Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Hi Birgit Is your problem that you actually feel hungry all the time? Have you looked into a possible physiological cause ie hormone or blood sugar related issues? I have at various times had an issue with feeling ridiculously hungry all the time and craving sugary snacks and chocolate. Servings of meals were never big enough and I never felt satisfied. Cravings were " impossible " to ignore or at least they seemed that way. I gave up a 20 year smoking habit 7 years ago so I know how that works! But the eating thing was harder! I'm sure my eating problem was related to a physiological imbalance of some description. It certainly seemed similar in feeling to PMS cravings except not confined to a couple of days a month. I've overcome it now by being much stricter with myself about the sort of foods I buy and eat and that seems to have returned me to a balanced state. Some of it was as simple as just not having snacky food around ie biscuits, choc, if I didn't buy it and it wasn't in the cupboard then I just found something else to eat, piece of fruit, nuts, etc. The less I ate the " bad " foods the less I craved them. I don't feel hungry all the time now and it's not a self control issue anymore. Hope this helps Kate > > Hello everyone, > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how to > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > addiction.... > > OK, here we go. > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am totally > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > plans to try and get a grip on this. > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that will > help. > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think the > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so far). > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I fail. > Almost every time. > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > making everything worse. > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm > full and not obsess over food in between. > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > Thanks, > Birgit > Perth, Australia > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Hi Birgit, Chromium picolinate has been shown to be an effective treatment for atypical depression and food cravings. http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Chromium-picolinate-may- reduce-depression-symptoms http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0006322302015007 Kavy > > Hello everyone, > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how to > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > addiction.... > > OK, here we go. > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am totally > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > plans to try and get a grip on this. > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that will > help. > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think the > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so far). > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I fail. > Almost every time. > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > making everything worse. > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm > full and not obsess over food in between. > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > Thanks, > Birgit > Perth, Australia > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Stress causes carbohydrate craving and fat craving. I have this which came on with my stress condition. I now don't worry about it anymore as I know my body will mend when I get better. I take 600 ug of chromium picolinate a day. Kavy > > > > Hello everyone, > > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how > to > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > > addiction.... > > > > OK, here we go. > > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am > totally > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > > plans to try and get a grip on this. > > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that > will > > help. > > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think > the > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so > far). > > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I > fail. > > Almost every time. > > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > making everything worse. > > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when > I'm > > full and not obsess over food in between. > > > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > Birgit > > Perth, Australia > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Hi Kavy, You have a wealth of information in your brain! Have you noticed an improvement since you've been taking the CP? And what is a "ug"? Here, the unit of measurement is mcg (micrograms). There are some reports of harmful effects (e.g., renal failure) if taken in excess over a long time period, but the research is not definitive and may affect only health-compromised individuals. Perhaps better to try to get most of your CP from foods (as with all vitamins), such as: Bananas Broccoli Green beans Grape juice Beef Potatoes Red wine Whole grains Orange juice Cheese Turkey Black pepper and Thyme I eat a lot of the things on that list nearly every day. Today, I had a banana, broccoli, grape juice, orange juice, whole grains, cheese and turkey. I'm a bit of a health nut (but not a fanatic)! Helena Re: ACT and eating issues Stress causes carbohydrate craving and fat craving. I have this which came on with my stress condition. I now don't worry about it anymore as I know my body will mend when I get better. I take 600 ug of chromium picolinate a day.Kavy> >> > Hello everyone,> > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how > to > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > > addiction....> > > > OK, here we go.> > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this.> > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am > totally > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope.> > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > > plans to try and get a grip on this.> > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that > will > > help.> > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't.> > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think > the > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so > far). > > I actually quit smoking using something similar.> > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I > fail.> > Almost every time.> > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > making everything worse.> > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when > I'm > > full and not obsess over food in between.> > > > Any advice would be really appreciated.