FYI: Reasons for Relapse

[pollyo]

These make sense. Just wanted to share. :)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carole-bennett/dispositions-of-relapse_b_988137.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carole-bennett/4-main-dispostions-of-rel_b_1013361.html

[MoOrLess]

very good articles...thank you for sharing them!

I think once we finally acknowledge that we have an addiction to food - it is only then that we can begin to do the headwork

[brwneyedbeauty]

I have a food addiction. I so agree Mo

[Patrick]

Yes, many of us do have food addictions. However, how many of us actually have deeper issues that lead to food, especially comfort food, being our reassurance. I feel that is one of my reasons for my obesity, and my backslides. Maybe one day we can set up a discussion thread to investigate a little deeper.

[MoOrLess]

I could make a list right now of why I over-eat and/or have an addiction to food, or use food for comfort, etc.

an overweight mother - sexual abuse as a young child - lack of self esteem due to poor parenting styles -- yup those are my reasons....the HEAD work is always the hardest because it involves EMOTIONS vs the using the band as a tool part that is physical

[Patrick]

That is exactly what I mean. That is why this site is so important to so many (and especially me) because on here you get unqualified support on a constant and never ending basis. This site has seriously helped me progress on my issues.

[pollyo]

I acknowledge that I am insane as regards food-compulsive overeating, and that it will never go away. It bugs me, and sometimes makes me sad, and other times I think I can handle it because sometimes I do. I am STILL plagued by it, and continue to eat more than I should/need to, even with the band. I think it must be some relative of OCD-- this anxiety that if it's there I MUST eat it, even if I'm not hungry, even if my pouch is full, etc.

The business in the article about boredom resonated with me. The fatter I got, the less I lived, and the more time I spent in front of the computer zoning out with games and food. I have to fight the impulse to continue doing that. I am back in therapy which helps. I am at a place today where I tearfully grieve how much I have lost-- not just to food and fat, but all the many roads not taken-- and how relatively little time there is left, now that I partially have my head on straight about some things.

The resentment section, too, was familiar. I have spent my life caring for people, voluntarily and involuntarily, personally and professionally, and still hear the siren song of compulsive overeating, sleepwalking to the fridge for what turns out to be minutes of comfort and relief, followed by days and years of discomfort, pain, health problems, shame, and an unlived life.

Getting better, though. Yesterday as I went up and downstairs to do a couple of loads of laundry (non-essentials, like dog beds), I was so happy that I COULD do it, and with no pain.

So here's to all of us: To our guts in fighting a disorder that gets absolutely no respect, has no cachet; to our perseverance; to our community; to everyone's honesty and generosity.

:)

[Serenity55]

Yes, I am addicted to food. Sugar is my drug of choice, and I eat it because it tastes good, but I also eat it because it comforts me when I am bored, depressed, have nothing to replace it--or at least that's the way I feel--get angry with myself because I see myself as a coward, a people-pleaser; the first because I don't confront situations or people when I feel strongly about something, because I'm afraid of anger, the second because I want people to like me. I look at the person I am, and eat because there is nothing else. Food never let me down even though I felt fat and ashamed after I'd eaten those cookies.
Not to mention that my father was an alcoholic, and my therapist once said something about addiction as it relates to families dealing with alcoholism. Oh, and the physical and emotional neglect I went through as a child.
I'm getting better, but I still have much work to do, and some days it's easier than others.

Now, I'll go read the article! :-)

Debbie