Expert: Reverend Abbott - 11/18/2007

Question
Hi, I am currently recovering from Bulimia and the major problem I am having is my strong desire to eat, even when I am not hungry. I just cant stop thinking about food. Meals are what my day is based around, first breakfast, then right after breakfast I starting thinking what I want for lunch, then the same thing happens with dinner. I think I can recover so much easier if I can just stop thinking about food. It also gets worse when I am eating a meal, because I stuff myself and continue to eat even when I am no longer hungry. How can I get past my food addiction?

Answer
One of the most common behaviors many people with weight problems have is eating in binges, quite often in the afternoon and into the evening hours.  

It could start innocently, just really being hungry. Then it continues without any sense of control until you feel over-full, possibly ill and completely guilty.  

There are a couple important steps you can take to avoid this, but it takes practice.  Start your day with a whole grain breakfast. Not eggs and bacon, not a bagel or whole wheat toast – you need to start the day with oatmeal, shredded wheat, toasted oat flakes, there are any number of choices you can make – and they’re all going to take less than 10 minutes to not only make, but eat (so no excuses about not enough time!).

No matter what you do for the rest of the day – this is really the foundation you need to make a habit.  You need to make this the most important thing you do before you do anything else.  

I know it might not make a lot of sense to you right now, and you might not see results in 24 hours or even a week (though chances are you will, some people take a bit longer).  You want to change and you’re asking for help right?  If you’re looking for answers you want to hear – you’d be better off talking to yourself, but let’s be real – that doesn’t appear to work very well does it?

Eating regularly and correctly throughout the day is important after starting with whole grains.  Not nearly enough room here to post that so take a look at my site for more  www.GetTheReal.info

When it comes to the munchies that happen later on in the day, reach for a jar of pickles (preferably dill, but go ahead and have sweet ones if you want), or measure out a serving size of whatever it is you want (chips, candy, nuts, anything).  A serving size according to what the packaging says.  Yes, you need to count those chips if you’re going to have some.  When the serving size is gone, it’s gone.  You cannot have another one.

At this point, keep your hands full.  You can’t eat when you’re busy knitting, drawing, quilting, needle pointing, pick something that is non-conducive to having your fingers wet or greasy.  Yes, I know you're a guy, but there's plenty of men doing these 'crafty' things these days for stress relief.

It takes about three weeks to break a habit, but you have to really focus and think about it.  After a while you’ll notice it gets so much easier that it’s just a part of your nature.  As will be better health and much less guilt.