My name is Alyssa and I'm an overeater...

I'm trying to lose weight. My goal weight is 175 and right now I am at 235
(started out at 245). My struggle with weight has been going on for as long
as I can remember. I think that it really became more difficult as I became
a teen. Since then its been a crazy roller coaster. When I started high
school I probably weighed about 190 or so. I really don't remember. That's
heavy but not bad for me. I am 5' 10" so I carry the weight a little
better. So anyway's, after I started seeing my ex I really started packing
on the pounds. He was a big guy that ate like nobody I knew. Neither of us
were happy at home and we spent a lot of time just driving around or parking
and hanging out in parking lots. Sounds fun huh. We ate a lot of fast
food and junk from convenience store. He happened to work in a convenient
store so I used to go hang out there and eat the entire time. After 4 yrs
of our ridiculous and boring relationship we split. At that point I was
about 230 lbs. My family was extremely dysfunctional and I was staying with
relatives. I was working at a shoe store was which great exercise for me
and kept me busy, I was working full time and single and loving it. I
started losing weight right away. I switched my job to another shoe store
and met some people that I partied with ALOT. I ended up ditching that
lifestyle and moving in with my mom. But not before I met the love of my
life. When I moved in with my mom I weighed 175. Shortly after moving in
with her I gained 15 lbs which was probably not a bad thing because from
partying and living a crazy life I was pretty sickly looking. Soon after
that I got pregnant and in my pregnancy I gained about 35 lbs putting me
from 190 to 225. I thought that I would just lose all the weight and be
happy again. Instead I kept gaining. I thought that nursing would help but
I just ate constantly. Being at home all day all the time didn't help
either. So now my daughter will be 2 in less than a month and I've only
lost 10 lbs since she was born. depressing! I'm trying really hard but I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals. But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And when I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in a
nutshell.

"Alyssa" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to lose weight. My goal weight is 175 and right now I am at
235
(started out at 245). My struggle with weight has been going on for as
long
as I can remember. I think that it really became more difficult as I
became
a teen. Since then its been a crazy roller coaster. When I started high
school I probably weighed about 190 or so. I really don't remember.
That's
heavy but not bad for me. I am 5' 10" so I carry the weight a little
better. So anyway's, after I started seeing my ex I really started
packing
on the pounds. He was a big guy that ate like nobody I knew. Neither of
us
were happy at home and we spent a lot of time just driving around or
parking
and hanging out in parking lots. Sounds fun huh. We ate a lot of fast
food and junk from convenience store. He happened to work in a convenient
store so I used to go hang out there and eat the entire time. After 4 yrs
of our ridiculous and boring relationship we split. At that point I was
about 230 lbs. My family was extremely dysfunctional and I was staying
with
relatives. I was working at a shoe store was which great exercise for me
and kept me busy, I was working full time and single and loving it. I
started losing weight right away. I switched my job to another shoe store
and met some people that I partied with ALOT. I ended up ditching that
lifestyle and moving in with my mom. But not before I met the love of my
life. When I moved in with my mom I weighed 175. Shortly after moving in
with her I gained 15 lbs which was probably not a bad thing because from
partying and living a crazy life I was pretty sickly looking. Soon after
that I got pregnant and in my pregnancy I gained about 35 lbs putting me
from 190 to 225. I thought that I would just lose all the weight and be
happy again. Instead I kept gaining. I thought that nursing would help
but
I just ate constantly. Being at home all day all the time didn't help
either. So now my daughter will be 2 in less than a month and I've only
lost 10 lbs since she was born. depressing! I'm trying really hard but I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part
taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals.
But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And when
I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I
was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in a
nutshell.

Welcome Alyssa. I've never been a binge eater so I don't have any
suggestions from personal experience. Have you taken the time to figure out
what makes you want to binge? Is it boredom, anger, etc? There are some
good websites that might be of help to you. Here is one:
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/binge.htm
The biggest problem I had in the past was the occasional over loading on
cherry cordial ice cream. I broke this habit by not keeping it in the
house. Since you've indicated it's not a particular food item this probably
wouldn't work for you.

Congratulation on the 10lb loss. What have you been doing to lose the
weight? It might be helpful to make small changes instead of trying to
change everything at once. Drink more water, cut out the junk food, start
an exercise program, etc. Concentrate on changing one bad habit at a time.
Small changes might help to prevent the bingeing, too.

