has anyone overcome overeating?

[NewYearsDaysie]

I hate myself. I CANNOT and I really mean cannot stop stuffing my face with crap. I keep putting on weight and I'd love to lose about 8 stone (to make me vaguely normal) I have motivation to lose the weight health, kids, wanting to look nice for hubby but I just cannot stop myself doing it! I'm feeling incredibly down at the moment and previously have overeaten then made myself sick, or used blades on myself which helps a lot but obviously isn't good.
Has anyone overcome overeating and how did you do it. Please don't say 'go out and find a hobby as I will scream. DH says it all the time as tho its a magic cure.

[poachedeggs]

Marking my spot. I've seen two GPs about it. Told to eat less by both of them so I'm on my own. I've read the book recommended by madmouse and it looks very good but I have a whirl going on in my head just now and have struggled to embark on the programme.

[Latara]

Madmouse - you're right actually, looking back that is more diet advice which is now where i'm at.... up until a few months ago my problem was binge eating but luckily i've got through that (apart from a few set backs).

I did find that swapping certain foods for other healthier foods has helped overall though as i've lost the taste for many of the foods that i was bingeing on.

I've got no answer for addictive behaviour though (one aspect of that is binge eating obviously) - i usually find that swap one addiction or obsession for another without even realising until it's too late...
That hasn't happened this time yet - luckily.

I think that i'm gradually gaining in self-awareness - & that is key to curing any addictive behaviour.

You have to admit what you do; find out WHY you have an addiction (for me - binge eating was originally about stopping boredom, plus i felt lonely & food cheered me up - but then i just got obsessed with the foods themselves but forgot what the original cause of the bingeing was).

Then you have to really really want to stop - because it's extremely difficult & takes a lot of willpower, & you often need other people to support you.
Anyway good luck - food had a real hold over me; i would actually not go out with friends at times just to binge at home; or even walk to Tesco at 1am (not that safe) just to get the food (& happy feelings) that i craved.

I've ended up in debt too - and A LOT of that debt is due to overspending on my favourite foods.
I do feel guilty about that, but it's a bit late - all i can do, now i'm not bingeing, is to be more careful with money now.

[TheLightPassenger]

oranges - do you ever get to walk fast enough so you are puffed out (the test for aerobic exercise). I do sympathise, as my job can involve lots of walking, but as I am in a healthcare environment it is rarely fast enough to puff me out, so unfortunately it's not a great health benefit. Once you get into the swing of exercise, the endorphins released do start to outweigh the tiredness, it's getting started that's the biggest problem!

[orangeandlemons]

No, I never walk fast enough to get out of breath at work. But there was a really interesting setof programmes ( I think it was Horizon) about the benefit of exercise. It was saying getting out of breath wasn't always nescessary an moving about a lot at a low intensity pace was more important. There was other stuff about very high short bursts of intense activity being the most beneficial of all, but the main thing was just advising people to move more. The person who score the highest on fitness was a waitress (on her feet all the time)

[madmouse]

Being puffed out is necessary to workout your cardiovasc. system, but lots of walking benefits your general fitness levels, blood sugar levels and bone density.

[Latara]

Walking is nice because i find it lifts my mood; when i feel depressed i try to just pull on clothes & go for short walk, even just to Tesco / coffee shop.
I start off thinking 'this is a waste of time, won't feel any better..' then end up chatting to someone while out; or stroking a local cat eg.. before i know it i feel a bit happier.
I do recommend walking just for that reason - even in the rain it's better than staying in.

Also was so unfit that i did start going for walks before i got fit enough to feel ok about going to the gym.
Started off walking 15 - 20 mins a day then built up the amount, tried to include eg. stairs / small hill.
I did get out of breath at first due to being SO unfit!
But built up stamina quicker than i expected.

I like to take camera so can take photos of random stuff like flowers, trees, clouds etc. (An old camera in case anyone tries to steal it!!). Or bread for ducks / pigeons etc - makes a walk more interesting.

Don't forget a mosquito repellent spray especially if u live near any rivers eg! Also wear an spf face cream or even sun lotion, & take a water bottle.
I see lots of people walking while listening to IPods etc - i don't think it's a good idea as it makes you vulnerable (can't hear traffic or potential attackers) & you miss out of what goes on around you.

[DaysieGoneBananas]

I saw that programme on horizon about the short bursts of exercise (3 60 second bursts of feeling like you're almost killing yourself energy 3 times a week helping with insulin levels) that should help me as gave problem with insulin resistance due to PCOS. Might try that.
I've had CBT for low self esteem but hasn't helped.

[TheLightPassenger]

must admit I didn't see the whole programme, just did some research and spoke to some nurses about the insulin resistance point. Re:walking and getting puffed out, again that was what the practice nurse advised me, but I was ?am in the high risk category for cardiovascular problems in next ten years so possibly I have to be more careful than the average overweight person.

