Breaking Free from Emotional~Compulsive Overeating.....Part One.....11.12.12

I watched the movie Flight last week with my husband even though I knew it was going to be  intense and hard for me to sit through because of the substance abuse scenes  that were going to be played out.  But with Denzel Washington playing the lead character- Captain Whip Whitaker -I had to go.

You see, I've never had an alcohol or substance abuse addiction and have never used drugs but I can identify with what it is like to have an addiction.  An addiction to food that is.

I can't bear to  watch people using drugs in movies or the big screen.  I always end up closing my eyes and plugging  my ears during them  because it brings me to tears to see someone abuse and jeopardize their health.  But also because  it reminds me of how I dealt with life by stuffing myself with food so I wouldn't feel the feelings beneath the surface.

I know why  a person would want to destroy himself instead of dealing with the root cause of the despair, pain, anger, frustration he  must be feeling.  Because the pain is to much to deal with.

But in reality, watching these kind of scenes  makes me take a look at the pain I have experienced and how I chosen to deal with it. From the time I was 3 until I turned 34, I was what you could call a food addict.  Food addiction simply put is .......compulsive eating.......binging........uncontrolled eating.  It is basically an obsession with food.  

I  grew up in a dysfunctional home and unconsciously dealt with it by constantly eating.   I used to be skinny and my family would joke that I had a "tapeworm" and "ate like a man".  I ate all kinds of food without thinking because doing so brought me comfort and throughout my teenage years I picked up the habit of eating several king sized Snickers bars everyday and that stuck with me for years.   After spending 15 years weighing 300 pounds, yo yo dieting, eating out of control, taking diet pills and exercising to no avail, I decided to take control and responsibility for my life and health.   Up until this point, I had blamed everything and everyone for the way my life was turning out and my excess weight. 

This is a 1 pound Snickers Bar!!!!!

Several things that can contribute to being overweight are psychological causes, not being physically active and dieting.  Overweight can stem from emotional problems that have not been addressed.  Eating can be a defense mechanism or a retreat from reality.  

My behavior began with a choice.  Initially it was an unconscious choice.  Even when I realized that the choices that I was making pertaining to food were jeopardizing my health I still continued to eat into oblivion.  I can recall when I was about 23, I had been having some indigestion issues for several weeks but wouldn't go see the doctor.  I was throwing up, and when I'd lay down to go sleep, I'd wake up coughing up oil from the food that I had eaten for dinner.  One night it got so bad that I ended up going to the emergency room and had to have emergency surgery to have my gall bladder removed.   When the doctor asked me what I had eaten.......how much and when- I rambled off "two fried pork chops, rice, gravy, bread, cabbage" like it was no big deal.  Ha!  After surgery and staying in the hospital for a couple of days, I went home and proceeded to carry on like nothing had happened. The one thing that I did change though was drinking up to 100 ounces of water per day.  I somehow thought that this would remedy the situation.

I found out the hard way that if you ignore the truth about something you are really hurting yourself. 

When the behavioral choice that a person makes- be it  drugs, alcohol, food, television, exercise etc......reduces stress, it is likely that the same behavior will be used the next time that stress appears. 

I was  always told that "what happens in this house, stays in this house".  And although I had some positive role models growing up, they were few and far between.  
I didn't realize that I was actually depressed until some years later when I began to see a therapist.  Even when I would go to my counseling sessions, I would often show up late and with food in hand to eat while in the session.

Depression is a common health condition and isn't a weakness.  Which is what I though it was.  You can't just snap out of depression because it is a health condition that involves the mind and the body and affects how you think and behave.  Depression can also cause some emotional and physical problems and sometimes it may make you feel as though you are not able to go on with your daily activities.  Symptoms of depression vary from person to person and include but are not limited to: overeating, loss of interest in your normal activities, sadness, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and irritability.  Please seek professional help if you need it.

I broke free from emotional......compulsive overeating by accepting responsibility for my life and health and realizing that it would be far better for me to really, really try to win.

Stay Tuned for Part 2, RR

Health Hero Profile 5.28.12........One Day He Just Stopped Eating So Much~Gregg McBride

What is your age and where are you from?

I have lived all over the world. My father was in the Air Force, so we traveled quite a bit. I was born in Germany and have lived and visited places all around the globe (including India, Singapore and even the good ol’ U.S. of A.).

What was your beginning weight?

