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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
Ok, at least diet. Exercise might be a stretch goal.
I find myself doing the most totally stupid things, healthwise. As a diabetic, I know I'm supposed to watch what I eat. And the glucophage does a pretty good job of keeping me away from fatty foods, because it makes me pay a steep price for eating them.
But why do I sabotage myself with food I don't even want? Sugar filled rather than diet drinks? Candy that I don't even like? And the occasional binge that makes me nearly pass out? Which isn't as bad as it sounds because with glucose intolerance, it doesn't take all that much to put me under. I'm not even a sweet person!
I really need to covenant with myself to avoid at least the totally unnecessary debauches. The ones that involve food that I don't even like or that make me feel unwell. And perhaps to substitute healthy for unhealthy alternatives when it doesn't make that much difference.
My goals aren't high. I'm not expecting to give up pasta or white bread completely. Just to quit doing the totally self destructive things...
(I wouldn't mind losing weight either. I don't carry excess weight well.)
Posted by shar on January 4, 2004, at 12:22:25
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
> The ones that involve food that I don't even like or that make me feel unwell.
..........feeling unwell makes life so awful, imo...even just having a low grade headache or upset stomach or something changes the quality of life for me. No matter what the cause or symptom of feeling unwell, I'd like to give you lots of support to aim for feeling well.
> Just to quit doing the totally self destructive things............I think that's a great goal, and there are probably not too many things you do that are totally self-destructive.
> I don't carry excess weight well.
.........I hear that! Good luck on having that side effect!
Shar
Posted by judy1 on January 6, 2004, at 10:41:25
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
It sounds like you pay a high price physically when you eat sweets, if I suffered everytime I ate chocolate (which I do a LOT)- I probably would be able to stop, I don't handle being uncomfortable well.
Do you not like diet drinks? some people say they can taste the nutrasweet, but I honestly don't. I actually prefer diet coke to regular.
It's easier not to eat stuff that isn't in the house (which I know is really tough with kids), can you try that first?
best of luck- judy
Posted by Penny on January 6, 2004, at 10:54:06
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
I hear you! I simply CANNOT diet - well, that's not entirely true, as I've been somewhat successful (as much as 35 lbs) in the past, but it's not something I can really live with. Not to mention that I keep waiting to feel more energy after I've been eating healthily and lost some weight. But I've never had that experience, so I think there's more to it.
I actually would like to try the opposite of what you said, Dinah. Exercise, but no diet. Or perhaps try eating in moderation, but not be too hard on my food choices (still allow for the things I love), but try to get some walking, yoga, etc. in there. I think THAT would make me feel better moreso than dieting.
I don't know what to tell you about certain foods making you feel bad, yet continuing to eat them. Personally, I see it sometimes as a way of punishing myself, though perhaps not totally consciously. I don't have diabetes (yet), but certain foods do make me feel *terrible*, yet I push that right out of my mind when I eat.
Wish I had an answer. Just keep working toward what you want - don't give up, I guess!
Take care.
P
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on January 6, 2004, at 11:44:48
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
Dinah,
Dieting DOES NOt work for me. I have found the only way to lose weight is to exercise by doing something you love. For me, that's dancing. I take dance classes 3 nights a week (scottish country dance, flamenco,and mexican folk dance)and have lost 30 pounds over the course of a year because I was exercising more. I did not change the way I ate at all and I love sweets. I have found that if I am on a diet, I feel deprived and end up binging. But for me the key has been doing something that doesn't feel like exercise but really is. Dance is wonderful.
Do you have rhythm?
Posted by Wildflower on January 9, 2004, at 12:44:22
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
> But why do I sabotage myself with food I don't even want?
Could it be stress eating? There's a whole bunch of information that on the web. It causes you to eat when you not hungry and also to eat foods that you may not like just for the sugar (comfort) fix.
> And perhaps to substitute healthy for unhealthy alternatives when it doesn't make that much difference.
One of the easiest changes is switching to diet drinks. Integrate them slowly. I created a diet/regular cocktail of regular Coke and Diet Coke (50/50) until I was totally on Diet. (Yes, I'm a bit strange) There are also many Crystal Light drinks that are quite yummy!
> My goals aren't high. I'm not expecting to give up pasta or white bread completely. Just to quit doing the totally self destructive things...Next time you crave sweets or carbs, try drinking a very large glass of water. It may stop you from eating that candy bar.
> (I wouldn't mind losing weight either. I don't carry excess weight well.)
There are a ton of exercise videos out - nearly one for every taste. Treat yourself to one and watch the scale drop.
