Conference rocks::weight_control

    I look back at some of my pre-WW binges, and am amazed that my weight
    didn't climb up to 306 instead of 206!
    
    Ice cream and salty snacks (such as chips and nuts) were foods that
    I just could not control.
        
    I'd get a pint of hand packed ice cream from my local ice cream
    stand (a stand that packed it not only full, but overflowing, so
    the result was more like a pint and a half), and down the whole
    thing in a sitting even after I had a full lunch or dinner.
    
    I remember many, many occasions where I'd go through a half pound
    bag of chips in a half hour, or a can of nuts (cashews were the
    worst!) in an evening of watching television.
    
    During my weightloss program, I just did without these foods in
    the first few weeks, and upon reaching week 4 (and the 550 optional
    calories that go with it), I would occasionally have a helping of
    these foods -- but a much smaller helping than in the past.  And
    you know what?  I appreciated it more.
    
    Even though I've now reached goal, I will continue to not buy the
    large size containers of ice cream, chips, nuts, or any such "red
    light" foods.  I'll satisfy my urge with a small cone, or a one
    ounce bag.  If I really feel like binging, I'll have 2-3 of
    the small thin WW fudgicles or orange/vanilla pops, and not have
    to regret it afterwards.
    
    
    Paul

OK, it's confession time.
    
    Over the past 2 days I have managed to polish off a full half-gallon
    of ice cream (by myself).  It got to a point that last night I hated
    myself and tried to understand why I ate all that ice cream.  I
    had a heart-to-heart discussion about it with my husband (who has
    never had a weight problem) and we both decided NOT to buy 1/2 gallons
    of ice cream for a while (at least until I'm down 10-20 lbs.)  It's
    very hard to explain to a thin person why we binge, but the excuse
    I came up with was BOREDOM.  I hope I'm not the only one in this
    boat.  I was home alone the past 2 nights and plopped in front of
    the tube with the box of ice cream in front of me.
    
    I still feel a little mad at myself....but staying that way only
    made me feel WORSE.  I woke up this morning with a much better attitude
    and am 'back on the wagon'.  I'm about to go out for my lunch hour
    brisk walk and hope that when I return my attitude will be even
    better.
    
    Maybe a topic for discussion would be, "WHY do you binge?"  You
    really end up doing some soul-searching!
    
    Thank heavens for this notes file.  
    						Patty

    Ah yes, thinking back to binges prior to my weight loss. Let's see...
    Most would occur during the 11 o'clock news (worst time to eat). I'd
    wear a path in the carpet from the family room to the kitchen eating
    whatever was in the goody cabinet - non-stop! Potato chips, ice cream, 
    cookies, peanuts, you name it. And all the time knowing that it was all
    bad for me, but not caring because I was depressed 'cause I was fat
    & felt there was no way I was gonna lose the weight. So why bother.

    Well now, at 40 lbs lighter thanks to self-discipline & the Rotation
    Diet (thank goodness for Martin Katahn), my "binges" consist mainly
    of fruit & occasionally cheese - & I sometimes feel guilty about having
    an apple during the 11 o'clock news. I will admit however, that a few
    weeks ago I went thru a cookie binge, regressing to former eating habits
    for a nite or two. But boy, did I live to regret it. Sick as a dog.
    I've also started to use the "if you're hungry, try exercising" 
    philosophy - thanks to my wife giving me an early Christmas present
    in the form of an exercise bike. Its getting a lot of use.

						    -Dom

    My pre-WW binges consisted of ice cream, Ice Cream, ICE CREAM! 
    (especially Mocha Almond Fudge)!
    
    Now - 19-1/2 bls thinner - I 'binge' on WW desserts.  Sometimes
    I have two of them!  (Yes, they fit into my daily exchanges...)
    And you know what?  I'm truly satisfied.  I lost 2 lbs over
    Thanksgiving, and that included eating pie!
    
    One thing that's nice, is that my stomache has most definitely shrunk.
    I feel sick if I overeat *anything* at all.
    
    Hey, Lynn (The Thynn) we make a pretty good support system being
    in the same office and all!
    
    Colleen (The Lean)

    Lemme think of one ... Louise the sleeze?  Nah!  Louise the tease?
    Perhaps!  Well, I'll take mine from my mom's favorite song - "every
    little breeze seems to whisper Louise...", I now have more trouble
    walking into a headwind!
    
    Louise the breeze

    re .4
    
    Yes, Colleen, you have influenced me more than once without even
    knowing it.  Every time I say "to H--- with it" and head for the
    machines (ours stock Pogens Cookies!), I seem to run into you. 
    I know you would NEVER say anything, being the nice person you are,
    but *I* would know that *YOU* would know, so I don't.
    
    (Is anyone following this?)
    
    Anyhow, what I meant to say is:  "Thanks!"
    
    Lynn

    
    If I binge it usually something SWEET like a few donuts or
    a nice yummy CAKe..I love cake,pudding,pies and DONUTS!
    One time I got a 1/2 of a dozen and ate them all by myself
    and I really liked them but then they really GROW on you
    and I really don't feel good after I EAT this way..
    
