People don't take food addiction seriously

Hello

I have a great group of friends that support me and cheer me on.  But on more than one occasion when I talked about regain they all deny that I will ever regain.  I know they are being nice but I said there is always a possibility.  I think people who deny it could happen are not honest with them selves.  I told them if I ever lost my band I would regain.  I can't say no to food.  They all said that I was strong enough and say they all have problems saying no to food too and they do fine.  When I told them it's different with an obese person...they didn't seem to understand.  They seem to think it's as easy as seeing some bad food and saying no...but if it was that easy there would be no fat people.  I am tired of debating this.

We are no different than alcoholics...except they never have to drink again.  We HAVE to face our addiction three or more times a day every day.  How would an alcoholic do with that kind of constant temptation??  Would they so easily brush off an alcoholics concerns for relapse...probably not.  I try to put it into words but lets face it unless you been where we have it's hard to understand....society talks down to us like it's a will power issue or  we're weak.  Again would you say that to alcoholic...probably not.  I do have alcoholics and drug addicts in my family and I have no problems with that (thank god)...but I think what is inherited is the addictive behavior not the substance of addiction.    

I don't know I feel like they minimize my struggle by acting like it's t he same thing they go through too.  I don't think it is...I think my pull to food is strong and something I fight to resist every day.  What would you say to your friends?  I wish there was an article I can point to that explains it all and I can say here read this.  

    

 

Thank you, I have the same problem with my friends and family.  I have tried to repeatedly tell them I am an addict.  Just the same as a drug addict or alcohol addict, my drug or liquor of choice is food.  They think I am joking, so its a foreign concept to them why even though I have lost all this weight, I won't risk it and take even a single bite of sweets or something that is on the no list for bands.  I know I would fall right off the wagon.  I don't trust myself!  Right now it has been so long I don't crave any of the crap, so why pu****  I know one single bite of a chocolate bar or piece of cake and it would all be over. Thank you for posting I am so glad I am not the only one out there that realizes that no matter how much weight we lose, we will always be an addict. 

I understand 100% what you are saying.  I don't think many people understand.  Sounds like your friends are trying their best  to be supportive. 

You are so right! I too argue with people about this. They say it's not an addiction. Really? What would you call it? They say if people can quit smoking or give up alcohol, then obese people can surely give up some food and lose weight. Yes, these people that I argue with are skinny, have been all their lives and have never struggled with their weight. But I do point out the words they use. "People can GIVE UP cigarettes and alocohol." People who struggle with their weight, they can't give up food. We have to eat to live. You don't have to drink a bottle of Jack or a pack of Marbs to live.

Greetings:  You are absolutely right on with what you are saying---and normies don't understand ---other food addicts/compulsive overeaters do.  That is why I still am very active in twelve step groups that deal with food.  I am in other 12 step groups and it is all the same---addiction kills regardless of your drug of choice---with food it is just slower.  One day at a time we walk a path of recovery.  Best wishes for your best life
Harmony

You said it beautifully.  Thanks.  As far as discussing it with anyone in my crowd the subject never comes up.  Of course no one knows I have the band.  I just got nice comments on how good I look since I've lost all my weight.  Naturally thin people will never understand what we go through, never.  It just used to  kill me when people told me they forgot to eat or just weren't hungry when there was all this food in front of them at a party.  It didn't matter if I wasn't hungry, I still ate too much.  Isn't it wonderful what the band can do.  The other day I was out to lunch and couldn't finish my food.  It made me feel so good to just leave it.  Before when I was at a restaurant and used to see all these half empty plates where people just didn't finish, that used to kill me.  I would think how can they not finish their plate.  It was just a good feeling to know that I could do that now. 

 I consider that I am in "remission" from obesity.  I have no doubt that the food monster could gain control and the weight could come back at some point, especially if I lost my band.  I'm totally unfilled right now, and have been surprised that have no problem whatsoever sticking with bandster-size portions and being satisfied (crossing fingers, knocking on wood), and as long as I stay away from carbs (and alcohol), I truly believe that I can maintain or even lose during this two months+ that I'll be unfilled.  But, I still have *some* restriction.  I don't know if I would feel the same without the band, and without the knowledge that this unfill is temporary.  

Here's an interesting article about carb addiction.  I think a lot of us who have battled obesity have serious issues with carbs.  

www.details.com/style-advice/the-body/201103/carbs-caffeine- food-cocaine-addiction

Tami

I try to tell them that "I am wired differently" ---- that left to my own devices, I seek sugar.

I seek it and I eat it to the exclusion of anything healthy.

I am not a person who can eat lunch and have 2 cookies as dessert --- if there are cookies in my environment, they ARE lunch --- my brain nags at me until I have eaten them all.

I know that some people can eat anything in moderation -- and good for them.  I wish them well, but I am not one of them.

Band or no band, I can't eat that stuff ---- once I start, it is so hard to stop.
My life is easier without them.

So far, I have been abstinent from my trigger foods for 23 months.  I pray daily that with my band or without it that I will continue to surrender to this addiction -- DAILY -- and sometimes hourly.