I was wondering if anyone could help me with my problem. I am a healthy woman in her mid twenties and for my height I am at a pretty healthy weight. But lately I think I have been gaining weight and I do not want to do this as I like my figure and used to be fat as a child and overcame it by changing my eating habits and exercising well. The thing is, lately I have been craving food almost ALL the time. Before marriage I used to eat healthy meals and if I ever snacked would eat fruits or granola bars etc-healthy foods-you get the picture. Nowadays I crave everything. I tell myself I am no longer dieting but eating healthy as I have dieted for over 5 years and am sick of it. But that has not worked. I wake up in the morning thinking about the tea biscuits to go with my chai. I eagerly get ready for my day and think immediatley of those bisuits. Then I just can’t wait for lunch, i think what will i eat then. If my husband brings cholate I eat it without guilt. I have never before marriage eaten chocolate in such a quantity or eaten it wothout feeling guilty. My husband says everytime he looks at me I am eating. I snack a bit when I study so I made it a point to be in the library for studying so I won’t be sncking. But I eat in front of the t.v., while reading etc. I walk alot so I have not gained that much but maybe a few lbs. Why is food always on my mind? How can I not crave it? I know I have to eat more fiber to feel full but even then..Also, I don’t like my current doctor so I won’t be going to her for help. Also I don’t have time to research this. HELP ME! THANKS! I gotta get back to work now…
Re: Food Addiction
chocolate is meant to be eaten without guilt dammit!
seriously, It is OK to eat without feeling guilty. I dont consider what u have a food addiction. This sometimes happens to people who dieted religiously in the past. They have a hard time developing a healthy relationship with food. sometimes people turn to food when they are depressed but unless you are eating HUGE quantities of food I wouldnt be too concerned.
Re: Food Addiction
hmm, thanks. I know I can eat chocolate once in a while without being guilty but recently I eat it alot, or did. Its been a month since. But yesterday my hubby bought some and I ate it. since then I have not touched it. I don't fit in to my fave dress I bought less than a year ago and I'd like to fit in it so I shall diet a bit. I should use chocolate as a reward. Whad do you think? If I eat healthy for 2 weeks then I can have a whole chocolate bar without being guilty..
Re: Food Addiction
u could eat small pieces of chocolate daily....u can also get chocolate flavored granola which is healthy and tastes good. do u exercise? a good way is to exercise when in front of the TV (during commercial breaks).
Re: Food Addiction
Switch to Dark Chocolate, its the real thing and you won't feel the need to eat so much of it. A small peice a day sort of thing. Green and Black Organic Chocolate is a good place to start.
u could eat small pieces of chocolate daily....u can also get chocolate flavored granola which is healthy and tastes good. do u exercise? a good way is to exercise when in front of the TV (during commercial breaks).
Thanks for all your help everyone! And believe it or not I used to exercise during commercials long time ago. I think I'll try it again. Thanks again all!
Switch to Dark Chocolate, its the real thing and you won't feel the need to eat so much of it. A small peice a day sort of thing. Green and Black Organic Chocolate is a good place to start.
I really don't like dark chocolate but maybe I'll have the granola version which are only 90-100 calories like shweetdreamz suggested. But I won't eat it everyday cuz its expensive and I'll eat fruit the other days.
Re: Food Addiction
all granola is not equal. a lot of granolas are high in fat (healthy fat though).
Re: Food Addiction
^of course I',m not going to pick up just any box of granolas, i'm going to read the label carefully and research it..I'm more into low calorie but that doesn't mean I'll eat high fat stuff. It has to be a healthy balance.
Re: Food Addiction
Thanks for the help so far..looking for more if anyone has any advice..thanks
Re: Food Addiction
Phooljari...... if you're suddenly eating a lot more than before, have you considered that it could also be due to stress? Are there new issues that you are dealing with that are making you worried or anxious? Is your life changing a lot and you're substituting food for comfort? There can be a lot of emotional factors. The fact that you dieted for 5 years can definitely have your mind and body start rebelling against you. Perhaps subconsciously, you're thinking that now that you're married, your dieting days can finally end? Try analyzing more deeply the "why" you're craving food all the time. Do you feel you missed out on so much the past 5 years? If so, try to convince yourself to treat yourself in increments... say like once a week, whatever sweet treats you desire, etc.
Re: Food Addiction
^Thanks syani..Yea, I have been stressed earlier since I was taking 6 classes but now I am just taking one class and working part time. I am not eating as much now as I was say, 2 weeks ago. And I am definitely feeling sick and tired of having dieted for 5 whole years. Around my fourth year I gained back some weight because I was told I was too "skinny" but then lost most of it again. Oh and I NEVER once thought that since I am married I don't have to diet. I am going to stay healthy and at a good bmi all my life, InshAllah. I can't stand it when women think they have won a man and don't need to look good and be healthy afterwards. I guess I shouldn't tell myself I am dieting but rather eating healthier. Today after a long time for a sncak I had fruit pices..yay for me. I hope I can stick it out for a while. I think its a good idea to reward myself for being good but maybe once a week is just too much in my opinion. Maybe every other week? I know once a week I'll have rice which isnt that good for you. But I'll make sure to soak it in water for a couple of hours before cooking to reduce the starch levels.
Re: Food Addiction
I dnt know if this is the best advice, but this is what has helped me...
Ask your husband not to bring home chocolate, and when you do something good, or when are down do not create a habit of rewarding yourself with food. Try to keep your hands busy so that you are not able to eat. I like these to quotes, they have helped me.
"Eat to live, dont live to eat"
"Never give up what you want most, 4 something that you want now"
Re: Food Addiction
PJ786,
Stress can definitely cause you to gain weight because you're turning to food for emotional comfort. And some people even turn to food cuz they're bored. Hmmmm, let's see if we can replace the snacking with other activities. Drink lots of water. Keep yourself hydrated because being full on water prevents you from eating. And often times our brain sends out a signal telling us to drink more water.......and we end up confusing it with hunger and eat something instead of drinking water. Plus, being hydrated can prevent crankiness and it contains ZERO calories.
Eat an apple once or twice a day. They help in losing weight. And since they contain fiber, they prevent hunger pangs and will keep your fuller for a longer time. Don't bring junk food into the house. And when you feel bored....instead of reaching for a snack....exercise. As your watching tv.....take a dumbell and do some arm weight lifting exercises. An alternative to watching tv is going for a jog outside or jumproping or hitting the gym. Exercising increases endorphin levels and that helps to uplift your mood.
Make sure that you take a multivitamin. It has been found that people suffering from depression are often times low in vitamin B-complex. Your B pills are your happy pills. They help to keep your mood stable. And getting sufficient sleep at night can prevent depression and give you the energy to tackle your problems.
Also, you'll find peace and help through praying as well. Best wishes:)
Re: Food Addiction
Thanks RV.. I am on here again to complain..I have been busy with school work and going to work and running errands but I find comfort in food. I don't know why I keep eating. I can't feel that "full" feeling anymore. What is wrong?? But the thing is, I am still a size small thank Allah but sadly not XS anymore as I was a few months ago. Luckily I take the subway and walk everywhere so that helps..What is wrong with me..and fruits cost a fortune here unless I go the desi stores but those are 1 hour away by train *sigh..I will have to figure something out..maybe wake up early and go running? we shall see.
Re: Food Addiction
The food addiction leads to obesity as you have to do a lot of care about your health as obesity leads to various chronic diseases so take your food addiction only to make healthy food and not to eat too much food.