overcoming sugar addiction and/or Binge Eating Disorder

[HECAN333]

Hi Everyone-

I'm brand new here. I recently saw a video that inspired me to try and find community support online to help me on my journey of overcoming sugar addiction and/or Binge Eating Disorder.

Preparing and knowing what to eat is a big challenge for me. I've been to several nutritionist but so far no one who understands addiction.

On my healing journey I've found many tips here & there (including visits to nutritionists) to help me be better equipped to end the addiction.

Anyone have any suggestions or loving positive input they want to share with me?

Thank you for your valuable time. HeCan333

[AlexSays]

Hello,

Glad to hear you've identified a problem and want to do something about it. That is the first stage. As someone who has struggled to recover from intravenous drug addictions and alcoholism I can somewhat understand what you are experiencing. I found that having the pure willpower to change your routine to replace the thing you are craving goes a long way. lifting in particular helped to give me a structured and rewarding reason to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Beyond that I'm afraid I cannot help you. If your issue truly is an eating disorder (binge eating) then you really should try and get referred to a specialist. Eating disorders are in some ways more complex than things like drug addictions because peoples relationships with food are often more convoluted and deep than someone's reliance on a drug.

As far as this forum goes people here will give you great support and encouragement as well as a good place to keep yourself accountable to changes you might make. Maybe consider starting a nutrition or workout log so you can record your habits and progress as well as find a group of people to chat to and who will cheer you on.

In terms of professional help I recommend you find that in a medical setting from a qualified individual. This should not be replaced by the support you might find in the community here.

[Nicksosure1]

While not specifically centered around binge eating disorder, you may be able to benefit from hanging out around here: https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showt...hp?t=173534851

A few posters in there helped me out a good bit when I went through a rough patch with my relationship to food. To repeat what Alex said though, you need to find a qualified professional who understands the psychology behind BED.

[HECAN333]

While not specifically centered around binge eating disorder, you may be able to benefit from hanging out around here:

A few posters in there helped me out a good bit when I went through a rough patch with my relationship to food. To repeat what Alex said though, you need to find a qualified professional who understands the psychology behind BED.

Thank you Nick for taking time to write. I appreciate the enclosed thread & your advice. Take care.

[HECAN333]

Hello,

Glad to hear you've identified a problem and want to do something about it. That is the first stage. As someone who has struggled to recover from intravenous drug addictions and alcoholism I can somewhat understand what you are experiencing. I found that having the pure willpower to change your routine to replace the thing you are craving goes a long way. lifting in particular helped to give me a structured and rewarding reason to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Beyond that I'm afraid I cannot help you. If your issue truly is an eating disorder (binge eating) then you really should try and get referred to a specialist. Eating disorders are in some ways more complex than things like drug addictions because peoples relationships with food are often more convoluted and deep than someone's reliance on a drug.

As far as this forum goes people here will give you great support and encouragement as well as a good place to keep yourself accountable to changes you might make. Maybe consider starting a nutrition or workout log so you can record your habits and progress as well as find a group of people to chat to and who will cheer you on.

In terms of professional help I recommend you find that in a medical setting from a qualified individual. This should not be replaced by the support you might find in the community here.

Hi Alex- Thanks for taking time to write & all the info you shared. I do appreciate it. I am with a new counselor that I'm pretty sure specializes with sugar addiction but I am going to double check that with her next week. She is doing something called EMDR with me that helps people overcome trauma & other stuff. I think you're right about how the food thing can be convulated and different than other addictions (my husband is a recovering addict and he says every addict says their addiction is hard to beat, but we need food to live so I think it's trickier, but I KNOW with God all things ARE POSSIBLE!). just get so so weary in the journey and just want to be fixed NOW!!! BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your journey of recovery from drugs & alcohol. I do go to open AA mtgs. for support & encouragement (when covid wasn't happening) even though I'm not an alcoholic (I have a lot of alcoholism in my family & there is a lot of sugar in alcohol). I continue to look for any little bit of info or another 'tool' I can put in my recovery tool box to heal and be totally free from the addiction. Take care.

[wj72wc]

Usually I gravitate to politics explaining that maybe 50% might agree with me, definitely 50% don't. Health issues are different, probably much safer, but significantly more difficult. My journey is not the same, but there might be similarities in the struggle.
I agree with the others, stay with professional help, and choose who you're comfortable with.
I was addicted to prednisone for an Auto Immune Disease. I packed on 40-50 pounds of water and fat, plus I loved sugar. At 50, I had the bone density of an 80 year old woman. I had to make some changes. I had to change my diet, find some low impact exercise, and deal with the sugar. Also, I wanted to keep it simple.
For diet, I avoided anything fried as grease created digestive and "pain" issues. If it was cooked in a pan, I didn't eat it. No Fried chicken, french fries, pork chops, gravy, ad infinitum. Mashed potatoes were subbed for baked, and a little butter, no gravy. Over time, it worked.
For exercise I used a rowing machine instead of weights or running which I was comfortable with. I couldn't risk breaking a bone. At first I could only manage five minutes, but after time I could go 25-30 minutes. I learned one important lesson; even five minutes of exercise made me feel better about myself. THAT was the key.
For sugar I took a pill twice a day and noticed that I didn't particularly care if I had a donut or a chocolate chip cookie, or ten!
Sorry for droning on. There's some good people here and the fact you've put yourself "out there" is the most difficult hurdle to overcome. Keep getting up, keep going forward.

