Why can't I stop eating?

[sunshinegirl28]

I am 4 stone overweight. I know what is healthy to eat. My mental health is good. I really want to be a healthy weight. Why then can't I stop eating sugary things however hard I try? Even if I don't store them at home I still am overtaken by an urge to buy out and about and can't stop. Why and what do I do? I have tried so many diets and want to lose weight so much but can't stop. Why?! Any advice for me?

Sugar is a terrible addiction and I am sure life expectancies will shorten in the future because of it

They already are being. It's not obesity that's causing all the problems with non-communicable diseases. Obesity is another symptom, like heart disease and diabetes, of the problem with the excess of carbs in our diets.

@Eckhart

Restriction causes bingeing however hard you try, that's why people yo-yo for years

No it's not. The body lowers its basal metabolic rate to cope with the drop in calories. Then when you go back to eating what you ate before, you store a greater proportion of it as fat, because your overall system has learned to run on less. You don't have to binge.

I've done my homework on this. Go and look up/research set point weight. Your body will always try and get you back to your set point, so the more you restrict, eventually you'll cave in and binge. Diets mess with your metabolism. Someone who has never dieted, will have a lower set point. Every strict diet you go on just pushes it up and up.

@curlyLJ

Perhaps there's a bit of both. Here's a link to a PhD who studies meta-analyses of meta-analyses on the subject. Have you got any links to your homework so that we can have a look too?

Op I think you have to be in the right mindset.

Little changes. Get used to them and then they will change into Medium changes.

I am quite target driven so a Fitbit works for me because of the targets I can set.

Since new year I have walked every day. I have an audiobook and some podcasts, it helps me to look forward to the walks instead of feeling like it's a chore.

For me this time I feel like I'm winning more. Because I've changed my
Mindset. I'm looking at this as a lifestyle change not a diet.

If I want something I am having it but not kicking the arse out of it. If I want a biscuit or whatever I'm looking at a healthier alternative like a no sugar biscuit instead of a Kit Kat etc.

I'm having a wine tonight but I've done 35k steps so I'm having it. First drink in three weeks.

I don't even feel guilty like I usually would because I know it's a treat if you like, not every day.

The thing for me was it clicking that it has to be a lifestyle change for it to stick. It won't give me instant results. Nothing really does does it?

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990627/

Looks like your theory is overridden by environmental factors like a shop full of chocolate down the road.

Searching for the genetic background of excess weight gain in a world of abundance is misleading since the possible biological control is widely overshadowed by the effect of the environment

@nancybotwinbloom

The alcohol in the wine will stop you from using any other calories until it is gone from your system, which, unless you're having a very small glass, will be in the night, when your body would usually start burning fat because it's fasting and needs to top up its blood glucose level.

If the biscuit you have is carbohydrate based, it still is sugar, and will crank up your insulin production so that you will store fat instead of releasing it for energy.

Sorry, There's just so much misinformation around.

Thank you @Eckhart you have given me some great advice the last few days.

I do appreciate it.

I have enjoyed my wine (it was red) and it was three glasses. I guess I'm fucked lol.

Will have another wine maybe in three weeks.

But back on the walking tomorrow. Will take my ankle weights. Healthy food. Maybe some weights before breakfast. (Spinach and egg omelette).

It's nice to unwind. I'm aching a bit from today.

I have enjoyed my wine (it was red) and it was three glasses. I guess I'm fucked lol

I do think that's the spirit. I'm glad you took my post with good heart. I have a good heart, but I did feel I'd been a bit short with you. My apologies for that.

Aching muscles is what calories burning feels like. Very satisfying, especially when it goes on for a day or two!

@Eckhart I didn't take it offensively just factually.

Your right totally. Obviously very knowledgeable on nutrition etc.

I'm happy with how I'm getting on but I'm also very grateful for advice

My lifestyle changes for the last two weeks have stuck and I'm keeping what I am doing. A lot More veg. More walking. Healthy carbs like grains and pulses and a Vegetarian diet. I can sustain this. It's not unrealistic for me.

Treats like chocolate, small amounts, mostly when I could burn you for them. I.e due on my period and wine, at least a two week gap.

For me, this is a big improvement.