Atkins and Psychology...

[Slidesdownmountains]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

Thanks, Melly - I will give the mindfulness and 'surfing' a go once I have purged my house and work-drawers of the crappy foods I have put in them Old habits die hard, as they say, but I see no reason I can't crack them!
Thanks again for your thoughts

[Eama]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

I just started back on Atkins today after a break of some months where I gained back half of what I lost before.

I have a bundle of emotional issues: severe social anxiety (do I eat to 'hide' myself or is eating a comfort mechanism?), very low self esteem (again... cause or affect? Both?) Do I use my obesity as a crutch? (Don't expect much from me... it's obvious nothing much will come from me!)

I don't know what's 'wrong' with me, and I don't have money to seek therapy. I'm just concentrating now on being more positive about myself. Focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses. Hopefully I can keep it up this time.

[Whatsername]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

EaMa...I relate to what you said. I have a lot of issues and therapy has helped me a lot (Cognitive Behaviour). It was a long road for me to change my thought processes. I know you said you can't do therapy but is there anything available where you live that would be free?

One thing I have learned is what you said...redirecting my thoughts. Thinking of strengths instead of weakness. I am bipolar but lean towards depression. I also have anxiety issues. Another thing I have learned is to find something I enjoy doing and focus on that. I scrapbook and baseball has been my passion too.

Write anytime..we are always here.
Jane

[Kntrylady]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

Wow !! What an emotional and insightful thread. I would be surprised if there was anyone on ADBB that couldn't see themselves in some of these posts. I know I certainly can.

What I find weird is the fact that the poison foods that I succumb to, I really don't enjoy all that much. The rice, the potatoes, the cookies, the candies... when I'm honest with myself, I don't enjoy them very much. But I'm addicted to them like a heroin addict.

I was watching one of Dr. Oz's shows I had recorded last night, and they were talking about emotional eating vs eating for nourishment. They discussed the brain/body reactions and how to work through some of these temptations. What I found interesting was when they said an emotional craving normally lasts no more than 10-15 minutes. Their theory is to not allow yourself to get hungry or thirsty, eating something at least 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, and drink lots of water. If you do this, and you KNOW ahead of time that the craving won't last longer than 10-15 minutes, it becomes something you can control and ride through.

How about when that craving hits, can you use it as an excuse to "have to" run to the bathroom, walk accross the building to pick something up, refill you drinking glass, etc. Anything to break the fixation?

Like I said, I just saw this last night so I haven't had a chance to put it into practice, but had to share.

[chinadoll]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

Wow. I agree with what everyone is saying. I feel it a little differently. Its almost like there is mental energy that goes into staying focused each day. Its like a levee with a tiny cork in one little leaky spot. It seems effortless to keep the wall intact (at least most days) but then a day comes along when the stress or activity or change in schedule or emotional upheaval and sometimes even happiness and giddyness just opens a door in that mental mindset and I relax. Let go. Just for one snack, or one fine meal. I actually sometimes even CHOOSE to pull that cork out. Why? I do it. and then, its like a dam has burst and I seem to see all that focus washed away. It usually takes me weeks to gather up the debris and reconstruct my mental attitude to restart.

Now, if I could just figure out how to prevent that little leak or maybe cement that cork in place....

I think Melly got it with that building tension for that food high. This summer I became obsessed with the idea of a hot fudge sundae. I don't even like hot fudge all that much, but I was under a lot of stress and the idea just wouldn't leave me. I wanted it--not just for an afternoon. This was building for literally days. Every time I passed the Carvel--at night in front of the TV--on my way home from the gym!!! I finally caved and it was good, but it wasn't that good. I wondered why I had though it was so wonderful and important. I felt gross afterwards. But the tension was gone. And if I had been able to jump back on track the next day I wouldnt have sweated it too horribly. But I did have trouble getting back on track and that is the killer. One of the lessons I see myself needing to learn for maintenance is that if something is fixated in my head like that, I may be better off having one bite of something early on and dip my toe in (and a couple extra carbs) rather than let it build until I want to totally derail with a big cannonball splash (and enough carbs to send my sugar sky high and derial me again). I don't know the answer. If I did, I wouldnt still be 70 pounds from goal.

[Slidesdownmountains]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

Chinadoll - I know EXACTLY what you mean! It's never a little cheat and straight back on is it? I am currently bingeing in a big way. I started the day well with scrambled eggs, sausage and cheese, but then have also had a chocolate croissant and an almond croissant and a bowl of porridge, and it's not even 11am. This is how I've ballooned previously and has to stop.
Kntry, Eama and Whatsername - well done for your achievements so far, it's not an overnight change, but recognising the problem is helpful. Lots of great tips so far, please let me know if anyone has any success

[Dimple_Flirt]

Re: Atkins and Psychology...

I have a bundle of emotional issues: severe social anxiety (do I eat to 'hide' myself or is eating a comfort mechanism?), very low self esteem (again... cause or affect? Both?) Do I use my obesity as a crutch? (Don't expect much from me... it's obvious nothing much will come from me!)


This is exactly how I feel too. I had been an extremely skinny teenager and didn't realize back then that I was actually pretty. I was raised in my grandmothers home with an aunt and cousin. The aunt constantly put me down no matter what I attempted to do , my grades were mainly B-D's depending on the subject. I had dyslexia and didn't know it so school work was an extra chore and was constantly put down for my low scores even though I was trying my best. As a late teen 15-18 yrs old I had to bury my father and grandmother. The bottom of my world dropped out . I Married too young to a verbally abusive person and jealous person. He cheated on me often but made out like I was the one he thought was sneaking around. To keep other guys from looking at me and to bury my feelings I started to pig out and gain weight. He didn't like being married to a fat girl so he left me and my two children just months after the second was born. I lost weight from 279 down to 130 and he came back professing his love for me . Took him back and my weight came back too. When it did he left again this time forever.

The fat has allowed me to hide and kept harm away but it's time to get it off.
For me it's going to be hard to find a replacement for that feeling of peace and relaxation that food gives me. It's like a big hug that helps me sleep with out it I turn into a person on speed that is bouncing off the walls .