Help - I Can't Stop Eating! - Eaton,OH

Please do not turn to a supplement or a pill! It is only a band-aid solution that may help you initially cut the weight but as soon as you go off of it the weight (and then some!) will pile right back on.

Start by visiting your family doctor and have him or her do a complete physical exam to rule out any endocrine issues and also check for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or other issues. They may be able to start you off on the right path.

Second, find a source of support to help you with your issues. Don't beat yourself up so much - I think almost EVERY woman out there has been at the point where they had eating habits that weren't exactly healthy. What's important is that you KNOW you need to change and that's a step in the right direction. Weight Watchers is a great support group because not only will attending meetings help you learn more about what you're doing to your body, it also helps you hold yourself accountable for your actions. WW is also a healthy eating plan that you adopt for the rest of your life, not just to cut weight then go back to eating junk. If you are more interested in an online program, check out www.sparkpeople.com or www.thedailyplate.com. Both sites allow you to track what you eat and help you make good daily choices based upon your goals. I love sparkpeople because they have great resources for nutrition, meal planning, exercising (both cardio and strength training and you may never have to leave your house if you don't want to!), you name it.

Third, what kind of foods are you eating? If you say that you are hungry all the time but have a never-ending appetite, check your diet to see if it is full of processed foods, refined sugar, or things that you buy from the aisles in the grocery store. These types of foods tend to have high amounts of refined sugar which enters the bloodstream very quickly, almost violently. Your body compensates for this 'rush' by pumping out a ton of insulin to try to manage this influx of sugar. Ever feel sluggish or have a headache 30-60 minutes after eating? Ever feel like you need to stuff your face 60-90 minutes after eating? Chances are that you need to eat less processed foods and refined sugars, and include more whole grain, high fiber, naturally occurring foods. Yes, these are carbs (and NO they are NOT off limits!) but they are complex carbohydrates which are released more gradually in your body. They are satisfying and make you feel fuller longer. Additionally, they don't screw up your pancreas and insulin levels like junk food does. Start shopping the perimeter of the grocery store - fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy, poultry, fish, nuts, and whole grain breads.

If you're truly ready to try anything, start by using sparkpeople or thedailyplate and logging everything that you eat. You'd be surprised at how much you might be putting in your mouth on a daily basis. Quite honestly, if you do a little bit of reading and research about nutrition, it is really easy to modify your diet while still eating plenty of food and feeling satisfied. Sure you can turn to the pills, but keep in mind that they are expensive, they might not work, they might do more damage to your body than good, and it is highly likely that as soon as you go off of them, you'll just gain the weight back. Wouldn't you rather have something that is a permanent solution that is also GOOD for your body?

L.,
please see your Doctor. Until then drink a glass of water before you start eating from now on. many people confuse thirst and hunger.Since our water supplies are so bad and taste so bad many folks quit drinking it and instead drink soda pop , coffee , tea etc. Our bodies really need water more than anything. You can also try snacking on healthy food like raisens, carrots, anything fresh and low calorie.Crunchy vegtables and fruit seem to help because you really have to chew them.Your body is lacking something or you wouldn't feel this way.
Agape', Debbie

You should check with your doctor. After I had my last child I had post partum thyroidism (sorry for the spelling!). And then after several months it evened itself out.

Wow, I feel the same way, some days - and my youngest is 5! =) There is some great advice here - but PLEASE, oh PLEASE skip the "diet" or "appetite suppression" pills of all kinds and see your doctor first! In the meantime, I absolutely agree with some of the advice here, ex. drink water and cut out the soda, even diet! Keep healthy snacks READILY available - fresh veggies & fruit w/some nuts or low-fat cheese, half a pb (smart balance!!!) sandwich on whole-grain bread (no high-fruct. corn syrup added!). (I have to have the veggies cut, washed and ready to go or I'll be hungry and not want to take the time to prepare them.) There very well may be a post-partum reason for your problem; definitely see a dr.
love & prayers to you! B.
p.s. God Bless your husband for "not noticing." Mine is the same way and you have to know you're blessed to have a man like that! =)

that is my story exactly!!!!! i just started eating less. like one serving instead of 3 plus cleaning up after my picky kids who leave pretty much everything on their plates. (i know, i was eating like a horse!) i realized i was just eating because i liked the taste of food... not because i was hungry. just watching my portion size made a huge difference.

