Hi everyone,

I confess with shame that I only lasted 4 days...

I really felt ready for this and thought I could do it. I'm not giving up, I will get straight back on the bike. Just so disappointed in myself.

I actually had my blood test and got my diet in June of last year and couldn't go a few days without deviating - BADLY. I phoned up the clinic and told the lady that I felt like I was addicted to food, that I just couldn't help myself. She didn't know what to say so advised me to see a psychologist, which I did.

To my surprise but absolute joy, I was informed that there is an eating disorder called Compulsive Overeating and Binge eating disorder and she strongly felt that I was suffering from this. (Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link but Google it to find out more). I'm still in therapy but have managed to stop the compulsive and binge eating. Only the occasional bout which obviously happened today. I know what has caused all this and am learning how to deal with the cause, since it's not something I can simply get rid of.

I have tried many times to go on a diet since learning of this, but have failed miserably everytime! My psychologist reckons I shouldn't diet because the thought of restricting does tend to trigger a binge. The idea is that once I can positively deal with the cause, I won't eat as much and will lose weight naturally. Well I can't wait that long!!!

So I'm not going to give up. After looking at the before & after thread I am so not giving up!! I am going away for the weekend so will probably get back in the saddle next week.

Thanks to all of you who posted photos of themselves on that thread - you are all inspirations!

Ruby
xxx

Rubyrose

I agree that food can and is an addiction for many people, and part of the problem of weight-management for many people.

I would put myself in the food addict class prior to this diet, however maybe not to the point you have found it affecting you.

But I'd observed myself and my habits over time, particularly taking into account hormones/time of month etc, and come to the conclusion that I do have some addiction problems, particularly with some kinds of food - sweet stuff and especially chocolate.

Whatever you do, don't despair. Like any other addiction, it can be dealt with, and whilst it's definitely not easy, and not conquered overnight, it can be managed.

I think you are wise in seeking therapy and help to work out what will help you. In the meantime, just do the best you can. Sometimes the best you can do is work out what to do if you ARE tempted to binge and find yourself giving in.

Obviously I can't give too much "advice" because everyone is different. For me, some things that helped were (a) getting rid of everything in the house that could possibly be a temptation to binge, even if it meant throwing out "good food", (b) not going out very much at all the first few weeks of the diet, (c) only shopping in the company of someone else, or asking my husband to buy things for me so I wouldn't have to deal with the supermarket shelves, (d) not accepting invitations to special things, or if I did, making my own food ahead of time and taking it. But seriously, better to say "no" for a month however rude.

For me, the whole thing did become more manageable once I'd managed to stay on the diet for 3 to 4 weeks. The mental problem is one thing, but the added physical cravings are what do us in. I know I have to be extremely careful one week out of four - last week of every month. Not only do the physical cravings often return with varying intensity (like, this month pretty bad for some reason!), my mood is usually pretty down for a few days prior to EOM and I constantly doubt my ability to continue/crave comfort.

Whatever happens, I usually find once EOM comes, I get a week or so to get back on track. I feel much better, physical cravings disappear completely, and it's the best time to sort my head out. Then it's just a matter of trying to keep on track until the cycle repeats itself.

The bad news is that if we don't stick to long-term healthy options, the cravings return just as bad - which mine did the previous time I did this. I thought I would be "cured", but unfortunately we have to treat ourselves like alcoholics and avoid danger situations and temptations for life.

If we DO give in, then we just have to realise that we are dealing with it as best as we can, jump back on plan and try and continue on. We'll be far better off and happier than if we just give up altogether and see the weight keep piling on.

Good luck - your decision to just keep on doing what you can is the best one for you, and hope you find that as time progresses, you do find it becoming more manageable.