Trying To Improve

[Guest Melodium]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but I was hoping for advice.

I'm getting everything in my life on track for once. Going to therapy, getting engaged soon, doing well in school and my job. However, I have a clear eating problem.

When I was younger I became severely depressed due to physical and mental abuse from my mother. I went from 90lbs to 160lbs in one year. However, with the help of my friends and teachers, I was able to lose 50lbs in two years.

Now, almost five years later, I weigh 160lbs again. These last two years have been hell for me, and I found myself falling back into emotional overeating again.

Here's my issue: I know my problem, and I still can't stop. I'll catch myself eating just so I can feel some comfort. It's almost like a high. The sad thing is, I don't have much to be sad about anymore. I have so many things to be grateful for, yet I still cram my face full of food the second I get even the slightest bit depressed.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? How did you get over this? I'm financially strapped as it is and can't afford another therapist ontop of my trans therapist. I've tried online support groups and always feel out of place because everyone has the opposite problem as me.

[Carolyn Marie]

Hi, Melodium. Yes, this is definitely the right Forum to discuss your issues.

I am no authority on weight control; shoot I've been trying to lose the same ten pounds for 12 months.

Have you tried getting in more physical activity? If you spend a lot of time at a desk, try standing to talk or use the phone, or walk around at least 5 minutes each hour. It doesn't sound like much, but it will burn 100-200 calories.

Instead of eating fatty or sugary snacks, snack on veggies or cut up some fruit. That way you can keep your mouth busy and your stomach full, but not take in so many calories.

It's really hard, I know, but hopefully others here will have even better suggestions.

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Aries]

That's some really good advice from Carolyn. Fresh (raw) veggies & fruit should comprise 40%-50% of each meal, and like Carolyn said, they make great snack foods. Also if you find yourself stuck in a chair, you can try wiggling a leg (tapping a foot). This wiggling won't replace vigorous activity but it can burn a lot of calories. Just try not to annoy your neighbors (I learned that the hard way lol).

if you are looking for something more vigorous...

-Jumping Jacks are great

-Heismans/Airborne Heismans

-Yoga

-Leg Raises

-run in place

*20 mins of cardio per day is said to be enough to maintain good health for people with an average diet. (if you eat very well it will be more than sufficient)

Before you try any new exercise make sure you know the proper way to do them in order to avoid injury. There are many resources online or at the public library too! I hope this helps!

[Guest justjosh]

Melodium,

I've alluded to an issue I have with emotional eating in another thread. Of course, I am not qualified to diagnose or treat any condition, but perhaps some technique I suggest might be helpful to you as you seek treatment. You talk about eating a lot of food in a short period of time at the first signs of depression. It may be beneficial to do some imagery work when you start to feel this way.

If possible, find a nice quiet area where you can close your eyes and relax, then try to relax each part of your body from top-down or bottom-up. Once relaxed, start to picture in your mind yourself free of the worries and stresses in your life. Find the happy you, free of depression, sadness, anger, guilt, shame, or whatever has signaled to the brain that you should binge on the food. Picture taking a walk with that happy you as you stroll along a path around a favorite landmark, maybe a lake, a meadow, wherever you would like to be. Stay on that trip until you no longer care about the issue that brought you to this place. Before your journey ends, take a moment to reinforce some positive messages about yourself to yourself. Say as many positive things about yourself that you can come up with. "I am happy", "I am loved", "I am whole", etc. Even if you can't necessarily agree with the statement at the time, say it anyway. I've found through time, the conscious you will begin to accept the statements that are being reinforced by the subconscious you.

As far as basic healthy eating and fitness, I'll yield to the fine answers provided above by Carolyn Marie and Aries. I'm nowhere near an expert in that realm, as I am probably best described as a bear in the gay subcultural divide.

[Guest Cariad]

god I can relate to what you are saying I have actually suffered from bulimia/anorexia for years since my early teens..I tend to sway between the two..I get what your saying about knowing what you are doing but unable to stop..it become a habit and one that needs to be broken..easier said than done I know..Have you spoken to a doctor about it..its easy for us all yo advice on the right foods and exercise etc...but when you are stuck in this cycle its so hard to motivate yourself to do any of that..I also can relate to the comfort thing..I often when I feel im eating ok..if I feel low or ill..will resort to junk food..I get what you mean by its a high..it seems to just bypass the bad feelings for a while and the sugar/fat becomes a substitute for your feelings at that time..I find myself doing that more often than I would like..

Have you got a T to talk with about it..maybe they can actually refer you to someone that can work thru the issue and start from the beginning ..there has to be a reason for this and getting to the root is the only way you will start improving and changing things..

one thing I do is write a routine on paper and stick to the wall by my bed with blue tack.. reminding me mealtimes etc.. and what to eat when..the main thing I found as I have also gain a bit of weight is I was always eating late at night..and that's the worst time to eat no time for it to be worked of at all so is stored as fat..

anyway I really do not know if i have been any help at all but im here to listen and really hope you can get the support and help you need..

hang in there