[Rachaelxxx]

I've always been an emotional eater and for the most part of my life I've been overweight to some degree. In 2009 I turned things around, I was watching my diet, I started exercising and I lost 50kgs and was down to a size 10-12 and felt fantastic . I swore I would never ever go back to my bad eating habits . I worked too damn hard to lose that weight and I achieved those results in just under 12 months.

Fast forward to 2013 and I've gained 30kgs of that 50kgs back . I just can't seem to control my food, I never have. My main areas of lack of control are when I'm at home bored, I can just eat and eat and never seem to fill up.

This will be the first year in many years that I'm back to working 5 days a week (my youngest starts school this year). I seem to have my eating under control when I'm working, so I'm hoping it might just sort itself out because as I said my trouble areas are being home along with my youngest.

Why is it that some people have such a healthy relationship with food and others don't. I'm not a lazy person, I'm an attractive girl who has always taken pride in her appearance, but can never seem to get my food under control.

I almost liken it to a drug, some people are addicted to alcohol, some drugs, smoking etc., well my addiction is food and I would really love to overcome this obsession I have.

Has anyone else had issues with food and been able to get on top of it and stay on top of it.

[Sofia*]

I can't say I'm over it but I think that at least I'm a bit more aware now of where my problem lies - with my eating behaviour, not what kind of food I eat or how much but the mental processes that lead me to eat stuff I don't need when I don't need it. And I'm more active that I used to be so that helps a bit (though I know its absolutely food consumption that is my big problem).

Like you, I've lost weight and put some of it back on.... but I'm just trying to stay in control with my eating, and that's easier when I'm busy and have company, harder when things are quiet or I'm on my own (my husband is about to go away for 1 month for work, so this is going to be hard!)

I don't have any easy answers, but I did find this book helpful:
Eating Less by Gillian Riley. She refers to "addictive eating" and tackles the behaviours and mindsets that make us overeat.

Good luck, I hope you can find something that clicks for you.

[Miss Anthropist]

A very good question, OP. I look forward to hearing others' responses.

I have the same problem. I get it under control for a while then go back to my old habits.

I also recommend Gillian Riley's book, as well as a US-based support forum and e-book called "Normal Eating for Normal Weight".

[Holidayromp]

Eat little often. Instead of having three meals a day have six small ones. When I went on my low Gi/diabetic diet I lost a heck of alot of weight because I felt full and I ended up eating more than normal but all the good stuff. I was fuller for longer, felt great, looked great.

My poor eating stems from my childhood of not getting enough food - I won't go into it here but I have posted on another thread to do with snacking and children in this section. As a result I need to physically feel full to stop eating. Treats are to be enjoyed in the here and now.

The low GI/diabetic diet addressed the full issues because of all the good food and regular small meals I felt full and because it was all the good foods I felt much better and coupled with exercise,as DH put it the weight fell off me.

[Brownbear]

Yes, I got my eating under control. The book that turned it around for me was "When women stop hating their bodies" by Jane Hirschmann and Carol Munter. There is also a sequel in the same vein, "Overcoming Overeating".

I followed the steps that they laid out and have never looked back. I read it in about 2006 and haven't been over a size 10 since then (I was 2-3 sizes larger and rapidly expanding before I read it). I don't even think twice about what I eat now.

My best friend who recommended the book to me has had the same experience - she is a size 12 now, and was a 16-18 before, but the main important outcome is that we no longer obsess about eating and food.

[Rachaelxxx]

Brownbear, those books sound really interested, thank you. Some days it just really gets you down. I can wake up in the morning and start the day off with a really healthy breakfast, healthy lunch and then before you know it, it's all downhill from there

[ubermum]

You can control your eating OP. You did it when you lost 50kg.

Get your weight back down into the healthy zone and then throw away your fat clothes. If/when things start getting tight, you will have to be more vigilant with your habits until your clothing is more comfortable again.

I was a fat teen. When I lost weight in my 20's through stress, I decided not to go back. My jeans get tight, I get careful and cut my portions down and up the exercise.

[Vero80]

I hear you!! I am an emotional eater also and am struggling while pregnant not to eat too much.

I lost 30kg 3 years ago and have put 20 back on from stress of going through IVF, Im pregant now but I feel so fat and yukky.

I thinki ull have a read of those books they might help me

I hear you!! I am an emotional eater also and am struggling while pregnant not to eat too much.

I lost 30kg 3 years ago and have put 20 back on from stress of going through IVF, Im pregant now but I feel so fat and yukky.

I thinki ull have a read of those books they might help me

[password123]

Eat little often. Instead of having three meals a day have six small ones. When I went on my low Gi/diabetic diet I lost a heck of alot of weight because I felt full and I ended up eating more than normal but all the good stuff. I was fuller for longer, felt great, looked great.

I'm glad this helped you, but it doesn't work for a lot of people. It can actually increase hunger and overeating for those with these tendencies. It's like constantly teasing yourself with small quantities of food.
There is no scientific basis for the 6 small meals a day helping you to lose weight. When you eat your food does not really matter (despite popular opinion).
What has worked for me in controlling my appetite is working out my daily calorie needs and eating them within a set period e.g. 8hrs. The rest of the time it's water. It's good for your body to know what real hunger is. My appetite has regulated itself and I'm no longer gorging myself.
It is a myth that you will burn your muscle or go into starvation mode if you don't eat every 6-8hrs. It takes at least 48-72hrs. There is a lot more science to it than I could go into now (insulin response, fat oxidation etc). Maybe some paleo girls could provide their spin on this since intermittent fasting can be part of that way of life.

This post has been edited by Mrs_Snorks: 15/01/2013, 12:21 PM

[tamjk]

For me the hand to mouth motion is a coping mechanism. That's what made it so hard for me to break the overeating cycle.

I've found that by swapping food for something healthier and less fattening I still have that coping crutch and I am not gaining the weight. I drink a lot of herbal teas now, the act of preparing the tea helps convince myself that it is still 'food' that I am moving to my mouth without the calories.

As I'm not actively 'dieting', just swapping snacks for tea and upping the exercise the weight isn't dropping off quickly, but it is coming off.