> > > > Thanks,> > Birgit > > Perth, Australia> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 I know there has been some studies using ACT with eating disorders, but I don't know if a book has come out specifically for that. I have a food related problem too. I am diabetic and obese. I need to lose weight and control my blood sugar, but I crave bad carbs especially when I get depressed and then I binge. There is a book called the Diabetes Lifestyle Book by Gregg that just came out, Dr. wrote the Forward. Perhaps there is some advice in there you could tailor to your own needs as there is a section on your relationship with food. Most of the advice your getting seems to be physical so let me add to that. A lot of people eat wrong. Ideally you should eat three square meals and 2 or 3 snacks a day even if you aren't that hungry. Eating when you are hungry tends to lead to behaviors designed to satiate a craving. By eating small throughout the day your blood sugar is constant, you don't get intense cravings, and it is hard to binge because you're never that hungry. Despite what some of the old school say I believe eating a lower carb way is better for you too. Of course as with most things with me this is theoretical too. If I could follow my own advice I wouldn't have so many problems. I know how hard it is to put into practice what you know to be right when the bad stuff is so much easier and more fun. Sorry I couldn't be more help with a specific ACT solution I am still new to it. Good luck and keep us apprised. > > Hello everyone, > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how to > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > addiction.... > > OK, here we go. > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am totally > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > plans to try and get a grip on this. > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that will > help. > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think the > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so far). > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I fail. > Almost every time. > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > making everything worse. > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm > full and not obsess over food in between. > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > Thanks, > Birgit > Perth, Australia > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Hi Helena, ug means mcg. There was some bad press about the picolinate part of chromium picolinate but the FSA has now deemed it safe at 10 mg a day, which is well above typical suplement dosage of 200 mcg. I looked around on the internet and found research that stated 1000mcg a day was most efective for depression, but I have no idea if this was used for long periods. It's better to stick to lower amounts. Kavy .. > > > > > > Hello everyone, > > > > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how > > to > > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a > food > > > addiction.... > > > > > > OK, here we go. > > > > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. > I > > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > > > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration > mainly, > > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am > > totally > > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any > problems > > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > > > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and > eating > > > plans to try and get a grip on this. > > > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that > > will > > > help. > > > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that > trying > > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > > > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think > > the > > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so > > far). > > > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > > > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I > > fail. > > > Almost every time. > > > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > > making everything worse. > > > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when > > I'm > > > full and not obsess over food in between. > > > > > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > Birgit > > > Perth, Australia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 thanks everyone > > > > Hello everyone, > > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how to > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > > addiction.... > > > > OK, here we go. > > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am totally > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > > plans to try and get a grip on this. > > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that will > > help. > > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think the > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so far). > > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I fail. > > Almost every time. > > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > making everything worse. > > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm > > full and not obsess over food in between. > > > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > Birgit > > Perth, Australia > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 $0.02: Maybe it would help to spend a little while contemplating your values that have components of eating/lifestyle/self image/health to remember where you're going, and then you have a context for your minute-to-minute battles. If you choose to eat or to not eat, will that take you another step along the path of your value? If you're eating for temporary avoidance, maybe some acceptance and diffusion work would help. Remember from the chessboard level it's all there - whatever you're trying to avoid, the joy of yesterday's sunshine, the urge to eat, the urge to control yourself and not eat, the frustration that your clothes don't fit, the thought that eating will provide future comfort, the feeling of comfort from eating, etc. but eating or trying to control yourself to not eat will not make any of those chess pieces go away. But you can watch the urge to eat go by, you can watch to urge to control your urge go by, you can realize that none of the things that go by actually control you, and you can decide how to act in accordance with your values. Then at a little bit deeper level, acceptance of what you're trying to avoid could mean that you turn to food for comfort less often. You can watch all of the thoughts and emotions tied up with what you're trying to avoid go by, you can watch the thought that you want to avoid it go by, you can watch the thought that food will help go by... and on, and on, and on... and on, and on... and on... From The Little Prince: Why are you