Overeaters Anonymous/Food Addicts Anonymous

[Heimlich1]

I am at the end of my "rope" here. I want to be healthy and beautiful and not be so fat anymore. I want my next trip to Disney to be one where I can be the one to run ahead and get the Fastpasses! I want to get in shape. But, I know from experience and many failed diets that I need to get my head on straight before I can do this.

I want to lose 70 pounds. I really need a healthy plan. I've tried Weight Watchers, I've tried Atkins, I've tried counting calories. It just seems like when I get a taste of carbs, it is hard to stop, but I am hypoglycemic so diets like Atkins make me shaky and dizzy.

My dream is to have a healthy relationship with food, where I am not on and off diets all the time and where I can enjoy a meal and not obsess over food each day. I want to enjoy social occasions without eating a salad and stopping for a milkshake on the way home, I want to have a normal life and be a healthy weight.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these programs? I have researched both, but they are nebulous and vague about the exact terms of their plans online. I do know that Food Addicts requires complete abstainence from ALL wheat, flour, sugar and artificial sweeteners. No diet coke or whole wheat bread even? I don't know if I can do that, esp. being hypoglycemic. But if that is what it takes, I can try. I just wonder if that will set my mind up for the "diet" and then lead me to a binge later on.

I really would love to know more info from former overeaters/compulsive eaters/food addicts/emotional eaters who can give me real world advice. We are a different breed than someone who needs to drop 10 pounds or tone up and I have finally hit rock bottom and I am ready to come out. I don't ever want to be a higher weight than I am right this minute!

If anyone can steer me to a good direction, I'd appreciate it. I wish I could afford a nutritionist, but my insurance won't pay for it.

Thanks again. It feels good just to know I am committed to trying, but I wish I knew exactly what to do next!

 

[MK2thcleaner]

I don't have any advice, because Lord knows I'm NO ONE to give advice on weight loss. But I offer

Good luck to you!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I am at the end of my "rope" here. I want to be healthy and beautiful and not be so fat anymore. I want my next trip to Disney to be one where I can be the one to run ahead and get the Fastpasses! I want to get in shape. But, I know from experience and many failed diets that I need to get my head on straight before I can do this.

I want to lose 70 pounds. I really need a healthy plan. I've tried Weight Watchers, I've tried Atkins, I've tried counting calories. It just seems like when I get a taste of carbs, it is hard to stop, but I am hypoglycemic so diets like Atkins make me shaky and dizzy.

My dream is to have a healthy relationship with food, where I am not on and off diets all the time and where I can enjoy a meal and not obsess over food each day. I want to enjoy social occasions without eating a salad and stopping for a milkshake on the way home, I want to have a normal life and be a healthy weight.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these programs? I have researched both, but they are nebulous and vague about the exact terms of their plans online. I do know that Food Addicts requires complete abstainence from ALL wheat, flour, sugar and artificial sweeteners. No diet coke or whole wheat bread even? I don't know if I can do that, esp. being hypoglycemic. But if that is what it takes, I can try. I just wonder if that will set my mind up for the "diet" and then lead me to a binge later on.

I really would love to know more info from former overeaters/compulsive eaters/food addicts/emotional eaters who can give me real world advice. We are a different breed than someone who needs to drop 10 pounds or tone up and I have finally hit rock bottom and I am ready to come out. I don't ever want to be a higher weight than I am right this minute!

If anyone can steer me to a good direction, I'd appreciate it. I wish I could afford a nutritionist, but my insurance won't pay for it.

Thanks again. It feels good just to know I am committed to trying, but I wish I knew exactly what to do next!

Will your insurance pay for a therapist? It may help to find out the root cause for the overeating.

I think the hardest time is the first week while you make the switch to healthier food, but if you can stick it out for the first few days it will get easier.

Do you drink soda (even diet)? You will feel better and drop a decent amount of weight by just cutting out soda.

Best of luck.

 

[arminnie]

I've been there. I spent years waking up every morning saying I was going to diet. I tried EVERYTHING - well not bulemia, but every diet plan.

I truly believe that you need to deal with the psychological problems about overeating. I went to therapy with a psychologist who specialized in eating disorders. I grew up in extreme poverty and emotionally was so afraid I was going to be hungry again or would not have something special to eat. But everybody's issues are different - but being overweight is probably 90% psychological.

I lost my weight (about 70+ pounds) about 15 years ago. Sure I could lose another 20 pounds, but I am in my 60s so who really cares. I am so much happier and really can eat anything. I used to deprive myself of so much. I've learned to eat only when I am hungry and not to eat when I am full. Nothing is off limits.

If I want a candy bar I eat one. But now that I have given myself permission to eat anything I no longer have this craving for "special treats". I went to a birthday dinner tonight I had a big plate at the salad bar, a few bites of my steak, and one bite of the birthday cake. I brought all the rest home - I'll eat it when I want it - if not I have no problem just throwing it away.

I used to go to a bakery before work and buy two large danish - I was afraid one would not be enough. Now I would probably only eat half of one no matter how many I had.

I think insurance is supposed to pay equally for mental health issues now, but am not sure. I personally would not do any program that excludes any food category. But my issues dealt with deprivation so saying I could never eat a piece of candy again just set me up for failure.

 

[Heimlich1]

Thank you for the Monica

Chloe- my insurance will pay for 1/2 of therapy but I don't know how I feel about that yet, I'll have to think about it. I don't really have any deep seated traumas. I think I have always used food as my outlet for anger and sadness, etc. I am known as a very "nice girl" and in many things in my life I've "finished last". I have the type of personality that I put others first and I don't like having anyone not like me or feel upset with me.

I have a good job, I'm happily married, etc. but I think I've trained myself whenever I'm frustrated with work, things breaking in the house, worried I said the wrong thing to a family member, etc. etc. I just head to the kitchen. I can stick to a diet for awhile, but as soon as I cheat, a slice of birthday cake, a slice of pizza, etc. it is like that first drink, I'm hooked.

Minnie- thank you so much, If you have any info on the plan you follow, I would love it. I wish I could pin point something. I think it is just always feeling like I was feeling bad about myself or anything, food would make me feel better.

 

[mamacatnv]

I don't know much about Over Eaters Anym. but I can see from your posts that you are defensive and reluctant to face whatever issues it is you have. While that sounds harsh, its not meant to be, it is a reality. Only you made you fat and only you can make you thin. You can choose any number of methods but until you get it into your head that you want this it won't happen. Asking advice and for tips is great but if your first response is "oh thats not me" to everything or you have an excuse as to why its not for you then your head is not in the right place.

I have lost 100#'s this past year. I love food, the taste, the texture the satisfied feeling etc. I had to learn that I can eat whatever I want and be fat OR be choosy about what I eat and be thin.
I can't have it both ways, I must make a choice.
I made my choice.

I am stealing this quote from the food plan program website I hang out on:
Being fat is hard. Losing weight is hard. Choose your hard.

 

[Heimlich1]

Wow Mama Cat. I don't know what to say. I've thought really carefully about this. Both of my parents are obese, I have chefs in my family and I was raised that food is love. I was very well loved I guess lol.

I am not reluctant to face my issues, my issue is that I eat to make myself feel good when I feel guilty, sad, etc. I don't have any big huge trauma. I am finally ready to get healthy and put the work in. I totally agree with you, losing weight is hard, being fat is hard and I've chose, I don't want to be fat anymore, I even went to the gym after posting my first OP. I don't have to have some big deep trauma to have gotten to this point, though. There's nothing I am not facing. I am not rejecting "everything" just saying that I had never considered therapy for my problems not sticking to a diet as I am not depressed, anxious, socially maladjusted, etc. I don't have any childhood trauma. I wouldn't know what to talk about! Can you go to therapy to talk about going through the drive thru when you shouldn't? I guess it never occurred to me. If I had another issue that I felt were affecting me, I would definitely go through it. I went to a counselor a LONG time ago after a bad breakup in college and it was really helpful to get me through, so I have nothing against it, I just don't think it applies to me right now.