Hi Everyone-

I'm brand new here. I recently saw a video that inspired me to try and find community support online to help me on my journey of overcoming sugar addiction and/or Binge Eating Disorder.

Preparing and knowing what to eat is a big challenge for me. I've been to several nutritionist but so far no one who understands addiction.

On my healing journey I've found many tips here & there (including visits to nutritionists) to help me be better equipped to end the addiction.

Anyone have any suggestions or loving positive input they want to share with me?

Thank you for your valuable time. HeCan333

[Nicksosure1]

Thank you Nick for taking time to write. I appreciate the enclosed thread & your advice. Take care.

Absolutely. A lot of people around here are cuttthroat sometimes, but most of them genuinely want to help. Just never be ashamed of this problem, many other people have it as well, and some have it worse and worse problems. We're all flawed trying to get and do better.

[HECAN333]

Absolutely. A lot of people around here are cuttthroat sometimes, but most of them genuinely want to help. Just never be ashamed of this problem, many other people have it as well, and some have it worse and worse problems. We're all flawed trying to get and do better.

Thanks Nick. Your timing was perfect, I needed to hear those words. Be very blessed-Kate

[HECAN333]

Usually I gravitate to politics explaining that maybe 50% might agree with me, definitely 50% don't. Health issues are different, probably much safer, but significantly more difficult. My journey is not the same, but there might be similarities in the struggle.
I agree with the others, stay with professional help, and choose who you're comfortable with.
I was addicted to prednisone for an Auto Immune Disease. I packed on 40-50 pounds of water and fat, plus I loved sugar. At 50, I had the bone density of an 80 year old woman. I had to make some changes. I had to change my diet, find some low impact exercise, and deal with the sugar. Also, I wanted to keep it simple.
For diet, I avoided anything fried as grease created digestive and "pain" issues. If it was cooked in a pan, I didn't eat it. No Fried chicken, french fries, pork chops, gravy, ad infinitum. Mashed potatoes were subbed for baked, and a little butter, no gravy. Over time, it worked.
For exercise I used a rowing machine instead of weights or running which I was comfortable with. I couldn't risk breaking a bone. At first I could only manage five minutes, but after time I could go 25-30 minutes. I learned one important lesson; even five minutes of exercise made me feel better about myself. THAT was the key.
For sugar I took a pill twice a day and noticed that I didn't particularly care if I had a donut or a chocolate chip cookie, or ten!
Sorry for droning on. There's some good people here and the fact you've put yourself "out there" is the most difficult hurdle to overcome. Keep getting up, keep going forward.

Thank you wj72wc for writing & sharing a bit of your journey w/me. I really appreciate your time

[snailsrus]

Hi Alex- Thanks for taking time to write & all the info you shared. I do appreciate it. I am with a new counselor that I'm pretty sure specializes with sugar addiction but I am going to double check that with her next week. She is doing something called EMDR with me that helps people overcome trauma & other stuff. I think you're right about how the food thing can be convulated and different than other addictions (my husband is a recovering addict and he says every addict says their addiction is hard to beat, but we need food to live so I think it's trickier, but I KNOW with God all things ARE POSSIBLE!). just get so so weary in the journey and just want to be fixed NOW!!! BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your journey of recovery from drugs & alcohol. I do go to open AA mtgs. for support & encouragement (when covid wasn't happening) even though I'm not an alcoholic (I have a lot of alcoholism in my family & there is a lot of sugar in alcohol). I continue to look for any little bit of info or another 'tool' I can put in my recovery tool box to heal and be totally free from the addiction. Take care.

Im in aa and you’re right, it is different because I can and do choose to not put any alcohol in my body ever. I’ve had sponsees with eating disorders and I recommend EDA meetings, which a lot of 12 step meetings are doing in-person meetings again, they are doing zoom as well. Food addictions are more about control (as I understand, I have family members with ED issues and addiction) than the food itself or physical addiction. Although, stopping disordered eating mentally can be as hard as quitting opiates! Both addictions release similar chemicals in the brain. The only easier part is the detox, and from alcohol you can have long term neurological issues. A team of medical professionals can help, there are medications that can help with impulse control. Also, never letting yourself get to hungry, drops in blood sugar lead people to binge or over eat, even if they are a normal eater. With emdr cbt can also be very helpful for trauma I’ve done both

Books to check out:
Intuitive eating and workbook by Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole
When food is love by Geneen Roth (she has a lot of good books)
Eating disorder anonymous 12 step book