Why can't i stop eating? I want to lose weight but i eat too much.

[Tortoise]

I think i have a problem but not sure where to go from here.
I am about 12 stone and 5ft 9. About a size 14.

I am not happy with my weight or all the wobbly flab i have but i can't seem to control my eating.

I pick most of the day, eating whatever i can find left in the cupboard/fridge. Crisps, choc, yogs, biscuits, chocolate spread off a spoon, sometimes fruit, home made cakes of various types. I eat some ok meals in the evenings that are homemade ie lasagne, cottage pie, carbonara, spag bol, chicken leek and potato pie. But if the kids are having a quick meal because we are low on food i just chop up some spuds and make chips in the deep fat fryer.

Then once kids are in bed the picking at food starts again. Just ate 2 pieces of choc cake, a rice crispy cake and 2 bags of crisps.

Trouble is then i have to buy more food to replace what i scoff otherwise their is nothing for DC, so i find i have hardly any money left.

I don't know how to stop it. Sometimes don't even think about food but find myself eating something.

Should i make an appointment to see someone about this or is their something i can do to help myself? If it wasn't for the school run each day i would be huge. (Walk about 6 miles a day in all, sometimes more.)

And i need to do some execrsise too but haven't really found one i enjoy. I have a bike and quite like cycling but always putting it off.

Please, someone help me.

I have a similar problem but it's been in the evenings when ds is in bed asleep and I am watching tv or on the computer.
I bought myself Paul McKennas I can make you thin book and cd. He gives you techniques to deal with cravings but mainly uses visualisation to focus your mind on only eating when you are hungry - as he says, your imagination is more powerful than your will.

I feel like it is making a difference to me and I am more aware of what I am eating and when.

Thanks nyx. I haven't tried rice cakes but will have a look for some.
Any other low fat snack ideas would be appreciated.

CK I did buy that but he made me laugh whenever i tried to listen to it! Or i fell asleep. I FOUND IT REALLY HARD TO VISUALISE ANYTHING TOO oops caps lock! My mind just drifted onto other things and i missed bits of what he was saying.

Really going now. Will be back on tomorrow though. Will try and be different tomorrow!

OK...I've googled and lifted this list from somewhere on the interweb

1. A tablespoon of dried fruits

These are low in fat and have a low glycemic index, which means they're absorbed slowly from the stomach into the bloodstream and make you feel full longer. Dried fruits are also high in iron and fibre.

1. Two handfuls of raw vegetables

Dip carrots, celery, pepper, mushrooms or courgettes in one tablespoon of reduced fat hummus or salsa. Veggies are a healthy treat because they are high in antioxidants, the naturally occurring compounds that help protect the body from disease.

1. A handful of nuts

Packed with protein and minerals like selenium, zinc and magnesium, nuts provide essential nutrients that women tend to skimp on in their diets. They also contain antioxidants, vitamin E and are low in carbohydrates. Just remember to limit your portion to a handful.

1. Pumpkin or sunflower seeds

Just a handful of these provides essential omega three fatty acids that help maintain healthy cells and skin as well brain functionality.

1. 150g pot of low fat yogurt or rice pudding

Both of these are rich in calcium and help build strong bones.

1. Two rice cakes topped with cottage cheese

A low-fat option packed with calcium.

1. A cup of low-fat hearty vegetable, lentil or pumpkin flavoured soup

Very hot or cold fluids are digested more slowly than lukewarm ones so you won't need to eat for a few hours. The vegetables provide antioxidant benefits.

1. A bowl of whole grain cereal, porridge, shredded wheat or muesli

These low-fat snacks are packed with fibre and minerals, which may be responsible for reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.

1. A matchbox-size portion of half-fat cheddar, Camembert, Edam or Jahrlberg

Cheese is an excellent source of calcium as well as a range of vitamins including A, D and the mineral zinc.

10. Half a bagel topped with a tablespoon of peanut butter Bagels are low-fat and high in carbohydrates which means you'll get an instant energy boost. And peanut butter is high in healthy unsaturated fats and contains iron, zinc, magnesium, iron, potassium and Vitamin E.

...actually some of those sound quite nice, I'll have to keep them in mind myself!

(my problem is I'd probably eat the whole suggested list in less than 3 hours...)