[domino]

It's making my life a misery. I really tried to be positive about it but it's getting worse and worse. I did try to talk to my best friend about it but she thinks it's just being greedy. I know it's more than that. I just don't know how to deal with it anymore. I went to the doctor's last year and he asked me to do some blood tests and thyroid test too. Everything was normal. I feel really embarrassed to talk to anyone else about it. My husband thinks it's just a question of will power. I eat correctly at the table. Well balanced food for all the family. Everyone including my husband are slim. I'm the only one with a weight problem. I eat mostly when I'm alone. I don't think my husband knows just how much I really eat when I get into my binge mood. Are any of you in my situation? I would really love to know how you deal with it. Have any of you recovered from this problem? Sometimes I'm scared that I'm going to be like this all my life. I can't continue like this. I really need help to stop this. It's making me so unhappy.

Hi domino,

It does not have to stay like this for the rest of your life. You are conscious that there is a problem and it is good that you want to do something about it. I’m sorry though as it seems that your best friend and husband are not really supportive…

I’m not sure what you mean by dieting – are you following a diet prescribed by a nutritionist? Or are you just doing your own thing, so to speak? You say you eat more when you are alone, it also depends what it is that are you eating then…

Also, if medically speaking, nothing is wrong then your comfort eating might be an indication that psychologically / emotionally something is not quite right (are you unhappy? stressed? etc.). And it would be best to have this checked out.

In terms of eating sensibly etc, keeping a journal is a good option as it makes you aware of anything that goes into your mouth, so to speak. Exercise if possible also helps. Also, whenever you feel a pang of hunger, ask yourself what it is that you *really* want. For ex. "Am I really hungry?" or "Do I feel alone or sad?" If it is the latter, try to do something about it – e.g. call a friend, take a bath with relaxing music so as to take your mind off things. Try to snack on fruit and vegetables etc.

But again, a professional might be a better port of call in terms of specifics...

[domino]

Hi always, thanks for your message. What I ment by dieting is, the weight watchers diet. I know it's healthy eating. I joined Rhapsody's group on here, plus I go to the meetings, I try to follow it but then I ruin it by comfort eating . It often happens in the afternoon, more often out of bordom. I do try to walk twice a week with friends for a couple of hours each time. When I'm out of the house I don't think about food but as soon as I get back I just feel the need to eat. It could be anything from sweet to savoury food. I will try as you said in your reply, to keep a journal. Maybe that will make me realise just how much food I'm eating. I just don't know why I eat everything I do because I do feel guilty afterwards. I'm not unhappy except when I comfort eat and I don't think I'm stressed. To tell you the truth I don't know how I feel sometimes. The only thing I know is that when I'm looking for food to eat, I'm looking for something to satisfy me. It can go on for quite a long time. I don't know whether it's sweet or salty food I'm after. So I try both hoping that it could satisfy me. I know it's not easy to follow all this, but sometimes I don't understand it myself. I know it's not good but I still do it. It's probably like taking drugs, smoking or drinking. I don't smoke or take drugs, I drink wine from time to time. You can give up smoking taking drugs or drinking but you can't give up eating. So it's alot more difficult to deal with. I'm really sorry to bother everyone with my problem, probably it's not as important as other problems. Once my children and husband come home I feel happy to have everyone home and I forget about the comfort eating.

Thanks for reading all this.
Have a nice day

[domino]

Hi always, thanks for your message. What I ment by dieting is, the weight watchers diet. I know it's healthy eating. I joined Rhapsody's group on here, plus I go to the meetings, I try to follow it but then I ruin it by comfort eating . It often happens in the afternoon, more often out of bordom. I do try to walk twice a week with friends for a couple of hours each time. When I'm out of the house I don't think about food but as soon as I get back I just feel the need to eat. It could be anything from sweet to savoury food. I will try as you said in your reply, to keep a journal. Maybe that will make me realise just how much food I'm eating. I just don't know why I eat everything I do because I do feel guilty afterwards. I'm not unhappy except when I comfort eat and I don't think I'm stressed. To tell you the truth I don't know how I feel sometimes. The only thing I know is that when I'm looking for food to eat, I'm looking for something to satisfy me. It can go on for quite a long time. I don't know whether it's sweet or salty food I'm after. So I try both hoping that it could satisfy me. I know it's not easy to follow all this, but sometimes I don't understand it myself. I know it's not good but I still do it. It's probably like taking drugs, smoking or drinking. I don't smoke or take drugs, I drink wine from time to time. You can give up smoking taking drugs or drinking but you can't give up eating. So it's alot more difficult to deal with. I'm really sorry to bother everyone with my problem, probably it's not as important as other problems. Once my children and husband come home I feel happy to have everyone home and I forget about the comfort eating.

Thanks for reading all this.
Have a nice day

Hi Domino,

Please, don’t feel you are bothering anyone with your problem. If something upsets someone, then it is important. Regardless of the nature or ‘gravity’ of the problem, so please don’t feel bad etc.

Also, thank you for explaining about the dieting, I wasn’t sure. I think you have identified the issue in that the comfort eating seems to occur out of boredom, or being alone… It is good to be conscious of this, as this will help to ‘take action’ so to speak. If you can find distraction (I know, sometimes it’s easier said than done), that would help (any hobbies you could take up? or volunteering? or simply going out etc…). Also, do try to snack on healthy substitutes instead (carrots, apples etc.)

I know it is not easy to just stop eating, and I am sorry that you do not seem to have support from hubby / your best friend. But the good thing is that you are *already* taking steps towards this – being conscious of the issue, you have joined WW & are going to the meetings. Do try the journal and the snack issue… Good luck in all this and keep up the motivation!