Posted by Wildflower on January 9, 2004, at 12:58:27
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
http://content.health.msn.com/living_better/health-e-tools/dessertwizard.htm?y=1
Posted by Dinah on January 11, 2004, at 17:54:44
In reply to Re: Diet and exercise » Dinah, posted by Penny on January 6, 2004, at 10:54:06
I really think it's mood cycle related. Right now I'm barely eating anything. My blood sugar was only 95 yesterday morning! Yeaaay!
So when I start eating everything in sight again, I'll try to notice what my mood is.
Posted by gardenergirl on January 11, 2004, at 21:58:52
In reply to Re: I'm doing better, posted by Dinah on January 11, 2004, at 17:54:44
I definitely understand eating out of stress, even if it does not really make you feel better. I agree with a previous post about exercise. That always makes me feel better than dieting, which I can never seem to do. Do you have a favorite mode of exercise? One that you notice feeling good about right away?
What about favorite or effective diet plans? I was thinking about trying weight watchers, but of course I could argue that I don't have the time. :) I did the best when my husband was first diagnosed with diabetes and was managing on diet and exercise alone. We both lost weight, me because I needed it, him because he was not eating enough. When he finally went on insulin (he turned out to be a late onset type I), we both gained the weight back. Lucky me :), but good for him as he looked terrible being so thin.
Forgive me for forgetting who said this, but having binge foods available definitely makes it easier to overeat. I know this is bad for me. I wonder if I could get up the nerve to toss all of the sweets in the house? I do have healthy choices, fruits and veggies, baked versus fried chips, etc. available. But I always go with the sweets and pass up the fresh stuff until I end up throwing out the fresh stuff when it goes bad. What a waste!
Anyway, I have, as usual turned my attempt to be supportive to you, Dinah, into being about me. Sorry. Getting a little needy here and turning to food to help. So your post resonated with me.
Take care of yourself, Dinah. You deserve to feel GREAT! We all do.
g
Posted by bookgurl99 on January 22, 2004, at 23:26:45
In reply to Diet and exercise, posted by Dinah on January 4, 2004, at 12:05:36
Man, I hear you. I have been able to overcome so much, but overeating seems to be more than biological: I think it has a practical, physical, and emotional basis.
For example, you might get a dopamine "reward" for eating a bit of chocolate, but then your blood sugar doesn't stay that stable. An hour later you're hungry again, STARVING, so you end up eating the wrong thing -- something that's easier to grab away from home like a bunch of chips -- instead of a lower glucose snack that requires cooking.
To help me out, I've really been thinking of joining a support group. I'm already following a food-pyramid plan at www.ediets.com, but I think I need a face-to-face support group. I'm turned off by Weight Watchers because I don't want to count points or pay $10 a meeting, plus the $30 joining fee, so I've thought of Overeater's Anonymous. But when I've read OA's online literature, it seems geared towards overeaters who have serious food issues -- anorexia, bingeing, obsessions. I do sometimes overeat quite a bit, but I don't know if I can say I have an 'illness.' Another part of me thinks, hey, I could start a support group like this at my community college, since I have to be there once a week anyways. I don't know what we'd talk about, though -- maybe chocolate? (hee hee hee)
Posted by Vera on January 27, 2004, at 14:41:51
In reply to Re: I'm doing better, posted by gardenergirl on January 11, 2004, at 21:58:52
Hi
I am sooo much like you, and our situations are even similar. I'm an overeater (but I REALLY look it) and my hub is thin. But he's also a recovering cancer patient, and during treatments, he lost more weight, of which he had none to spare! So, I cooked evrything he needed to eat, which, of course, I ate, too...I gained way more than he did. :-(
I am now on a diet, and have thought of some sort of place to go for help and support. Thing is, Weight Watchers and the like are more for support as you diet. Overeaters Anon. is more for people who, shall we say, have more of a problem with food, emotional eating, bingeing, etc. I am seriously thinking of giving it a try, but I'm still a coward when it comes to going "public" with something that is such a very private issue. I don't know if any of this applies to you, but if you, like me, are an emotional/stress eater, OA may be a better fit for you. And yes, it definitely helps to not have all the bad-for-you snacks in the house...But for me, that'd REALLY difficult, because I feel as though that's punishing my hub! What I NEED is to just have more will-power. But it's sooo hard...hence, my thought to try OA. Still in the "thinking" stages, tho!! :-)
Posted by bookgurl99 on January 27, 2004, at 20:14:53
In reply to Re: I'm doing better » gardenergirl, posted by Vera on January 27, 2004, at 14:41:51
Is OA for emotional eaters? I know I had a horrible day at work today and my thought was -- go to McDonald's, get a burger and ice cream instead of my planned healthy meal. I thought -- whoa -- I really need to learn to deal with stress in a better way.
