I have the same problem. I have tried changing my eating habits so many times, but I know that it is my response to stress (emotional, financial, whatever) that makes me eat everything in sight- the only requirement being that the food is unhealthy and full of calories.

I hope that we can find some way to change our "minds" about food and maybe find some other way to comfort ourselves.

I'm around if you ever need to "chat". Good luck.

I always think of food. It's not like I can live without it. I have to deal with it. My relationship with food is unhealthy. Sometimes I feel like I am the only one. All I do is eat, thnking a planning my next meal. It's a horrible cycle. I know that we are not alone. YOU are not alone. Contact me anytime.

I am in the same boat with you and there are many other people on board. This is very common. I too have joined a weight loss program and I am also going to counseling in search of the reasons I turn to food in times of stress, sadness, boredom, etc. It is a long process but one of the best places to start is figuring out what other things besides food yield the same results and/or rewards. Hang in there and realize this is a process and will take time. Be patient with youself and acknowlede all the times you don't overeat or binge or whatever. Focusing on the success you have will help you feel more capable and help you realize you are the one in control!!! Good luck...I am still learning and have a tummy ache as proof!!

i have been in this boat and gone through counseling for it. i unfortunately coupled it with purging in ease the shame, but it sunk me into a sad place that i wasnt aware even existed. i have barely binged and purged lately, however, and a has a great deal on simply taking my focus off food and learning that this addiction is something that i will infact have to manage regularly for a long time. i would rather keep tabs on it and have it under control then be a slave of it. i recomend you watch this show on a and e called intervention. its on sunday at 10 pm and tonight they had an over eater on there. it shows that you are definitly not alone and that help is out there is you feel it's neccessary. good luck to everyone with this problem. one more thing-- i think that most people, especially americans, have some form of food addiction-- think of thanksgiving or buffets; people are constantly eating just because, they just dont think about it the same way.

In the same boat? I built the boat I think! I overeat everything I eat. I can't have a piece of candy, I have to have the whole bag. My issues are strictly mental driven. Stress=a piece of food for me. That is how my mind is currently programed. I just found this awesome site yesterday and I've been digging around and I'm hoping to find something here to get my ship turned around and make a positive change in my eating habits and lose the weight. I'm 27 years old, 5'11" and I weigh very close to 300 lbs. I'm supposed to weight 175 according to the board of health. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The boat you're in is completely filled with others just like you. Feel free to chat anytime!

Stay Strong - this is hard - but saying it - admitting to it and knowing it is mental/emotional issue is the first step - to helping you understand and recover. And it isn't going to change thenext day. I thought this to be true for me - I felt a void and tried to patch it hoping that it would heal the abuse with food - but healing emotionally takes time. I also think being kind to yourself is a good step - look at yourself - and know it is you for right now - and don't just see the outside weight or appearance - try to look at who you are as a person a parent and a friend - see ALL of you. Recognize - this is you - right now - at this moment - but not for eternity. You CAN make change and step towards who you would like to be. Treat yourself well - stretch your body - get a massage - try to look at it as a valued possession that is too expensive to not polish and maintain. There are many people on this site on board with you - write when you feel weak - it will help to make you stronger. All my positive vibes to you all.

I'm in the same boat...I think about food and weight and how much I hate my body constantly. And it really bothers me that I devote so much time and energy to it. The worst part is when you've been doing really well, and feeling healthy and then, I don't know, you just screw it up again and start eating everything in sight, anything that is unhealthy and fatty and full of calories. And then I feel so bad about myself. Guilty and stupid for letting it happen again. I've just started going to a therapist, so I don't know if that will help. But I have just recently crossed the border from unhealthy to overweight. I'm only 18 and I want to get this under control before it completely takes over my life. So far, I have been able to keep if from most of my friends, they just think I've gained some weight at college. I don't want to become THAT girl. The one with problems. Well, good luck to all of you.

I'm in this boat with you. I have begun to stress eat and am completely out of control. I've had an amazing amount of stress in my life for a year and a half with no repreive...and have just begun remembering sexual abuse from when I was a child. Eating is not a choice for me. Right now I don't have any ability to stop.

I can completely relate. Sometimes i feel like i have no control over food...it seems to run my life. I'm always thinking of what I'm going to eat next, I look forward to going out with my friends just to get to eat again. It's so frustrating.

Me! Me! Me! Iv'e lost 130 lbs, and now I've started to binge eat. I never really binged before, just ate all the time. I panic a bit now and then, b/c I'm not sure why I've gone there, but I'm trying to figure it out. Anything you can say? I'll tell you what I know, too. Best of luck!

I am just like you, but now, my question is How to stop it?? Letting go of food as your best friend, is very hard, I am doing it right now, and I think it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. What keeps me on track is thinking about why I want to change and picturing in my head the faces of all those people who once said something hurtfull about me and my weight. Don't give up :)

Hello. I'm an overeater too. I've done lots of diets in my life - some worked and some did not, but the sad thing is even when the diet worked fantastically I could not keep it up for good. I'm ready to get rid of the extra flab. Do you ladies mind a man in the mix?

Off course not! Welcome!!
Question: Does any of you have tried OA???

I was in OA many years ago. It worked great as long as I did it, but I got tired of the strict eating plan. It consists of totally eliminating sugar from your diet and planning all your meals a day in advance. For example, I could not eat anything today I did not put in writing yesterday. That eliminates impulse eating. Calories are counted, etc. And of course the most important element was the 12 steps.

yea i have an obsession with food. you are not alone. i feel like sometimes it takes up 90%of my mind! there is a twelve step program called overeaters anonymous. i tried a couple meetings. they were ok, but mabey you would like them more than me.