Hi Guys, I just wanted to say that while I haven't posted on here much I still follow a bit, and listen regularly. I have been having a battle with food and have just started to go to OA and hope that I can get over my addiction to food. Once I do I know I can follow the F2F idea a lot better. It really is tough battling with food. Its not like heroin where I can just stop taking it period. I need it but its also my enemy! If anyone has been through OA and has any advice, I welcome it! Like I said, I just (finally) took the plunge and started to check out meetings. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one with this as an addiction, it helps me feel less disgusting.

Anyway, Thank you and keep up the good work Jeff and Russ!

Hi Ani,

I have never been to an OA meeting, but I listen to their speakers downloaded from itunes for inspiration. I think they will really help you. It seems like a good place to go for help.

I could easily slip back into binge mode if I let my guard down. You are in the right place. We can relate!

Good luck!
-Robin

Ani and Robin,

I also feel the hold that food has over me. I am overcoming it, but some days are better than others. I would suggest Tom Venuto's book The Body Fat Solution that covers much more of the psychology of conquering nutrition and hunger and overeating than other books I have read. There is a print version and an audio version.

After reading this book, I find that I battle the hunger and cravings with more strength than before I had read it. Identifying hunger versus cravings is important, as well as identifying the triggers that set me off.

I am going to listen to this OA podcast now. I don't have any experience with the organization, but I have quite a history with the overeating.

Starting to become more active in the online forums and getting more support is my next step. This is also covered in his book, which isn't as much a diet book as a way to change the way you (I) think about food. I was raised by people who were not fit. But it's no longer their concern. Tony Robbins says my past does not equal my future. It is my battle now. And I need to be better for myself, my wife, and my kids.

Good luck to both of you.

Thanks so much guys!
I just searched OA on iTunes and downloaded a million, or so, podcasts. I appreciate your insight!

Hey Ani,

That's great to hear that you are getting help. I think that the hardest thing is probably just going to that first meeting. I'm still an emotional eater myself and have put on some weight in the last month dealing with some personal grief. It's something that I though I had overcome, but in a time of weakness, I truly understand how powerful the comfort of food can be.

Let us know how it is going. I think that compulsive overeating should be a topic that we should cover in the future.

There's some interesting research suggesting that Alcohol and drug addiction are better thought of as appetite disorders.
I hope OA is better than AA.
Best wishes.
-terry

I just heard a great podcast from Science Friday on this very subject!!! It was an interview of David Kessler, author of "The End of Over-eating; Taking control of the Insatiable American Appetite."

I think Ani, Matt, Jeff and many here will really like it.
The book sounds interesting, but to hear a synopsis about how are brains are being wired (in our culture) for over-eating (including another guest who is in the food industry who gives even further insight) you can get it from the Science Friday Website (it's probably no longer available at itunes) at this link:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200907106

In case there's a problem with the link go to www.sciencefriday.com and go to the archive and search for the show that aired on July 10th 2009 called "Snacks, Overeating and Sensory Science"
Best wishes to all.
-terry

Thanks Terry, I will take a look at that.
Also, those Podcasts on iTunes have been awesome. It’s inspirational to think that these people had it worse than me (alcohol, drugs AND food -- I just have food addiction) and they've overcome it. It's not going to be easy, but I am feeling really positive about the whole thing.

Listening to these podcasts, I have been wondering if I have a real addiction to sugar. A lot of people in OA will cut sugar out of their diets and that’s such a scary thought for me as an addict (that sounds funny to me to say…), but I know I have to try it at some point because I REALLY am powerless over food.

Thanks for the support guys; I truly appreciate all your comments.

Jeff, Good luck! I do suggest going to an OA meeting or two, maybe listening to podcasts. This is now my 4th week of meetings and I still need a sponsor, but I’m getting enough just from going to meetings at this point and until I get one. Their motto is “Keep coming back!” Sometimes it helps to listen to people!

Ani,
I am brand new today to this group, but I have struggled like you for many years and have a few things to share.

I did go to an OA meeting years ago and found it was not for me. There was great comfort in knowing I'm not alone, but the twelve-step process didn't feel right for me. I hope it does work for you and wish you success.

I was also convinced that this absolutely HAS TO BE a physical food addiction--that I am wired wrong or there must be a specific food allergy or genetic mutation causing my insatiable appetite. Food has complete control and power over me.

And I was very depressed because of it. A number of times in past attempts, the topic of depression came up. A few times it was suggested that perhaps I overate because I was depressed, but I was absolutely sure that, no, I am only depressed because of the uncontrolable overeating.

Getting to the point, I'm seeing a shrink and it's helping. This is a classically trained psychologist specializing in addictions and compulsive overeating who has helped me realize that it IS a psychological issue--not a physical addiction--and has been for a very, very long time.

I have made a complete 180 on this. I would not have believed it one year ago. But through conversation alone, we've made certain discoveries that really click, and for brief periods, I completely forget the food compulsion. I suppose I'm early in treatment, but feel now that this is the right path.

So, I'd like to suggest that maybe this is something to consider. Perhaps there is more to the story than food and focusing on that may be helpful. By the way, the other post-ers had some great info and I am heading out today to get that Dr. Kessler book, which has great reviews on Amazon.

Best wishes.

A good counselor can really, really help people with many issues. Best wishes to Tom - it can be an up and down experience going through counselling, but it is SO worth it. I encourage anyone who is not having a positive experience with their counsellor to swith until you find someone who really seems to listen to what you are and are not saying; someone who is good at getting to the essence of your feelings (as opposed to one who just talks at you or is always off the mark). It really helped me in the past in ways that has stayed with me!

Tom,

Thanks for taking the time and commenting on my topic! I'm so happy for you that you have found something that works for you... I have been to therapy and I DO have depression. I find my depression makes me eat but other things do too. I have now been in OA for over a month and cannot believe how much I love it.

Sometimes my desire to overeat is SO grand it is like a bulldozer running me over and unhappy till I feed it. I KNOW after this last month that I was powerless with food and my life HAD become unmanageable. But its manageable now. In just ONE week, I went from telling my sponsor that I don't know if I can visit my parents because I cannot control myself when I am there to spending a whole day there an NOT eating compulsively. Who knew I could eat like a normal human? I didn't. I've only had a sponsor for almost 2 weeks now and haven't started working the steps yet but I cannot wait! I finally feel like a whole person!

We all have a path we're supposed to take. Yours wasn't OA but therapy. I'm so glad you found your path! But I love supplementing mine with F2F.

BTW, Robin, I am now obsessed with the LA podcast. I can't stop listening to it!!

I feel blessed to have found this podcast as well as other ways to help myself get to where I want to go.

Peace and Love
Ani