I just wanted to see if anyone had tried FA or OE and if the program was successful. The meetings for either are 30-50 mins from my home and before I spend the time driving out there, I wanted to see if anyone had been there, tried it, etc.

Thank goodness I've gotten a few helpful PMs from some great people. (I had to get 10 posts to respond to you guys) but I didn't think I was being defensive (until this post!) My issue is food and I am finally ready to address it.

You must be really proud to have lost the weight. 100 lbs off is a big accomplishment and while I don't need to lose that much, I hope I have an accomplishment like that to be proud of someday soon. I hope you don't think that I am dismissing your advice. I will consider all the points carefully, even the ones that I don't think apply to me offhand. Thanks for responding to me.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Oh, let's see. I spent $250 a month for a year for weight therapy with a really well known Beverly Hills shrink. No luck.

Diets, I've tried them all. I've been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Feh, didn't do a thing for me. Big fancy words, though. Neat.

But, I got really tired of being fat. I HATED having to shop in only two stores and I LOVE LOVE LOVE clothes.

I don't know what the future holds, but I've currently lost 28 pounds so far all on my own. I am counting calories, but at the same time I am not depriving myself. I am careful and try to plan out meals in advance. I'm successful most of the time.

The one change from other diets that I've allowed for myself is that if I have French Fries, it isn't the end of the world and I start fresh at the next meal. I am literally forcing myself to eat 3 meals a day. I take that back. I DID force myself and now it comes naturally.

If I could sell what I found that works for me, I'd be a billionaire. I'd suggest you try BOTH of these programs and find what works for you.

Of course you want to lose weight. Just wanting that seems like it should be enough, but it isn't. There IS a trigger or a trick or a thing that works for just you; it is mostly mental. All you have to do is find it.

It is slow going and I'm not ashamed to tell you how I started. There was a contest at work in my department so I figured six weeks of dieting to win a bit of scratch wouldn't hurt me. When I won, I just decided to keep going.

 

[sasywtch]

I personally can never do the structured or banning type diets. For me, I'm doomed to fail because if you tell me I can't have it, I dwell on it until I eat 10 times more of it than I would ever have eaten had it not been banned.

I like what doctors have been saying for 50 years, cut back on the portions, watch what you eat and add exercise. I'm a calorie counter.

I put jelly on english muffins instead of butter. Salsa is good for flavor with little calories. We slowly went from 2% milk to skim. Quit the casseroles and started learning how to bake chicken with spices (no skin)turkey burgers (you can add spices, chopped onion, chopped spinach to the meat before cooking). The plate was 75% veggies, salad, 25% protein. The casserole or meat was no longer the star attraction. I now eat oatmeal with cinnamon and skim milk, no sugar. Good for your collesterol. My favorite dessert was making fat free or lowfat chocolate pudding with skim milk. Cut a thin slice of angel food cake, top with chocolate pudding, fat free coolwhip and sliced strawberries. Not a lot of calories and got my chocolate fix.

Getting on a routine of sit ups and all that good stuff always failed me so I started walking. I walk about 4 miles a day now. I walk on my 15 minute breaks, my hour lunch and 2 miles each on Saturday and Sunday. If you have kids or a husband (or both), make it a family thing to go walking around the neighborhood at 7pm for an hour. Set up a basketball net and play basketball with the kids. Put on some music and dance when you're home alone. Get a bike and start riding around with the kids or the husband.

When you feel like medicating yourself with food, take a walk. Tell yourself you have to do 25 situps first. If you're outside walking, it's harder to get to the refrigerator. You may surprise yourself, I did. I ended up hiking up a mountain to a waterfall where the hike was labeled "hard". I never thought I would ever be able to do that.

