Expert: Meg - 1/23/2012

Question
I think I have a problem with food. Until recently I was happy with my weight, averaging about 63kg (I'm 5'6). Over the last 6 months or so, the amount of food I eat has increased dramatically, as well as the type of food I eat changing. I seem to have lot the ability to feel full. I am so ashamed of my eating, and would want to run and hide if anyone realised the amount of food I eat, and I hate that I eat like I do. I just can't seem to control it. I have gained about 10kg in the last few months, and I feel so disgusted at myself. I don't know how to gain the self control I used to have. How can I get over this, get back to my normal weight, my normal life, and stop letting my life be ruled by food?

Answer
Hey Emily,

Thanks for your question.  I hope that I can be of help or at least point you in some helpful directions and I'm so sorry that you're feeling so badly about your weight.

I am not a medical expert, but my first thought is that perhaps you might want to check with a doctor as it is possible that this is due to some sort of metabolic problem or imbalance.  That would be my first recommendation.

If you feel like you are overeating for emotional reasons, then you might want to try to work on that.  One way that can help is taking a few minutes when you feel "hungry" to have a drink of water and wait and see if you truly are feeling hungry or if it is stress/anxiety/shame/etc.  If you are eating for reasons other than hunger, then finding new ways to cope with whatever the uncomfortable emotion is will help you stop this behavior.

Also, you mention that this started 6 months ago.  Did anything stressful happen at that time?  Any major changes in your life?  Looking at what began this might help you in finding out what is going on.

So, I would recommend checking with a doctor as its quite possible that this is nothing more than a nutritional deficit or hormone imbalance that can be treated medically.  No matter what, I can hear you beating up on yourself for your behavior with food and if possible, try to be gentle with yourself as you figure this out.  No matter what the cause, you are human and your body is coping with something by engaging in this behavior.  That doesn't make you bad or shameful and the more you can try to be kind to yourself, the easier it will be to work on this behavior.

Hope this helps at least a little bit.  Please write again if there is anything more I can help with.

Take good care, okay?

Meg