Hope to see you posting often. You'll find a lot of support and information
in the group.

Beverly

"Alyssa" wrote in message
...
I'm trying really hard but I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part
taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals.
But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And
when I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow
down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I
was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in
a
nutshell.

There may be emotional issues you need to work through for the reason for
the binging, but there are some things you can do to minimize the damage.
Try to look for patterns. What kinds of events happen around the time you
start binging? Is it when you're at home bored, or upset, or what? If
you can identify the triggers, you might be able to catch yourself in
time. Is there a certain type of food that you eat when you binge? Can
you perhaps keep the foods you might be more likely to binge on out of
your house?

Welcome to the newsgroup Alyssa!
--
jmk in NC

Has anybody ever suggested to you that it isn't just what you
eat it's whether you work it off? With a 2 year old if you
can chase her all over the house that will help. You need
to set her the example anyway of exercising regularly.

Alyssa wrote:

I'm trying to lose weight. My goal weight is 175 and right now I am at 235
(started out at 245). My struggle with weight has been going on for as long
as I can remember. I think that it really became more difficult as I became
a teen. Since then its been a crazy roller coaster. When I started high
school I probably weighed about 190 or so. I really don't remember. That's
heavy but not bad for me. I am 5' 10" so I carry the weight a little
better. So anyway's, after I started seeing my ex I really started packing
on the pounds. He was a big guy that ate like nobody I knew. Neither of us
were happy at home and we spent a lot of time just driving around or parking
and hanging out in parking lots. Sounds fun huh. We ate a lot of fast
food and junk from convenience store. He happened to work in a convenient
store so I used to go hang out there and eat the entire time. After 4 yrs
of our ridiculous and boring relationship we split. At that point I was
about 230 lbs. My family was extremely dysfunctional and I was staying with
relatives. I was working at a shoe store was which great exercise for me
and kept me busy, I was working full time and single and loving it. I
started losing weight right away. I switched my job to another shoe store
and met some people that I partied with ALOT. I ended up ditching that
lifestyle and moving in with my mom. But not before I met the love of my
life. When I moved in with my mom I weighed 175. Shortly after moving in
with her I gained 15 lbs which was probably not a bad thing because from
partying and living a crazy life I was pretty sickly looking. Soon after
that I got pregnant and in my pregnancy I gained about 35 lbs putting me
from 190 to 225. I thought that I would just lose all the weight and be
happy again. Instead I kept gaining. I thought that nursing would help but
I just ate constantly. Being at home all day all the time didn't help
either. So now my daughter will be 2 in less than a month and I've only
lost 10 lbs since she was born. depressing! I'm trying really hard but I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals. But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And when I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in a
nutshell.

Hello Alyssa,

Only you can decide when you really want to attack this thing. The great
news is there are a lot of great people here to listen. You probably need
to ditch any junk food, eat healthy foods in proper portions. Exercise
should be a factor in your weight loss goal. I would recommend Dr. Phil's
book "Ultimate Weight Solution" to help you recognize and make changes in
your eating habits. I really enjoyed his book.

Have a great day,

Paul
300/245/175

"Alyssa" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to lose weight. My goal weight is 175 and right now I am at
235
(started out at 245). My struggle with weight has been going on for as
long
as I can remember. I think that it really became more difficult as I
became
a teen. Since then its been a crazy roller coaster. When I started high
school I probably weighed about 190 or so. I really don't remember.
That's
heavy but not bad for me. I am 5' 10" so I carry the weight a little
better. So anyway's, after I started seeing my ex I really started
packing
on the pounds. He was a big guy that ate like nobody I knew. Neither of
us
were happy at home and we spent a lot of time just driving around or
parking
and hanging out in parking lots. Sounds fun huh. We ate a lot of fast
food and junk from convenience store. He happened to work in a convenient
store so I used to go hang out there and eat the entire time. After 4 yrs
of our ridiculous and boring relationship we split. At that point I was
about 230 lbs. My family was extremely dysfunctional and I was staying
with
relatives. I was working at a shoe store was which great exercise for me
and kept me busy, I was working full time and single and loving it. I
started losing weight right away. I switched my job to another shoe store
and met some people that I partied with ALOT. I ended up ditching that
lifestyle and moving in with my mom. But not before I met the love of my
life. When I moved in with my mom I weighed 175. Shortly after moving in
with her I gained 15 lbs which was probably not a bad thing because from
partying and living a crazy life I was pretty sickly looking. Soon after
that I got pregnant and in my pregnancy I gained about 35 lbs putting me
from 190 to 225. I thought that I would just lose all the weight and be
happy again. Instead I kept gaining. I thought that nursing would help
but
I just ate constantly. Being at home all day all the time didn't help
either. So now my daughter will be 2 in less than a month and I've only
lost 10 lbs since she was born. depressing! I'm trying really hard but I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part
taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals.
But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And when
I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I
was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in a
nutshell.