Good luck. I ate out of boredom so I had to keep myself busy.

 

[MK2thcleaner]

I don't know much about Over Eaters Anym. but I can see from your posts that you are defensive and reluctant to face whatever issues it is you have. While that sounds harsh, its not meant to be, it is a reality. Only you made you fat and only you can make you thin. You can choose any number of methods but until you get it into your head that you want this it won't happen. Asking advice and for tips is great but if your first response is "oh thats not me" to everything or you have an excuse as to why its not for you then your head is not in the right place.

I have lost 100#'s this past year. I love food, the taste, the texture the satisfied feeling etc. I had to learn that I can eat whatever I want and be fat OR be choosy about what I eat and be thin.
I can't have it both ways, I must make a choice.
I made my choice.

I am stealing this quote from the food plan program website I hang out on:
Being fat is hard. Losing weight is hard. Choose your hard.

I didn't see her as being defensive at all! She opens with realizing there's a problem and admitting her previous failures, isn't that one of the twelve steps? I agree with you, losing weight is hard, for some the hardest thing possible to accomplish, but each person has to realize what they can handle. Realizing that a diet that excludes major food groups is not for me doesn't make me defensive. It makes me realistic. Why set yourself up for failure? Build your framework and work within it.

Is she defensive because she said counseling wasn't necessary? I don't think so. Not everyone has some deep, dark trauma like molestation or starvation that causes their obesity. Some people just like to eat, usually too much too often, and their genetics are such that they tend to be larger. Genetics+overeating-excercise=extra weight.

OP, I think you're in the right frame of mind. It's the beginning. You can do it this time, and make it permanent. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change. It works if you work it!

 

[Darsa]

It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change

This! My weight loss, as well, began as purely psychological. I was trying to save my mother's life; my brother sent me a text message early in mom's illness that said "You're our only hope". That, apparently, is what did it for me. I wish like *H E L L* I had started sooner and had been able to save her, but even now, 5 months after she died, she's helping me. I'm at 72 pounds gone, and 9 to go to reach my goal. I think I'd still have those pounds if I hadn't had the psych boost from trying so hard to help my mom.

I have changed my whole lifestyle and I don't see myself going back. It starts hard, and gets easier; it really does!! I still eat things I like, just not the way I used to, and I exercise A LOT. It makes me feel good, strong and healthy!

 

[DawnM]

I am sorry to be nosy here, but what is it that you needed to do to help your mom that you couldn't do because of your weight?

That is so great that you have lost 70 pounds.

What do you suggest for someone who HATES to exercise? I want to do it, but I hate it.....I haven't been able to do anything that would involve leaving the kids while I go do it, so it has to be done at home or near home with kids.

Dawn

This! My weight loss, as well, began as purely psychological. I was trying to save my mother's life; my brother sent me a text message early in mom's illness that said "You're our only hope". That, apparently, is what did it for me. I wish like *H E L L* I had started sooner and had been able to save her, but even now, 5 months after she died, she's helping me. I'm at 72 pounds gone, and 9 to go to reach my goal. I think I'd still have those pounds if I hadn't had the psych boost from trying so hard to help my mom.

I have changed my whole lifestyle and I don't see myself going back. It starts hard, and gets easier; it really does!! I still eat things I like, just not the way I used to, and I exercise A LOT. It makes me feel good, strong and healthy!

 

[DawnM]

Have you been to this website? TONS of info and support. I need to go back more often. These folks are so great.

3FatChicks dot com

Dawn

 

[Darsa]

I am sorry to be nosy here, but what is it that you needed to do to help your mom that you couldn't do because of your weight?

Not at all My mom had NonAlcoholic Steatohepatitis, which was causing her liver to fail. A whole liver can be grown from a portion of a liver transplanted, and I was the only family member that was a match for mom. But, I was too fat to donate. Sooo, I kinda went into this "desparation" mode where I cleaned myself out and began exercising every single blessed day... it was a crazy four months! I had gotten to the point where the transplant team was to meet with me to discuss the procedure, and my mom started to go downhill VERY fast, until it got to the point where she would be unable to accept only a partial liver, as sick as she was. No whole livers came available in time, and my mom died on March 25th of this year, on my 40th birthday.

