susanparks04

New to this group

Posted on 08/07/08, 10:47 am

Hi - I just happened across this group and want to join because I know I'm a food addict and want to try to learn more about myself and the reasons why food is my drug of choice. I'm 38 years old and have been fat my whole life. Just recently I saw a documentary on 3 people who are over 300 pounds and who can't stop eating large amounts of food on a daily basis. I am the type who doesn't eat a lot throughout the day but will binge at night after a long day's work. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about one year ago and have been successful in managing my blood sugar with metformin twice a day, and with diet and exercise I have lost around 40 pounds. I've recently realized that I start looking forward to going home and either making or ordering dinner. It actually makes me feel good to think about what I'm going to eat when I get home. Food is a big part of my life. I can easily equate it to drugs or alcohol and how I need a fix every day.

• Reply #1 09/01/08  8:34am
  
  benang
  Hi Susan and welcome. Good on you for taking steps to becoming healthy and I pray that you keep going and find the support that you need here. You mention that you want to learn more about yourself and the reasons why food is your drug of choice? I wanted to do the same thing and spent years focusing on finding out why because I thought if I knew why then that realisation would somehow trigger some miraculous behaviour change in me. It didn't. Quite often turning to 'drugs' is to self-medicate against past trauma, hurts, abuse etc. Knowing why was not enough for me to change - I had to take another couple of years (with therapy) to take the steps to release the pain, forgive those I needed to and stop using my past as an excuse. I also had to accept the fact that I was afraid of changing because I didn't know who i would be if I was thin. I don't know if this makes any sense to you or if you relate to this - I just wanted to share my experience. I have finally accepted the past for what it was - experiences that shaped my character instead of beating me. I am now able to move on and be excited about who I can be as a healthy person and how I can contribute to the world now that I am no longer as self-focused and down on myself as I was.
  
  This site is great for support and to be able to vent the ups and downs of the struggle. Keep moving forward and don't give up. Also make sure you have a friend or therapist that you can see 'in the flesh' for regular support.
  
  Regards
• Reply #2 02/09/09  2:25pm
  
  EllieK
  Hi! Welcome! I'm new to this group too. I laughed when I noticed it because I can totally relate. I am ADDICTED to food! Lately things have been getting a little better though=)
• Reply #3 03/10/09  9:48pm
  
  Tor
  WOW, the whole time I read I was thinking "that's me". I'm also new to the group, total fluke that I found it. Don't know what I will get out of being here, but it probably can't hurt.

I'm a food addict and hope to better understand and learn to better live within my situation through discussion with others.