i also did a colon cleanse (not the TV or walmart kind, a real one from a health food store-- there is a big difference!!) i used cleansesmart from whole foods, and it worked great! i felt healthier and lost 10 pounds in just one month! it's just one capsule in the morning and one at night, and it's all natural and just helps your body let go of toxins and junk that accumulates in your intestines... it's NOT something you should do if you're breastfeeding or pregnant though.

drink LOTS of water!!! i usually just forget, so what i've started doing is filling up a pitcher (or water bottle) with a whole day's worth of water (8-10 glasses!--1 GALLON per day!) and make sure i drink it all that day. another thing i try to do is if i'm thirsty drink a whole glass full of water (2 cups) instead of just a sip. water is amazing!

Hi L.,
I feel for you! I did the exact same thing- but my baby is now 2 1/2 years old, and unless you want to be feeling the same way you do now in 23 mos, You are going to have to Eat Healthy and Exercise.

PILLS ARE BAD! If you have a healthy heart,please appreciate it! Please appreciate your healthy body and remember your setting an example for your daughters.

Recently, I've sucked it up and started meeting a friend at 6:30 am to walk. It's Awful- until we get there. None of us HAVE time- YOU HAVE to MAKE time.(We both have special needs kids w/major health issues,unhealthy parents and we are not wealthy- we are Lifetime movie material! We have no excuses rule-b/c there is not other way.)

And AT LAST- I'm getting smaller and am happier! The walking led to healthier eating decisions, gradual weight loss, strength and energy. Not to mention- all the mental benefits. And It's still awful every morning- until we get there! Good luck-A.

Dear L.,
I would not go on diet pills. Seek a reputable chiropracter that deals in nutrition also. If the chiropracter truly has your best interest in mind he will allow you to have a free consultation. I go to one and he has helped me tremndously with many health issues.

L. M.

Hi L.,
I understand where you are coming from. I gained a lot of weight with my second and was determined to get it off "right". I excercised 3 times a week, changed my eating habits (added more protein) and eliminated the junk. I lost a lot of weight at first then I hit a wall. With all that being said, you asked about a "pill". I have NEVER taken OTC meds to lose weight, however being 31 and things in my body changing I decided I would try. A friend of the family tried this and had great success as well as her daughter. So my mom and I tried it (split the first bottle) to make sure it would work and it did. The product is called SoloSlim. Definitely do ALL your research and check with a dr just to be safe, but I have had EXCELLENT success and have lost about 10 lbs - and that is without excersing because of my schedule and not having time. It is coming off slow and I have stuck with the eating change and eating healthier as well. This stuff does what it says. Curbs your appetite and crushes cravings. You can do the research at their website www.soloslim.com but you can get free shipping on ebay if you look. My mom and I have been on it going on our 3rd month and have seen great results. Just remember, you need to a lifestyle change to keep the weight off once it comes off. Good luck!!!

Hi L.,

I know what you mean, I felt that way too, starving when I was thin, if I was full, I was too heavy. Saw I was in the first range of obesity at the doc one day last August and lost it. I have two sons, now 7 & 9, and had too gotten down to within 5 lb of my desired weight....but up I went. I joined Weight Watchers online only last August and have lost 40lb. And only have 10 to go. I am not starving! Yeah. And, it has been slow but steady which has made me happy. I'm looking forward to hitting my goal soon. Also, right after starting WW I read the book "French Women Don't Get Fat" and I loved it, it is so compatible with WW and is funny and helpful. I enjoyed reading it and it has kept me sane. I only work out 3-4 times a week (walking, stationary bike) something that I can maintain. Going crazy on exercise you can't fit into your life just didn't work for me. I found the book and the online WW site to get me moving in the right direction. Good luck.
A. B