That is so great that you have lost 70 pounds.

What do you suggest for someone who HATES to exercise? I want to do it, but I hate it.....I haven't been able to do anything that would involve leaving the kids while I go do it, so it has to be done at home or near home with kids.

It amazes me daily that THAT much weight has come off, I do NOT mind telling you! I actually didn't look like I had that much to lose initially, but I've always weighed a LOT more than I looked, so even now people say "no you don't!" when I tell them my weight, heh.

The only thing I can suggest, honestly, is to try different things until you find something you really like doing, and stick with it. People are going to think I'm crazy, but my favorite thing at this point is the elliptical machine. I can easily burn ~500 calories on that thing in one session, and I pair that with some stretching and toning. I can't believe how much stronger I am than I was just 6 months ago.

The hardest part, I think, is STARTING. And then the KEEPING ON GOING. But it can be done; I'm living proof!

 

[DawnM]

Oh, I am so sorry.

I did have a friend who was a match for a kidney for her uncle and had to lose 25 pounds before she could donate.....so that is one reason I asked.

I have discovered (after spending too much on workout DVDs) that I hate working out to DVDs.....I much prefer the NordicTrack or treadmill (yup, I have both!) and watching Oprah or a show while I do it. I just need to DO IT!

Dawn

Not at all My mom had NonAlcoholic Steatohepatitis, which was causing her liver to fail. A whole liver can be grown from a portion of a liver transplanted, and I was the only family member that was a match for mom. But, I was too fat to donate. Sooo, I kinda went into this "desparation" mode where I cleaned myself out and began exercising every single blessed day... it was a crazy four months! I had gotten to the point where the transplant team was to meet with me to discuss the procedure, and my mom started to go downhill VERY fast, until it got to the point where she would be unable to accept only a partial liver, as sick as she was. No whole livers came available in time, and my mom died on March 25th of this year, on my 40th birthday.




It amazes me daily that THAT much weight has come off, I do NOT mind telling you! I actually didn't look like I had that much to lose initially, but I've always weighed a LOT more than I looked, so even now people say "no you don't!" when I tell them my weight, heh.

The only thing I can suggest, honestly, is to try different things until you find something you really like doing, and stick with it. People are going to think I'm crazy, but my favorite thing at this point is the elliptical machine. I can easily burn ~500 calories on that thing in one session, and I pair that with some stretching and toning. I can't believe how much stronger I am than I was just 6 months ago.

The hardest part, I think, is STARTING. And then the KEEPING ON GOING. But it can be done; I'm living proof!

 

[Michelle and crew]

I've worked with people in the OA program for a long time. They have received a great deal of help dealing with their addictions whatever they are. I also enjoy Geneen Roth's books.

I think the goal is learning what your triggers are and how to deal with them. both of these resources seem to be of benefit. After one of my babies I had gained a ton of weight, due to a funky thyroid. Dealing with that was primary, so you might want to have a thorough physical done. Then it was just a matter of doing what needed to be done. I bought a treadmill because that is the least hideous thing I could think of, and started eating whole grain, natural foods. And food journaled. It worked for me. I don't know if this helps at all!

Good luck with your journey.

 

[lucky978]

To answer your original question:

My mom did OA quite a few years back and had great success with it. Unfortunately she didn't stick with it and gained all her weight back. I remember she could only have a certain amount of carbs..and only in the morning (she would eat yougurt with cheerios mixed in). Lots of salad and meats. No other carbs.

She had a "sponsor" such as AA and she would have to call her sponsor every morning and review what she was going to eat that day, what her plans were, if she was expecting to be in any situations that she felt she would go "off program". She went to a few meetings a week. She said the meetings were religious, they would pray for strength and stuff.