[Muse23]

Hi all,
I'm new to Mumsnet,
Whilst looking at the talk-thread, i felt quite drawn to this one. I have very low self-esteem, have been on countless diets throughout my life but still feel the need to compulsive/comfort eat ALL the time.
Does anyone see this as a form of self-harm, like i do?
:)

[poachedeggs]

Hi muse :)

It is self-harm really, isn't it? It's damaging but brings relief.

[orangeandlemons]

Yes I do. That's what makes it so hard. I hate hate hate what I'm doing to my body and I hate that sick feeling when you've just eaten and eaten nonstop.

Most of all I hate my brain and mouth for enjoying food so much

[TheLightPassenger]

for me it's more about a form of addiction that doesn't directly affect my functioning as mother/worker etc, as per Caitlin Moran. a quick way to numbness.

[TheLightPassenger]

I've just borrowed a book on mindfulness and eating/diet from the library today, shall report back if it has useful ideas. Even if the mindfulness/meditation stuff doesn't help with the food issues, then it may come in useful for more general stress stuff.

[DaysieGoneBananas]

Yes def a firm of self harm that is a punishment as well as bringing temporary relief. Controlled my binging for a whole week now with as little fat as possible and I'm down 10lbs!

[LurkingAndLearningForNow]

I used to be an overeater for all the reasons mentioned here. I am 'cured.' I guess because my self hate was lowered, I didn't feel the need to punish myself. Now I don't even enjoy junk food.

[orangeandlemons]

I see it as both an addiction and self harm. But isn't all addiction about self harm?

[Muse23]

Hi all, Mindfullness has been mentioned to me only this week and my OT has said she will look at getting it for me. I only have a vague idea what it's about and would be interested to know @The Light Passenger how you get on with your book? Daysie, that's great! keep up the good work.
@Lurking, how did you manage the magic 'cured' and to lower your 'self-hate'?
It's just so crazy+frustrating to be so aware of what you are doing to your self whilst you are finishing that 2nd pack of family sized crisps or that 4th mars bar in a row and it's only 11am. You so desperately want to be slimmer but it can't be enough, otherwise you'd stop, wouldn't you?! The hatred+loathing feed you and if you'd be happier not doing this, then of course you'd be able to stop but then you can't, so it must be an addiction, right? If it was just about the eating then why can't i fill up on fruit/veg?
Why do i think that the answer to my prayers is to be slim? Is it because i know that it is unobtainable, therefore i set myself up to fail before i start?
I feel i have too much self awareness and it becomes more of a hinderance than a help. :)

[MrsB1]

I read the Gillian Riley book too and it helped-ALOT. I havent had a proper binge for about 2 years. Yes I over eat on occaisions-parties meals out. etc but so much less emotional eating
Gillian Riley set me on my way but what has also really helped is 'Slimpods' the are recordings that you listen to daily and they have helped me to readdress my relationship with food. No I havent actually lost any weight yet, but I have at least stopped getting bigger !!
I am starting counselling next week for a variety of issues but I am hoping that it will help with my wieght too !!

[Muse23]

Thank you, will look them up on Amazon now xx

[AuxeyDuresses]

Glad to find this thread. Just posted about my food struggles on another thread.
I have the Gillian Riley book and the book mentioned by Dr Christopher Fairburn. I shall get them out today and read them.

I am so glad to know I'm not alone in this.
Now, how are we going to help each other?

[DaysieGoneBananas]

Auxey...let's see how can we support each other? How about when we want to binge we get on this thread and have s bloody good moan! Won't help all the time but its a start. Any other suggestions?

[DaysieGoneBananas]

Feeling upset and crap today..eaten half a packet of ginger nuts and a chocolate biscuit. Now my stomach is ripping me in two. Don't know if its because I DH is away and subconciously I want to make him come home...blerghhh!

[DaysieGoneBananas]

anyone pigging out and feeling in the need of a bit of a mutual moan?

[Arana]

I'll join you Daysie - I was feeling a bit meh, so picked up a 200g bar of chocolate with some other shopping, and have just inhaled half of it.

2 years ago I lost a load of weight, and went from a Size 18 to a size 10. In the last month I've stopped self harming (yay) but put on a stone (boo!).

This shit will just never bloody end. I'd rather cut myself than eat a whole packet of biscuits, but the latter is much more acceptable and easier to hide.

I'm having physiotherapy for a hip problem as well, which means I can't do any exercise (I usually run 2-3k twice a week), which also doesn't help my weight/eating issue.

Meh.

[DaysieGoneBananas]

I agree Meh indeed. I'm currently losing weight (lost 20lbs in 5 weeks) due to some weird (possible gall baldder pain) and fat makes it worse. SO in a way i'm self harming and stuffing myself cos it absolutely kills me with the pain after eating!