What I have found to help me not eat as much is water! Yup, good ol H2O! Drink a glass before each meal and before you put any food in your mouth! The first few days, you will be visiting the restroom A LOT!! But, keep it up and your body will become accustomed (in just a few days or so) and you won't have to "go" as much. Water is great for you. Also, I have heard that drinking Green Tea helps with weight loss. I haven't tried it yet but, it is in my plans. Green Tea has a lot of good "stuff" in it for you. Hope this helped. Also, you can go to www.jillianmichaels.com to check out some information. She's one of the trainers on Biggest Loser. She does a good job of addressing all different issues and problems. I signed up to get her DVDs. That was about 3 months ago....yup, still haven't opened them!!! I know how hard it is to find time to exercise. I have three boys! But, Jillian's website does have good nutritional advice as well. That alone has helped me lose some weight.

L.,
You might have developed an insulin sensitivity. I have a program that you can check out on www.usana.com/reset. It can help you to reset your body. Give me a call and I can help you walk the journey of getting back on track.
M. G.
mggennett.usana.com
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Have you had a chat with your family physician about your new condition? I am just asking because I am diabetic and I know that when my blood sugar is out of control I am so hungry I could eat a horse, throw up, and continue eating. The weight gain around the middle also is a sign of diabetes. I would have it checked out and in the meantime...if I were you I would try eating something with no sugar, high protein, and that should help curb your appetite a little. Then, be strong and once you know you have eaten enough, walk away from the food. Go outside, take a walk, play with the kids, do whatever you need to do to get your mind off the food. Good luck!

A little about me: Proud mama of a 16 13 yr old boys who both have cystic fibrosis, and I have diabetes. I clean houses and my husband works as a super in a warehouse.

You should get your thyroid checked. Some people after pregnancy (or should I say delivery) have issues with their thyroid doing what is is suppose to do. Also, are you drinking enough? Sometimes thirst shows up as hunger pains...try drinking a glass of water when you think you are hungry.

Several things:

1. Lack of hydration can make you feel like you're hungry when in fact, it's thirsty. Try to drink at LEAST 10-12 oz of water BEFORE you indulge. You need at LEAST half your body weight in ounces a day. More if you work out or sweat alot.

2. DO NOT keep ANYTHING in the house to allow you to sabotage! No cookies, no chips, no ice cream, etc. Whatever you have at the house, make SURE if you overdo that they are not empty calories.

3. On the same line.....eat things that will fill you up.....vegetables, fruits and MAKE SURE you get adequate amounts of protein. If you're craving sugar, you can GUARANTEE that you're not getting enough protein. Protein slows down insulin release. Eat fruits, which have fiber to fill you up AND excellent nutrients, and will help the sugar cravings.

4. Keep plenty of pickles on hand. If I need something "NOW" while I'm fixing soup, veggies or something, I eat some pickles, ESPECIALLY if I want to grab the easiest thing in sight, although we don't even keep junk food or sweets. Sometimes, it's pickles & cheese. I started doing this YEARS ago and started noticing that I had absolutely no cravings.....especially for sweets, if I ate pickles. I think it must be the vinegar. Vinegar has a multitude of great properties anyway. There is actually a book on it and its benefits and uses. You could even try taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Obviously, your chemistry is out of whack.

5. Do NOT grocery shop when you're hungry. Go after a meal. You'll find you even spend less.

6. You need to write down when you eat, WHAT you eat, and the emotions you're feeling at the time. I'd track calories too, but at this point, that's not necessarily the main thing. You may find a pattern in your eating that are tied to emotions.

Lastly, find projects that need to be done and rather than go to the kitchen and eat, work on projects that need to be done. You'll find that your mental energy becomes tied to the project rather than food.

