Lora...and other therapist types...I need some strategy help...

I'm pretty good, in general, at identifying my own addictive behavior. But that doesn't mean I'm always so great at making the right decision.

When faced with a situation where I want to eat something compulsively the urge is so great. It feels like it will literally knock me out. My feet seem planted to the floor and the voices in my head are screaming "eat it! eat it!" 

My strategy up to this opint has been avoidance. I just try to stay away from foods that tend to do that. But we all know addiction can be a tricky beyotch and so it happens even with the best of food choices and we also know too much of anything is just too much.

So...I've never quite figured out a good strategy in the midst of that moment. I've figured out how to STOP myself, mid-binge. I've figured out how to avoid binge triggers. But in that moment, when I am faced with the overwhelming desire to eat (even in the absence of hunber and sometimes even when I am full) I just don't know what to do. Sometimes the only thing that has "saved" me was a phone call or the kids calling me or something.

But I know I don't and should not need to be "saved" ...that I have the power. I just need a better strategy because this is happening to me more and more often.

So...um...help!

I was just thinking about this, how I need strategies to help me from taking that first bite. 

I've been pretty successful at work -- when I walk by the cookie/chocolate/cupcakes every time I go to the copier, I have started repeating the phrase, "no, not here, not ever these again" just a few steps before I see the food.  That pile of sweets was a huge part of my learning that I'm addicted to carbs.  One tiny piece of Godiva and the next thing you know I'm at the store buying chocolate bars. 

But in another situation I am having much more difficulty.  Immediately after dinner (usually a lean cuisine or similar), I really want more food.  I'm so stuffed I can't hardly finish the dinner and immediately afterwards I am in the kitchen making popcorn (100 cal pops but still).  I've tried not buying the popcorn but then I'm scrounging for something else, usually higher in calories.  I'm like you, something external has to distract me in order for me to be derailed. 

All suggestions and strategies welcome!

I wish i had a strategy that worked, but i'm just here to comiserate!!!

last night, I had to work till 4, got home by 430, had to be somewhere by 515. So i had a piece of whole grain toast with PB, and packed some cheese and crackers and a banana to have later. THen i stopped by the drugstore, and picked up a protein bar. My thinking was, that i could forgo the crackers and cheese, because now i had the protein bar. NO. It was there, so i ate it. Eff my life!!!!

if there is food, i will eat it. help.

 Embarrassing moment at work.

When I pass cookies and cake, as I pass it, I sort of wag my finger at it, like you would a child who is misbehaving. One day I didn't know a co-worker was behind me and he was like "what are you doing?"

I was at a loss for words for a moment then said, frankly, "Exorcising my demons" and left it at that. He probably didn't get it but oh well!

LOL, I sometimes blurt out (to my close associates only!) "that stuff will kill you."  And yet there are times when I still can't resist! 

 From the book of What Would Paul Do....

Eat it then Run!

Seriously eat what you need to get over your desire and then put the calories to use.

 Yeah...for food addicts "what you need to get over" is the entire thing.

There is no "just having a little bit." And there ain't enough running in the world to get past some of my worst binges. Even post-op I've had some doozies. 

is this a real book, or is it your own made up thing?

 if you would like to finance the project I will be more than happy to make it a real book.

can i send you a dollar?


seriously, tho, it'd make an awesome book.