Posted by Vera on January 28, 2004, at 15:35:56
In reply to Re: I'm doing better, posted by bookgurl99 on January 27, 2004, at 20:14:53
Absolutely. Or for people that have ANY kind of a problem with food, such as bingeing. They offer support and ways to help you conquer attaching emotional/psychological issues to eating. If you want to learn more about them, where they are in your area, etc., they're on the web. Sorry, don't recall their address, but you can just enter "Overeaters Anonymous" in the search. They can explain everything better than I! Good luck to you.
Posted by bookgurl99 on January 28, 2004, at 19:59:26
In reply to Re: I'm doing better, posted by Vera on January 28, 2004, at 15:35:56
Ok -- I _am_ going to go to an OA meeting this Friday. There are several meetings in my area; the Friday one meets my schedule needs this week.
I'm so nervous! I'm scared to go in and start questioning publicly -- could I have a problem, and if so, what can I do about it?
Also, I know it's maybe unfair but -- I think of 12-Step as being filled with unhealthy, unsuccessful "victims" of life. People who will identify the problem but not get over it. I don't want to blame others or any crap like that; I just want to change my behavior. I really want to have healthy friends and be surrounded by healthy people.
Does anyone know who to gravitate towards and who to avoid in these meetings? I don't want to exchange numbers with people who are going to call me and cry over something minor; I want to meet positive people.
Posted by Vera on January 28, 2004, at 23:07:09
In reply to planning to go to an OA meeting this Friday » Vera, posted by bookgurl99 on January 28, 2004, at 19:59:26
I think it is absolutely terrific that you're going to give OA a try! I envy that you could so easily & quickly make this decision. I've been vacillating for weeks!! My MD recommended I give it a try for my food/eating issues, but I'm such a painfully shy person...then there's the GAD...well, I just haven't been able to summon up the courage to do this yet. So, I will be VERY anxious to hear back from you to see how it went.
I have no idea what it's like at a meeting, but I suspect you are allowed to set your own pace as to how much or little you choose to say, or share, at these meetings. And I believe it's not about blame, and it IS about changing behavior, and making healthy choices. Hmmm, as far as the gravitate/avoid thing, maybe just take it a step, and a person, at a time? I suspect that everyone there is there for the same reasons...and they have taken a positive step in the right direction.
I sincerely hope that this will turn out to be a great and helpful experience for you. If not, well, you know what they say...the door swings both ways. Again, I'll be very anxious to hear about your experience...maybe actually hearing about a meeting from someone first-hand will be a good motivator for me. Good luck to you!
Posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2004, at 11:08:29
In reply to planning to go to an OA meeting this Friday » Vera, posted by bookgurl99 on January 28, 2004, at 19:59:26
Good for you! I am anxious to hear how it went. Right now I just feel like I don't have the time, although part of that is because I've been procrastinating so much that I have to really buckle down now.
But it is something I am considering. I think it's a good idea to have the support.
Please fill us in afterwards!
gg
Posted by bookgurl99 on February 3, 2004, at 20:58:35
In reply to Re: planning to go to an OA meeting this Friday » bookgurl99, posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2004, at 11:08:29
Hey everyone --
I wasn't able to make the OA meeting this week. There was too much packed into my schedule. (Actually, now that I think about it, I think one of my friends manipulated me to spend more time with him that day -- too bad for him, as I will be sure to avoid him now.)
So I'm going to go on Thursday. There's a meeting really close to my apartment, in a cool part of town. I will be sure to let you guys know how it went.
p.s. part of all this is motivated by realizing that my pants are getting tight. :D
Posted by gardenergirl on February 3, 2004, at 22:46:39
In reply to Re: wasn't able to make it this week, posted by bookgurl99 on February 3, 2004, at 20:58:35
Good for you for using that motivation to do something positive. Mine are getting too tight, too, so I just ordered a bigger size. Solves the immediate problem, but what if I keep getting bigger? I admire you. Good luck!
gg
Posted by Penny on February 4, 2004, at 9:49:57
In reply to Re: wasn't able to make it this week, posted by bookgurl99 on February 3, 2004, at 20:58:35
Have you tried the online meetings yet? They look interesting - I was just talking to my T about OA last night - but I doubt that I go...