I think the program definately works if you are willing to put the time/effort into it. But I can say that about most programs. I know plenty of people who have reached goal on Weight Watchers. I've joined many times and have yet to stick with it. When you are mentally ready...you will be successful no matter which program you try.

Good luck and remember this will be a journey you will be on forever. I've come to the conclusion that having a weight problem is not something you can fix by losing the weight. You will always have to watch yourself or else you will find yourself right back where you started.

Bes of luck.

 

[DawnM]

I am not sure if this would help, but OA has some online groups.

This one is for the more rigid OA HOW program.....

http://www.therecoverygroup.org/foodplans/index.html

 

[Heimlich1]

Oh, let's see. I spent $250 a month for a year for weight therapy with a really well known Beverly Hills shrink. No luck.

Diets, I've tried them all. I've been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder. Feh, didn't do a thing for me. Big fancy words, though. Neat.

But, I got really tired of being fat. I HATED having to shop in only two stores and I LOVE LOVE LOVE clothes.

I don't know what the future holds, but I've currently lost 28 pounds so far all on my own. I am counting calories, but at the same time I am not depriving myself. I am careful and try to plan out meals in advance. I'm successful most of the time.

The one change from other diets that I've allowed for myself is that if I have French Fries, it isn't the end of the world and I start fresh at the next meal. I am literally forcing myself to eat 3 meals a day. I take that back. I DID force myself and now it comes naturally.

If I could sell what I found that works for me, I'd be a billionaire. I'd suggest you try BOTH of these programs and find what works for you.

Of course you want to lose weight. Just wanting that seems like it should be enough, but it isn't. There IS a trigger or a trick or a thing that works for just you; it is mostly mental. All you have to do is find it.

It is slow going and I'm not ashamed to tell you how I started. There was a contest at work in my department so I figured six weeks of dieting to win a bit of scratch wouldn't hurt me. When I won, I just decided to keep going.

It is awesome how well you've done. That you won the contest is awesome. You hit on one thing that rings true for me. If I have a french fry, it doesn't mean I'm "off" my diet and I might as well have the burger,too! That mentality is important. That it isn't a diet to be on and off but a lifestyle change and whatever I do during the day gets added up accurately and attached to my hips!

I personally can never do the structured or banning type diets. For me, I'm doomed to fail because if you tell me I can't have it, I dwell on it until I eat 10 times more of it than I would ever have eaten had it not been banned.

I like what doctors have been saying for 50 years, cut back on the portions, watch what you eat and add exercise. I'm a calorie counter.

I put jelly on english muffins instead of butter. Salsa is good for flavor with little calories. We slowly went from 2% milk to skim. Quit the casseroles and started learning how to bake chicken with spices (no skin)turkey burgers (you can add spices, chopped onion, chopped spinach to the meat before cooking). The plate was 75% veggies, salad, 25% protein. The casserole or meat was no longer the star attraction. I now eat oatmeal with cinnamon and skim milk, no sugar. Good for your collesterol. My favorite dessert was making fat free or lowfat chocolate pudding with skim milk. Cut a thin slice of angel food cake, top with chocolate pudding, fat free coolwhip and sliced strawberries. Not a lot of calories and got my chocolate fix.

Getting on a routine of sit ups and all that good stuff always failed me so I started walking. I walk about 4 miles a day now. I walk on my 15 minute breaks, my hour lunch and 2 miles each on Saturday and Sunday. If you have kids or a husband (or both), make it a family thing to go walking around the neighborhood at 7pm for an hour. Set up a basketball net and play basketball with the kids. Put on some music and dance when you're home alone. Get a bike and start riding around with the kids or the husband.

When you feel like medicating yourself with food, take a walk. Tell yourself you have to do 25 situps first. If you're outside walking, it's harder to get to the refrigerator. You may surprise yourself, I did. I ended up hiking up a mountain to a waterfall where the hike was labeled "hard". I never thought I would ever be able to do that.

