement or advice, I would be eternally grateful.

> >

> > Pat

> >

January 1, 2008

,

I listened to both self correcting podcasts today, I journalled, and I gave

a lot of thought to what triggers my compulsion to eat, as well as what I

can do to help keep that from happening, or at least to deal with it in a

more constructive and healthy way. I had my small victory (small

incremental changes, says ) tonight. I had just had supper, and a

short time later I felt like I needed to go back to the kitchen and find

myself something sweet. I did go to the kitchen, but what I ate was a

banana, and I felt great about that. Baby steps.

What is Qi Gong? I've never heard of it.

Hugs,

Pat

_____