Unconscious Eating

**meena-beena** · October 10, 2007, 09:21 AM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I found this out the first time I went on Atkins. All of a sudden the one pound thing of cookies I'd buy would stay in the cabinet for weeks instead of days. I did a ton of face stuffing and when my DH would comment I'd honestly tell him that the kids were ravaging all the snacks and that's why they were disappearing.

The thing is though, that even though the kids were eating snacks--I was eating far more and more often than they were, and blocking out how much I was actually consuming. In my mind it was the three kids who were outeating me when in reality the opposite was true.

**ShiningStarr** · October 10, 2007, 12:03 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

That is so true! I would eat so much more than them and I would find myself hiding what I was eating, even from my kids. I knew I shouldn't be eating but I just couldn't control myself. I have come to realize that I have a real addiction to food and if they are in my house I can not resist them. Unless of course I am on Atkins. This WOE helps me eliminate my cravings and desire for junk so I can still have some treats in the house for the rest of the family and not even think twice about them.

**ThinSoon** · October 10, 2007, 12:58 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

This WOE really does help with the most of the cravings.

There are always a ton of snacks, candy, you name it at work, I keep my drawer filled in the fridge here! Too tough for me some days... just to say, just one... then of course I remember... I KNOW WHAT THEY TASTE LIKE!

Better yet, I know what they do to me, a free for all after that!

Wish there was some magic way to help with that!

Tracey

**Hoping** · October 10, 2007, 02:03 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I'm lucky I don't have kids, only a fur baby and I'm not willing to eat her treats!
But at first I caught myself eating just because I could and even now I'll catch myself doing it every once in a while.

**marcella** · October 10, 2007, 02:21 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I can really relate to this topic.

I do great on this woe on week days. I am focused, eat a good breakfast, take a healthy lunch to work, no problem staying on track with the evening meal. But....

on the weekends I have my grandchildren stay. And I find myself unconsciously eating what they don't finish - things like chicken nuggets and half eaten ice cream bars.

This also explains why I haven't lost a significant amount of weight.

I don't want to stop having the loves of my life over on the weekends, so I guess I'll have to be more conscious of what I'm popping in my mouth!

**huggija** · October 10, 2007, 05:23 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I, too, can relate to this. I don't have a tendency to finish food intended for others (I have no kids), but I was a 'sneak' eater. I'd grab a muffin at the gas station on my way home from work knowing I was coming home to dinner. I'd think about it as soon as I was leaving and would say OUT LOUD...No, don't stop. And I'll be damned if I didn't do it anyway. Over and over and over. I was so angry with myself and felt so powerless, which only seemed to make me do it more. I'd go to the grocery store on Saturday and 'just happen' to buy two doughnuts, regardless of the time. I mean, I ALWAYS had to have two; couldn't limit myself. And of course, eat them before I got home so my dh wouldn't know (and as if my body wouldn't either!). Then I'd go through the guilt thing and find myself snacking an hour later or worse, coming home to lunch or dinner and not being ONE BIT hungry, but eating a big dinner anyway. It's amazing, this addiction.

Now that I've been cheat free for 9 (almost 10!) days, I feel the power starting to come back. I am in control, I will be diligent, I will succeed! I have the tools in my hand and only I can hold me back AND I'M NOT GOING TO.

**Yo Yo Girl** · October 10, 2007, 07:14 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

Wow Huggija - when I read what you just wrote I coulnd't believe it - I used to do the exact same thing. Whenever I would "treat myself", I couldn't just have one McDonald's burger - I'd have to have 3 different types, because I would tell myself that this would be the last time I would ever eat this type of food. Ha! What a joke. Then ate them secretly of course and afterwards would come home and eat dinner with my husband. I would swear to be good, which would last a day, and then repeat the binging a day later becasue the cravings would return.

But I am happy to say that this is my 4th day of induction and I don't seem to be craving much at all. I'm feeling so much stronger.

**dreamof145** · October 10, 2007, 09:55 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

Great observation! Yep, I remember just having a bit of this and a taste of that...and in small amounts it didn't seem like much. But as we all know the little bites add up to big pounds.

The thing I finally did to control my portions and to eliminate unconsious eating was
**ONLY eat at the table
**ONLY what was on my plate
&
And my plate was only put on the table at meal time. Period!! - No tastes, no small bites, na-da. Once I got into that habit, I was able to control it.

**hopejoy** · October 10, 2007, 10:49 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I agree with you all... used to unconsciously clean the kids plates...and wondered why I gained 40lbs... really thought the scale was broken... lol! no, I really thought it was!!!!!! (total denial!)
now, don't feel at all tempted to eat son's oatmeal cookies or yummy bread... They sit out on the counter and I don't even see them anymore. Unless of course I let myself go too long... but still don't cheat as I've worked too hard to blow it on a stupid cookie! lol!
liz

**Outback Jess** · October 11, 2007, 04:26 AM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I've spit things back out of my mouth, wondering "what was I just thinking"...well I wasn't thinking, I was just doing what I always did....
It's a strange thing in the beginning as our ways almost reveal themselves to us....I use to just eat, in a fog, as much as I could hold....Now I prepare with care, watch what Iam doing, and I just eat to live in a whole new way....It's great, just great.
I am very aware in a vigilant way....but I've also now shifted so much more into a lifestyle that I am not a freak about it all. My whole focus has shifted from food to the experience of being with family or in a resturant...I use to avoid them like the plague, I was so scared of loosing control. I never went in the food court entrance a t the mall and the mall triggered hunger...no more, I don't eat or live like that any more...
Over time our behavior modifies and we become more relaxed with our new way...not that we ever truly go withOUT a plan and objective tho....never do that.

**hmf** · October 11, 2007, 08:12 AM

Re: Unconscious Eating

I can so relate to all of your stories. I would do the blame thing also. I remember going to bed thinking...what kind of wife would lie to her husband about such a stupid little thing. I was so ashamed. I however, stopped doing this. I have started making my menus for 2 weeks worth of meals. I make a grocery list and only buy what is on that list. Therefore, I have nothing in my home I can cheat with....except with the fruit I buy for my kiddos. But I am not big on fruit, so that is not a problem. Anyhow, I too can relate to your story.

**partytrouble** · October 11, 2007, 08:28 PM

Re: Unconscious Eating

so true!! and i also was guilty of eating 3 different items of junk food (burrito, chocolate, pasta) all at once because it was the 'last' time. so enlightening to be on this WOE!!

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