Good luck. I ate out of boredom so I had to keep myself busy.

Wow, that's awesome. There are some good tips here! I definitely need to do that take a walk thing. I often eat out of stress (I work and go to graduate school) and sometimes to even help me stay awake while I'm writing a paper. A cold glass of water might be better for that! I love your idea for dividing the plate. That is definitely helpful. For me, carbs are the star attraction, they are going to have to get demoted!

I didn't see her as being defensive at all! She opens with realizing there's a problem and admitting her previous failures, isn't that one of the twelve steps? I agree with you, losing weight is hard, for some the hardest thing possible to accomplish, but each person has to realize what they can handle. Realizing that a diet that excludes major food groups is not for me doesn't make me defensive. It makes me realistic. Why set yourself up for failure? Build your framework and work within it.

Is she defensive because she said counseling wasn't necessary? I don't think so. Not everyone has some deep, dark trauma like molestation or starvation that causes their obesity. Some people just like to eat, usually too much too often, and their genetics are such that they tend to be larger. Genetics+overeating-excercise=extra weight.

OP, I think you're in the right frame of mind. It's the beginning. You can do it this time, and make it permanent. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change. It works if you work it!

Thank you so much Monica!! I am ready. I don't want to have this as an issue for the rest of my life. While I am *relatively* healthy now, I know I will have health issues later if I keep it up. I just know that I need to do this. Thank you for supporting me.

This! My weight loss, as well, began as purely psychological. I was trying to save my mother's life; my brother sent me a text message early in mom's illness that said "You're our only hope". That, apparently, is what did it for me. I wish like *H E L L* I had started sooner and had been able to save her, but even now, 5 months after she died, she's helping me. I'm at 72 pounds gone, and 9 to go to reach my goal. I think I'd still have those pounds if I hadn't had the psych boost from trying so hard to help my mom.

I have changed my whole lifestyle and I don't see myself going back. It starts hard, and gets easier; it really does!! I still eat things I like, just not the way I used to, and I exercise A LOT. It makes me feel good, strong and healthy!

That is awesome you were able to donate a kidney to save your mom! You are doing so well and I am really thankful your mom is ok. She must be so proud of you!

Have you been to this website? TONS of info and support. I need to go back more often. These folks are so great.

3FatChicks dot com

Dawn

Checking it out. Thank you!!!

I've worked with people in the OA program for a long time. They have received a great deal of help dealing with their addictions whatever they are. I also enjoy Geneen Roth's books.

I think the goal is learning what your triggers are and how to deal with them. both of these resources seem to be of benefit. After one of my babies I had gained a ton of weight, due to a funky thyroid. Dealing with that was primary, so you might want to have a thorough physical done. Then it was just a matter of doing what needed to be done. I bought a treadmill because that is the least hideous thing I could think of, and started eating whole grain, natural foods. And food journaled. It worked for me. I don't know if this helps at all!

Good luck with your journey.

It helps. I started a journal. I also went back to the gym last night (I have a membership) and I am considering what to do next- nutritionist? Weight Watchers? Overeaters Anonymous? Food Addicts Anonymous? I am really serious about making a change but I know I could use some support!

To answer your original question:

My mom did OA quite a few years back and had great success with it. Unfortunately she didn't stick with it and gained all her weight back. I remember she could only have a certain amount of carbs..and only in the morning (she would eat yougurt with cheerios mixed in). Lots of salad and meats. No other carbs.

She had a "sponsor" such as AA and she would have to call her sponsor every morning and review what she was going to eat that day, what her plans were, if she was expecting to be in any situations that she felt she would go "off program". She went to a few meetings a week. She said the meetings were religious, they would pray for strength and stuff.

I think the program definately works if you are willing to put the time/effort into it. But I can say that about most programs. I know plenty of people who have reached goal on Weight Watchers. I've joined many times and have yet to stick with it. When you are mentally ready...you will be successful no matter which program you try.

