Chris Needs Our Help

BUT I did just do it!!! and I failed again!! I always fail!!  That's why I'm so sick of fighting! I just want to be done with this! I don't ever, ever, ever want to have to worry about what I eat.  I wonder if cancer patients feel like this?  I bet they do..  having a disease that isn't curable and all..that's what we have.   All of this venting is definitely helping. :)  I try to vent to my wife but she just gets tired of hearing me complain and tells me off.  I suspect she gets that way because she wants to help me but doesn't know how so it ends up frustrating her even more.  I know I just need to quit sulking and hanging out at my own pity party.. Hard to pull yourself out of it..especially when you just keep piling the food in. At least I have a little whim of desire building up in my now.  Starting to feel a little more hopeful. :)  Thanks!

Chris -  I dont know you well so please forgive me if I am jumping in unwanted.... but I do know the self loathing that comes with a binge...   Have you tried, really really tried affirmations?  Writing my own at first was impossible.  I was so low at one point in my life that I was literally unable to write the words "I am a decent human being" on a piece of paper for myself. But I swear to you, if you can read affirmations out loud 10 times a day you WILL start to believe yourself.  You may know all of this already, and I am sorry if I am preaching, but I really do believe in the power to change our thinking... try hanging them all over the house (over the toilet, the sink, in the fridge....) when you see them stop and read them out loud and then continue what you were doing... yes even at the fridge if you need to , eventually you wont need to. 2 or 3 lines is enough, the same ones every time. Could be something like -  Chris is a good and kind man who is worthy of goodness and kindness in his life. Chris takes good care of himself so that he can take care of the ones he loves. Chris respects himself and others respect him as a result. again - if I have stepped out of place I apologise, but this tool has held so much power for me I wanted to share it with you.

No not out of line at all.  I appreciate your positivity!  Actually I do believe in daily affirmations.  I believe we all have the power to change the things around us. Whether we do that ourselves or some higher being intervenes I'm not sure.  After all... it is a law right? The law of attractin. :) I've used affirmations in the past to obtain success in other areas of my life.  However, for some reason, I don't seem to believe that I can conquer this disease. At least not on my own.  Not yet anyway..but each day is another lesson learned.  I can't say I've made a complete turn around since I posted that message but I can say that at least do make it a point each day to tell myself I am going to do this and that I wil suceed...even if I don't believe it.. like you said.  eventually.. i will.  The notes around the house are a great idea.  I did something similar when i quit smoking. It indeed does work. Anyways.. I want to talk the time to thank all of you for your words of encouragement, instruction and honesty.  I'm sure you all know how it feels to have the support of this board. It really is a blessing.  I'm not so down anymore.. Things are looking up and it's because of you all that I'm climbing out of this rut. Got a lot of work to do yet but I'll get there.  Thank you all for being there!

Vast impassible desert? At 299 pounds? Try mine, at 368. Or Bert's at over 425... You don't have to cross the whole desert in a day, you know. Start by passing dessert instead. Make smaller goals.

Nevermind i found the post!

Where the hell is this post?

Found it.

Chris needs to join Overeaters Anonymous.  It's a spiritually based program, and it has built in support and a Higher Power to help him once he starts working the program.  I did not get control of my overeating right away, but once I had worked their 12-step program for a while, the control did come.  I have 147 days of abstinence, and I've lost 17 pounds so far.  If I can do it, so can he.  He needs to have faith that God (or whatever he calls his Higher Power) will actually remove the food obsession, so he will have control over his eating again.  HE DOES NOT HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE! Denise Phares

Hey Denise!   My higher power and I are at odds with each other. To make a long story short I'm questioning my fundamental beliefs and the mere existence of God... or at least the existence of God as I knew Him. I believe I may need a 12-step program to get back in touch with God before I can do the OA 12 steps!  I am making progress in that area though. I had joined tops which was a big help but I've stopped going there too.  I have an issue with commitment it seems.  Not so much committing to a one time thing but long term commitments that require me to do something on a weekly basis.  Going to work everyday doesn't bother me though.. Go figure.    Nonetheless, thank you for your input. I "know" you are right but perhaps I'm afraid to admit I need this type of help.?

Chris -- I have a very short attention span too.  I have to fight against when it comes to staying commited to something that I know I must do.