I made my debut weighing 8 pounds and 6 ounces (at birth). I started putting on excess weight in the first grade and continued to do so through and after college. My all time high was over 450 pounds (I don’t know how much over, as the scale I had at the time wouldn’t register any weight over 450 pounds and instead registered “ERR” for ‘Error’).

What is your current weight and how long have you maintained it?

I currently weigh around 175 pounds. I don’t weigh myself anymore. I put too much mental pressure on myself based on whatever number the scale was registering. So I judge whether I’m staying at my goal weight by how my clothes are fitting, my energy level, etc. I have maintained my weight loss for well over a decade.

What made you want to lose weight and exercise; was there something specific that happened or was it a combination of things?

I had a lot of “Low moments” while overweight (breaking a movie theater seat while on a date, having to ask for seat belt extensions on airplanes and having my scale register “ERR” for ‘Error,’ as mentioned earlier). But it wasn’t until a friend at work glibly suggested that I “Just stop eating so much” that something ‘clicked’ in my head and I began to not only take off the pounds, but also keep them off. (Up to this moment I’d been on diets my entire life and had some success, but would always end up cheating and gain back even more weight than I’d lost.)

What diets, supplements, and fitness programs have you tried in the past?

I’ve tried all the diets -- the group ones, the crazy ones, the fad ones and the wacky ones. You name it, I’ve tried it.

How'd you lose your weight?

The old fashioned way: Eating less, working out more. I also made sure I was drinking plenty of water as well as getting plenty of sleep. The moments I stopped trying to trick my body, my body responded in kind and I lost over 275 pounds.

Did you share your plans with other people? How did your family, friends and co-workers influence and support you?

I had a habit of always announcing my new diet (usually starting on a Monday morning) to anyone who would listen. But the time that I began the diet that took and kept all the excess weight off, I was more centered and quiet about. It wasn’t long before people noticed I was losing weight and that my clothes were looser, so they would then ask if I was dieting. I would tell them then. But up to that point, I told a precious few people, deciding this time I was going to do it, rather than just talk about it.

What were some of the challenges that you experienced on your weight loss journey?

There were all sorts of adventures along the way (or weigh, one might say). And certainly there were lots of challenges. I especially had a hard time with social occasions. I could be true to my diet at home, but once out at a party or restaurant, my will power ran low. For a while, I found it was easier to forego the social occasions and just stay true to my eating plan. There were friends who were appalled at this decision. But there were also friends who understood. After some mental struggle, I realized there was nothing wrong with doing what I had to do -- even if some people viewed it as extreme. I liken myself to a racing horse with blinders on. I set a goal and never lost focus of that goal.

If you have dieted in the past and regained the weight, what did you do differently this time?

I wasn’t trying anything wacky, fad-ish or crazy. I was eating healthy foods (from all food groups) and working out regularly. I was doing healthy things for my body, rather than potentially harmful things (like crash dieting, etc.).

In what ways has your life changed?

My life has changed in so many ways. For starters, I no longer run out of breath from just talking on the phone. I also don’t overeat to the point that I would have to lie in bed, holding my stomach, sweating and in terrible pain. But one of the biggest changes is my attitude. I realize that while overweight, I was a somewhat judgmental and even nasty person. I was so paranoid about others seeing my flaw (my huge belly), that I would immediately look for (or even assign) a flaw in them. After losing the weight, I became much more accepting of myself and (thankfully) of others. Looking back on my journey, I realize I’ve lost as much ‘mental weight’ as physical weight.

What are some moments-accomplishments that you are most proud of?

I remember being able to walk into The Gap (what I considered to be a “Normal sized persons store” at the time) and buying my first pair of normal-sized jeans. Up until then I’d been wearing a Size 60-inch waist pant. When I bought my first 42-inch waist pair of jeans, I swear I could hear the Hallelujah Chorus playing in the background.

What are your ultimate "must haves"///favorites: foods, fitness routines, music and training gear?

I make sure that my eating and exercise regimes are both balanced and done in moderation. I know that too much of the same thing (be it exercise or food) can lead to boredom. These days if I want some ice cream, I have some. (“Some” being the key word, as opposed to a whole carton or more, like I used to have.) I then make sure I don’t have ice cream for several days. I’ve learned to eat in a balanced way. But I never say, “Never.” In the past, thinking I had to totally cut out certain foods or food groups always led to bingeing as a way of rebellion.

Eating a balanced diet and exercise go hand in hand for permanent weight loss. What do you do for fitness-to stay in shape?