P
Posted by Wolf Dreamer on February 5, 2004, at 14:41:00
In reply to Re: Diet and exercise, posted by bookgurl99 on January 22, 2004, at 23:26:45
I didn't read all of the replies... I didn't read most of them, so sorry if anyone else mentioned this already.
Sugar cravings are caused by candida. I had that constantly for much of my life, and although it is hard to break away from it, after a reasonable amount of time you will crave no more.
Eating even one thing with sugar in it, even natural sugar like oranges, will get you to start craving chocolate and other sugary things once again.
Candida is this naturally occuring stuff in your body, that grows rapidly when exposed to sugar or alcohol, thus causing problems because it grows into your cells, mutates or whatever, causes a beer gut for some people(leaky gut syndrome or whatever). Basically it depletes the body of vitamin B, and causes other problems, including increasing anxiety.
You feel better and more relaxed when you cave in and feed it what it wants, but only for a short time, then you are basically back as usual.
Try to remove sugar from you home entirely, since otherwise you will binge on it.
Posted by john constantine on February 17, 2004, at 15:07:16
In reply to Re: Diet and exercise » Dinah, posted by Wildflower on January 9, 2004, at 12:44:22
Hello,
I've never tried dieting or exercise myself. I was on a horrible monstrous drug called Zyprexa -- one of the new antipsychotics -- that, in addition to killing sex drive, numbing all emotion, turning me into an intellectual zombie, and making my skin pasty-pale all over -- for about two years and it caused me to go from about 175lbs to nearly 300lbs. It just hits that hunger center so damn hard!
Anyways -- after I stopped taking it, I began taking dextroamphetamine (dexedrine, dextrostat) for depression. No diet. No exercise. No daily affirmations. Within 8 months I was back around 180lbs.
It is possible to mess oneself up with amphetamines but my personal experience has been that the warnings and stuff are way overblown, just more war on drugs type hysteria. If you have have some mild sedatives on hand to take the edge off now and then, that stuff just doesn't apply. In my case, I also found that this is easy stuff to start and stop. Not true for all though, I guess.
So I highly recommend a good old amphetamine like dextroamphetamine (or adderall, a bit stronger, or even ritalin, a little weaker) for anyone who is sick of all the diet bullshit.
Bottom line is it works.
Posted by bookgurl99 on February 19, 2004, at 15:47:56
In reply to Re: planning to go to an OA meeting this Friday » bookgurl99, posted by gardenergirl on January 29, 2004, at 11:08:29
Hey everyone --
I finally made it to my first Overeater's Anonymous meeting today. :D
I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the people might be strange, but they seemed really normal even while recounting stories of severe problems with food -- hmm, kind of like this board at times.
I wasn't able to say "My name is Bookgurl99 and I'm a compulsive overeater." I had trouble with the whole 'compulsive' part. I just said my name, that I'm a newcomer, and that I'd pass on speaking. But after reading some OA lit., I think I have to admit that I _do_ compulsively overeat to handle problems.
Anyways, the people were of all ages, sizes, and religious beliefs. There was one man and about 5 women (I think probably a lot of men overeat compulsively but our culture justifies it or views it differently, so that they don't realize they need help).
So -- we'll see. I feel that I have a lot to learn from here, so I am at step one of the twelve stops. It'll be interesting to see how I can use spiritual, physical, and emotional tools together to overcome this problem.
I'd say, don't be scared.
Posted by Vera on February 20, 2004, at 11:24:24
In reply to Made it to my first OA meeting!, posted by bookgurl99 on February 19, 2004, at 15:47:56
Hi Bookgurl99-
I so admire your braveness! I'm still in the thinking stages about this for myself, but your experience was encouraging. At any time were you made to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or encouraged to do or say anything you didn't want to? Did you feel accepted? I know I need to go, but my GAD has prevented me from taking that all-important first step. So far...
Thanx
Vera
Posted by bookgurl99 on February 20, 2004, at 17:13:02
In reply to Re: Made it to my first OA meeting! » bookgurl99, posted by Vera on February 20, 2004, at 11:24:24
Vera, you asked:
"At any time were you made to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or encouraged to do or say anything you didn't want to? Did you feel accepted? "
I would have to say no. I did feel uncomfortable first going, and getting to meet everyone. I was blown away when I realized that it's going to be a serious commitment to choose not to use food the way that I have in the past.
But, I was not made to feel that I had to speak at all -- only to listen, really, which is what I wanted. I wanted to learn. Someone said "You are not obligated to say anything at any time." That felt nice. :D
Have you looked at the OA website? If you're interested in "working on" the issues without a formal support group yet, maybe you could take baby steps by ordering some literature.
This is the end of the thread.
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