drinking? To forget. To forget what? To forget that I am ashamed. What are you ashamed of? Of drinking! > > Hello everyone, > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how to > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > addiction.... > > OK, here we go. > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am totally > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > plans to try and get a grip on this. > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that will > help. > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think the > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so far). > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I fail. > Almost every time. > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > making everything worse. > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm > full and not obsess over food in between. > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > Thanks, > Birgit > Perth, Australia > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 Thankyou, it makes so much sense. I have never quite looked at it that way. I guess I am still stuck at trying to control the urge to eat or not to eat. I think if I practise observing these thoughts and allowing the anxiety that arises from these thoughts just to be there it will make a difference. Thanks for your 2 cents worth > > > > Hello everyone, > > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how to > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a food > > addiction.... > > > > OK, here we go. > > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. I > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration mainly, > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am totally > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any problems > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and eating > > plans to try and get a grip on this. > > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that will > > help. > > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that trying > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think the > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so far). > > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I fail. > > Almost every time. > > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > making everything worse. > > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when I'm > > full and not obsess over food in between. > > > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > Birgit > > Perth, Australia > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 Good luck. I think we all know first-hand that even baby steps are challenging. It makes all of my good-guy chess pieces cheer a little bit to read your appreciation of my post. > > > > > > Hello everyone, > > > > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how > to > > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a > food > > > addiction.... > > > > > > OK, here we go. > > > > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. > I > > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > > > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration > mainly, > > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am > totally > > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any > problems > > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > > > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and > eating > > > plans to try and get a grip on this. > > > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that > will > > > help. > > > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that > trying > > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > > > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think > the > > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so > far). > > > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > > > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I > fail. > > > Almost every time. > > > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > > making everything worse. > > > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when > I'm > > > full and not obsess over food in between. > > > > > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > Birgit > > > Perth, Australia > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thank you for taking the time to reply in such detail. I am at the beginning of learning the ACT principles and methods and must say it is very different from the approaches I have used in the past. I am currently using a workbook called 'The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Depression'. It is such a challenge to watch thoughts go by or difuse them when all my life I have tried to control thoughts and behaviour. It's great to be able to share experiences on this message board. > > > > > > > > Hello everyone, > > > > > > > > Maybe someone else has the same issues or some suggestions on how > > to > > > > use the ACT principles for problems related with... I guess a > > food > > > > addiction.... > > > > > > > > OK, here we go. > > > > > > > > I am struggling with obsessive thoughts over weight and eating. I > > > > have for quite a long time. I guess most women do to some extend. > > I > > > > am not overweight but will be if I keep eating like this. > > > > > > > > I realise all the reasons why I eat, comfort and distration > > mainly, > > > > but I don't seem to be able to stop using food this way. I am > > totally > > > > aware that this is a very ineffective way to deal with any > > problems > > > > but, again, it is the only way I seem to be able to cope. > > > > > > > > I have tried many, many things including lots of dieting and > > eating > > > > plans to try and get a grip on this. > > > > I have been in therapy and have not found anything I can do that > > will > > > > help. > > > > I am trying not to obsess about food and weight, hoping that > > trying > > > > not to contol it will help....but it doesn't. > > > > > > > > In the Happiness Trap is a chapter called 'Urge Surfing'. I think > > the > > > > approach is great and I have tried it (not working so > > far). > > > > I actually quit smoking using something similar. > > > > > > > > Somehow I am rebelling against eating less (no problems with > > > > exercise, I like it), everytime I try and sit with my feelings I > > fail. > > > > Almost every time. > > > > I've put on weight, my clothes don't fit, and this is of course > > > > making everything worse. > > > > I would like nothing more than to eat when I'm hungry, stop when > > I'm > > > > full and not obsess over food in between. > > > > > > > > Any advice would be really appreciated. > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > Birgit > > > > Perth, Australia > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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