Re: Hi everyone - I'm new

July 29, 2012

Thanks for sharing. I have alot of the same feelings when it comes to

being overweight to feel safe. I just signed up for the class as well. I

have been reading the book and think the class will help me be more

accountable to myself. Take care. Barbara

> **

>

> I was at the bookstore and picked up 's book. Its message has really

> resonated with me. If I could willpower my way to being thin I would have

> done it by now (I'm 48 and about 120lbs over where i'd like to be). I

> usually don't reach out to people so joining this group is a big step for

> me. My insights have been that I've used my weight to keep myself safe and

> people at a distance. Food is one of the few physical pleasures I allow

> myself, and I'm beginning to realize that I'm using food inplace of love

> and intimacy and connecting with my friends and family. somewhere along the

> line I got love & food mixed up. I need to find better ways to care for

> myself than eating sweet baked goods compulsively.

>

> I've spent the last couple of days writing in my journal and I find that I

> am really feeling what I am writing. which is a good thing if a little

> uncomfortable. I'm beginning to see that I can't just remove eating without

> addressing the emotional needs that it fills. I think the first thing I

> want to work on is not isolating so much and being more real and honest -

> not to mention spend time with the people in my life.

>

> I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you better and travelling

> this road together. Thanks and take care Pamela.

>

July 30, 2012

I am new to this group too - also born in 1964! I value health and fitness, and

throughout my adult life have made exercise a part of my daily routine. I make

healthy food choices about 95% of the time. The problem is...I have reoccuring

binge episodes when I completely throw out all reason and eat anything and

everything I would consider " unhealthy " to the point of extreme discomfort. I

have been able to maintain a healthy weight for my height only because I deprive

myself and/or overexercise after a binge. Not a fun way of living!

This binging behavior has become a pattern in my life for the past few years -

sometimes occuring a few times per month or several times per week. I really

want to STOP (knowing how terrible it is for my body and spirit), but haven't

been able to figure out the way on my own.

's message has really hit home with me. I now understand that my binging

is an attempt to get something good for myself (I never thought of it that way

before!). The challenge for me is figuring out what that need really is and

meeting it in appropriate ways AND forgiving myself for binging. After

listening to the podcasts and reading Chapters 1-4 of 's book, I believe

that I may be seeking ways to reward, comfort, and distract myself. I am

definitely a perfectionist and multi-tasker - so underneath it all I am

struggling to measure up. I also have issues with body image that resulted from

my upbringing by loving, but very weight-conscious parents.

So, I am happy to be on this journey of self-discovery and grateful to be part

of this support group. I tend to be a very private person, so this is a big

step for me. I have never before told anyone about my binge-eating, but I know

I need to reach out for help. I hope to also be of help to some of you.

Thanks for including me in your group.

>

> I was at the bookstore and picked up 's book. Its message has really

resonated with me. If I could willpower my way to being thin I would have done

it by now (I'm 48 and about 120lbs over where i'd like to be). I usually don't

reach out to people so joining this group is a big step for me. My insights have

been that I've used my weight to keep myself safe and people at a distance.

Food is one of the few physical pleasures I allow myself, and I'm beginning to

realize that I'm using food inplace of love and intimacy and connecting with my

friends and family. somewhere along the line I got love & food mixed up. I need

to find better ways to care for myself than eating sweet baked goods

compulsively.

>

> I've spent the last couple of days writing in my journal and I find that I am

really feeling what I am writing. which is a good thing if a little

uncomfortable. I'm beginning to see that I can't just remove eating without

addressing the emotional needs that it fills. I think the first thing I want to

work on is not isolating so much and being more real and honest - not to mention

spend time with the people in my life.

>

> I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you better and travelling this

road together. Thanks and take care Pamela.

>

July 30, 2012

My name is Harmony, am happy to be here. My in box thru out the day is filled

with these posts, they give me hope and encouragement!! I have been struggling

for about 5 years after my brother died by suicide. I fell-into a deep

depression and have been trying to eat my way out since. When i bought this book

i knew it was going to help me! I am healed from the loss of my brother, but the

eating has stayed my unwelcome friend! I have become a hermit due to my weight.

Avoid all social settings not because of the food but because of how much weight

i gained. I don't like people assuming I am pregnant because I put on 30 lbs

since they last saw me... Grrr. Has anyone tried Hypnotherapy?? Also where do I

find the pod casts? I found the ones in iTunes but they are 10 for a three pair

only up to about 20..

Thanks

Harmony

> I am new to this group too - also born in 1964! I value health and fitness,

and throughout my adult life have made exercise a part of my daily routine. I

make healthy food choices about 95% of the time. The problem is...I have

reoccuring binge episodes when I completely throw out all reason and eat

anything and everything I would consider " unhealthy " to the point of extreme

discomfort. I have been able to maintain a healthy weight for my height only

because I deprive myself and/or overexercise after a binge. Not a fun way of

living!

>

> This binging behavior has become a pattern in my life for the past few years -

sometimes occuring a few times per month or several times per week. I really

want to STOP (knowing how terrible it is for my body and spirit), but haven't

been able to figure out the way on my own.

>

> 's message has really hit home with me. I now understand that my binging

is an attempt to get something good for myself (I never thought of it that way

before!). The challenge for me is figuring out what that need really is and

meeting it in appropriate ways AND forgiving myself for binging. After listening

to the podcasts and reading Chapters 1-4 of 's book, I believe that I may

be seeking ways to reward, comfort, and distract myself. I am definitely a

perfectionist and multi-tasker - so underneath it all I am struggling to measure

up. I also have issues with body image that resulted from my upbringing by

loving, but very weight-conscious parents.

>

> So, I am happy to be on this journey of self-discovery and grateful to be part

of this support group. I tend to be a very private person, so this is a big step

for me. I have never before told anyone about my binge-eating, but I know I need

to reach out for help. I hope to also be of help to some of you.

>

> Thanks for including me in your group.

>

> >

> > I was at the bookstore and picked up 's book. Its message has really

resonated with me. If I could willpower my way to being thin I would have done

it by now (I'm 48 and about 120lbs over where i'd like to be). I usually don't

reach out to people so joining this group is a big step for me. My insights have

been that I've used my weight to keep myself safe and people at a distance. Food

is one of the few physical pleasures I allow myself, and I'm beginning to

realize that I'm using food inplace of love and intimacy and connecting with my

friends and family. somewhere along the line I got love & food mixed up. I need

to find better ways to care for myself than eating sweet baked goods

compulsively.

> >

> > I've spent the last couple of days writing in my journal and I find that I

am really feeling what I am writing. which is a good thing if a little

uncomfortable. I'm beginning to see that I can't just remove eating without

addressing the emotional needs that it fills. I think the first thing I want to

work on is not isolating so much and being more real and honest - not to mention

spend time with the people in my life.

> >

> > I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you better and travelling this

road together. Thanks and take care Pamela.

> >

>

July 30, 2012

Welcome, Pamela!

Eldred