Can’t stop eating!!

[Bettermeplease]

Since having my DD earlier this year I can’t stop eating. For the last 5 months all I’ve done is eat crap and can’t stop. I was a size 12 pre-pregnancy and didn’t gain very much during pregnancy but postpartum I’m now a size 14 and a good few kgs heavier than I was after I gave birth.

Pre-pregnancy I had a relatively healthy relationship with food/exercise (but do have a history of anorexia, bulimia and orthorexia) and that has completely vanished. Every day I wake up planning for it to be a good day and every day I fail. It’s not even really that I’m bingeing - I just eat too much of the wrong thing too often! I can’t do a day without a ‘little treat’ but that usually spirals and I end having several ‘little treats’. I’m rarely hungry for dinner as a result but always still eat dinner, usually as I’m craving some sort of actual nutrients by then.

Need help to get back in control of myself! Not sure what I’m asking for but maybe some positive stories or tips??

I find that reducing bread really helps cut down the desire for carbohydrate snacks.

I still eat the occasional slice but can now walk past the baked-goods without emotion, whereas before I would be thinking ‘Yum!’ ;)

I also calorie count using My Net Diary (not every day but enough to keep me motivated) and that has been very helpful.

I am now working to a target of 1700 calories whereas before I was regularly eating 2200 plus.

Sleep is a huge factor in appetite for me, are you able to get enough?
Secondly, eating ultra processed foods will make your appetite increase. It's hard to cut it out, but one thing at once. I found sweeteners the worst offender, and they put it in everything these days!
You are still post partum, so be kind to yourself. Get outside, wrap your baby up and get them in a buggy and walk. You'll feel so much better and more able to tackle the things you want to.
I've always had success with calorie counting and I have to be very regimented in my planning. So I plan a whole days food including snacks and don't deviate. If you don't buy the crap, plan in healthy snacks, you're less likely to eat rubbish.

Thanks very much @BadSkiingMum @DelilahBucket . I think you’re right and better planning might help. I’m not really a fan of ‘meals’ so take no enjoyment out of them and end up snacking instead but maybe I just need to make more of an effort to make actual food I enjoy.

Honestly just wish food wasn’t necessary for survival sometimes!