of course i understand that and i've lost what i have because i have made an
effort to get off my butt. but, that still doesnt change my bad habit of
bingeing.
"Patricia Heil" wrote in message
...

Has anybody ever suggested to you that it isn't just what you
eat it's whether you work it off? With a 2 year old if you
can chase her all over the house that will help. You need
to set her the example anyway of exercising regularly.

Alyssa wrote:

I'm trying to lose weight. My goal weight is 175 and right now I am at
235
(started out at 245). My struggle with weight has been going on for as
long
as I can remember. I think that it really became more difficult as I
became
a teen. Since then its been a crazy roller coaster. When I started
high
school I probably weighed about 190 or so. I really don't remember.
That's
heavy but not bad for me. I am 5' 10" so I carry the weight a little
better. So anyway's, after I started seeing my ex I really started
packing
on the pounds. He was a big guy that ate like nobody I knew. Neither
of us
were happy at home and we spent a lot of time just driving around or
parking
and hanging out in parking lots. Sounds fun huh. We ate a lot of fast
food and junk from convenience store. He happened to work in a
convenient
store so I used to go hang out there and eat the entire time. After 4
yrs
of our ridiculous and boring relationship we split. At that point I was
about 230 lbs. My family was extremely dysfunctional and I was staying
with
relatives. I was working at a shoe store was which great exercise for
me
and kept me busy, I was working full time and single and loving it. I
started losing weight right away. I switched my job to another shoe
store
and met some people that I partied with ALOT. I ended up ditching that
lifestyle and moving in with my mom. But not before I met the love of
my
life. When I moved in with my mom I weighed 175. Shortly after moving
in
with her I gained 15 lbs which was probably not a bad thing because from
partying and living a crazy life I was pretty sickly looking. Soon
after
that I got pregnant and in my pregnancy I gained about 35 lbs putting me
from 190 to 225. I thought that I would just lose all the weight and be
happy again. Instead I kept gaining. I thought that nursing would help
but
I just ate constantly. Being at home all day all the time didn't help
either. So now my daughter will be 2 in less than a month and I've
only
lost 10 lbs since she was born. depressing! I'm trying really hard but
I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part
taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals.
But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And
when I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow
down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I
was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in
a
nutshell.

Alyssa, welcome to asd which can be a very helpful and supportive
place.
I've been struggling with a binge eating problem for around 40 years
and I'm not going to suggest any magic cures. I haven't resolved it
for myself yet!
Although exercise is very important for a healthy life, IMO it is just
ridiculous for anyone to suggest that chasing your child round the
house will counteract the effects of the calories that can be taken in
during a binge.
I have had many long binge-free periods when the motivation just seems
to flow, and I can stick to around 1500 calories a day for months at a
time and lose serious amounts of weight but always the behaviour is
there lurking in the background and I know am never really cured.
I hope you stick around here and you'll find lots of support and
helpful ideas.
janice


On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 01:20:04 GMT, "Alyssa"
wrote:

of course i understand that and i've lost what i have because i have made an
effort to get off my butt. but, that still doesnt change my bad habit of
bingeing.
"Patricia Heil" wrote in message
...

Has anybody ever suggested to you that it isn't just what you
eat it's whether you work it off? With a 2 year old if you
can chase her all over the house that will help. You need
to set her the example anyway of exercising regularly.