Good luck and remember this will be a journey you will be on forever. I've come to the conclusion that having a weight problem is not something you can fix by losing the weight. You will always have to watch yourself or else you will find yourself right back where you started.

Bes of luck.

Thanks for sharing your mom's experience. You're right, most plans work as long as you're on them. Thanks for telling me about the carbs in the morning thing.

I am not sure if this would help, but OA has some online groups.

This one is for the more rigid OA HOW program.....

http://www.therecoverygroup.org/foodplans/index.html

Thank you for being so helpful and kind to me. I have lots to check out now!

 

[arminnie]

My sister lost 100 lbs on the UAMS (University of Arkansas Medical School) liquid diet, frozen meal plan. I also call it the Mike Huckabee diet as he went there to lose the 100 lbs that he lost. Makes my sister furious as she is of a different political bent (hope that is not too political to post).

She is struggling to keep it off though. Has probably gained back 20 or more lbs. It's not the diet it's the keeping it off part. As an outsider I can see that she is NOT doing portion control. We go out to eat and she finishes everything on her plate. But I do not give her advice - it is her issue and there is NOTHING worse that someone commenting on what you are eating.

After I lost all the weight in the 90s I had two friends who went on WW. They kept telling me how many points were in everything I ate. It made me crazy. I am doing what works for me. By the way they are both still heavy, but I am not.

I actually use full fat products. It made my cholesterol skyrocket - but only the good part HDL. For my body it is actually better for me to eat more fat. Although I usually just have a little cottage cheese or cheese plus I use real half and half in my coffee. But I probably only have 3-4 cups of coffee a week.

Have you tried Sparkpeople.com. It is a fabulous resource (kind of like a DIS for dietary issues). And it is totally free. The couple who started it and maintain it made a lot of money in some tech venture and just wanted to share with other people.

Sparkpeople is really big. You can get as involved as you want to. The recipes are great. There are all sorts of subgroups even by your geographic location or how much you have to lose. I recommended it to a friend. She went all out and even used the food recorder portion and lost about 60 lbs.

I have to be honest - I actually lost a ton of weight when I had some major sugeries. One was a botched gallbladder issue where I just could barely eat for about 4-5 months. The others were on my esophagus where I could only have liquids for about a month.

That was my jump start for learning to eat less. Sure I lost it by a weird way, but in the olden days I would have gained that back in NO time. In the past decade+ my weight has only varied by about 10-12 pounds.

I exercised all my life - even when very fat. But I've done almost no exercise in the past 10 years because of health issues. I should exercise to prevent other health issues, but it has not affected my weight.

I am not reluctant to face my issues, my issue is that I eat to make myself feel good when I feel guilty, sad, etc. I don't have any big huge trauma. I am finally ready to get healthy and put the work in. I totally agree with you, losing weight is hard, being fat is hard and I've chose, I don't want to be fat anymore, I even went to the gym after posting my first OP. I don't have to have some big deep trauma to have gotten to this point, though. There's nothing I am not facing. I am not rejecting "everything" just saying that I had never considered therapy for my problems not sticking to a diet as I am not depressed, anxious, socially maladjusted, etc. I don't have any childhood trauma. I wouldn't know what to talk about! Can you go to therapy to talk about going through the drive thru when you shouldn't? I guess it never occurred to me. If I had another issue that I felt were affecting me, I would definitely go through it. I went to a counselor a LONG time ago after a bad breakup in college and it was really helpful to get me through, so I have nothing against it, I just don't think it applies to me right now.

Therapy really could help you understand why you eat to make yourself happy. You don't have to have had a major trauma. Or probably more important than why is HOW to stop this trigger.

But maybe you can do this without therapy. Just talking to others (even online like Sparkpeople) may be able to help. But it is not an issue of finding the "right food plan". Again 90% of keeping weight off long-term is psychological. A trained person (psychologist or social worker with training in food issues or even a lay person with good advice) could make this easier.