You take even two of these suggestions and I guarantee you'll notice change.

this sounds like me too, and i will speak personally for me, i know what changes i need to make in my life concerning this, but the hard part for me is sticking with it and encouraging myself to put in some hard work for M-E for once, make a few small changes at a time, easier to stick to than a plunge off the deep end. #1 would be water, i try to make myself drink 16 oz 1st thing in the morning, and then anytime i get a craving drink like 6 oz and set a timer for 5 min then i can have what i crave, if i still want it, the point for me is to set limits for yourself and to tell yourself no, i had no will power, but it's true what they say, willpower is like a muscle the more you use it the stronger it gets. also i remind myself that being healthy (losing weight) is not going to happen miraculously by itself and i am worth the effort and everyday that goes by is a day to reinvent myself, and that i am in control. also there is a detox tea that i am looking for to try i heard it's a really good jumping off point to changing your diet, (around $4 walmart i think, supposed to really clean you out) out with the old in with the new:) GOOD LUCK

Honestly from experience.......... you might be.....suffering from a small bit of post partum that you are having trouble getting over. I wasn;t just eatting everything, i was also baking CHOCOLATE chip cookies EVERY NIGHT. ( chocolate actually is "natures" prozac) Once I talked to my doctor about it and he told me about the chocolate, I realized that I was feeling very overwhelemed and not much, but a bit depressed and realized that I needed to do some things for my self. I did join a gym and I do now do the "mommy parade" every morning at 9:30am. I realized that one hour to myself or if I took a shower 90 mnutes for me a day, made me happier, healthier , thinner ( so i was even more happy) and my kids actually were happier and easier to handle because I was happier.....I forced myself to go to the gym int he beginning because, I really was against taking any kin dof medication if I didn;t have to. I was able to beat it and quit eatting so much.... think about it, try it and if it is a bit of depression you cant beat think about alking to the doc about a low does of "happy pills" to help you get over it.

What are you eating? That is the place to start.
I think one of the best diets out there is the Eating for Life diet. It does cause you to eat 6 times a day for 6 days a week and you have one day off where you can binge and eat anything you would like as often as you like. Yes, there is an exercise section provided in the book but it can easily be done in about a half an hour a day.
The second best diet and the one I tend to follow is the original diabetic diet (mostly the same diet the Air Force used to use). You eat 6 times a day, but can be an exchange diet. Don't eat you bread for dinner and have popcorn as the evening snack, that type of thing. The best part of this one is I used the 1200 calories a day one for weight loss and I know certain items have no calorie content! Raw broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, celery, and believe it or not dill pickles have 0 calories, you can eat as many as you want!!! This provides a great mid-morning (although I often would have low-fat yogurt with pretzel sticks to dip) for the mid-morning snack to get my dairy down! The weight comes off a little slower, but you are training to yourself to eat correctly so the body can burn off the fats, calories, etc. correctly. Walking is a great form of exercise and now that summer is here what a perfect family plan. Take the husband and the baby and go for a half hour walk every evening after dinner!
P. R

L., My only advice is don't take pills to lose weight or curb your appetite they are not healthy for you at all. Join the YMCA, they provide free childcare for a maximum of 2 hours,(certain hrs. of the day) and drink water with your meals and in between to curb your appetite. Also making better choices during mealtime, eating salads with lowfat or fat-free dressings, baked chicken, raw or cooked broccoli and carrots, celery, spinach....they are all good for you. Just give it a few weeks eating better and getting some exercise and you will not believe the difference it can make! And when you start seeing a change in your weight it will make you feel inspired to keep it going!

If you don't like water you can get those crystal light packets or the generic brand at Wal-Mart to flavor your water. I myself just love to drink water alone!
Hope this helps...good luck! :) D. R.

The same thing happened to me. I didn't know how to counter this problem. Until I read an article that stated that sleep deprivation will cause weight gain b/c people that don't sleep enough try to "control" being tired during the day with eating AND sleep deprivation causes a hunger feeling. Who would've thought? I try to go to bed earlier and if I can, catch a couple of cat naps during the day (it's tough to do). Then I fill up on water, fruits and nuts. That has helped curb my hunger. I would recommend you take pills or supplements b/c then your body learns to rely on those. Try to make room for working out. Even if you just put your baby in the stroller once a day and go for a 30 minute walk. Check w/your friends and see if one of them will join you. Something is better than nothing. Hope this helps.

Dear L.,

Your body will not shut off the hunger signal till it is totally fed. My guess is that you are missing something and your body wants it. That is the good news. The bad news is that the only way to figure out what is going on is to get tested. The place to get tested is with Dr. Merkle. He will do the tests and get your body back in balance. When that happens the weight will more easily come off but you will be healthy, which is the important point.