After years of yo-yo dieting, I have definitely weakened my metabolism. Thus I find I need to workout 7 days a week. Although it’s tough to get up around 4:30am every day of the week (I prefer to workout first thing in the morning), I know that I feel so good when my workout is complete. I always combine cardio with some weight lifting. And then I continue to do some light physical activity throughout the day (walking from the far end of a parking lot, taking the stairs instead of an elevator, etc.)

What motivates you to stick with your healthy lifestyle?

When I can wear my skinny jeans and not have to think about being in pain when I sit down (or putting an eye out if a button or snap were to pop off), I know I’m having a good day. I love being in shape, being healthy and being in control.

Do you have any positive quotes you'd like to share?

I have found that age-old saying to be true: “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.”

What words of advice can you give to someone who is struggling to lose weight and exercise?

To be kind to yourself, mentally. Too often us dieters bask ourselves (to others and even inside our own heads). Think about it: Whom would you want to help more? Someone you love? Or someone you hate. The answer is obvious, right? And yet as overweight people, we are very hard on ourselves and often belittle ourselves. Work on positive self-talk and encourage yourself. Love yourself in the moment. You are perfect in this moment. And you’ll be just as perfect after you meet your weight loss goals.

What are your best life lessons and the keys to your success?

Never give up. No matter how many times you’ve tried to diet and then given up in the past, this next time you try might just be the time you succeed. There’s no shame in trying again and again. You have the power inside you to succeed. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Surround yourself with pictures and words that inspire you, set your goals and then do what you need to in order to achieve them. The payoff is incredible -- and you’ll find that all the work will have been worth it.

And lastly, do you have any short term (3 months or less) and long term goals?

I usually don’t assign time limits to my goals, although I always have goals I’m working toward. These days, I work to enjoy the journey to the goals as much as the achievement. Life is about being in and living in the NOW. If we’re happy in this moment, anything and everything is possible.

 

Gregg's Blog: http://blog.juststopeatingsomuch.com/

Gregg on Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gregg-mcbride

Gregg's Just Stop Eating So Much! Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/juststopeatingsomuch

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Rosie's Note:   Gregg is an author, producer, blogger and motivator!  He's also profiled in Joy Bauer's latest release-  Joy Fit Club Book,  What I find incredible about Gregg is that he never gave up trying to lose weight, he has a terrific sense of humor and his light bulb moment was triggered by five simple words from a co-worker.  It was an absolute joy and blast meeting Gregg in April as a guest on the Today Show with Joy Bauer. Although our meeting was brief, we connected quickly and have been in touch ever since.  I firmly believe that the universe provided the opportunity for us to meet because there's a project that we will join forces and work on together.  We just don't know which one yet!!!!  Gregg, thank you for sharing your story and being a friend, RR.

Why I am starting to Blog

Prior to March 2002 I felt as if life had knocked me down because I weighed 300 pounds.  Even though I'd been exercising since my daughter was 3 months old,  I remained at 300 pounds because I was a compulsive and emotional overeater.


In March 2002 I realized that I had reached rock bottom with my health, eating and fitness.  But somehow I found the guts to get up.  I also realized that there was beauty in a breakdown.


I stopped lying to myself, my family and the world and began facing my problems head on and gradually scaled back on the amount and type of food I was eating.  And threw out my scale for 18 months and did some soul searching as to why I was eating the way I was.  During that time I ramped up my workouts to include the elliptical, running, weight training, rowing and  cycling. 
When I weighed myself on my birthday, I had lost 100 pounds and eventually lost 10 more thru additional efforts.

In 2006 I became a personal trainer and established Sporty Diva in 2007 to promote health and wellness thru various channel and provide support, encouragement, education, inspiration and motivation with a philanthropic//pay it forward mission. 

I believe in giving more than I receive and want to help make this world a healthier and fitter place.   We are all in this life together.

Please join me in future discussions about health, wellness, fitness, athletic gear, running, weight lifting, pilates, yoga, food, motivation, family, recipies etc.

Be well in all you do today,

Rosie Rose Coates.....The Sporty Diva

Expect everything of yourself; there is no limit to what you achieve if you put no limits. Do not ever put any achievement out of your purview if it is something you might want. Keep your childhood dreams with you as an adult. They are a reflection of how your soul is trying to guide you in life. Failing is okay. If you try 10 times, you may fail nine of them, but it is only the one success that counts. Use outward goals to direct your progress, but remember that ultimately the path you take is more important than the end you reach~~ Divya Chanderhttp://www.sportydiva.com/