*top posted for length*

I used to (and to a point still do) binge on junk. I just get it in my mind
sometimes to do it and then when I'm done I end up feeling physically awful.
You'd think I'd learn. I don't. Here's what I can tell you though. The
binges get smaller with time. I can't eat as much as I have in the past.
The longer you stay away from something, the harder it is to go back to it.
For me, weight loss is a huge process and it's going to take awhile to get
back into a "normal" state of mind.

Btw, I'm 29, 260lbs and I've been seriously working on my weight for about
2yrs now. I managed to lose 40lbs and gained 20 of it back and I'm trying
to lose more.

"Alyssa" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to lose weight. My goal weight is 175 and right now I am at
235
(started out at 245). My struggle with weight has been going on for as
long
as I can remember. I think that it really became more difficult as I
became
a teen. Since then its been a crazy roller coaster. When I started high
school I probably weighed about 190 or so. I really don't remember.
That's
heavy but not bad for me. I am 5' 10" so I carry the weight a little
better. So anyway's, after I started seeing my ex I really started
packing
on the pounds. He was a big guy that ate like nobody I knew. Neither of
us
were happy at home and we spent a lot of time just driving around or
parking
and hanging out in parking lots. Sounds fun huh. We ate a lot of fast
food and junk from convenience store. He happened to work in a convenient
store so I used to go hang out there and eat the entire time. After 4 yrs
of our ridiculous and boring relationship we split. At that point I was
about 230 lbs. My family was extremely dysfunctional and I was staying
with
relatives. I was working at a shoe store was which great exercise for me
and kept me busy, I was working full time and single and loving it. I
started losing weight right away. I switched my job to another shoe store
and met some people that I partied with ALOT. I ended up ditching that
lifestyle and moving in with my mom. But not before I met the love of my
life. When I moved in with my mom I weighed 175. Shortly after moving in
with her I gained 15 lbs which was probably not a bad thing because from
partying and living a crazy life I was pretty sickly looking. Soon after
that I got pregnant and in my pregnancy I gained about 35 lbs putting me
from 190 to 225. I thought that I would just lose all the weight and be
happy again. Instead I kept gaining. I thought that nursing would help
but
I just ate constantly. Being at home all day all the time didn't help
either. So now my daughter will be 2 in less than a month and I've only
lost 10 lbs since she was born. depressing! I'm trying really hard but I
am a compulsive over eater/binger. I think I got the overeating part
taken
care of, I'm really good about proportions and spreading out my meals.
But
occasionally I break and have a binge, and feel like **** after. And when
I
binge, I eat stuff I don't even really like, its not like I just chow down
on stuff I love, I will stuff anything I see in my mouth. I have always
been this way, even when I had lost all the weight before. Ever since I
was
a kid I remember doing this. I need to break this habit! If anybody
happens to read this that also has this problem, please reply and let me
know how you deal with this problem. Anyway's that's my big problem in a
nutshell.

The only remedy for binge eating is to stop! Leave the room, the
house, the restaurant but buy some time to think before the next
mouthful.

Binging is a neurotic, compulsive self punishing behavior that sets up
a vicious cycle of guilt and self punishment.

In article , janice
wrote:

Alyssa, welcome to asd which can be a very helpful and supportive
place.
I've been struggling with a binge eating problem for around 40 years
and I'm not going to suggest any magic cures. I haven't resolved it
for myself yet!
Although exercise is very important for a healthy life, IMO it is just
ridiculous for anyone to suggest that chasing your child round the
house will counteract the effects of the calories that can be taken in
during a binge.
I have had many long binge-free periods when the motivation just seems
to flow, and I can stick to around 1500 calories a day for months at a
time and lose serious amounts of weight but always the behaviour is
there lurking in the background and I know am never really cured.
I hope you stick around here and you'll find lots of support and
helpful ideas.
janice


On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 01:20:04 GMT, "Alyssa"
wrote:

of course i understand that and i've lost what i have because i have made an
effort to get off my butt. but, that still doesnt change my bad habit of
bingeing.
"Patricia Heil" wrote in message
...

Has anybody ever suggested to you that it isn't just what you
eat it's whether you work it off? With a 2 year old if you
can chase her all over the house that will help. You need
to set her the example anyway of exercising regularly.


--
Diva
********
Completing 4 years of maintenance