His web site is www.3000health.com and the office number is ###-###-####. Web site has previous radio shows you can listen to and he is on the radio Sat Morning at 11:00 Am (WHIO 1290 AM / 95.7 FM in Dayton or on the net.)

They don't know S. so just tell them that you got the lead from the net.

God Bless,

S.

I find that the stress of working and taking care of three children is at times overwhelming. I starting journaling and attending Overeaters Anonymous meetings in an attempt to recognize and properly express my feelings which I realized that I was not doing. Being tired and still having to cook, clean, change diapers, listen to whining etc. causes me to overeat in an attempt just to stay awake.

Are you breastfeeding? I also had a baby in 10/07 and eat like crazy; I think part of it is the breastfeeding and part of it is the big change in lifestyle...i.e. I never know when the baby will wake up/need me/etc so I'd better eat now! I want to start the couch-to-5K running program and I'm trying to start eating healthier and portioning out things (a bowl of chips rather than taking the bag with me to the table). I know that's not much help but I'm "with you" on this and look forward to seeing your other responses! Hope it works out well and we're both hot new mommas at the pool this summer!

My guess would be that you are not hungry but tired. It took me a long time to figure out that I was doing this. I would get run down some and instead of taking a nap I would eat. I think it is instinct to try to keep up your energy reserves. Next time you feel hungry, think about it. Are you hungry or are you getting a bit sleepy? Do you feel better after you eat or worse? Think about it all before you grab a plate. You have so much more to do caring for a little one than you did before so you are bound to get run down some. Make sure you are taking some mommy time. Let the housework go for a bit and take a nap if you need it.I hope this helps. Little pieces of info like this have helped me a lot. I'm 40 pounds lighter because of it. Believe me, it is easier to keep that weight off than it is to lose it! If I can be of any help to you, please ask. Shannon G.

Is it stress? Having a little one and working 'full time and then some' can do you in. When I am stressed at work, the pounds come on, and I eat more than I need to. I have to keep myself busy somewhere other than the kitchen (working in the yard, going for a walk, going ot the park) and then I don't eat as much. Good luck! You can do it! You might want to check out Sparkpeople.com. It's free and it's a great website. Very supportive community.

Just a thought, are you breastfeeding? That will definitely make you hungry all the time, I was always hungry when I was breastfeeding, it is because your body is craving the nutrients to supply the milk, you will probably have an easier time loosing the weight when you stop breastfeeding, if you are breastfeeding, that is, you didn't mention it, so I thought I would bring it up.

I heard something very interesting one time on TV and it makes a lot of sense to me. It also seems to be true for me, so maybe it is true for you, too. If you are eating foods that are not good for you, your brain gets "tricked." It knows that you have consumed calories, but does not know if you should be hungry or not because it has not gotten the nutrition that you need. Hope that helps! Good luck!

You might go back to more meals but smaller portions. Drink alot of water. The water flushes your system and fills the stomach more. Try to exercise 10-20 minutes a day. Doesn't matter when. Cut out pop completely. These are just a couple that I have recently tried to get my weight off and it seems to be working. Let me know how you do. ____@____.com

i know from experience that hydroxycut works to curb your appetite and all you really have to do as far as exercise is walk around the block once a day or a couple times a week and it burns fat away besides walki9ng alone curbs your appetite so put your baby in a stroller or wagon and go for a walk lol hope this was some help...p.s i found myself eating like crazy and not feeling full until i started walking!!!

You didn't say if you were breastfeeding. It can make you hungry all the time and you just need to make sure you are eating good foods and not junk. Whenever I want something sweet I have yogurt or eat a couple small pieces of dark chocolate.

It sounds like you may want to get your THYROID checked?!?

Hi L.,

The main cause of weight gain is portions. Weight watchers has a great point system that I know has worked for a lot of people.
The more you eat, the more it takes to fill you up, been there :)
weight watchers also has a support program....
If you can't afford it, try the lean cuisine meals, they give you small portions while you get your stomach used to smaller portions again....