Hello...new to board.

[Chicomecoatl]

I have struggled with my relationship to food since Jr High. I'm hoping that something will work and am willing to watch and learn. I most recently was on the South Beach Diet, but DH and I recently hit a really rough spot financially and I just haven't been able to deal, and I started back to my bad eating habits after being in control for almost 2 months. I hate feeling this way, but I just feel totally out of control. Food is what makes me feel better. I know that walking/running makes me feel good, but food is easier to get at. I'm way overweight. I hate being this size. I love to read...can anybody tell me any books that helped you that I could read? I feel totally off when I eat so much sugar, so if I seem to be rambling on, that's why. It will be nice to get to know all of you.

I just wanted to say that my screen name, Chicomecoatl is an Aztec goddess known as the "Goddess of Nourishment." I choose the name because I would like to teach myself to use food purely as nourishment instead of an escape.

[Nina Kay]

Welcome Chicomecoatl,
Glad that you found us. I really hope that we all can learn to use food purely as nourishment instead of anything else. I am a compulsive overeater. I tend to overeat for any good reason, good or bad, happy or sad. I do alot of binge eating. Then I skip meals to try and make up for it. That definitely doesn't work though. I hope that you come back often and visit with us. We really need each other here to share and to walk this journey to recovery together. I also feel totally off when I've binged on sugar and the older I get, the worse it affects me. So far, I'm just trying to choose healthy foods over nonhealthy and to stay away from obvious sweets. I've been working a plan to cut down on my caffiene too, as I have been really overdoing that for quite some time. I am also trying to walk some and work up gradually to get more exercise. Kind of trying to do everything moderately, so that I don't feel the great big change and get discouraged when I don't keep it up, like I've always done, for years.

[sugarssweetpea]

Welcome Chicomecoatl
I have been struggling with overeating since a young age too. Like Nina, I also eat whatever mood I am in. It is a compulsion of mine. Whenever I am going somewhere my total focus is on what food is going to be there. Sometimes I even look forward to when people are not around so I can eat without being seen. I am pretty new to this board myself, but the people here are great. Very supportive. I will be praying for you.

[Pony]

Originally Posted by sugarssweetpea

Welcome Chicomecoatl
Sometimes I even look forward to when people are not around so I can eat without being seen.

I am like that too. Embarrassed to admitt it until you just did...lol


Chicomecoat, Hello and welcome to this forum. I am looking forward to getting to know you also. I, too, am an emotional compulsive overeater....eating to numb or celebrate anything. I am also working on eating for health, nourishment. I don't think of it as dieting...because I really hate that word. I am working on changing my habits and my food choices to healthy choices and behaviors. It does take working on the emotional issues that I face daily, with some days better than others. Staying in touch with a support group is one way of getting through the challanging times. There is a group that deals with emotional issues that surroud using food as an escape. It is called Overeaters Anonymous...OA; it uses the 12-step program and sponsors for support as well as other members in the group.

Also above are some links to sites that have info. and other supportive groups, such as online meetings of OA and such. I regularly post the "Food for Thought" meditations. I have found them helpful (which is why I share it with others here).

I hope you stick around here