    Lately I have been trying some of the Weight Watchers desserts
    and they are good,, I also get the Diet Puddings now and then.
    But even then I have to be careful because I WANT TO eat the 
    whole bowl!!
    
    If I do go to a donut shop I just buy one or two and be happy
    with that..  (-:
    
    
    
    The sweet Binger
    
    Ann
    
    

    Easy beans Ann, just stay away from the donut shops.....

    But I know how it is.  I just have to avoid starting.  The big
    box of raisins in the cupboard is my nemesis right now.  I try
    to keep myself to 2 helpings (about a tablespoon each) per day.
    
    Now, chocolate was a big big problem, until I discovered several
    kinds of chocolate frozen treats that fixed that craving.  Now
    I can get my chocolate "fix" and stay on my maintenance diet!
    The nutrasweet cocoa helps too.
    
    Every time you go for the sweets, Ann, remember your mind's photo
    of yourself naked in front of a mirror.  And spend some time putting
    a "thin me" photo of yourself into your mind, too.  Compare them,
    and watch your resolve improve!  Really, this mind-game works. 
    You have to spend some time on it, making the pictures real for
    you, and making it easy to bring them to mind, but you can do it
    and it will help you curb your cravings.
    
    Another trick is to make a deal with yourself.  You may have that
    sweet thing (but only one of them!) ONLY AFTER YOU DRINK 2 8 OZ
    GLASSES OF WATER!  That will fill your tummy up a bit.  You might
    even find you don't want the sweet.  Or make a deal with yourself
    that you can have one, but not for a half an hour.  Then go do
    something (heck, the bathroom always can stand cleaning) for that
    half hour.  Maybe your craving will evaporate.  Besides, there's
    a mirror in that bathroom - perhaps you'll rethink things while
    you're in there!
    
    --Louise

    Ann,
    
    It sounds to me like sweets (especially cakes and donuts) are your
    "red light" foods.  Try cutting them out completely for a while
    (even if you have to take it "one day at a time").  You may be able
    to add them back into your life at some point in the future, but
    then again you may NEVER be able to handle them.  Only time will
    tell.
    
    I can sympathize - my "red light" foods are potato chips and salted
    nuts.  Even after almost a year on the WW food plan, I still can't
    handle tham.  Maybe someday............Maybe not.  But I'll be
    healthier by avoiding them.
    
    Lynn
    (getting Thynner every day)

    I'm worried about a friend of mine, Theresa Davies. She's 24 years old,
    5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs in excess of 400 pounds. 
    
    I have known Theresa since she was 18. At that time she was around
    100 pounds lighter. Her favourite binge consists of;
    	
    2 whole chickens, a massive amount of fries, a litre of coke,
    & half gallon of Ice cream.
    
    When not binging she never eats less than 4 heavy meals a day with
    numerous large snacks between.
    
    Both her parents, friends and myself have tried to get her to diet,
    she doesn't want to know. 
    Her food bills are massive. But when her father has complained she's
    just got mad and stormed off to the nearest burger shop.
    
    I am really at a loss of what to do, I don't want to see her die
    early of heart desease. She is a very good friend and its upsetting
    to see her just get bigger and bigger all the time.
    
    Does anyone out there know of any branches of Overeaters Anon in the
    UK? Or of any health advisory services?
    
    AIVVCA
    
    
    	
    
    
    

    I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.  She sounds very unhappy, and it
    must be dreadful for you to see her doing this to herself.

    There certainly are organisations in the UK which help with overeating,
    and if I find any information at home, I'll post it here.  Where does
    your friend live?

    Ali

    Your friend has probably not yet hit her own "bottom" with the food.
    The type of binging you describe is very commonly heard in OA.
    
    Look up OA or Overeaters Anonymous in the phone book.  Call or write
    and ask for the literature and a meeting list.  Your friend may not
    respond enthusiastically, but all you can do is give her the
    information.  She has to choose what to do with it.  At least you
    will guarantee she knows where the info is if she should need it.
    
    As someone recovering in OA, I can almost guarantee you that her
    binges are accompanied by a fair amount of despair, hopelessness,
    and feeling "too unique" to be able to receive help.  I would bet
    money that she often gets up the in the morning vowing that "today
    will be different" if she can only muster enough "willpower".  Half
    an hour later, she has her hand in the food and is wondering what
    happened...again.  What surprises me most is that you know about
    her binging.  Most people are very secretive.
    
    The person who can help her most is another OA member with some
    recovery, if you can find one.  It's very hard to hear "good advice"
    from someone who  has not been there when you have an eating disorder.
    
    One more suggestion -- I think it's important not to use full names
    when describing someone who is a private person.  Believe it or
    not, it can open DEC up for lawsuits in some cases.  The moderators
    may prefer that you re-enter your note with no name or just a first
    name.  This suggestion is based both on thinking about DEC, and
    the tradition of anonymity in programs of recovery.  It's not intended
    as a criticism of you -- I admire you for asking how you can help
    your friend.
    
    Best to both of you.
    
    Holly

    If there is no Overeaters Anonymous listed, you might be able to
    get a lead through an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter.