Posted by sjb on September 13, 2002, at 13:39:39
In reply to Re: The Law of Thermodynamics, posted by utopizen on September 12, 2002, at 6:50:28
I think most of us know that overeating is not a good thing to do. I also think that most of us, esp.women, know the caloric content of just about every food item and have read a ton of information of the subject.
However, I don't think it is that simple for those of us who struggle with weight/food to simply say we have the power to reach for the food or not. You have never had a weight problem, (thank your Lucky Stars!), but you are here on this board for I guess, at the least, depression. Would you tell anyone on this board struggling with depression to "pull themselves up by the bootstraps"? I doubt it. We hear this from well meaning folks who don't have a clue what depression is like and I know when I hear it, I want to scream. Most who have experienced depression know that is not that easy to "snap out of it" and would never advise another depressive with these phrases.
Because you never have had a weight problem, I would guess that you have never gone on a diet which usually includes, forbidding certain foods, retricting, trying to supress hunger, etc. I believe that's where a lot of problems start. I think it somehows screws up your satiety brain set point or something.
I know I never had "a problem with food" until I tried dieting. I have since battled a problem with binge eating. When the urge hits, yes, I'm the one who picks up the food and stuffs it in my mouth, but the cravings are so overwhelming, I just can't describe it how much I'm NOT in control. It's like a monster inside me takes over and my only focus is to get the foods I crave and binge on them. I've tried all the tricks, call a friend, go for a walk, wait a certain amount of time, etc. but my ENTIRE thought process is on that food and I can't stop thinking about until I get it. It's feeling that I would knock down my own mother if she were in the way of me getting to that food.
If everything were as simple as you say, there would be no addiction of any kind, including sex, gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc. Most folks in the throws of addiction are not stupid. Most alcolics know that excess alcohol is not a healthy endevour. This is not a education problem, per se, at least for most of here in modern America. Would you tell an alcoholic to "just say no"? Don't get me started on Nancy Reagan.
There remains debate on weather food addiction belongs with the other addictions and I can't say I have totally concluded what side is right, maybe one or the other is right depending on the individual. Most nutricians I have dealt with maintain that there is no "bad" food, however OA and others of the addiction model disagree. A lot of those that come down on the addiction side say flour and sugar are to be totally avoided. As an endurance athlete, I have a problem with that. These things are often a useful aid in recovery from a hard workout.
However, I have also found that there are many items that I binge on that I have difficulty eating in moderation. I would love to be able to totally avoid these items, but have not been able to do so. If it's willpower problem, well, than I admit I have a weak one.
I'm rambling all over that place hear but I think I've made my point that simply "saying no" and not picking up the food is too simplistic for some of us.
poster:sjb
thread:119090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020906/msgs/119741.html