overeating & disgusted

Are there any Overeaters Anonymous or Food Addicts Anonymous meetings nearby. I know you're a busy student, but they might help. Or perhaps you can find something online.

Compulsive emotional overeating is almost like an addictive disease. I did that when I quit drinking 13 years ago. Sometimes having someone to talk to helps.

Best of luck to you!

inbox, i'm sorry to hear of your anguish.
seriously, i can feel it through the screen, it's palpable.

other than recommending a reputable therapist, i would also suggest physical exercise...
whatever it may be, but it should be a decent workout.
force yourself if you must, but i am certain it will help you.

nsg school is stressful.
do what it takes, to improve your mood and stress levels.
any increase in self-esteem, will do wonders re the self-sabotage.
so start taking care of you, and it'll work... if you wish it.

leslie

Well, I feel for you. Water, lots of water. Everytime you feel like eating, drink water. It fills you up, doesn't put weight on you and is cleansing. By this I don't mean stop eating. You must have a balanced diet of course.
I quit smoking 4 years ago after 47 years. Now, most folks eat and put on weight, but I lost weight just because I drank heaps of water.

GOOD LUCK. Rember we are all here to help each other.

Michael

I am having the same difficulties and the same feelings I hate it and yes I have been here, time and time and time AND TIME again. I was about 145 in August, now close to 160. I had to restart some bipolar meds so I can attribute some to THOSE, but just constantly hungry and usually it is carbs I'm craving - which are primarily what make me put on the weight! Argh... and not motivated just yet to do anything about it.

Nursing school IS stressful. On top of it, you have to battle biology: More stress=increased cortisol levels, which tend to drive appetite, which in turn contributes to overeating. Add on top of all THAT the 'winter blues' as so many people experience at this time of year---feeling sluggish and depressed, wanting to hibernate, and craving carbs---and you've got yourself a nasty problem.

What to do? Everyone is different, but I know what works for me is the hardest thing for me to do, and that's to cut out sweets. Naturally, no one can avoid ALL sugar, but when I stop eating cookies, cake, candies and other sweet treats, my mood improves and my energy returns.

It's amazing, and it doesn't take very long to get used to; last year I went off sweets for 10 months and didn't really miss them. Unfortunately, I let my seasonal-affective thing take over in the fall and I goofed off for several months, which led to an eight-pound regain of the 65 pounds I'd lost; now that I'm back on track (I gave up sweets for Lent), I already feel better. My mind is clearer without the stuff, too---and I know from experience that when you're in nursing school, your brain needs to be firing on all eight cylinders!

Movement is another good thing, even if it's nothing more than doing housework or cleaning up the yard. I know that when I get to feeling down, the last thing I want to do is clean the bathroom! But if you can find an activity that's also fun, it's much easier to incorporate more movement in your life (I hate the word exercise, it sounds too much like a make-work job, or a duty........and don't we all have enough of those?).

Good luck to you, and please let us know how you're doing.

I can definitely relate. My problem is the staying up late studying = more eating, and late at night makes it that much worse.

I agree, try an overeaters anonymous or something similar. Maybe even try the website Sparkpeople.com, it is about living a healthy lifestyle and there are a TON of boards and groups that talk and keep each other on the right path. Maybe just talking with others that are in the same position will help.

I really hope you find peace.

I use to think that overeating/overweight/obesity was only due to a lack of willpower, but as a I read more and more studies, I truly believe that overeating/obesity is due to an addiction to food.
I mean really, most people with a weight problem are not happy with their appearance or how they feel. Why would one continue the bad cycle? Addiction. That is what defines an addiction. I read that dopamine, a brain chemical associated with addiction to cocaine, alcohol, and other drugs, may also play an important role in obesity. This makes a lot of sense.
I know several people who exercise all of the time, but their calorie intake is greater than what they burn, so they remain the same weight.
Fat discrimination is alive and well in the USA. It seems to be the one thing that people can openly discriminate against without much, if any retaliation, IMO.

See you Physician and perhaps look into Overeaters Anonymous classes. Sometimes working with someone and getting the support you need can kick start the pathway to healthy living.

(((hugs)))

Just the other day I was watching Dr. Oz (normally he annoys me but it was the only thing on) and one of the guests was this woman who gained 100lbs in one year. She was an emotional eater who initially felt she had control of her food intake and then realized later she no longer had that control. They went through 4 steps on how to stop emotional eating and they seem reasonable. One of the steps I want to elaborate on is step 3-be mindful. What they had the audience members do while explaining this step was put a raisin in their mouth (they gave everyone a bag of raisins) and don't chew or swallow it right away. Take 30 seconds to feel the raisin in your mouth, taste it on your tongue and basically be aware of what you are eating. Then, you can chew and swallow it. Basically be fully aware of what you're putting in your mouth. Here is a link for all 4 steps, I hope it helps. Best of luck!!

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/stop-...nal-eating-now

First of all, remind yourself that you are a good person inside. Those that judge you based simply on your physical (overweight) appearance aren't worth knowing.

Find your own path to weight loss. Decide what you truly WANT and CAN do. Maybe that's nothing right now because of the stress you're dealing with in nursing school... and that has to be okay.

IF you decide to proceed with weight loss, don't rush into faddish diets or pills or exercise machines. Think about what you can do, given your MOTIVATION and TIME and SCHEDULE. If you only want to walk one block a day, that has to be okay. If you think you can start with cutting out one soda a day, do that. Then, gradually add on to your regimen.

Try to multitask. A voice recorder was a great tool for me. I recorded my class notes and/or highlights of nursing chapters on a voice recorder. Then, I listed to them during the drive to and from school, and during my one-hour walk every day.

Remember, you're not alone. Not all of us have the "skinny" DNA. I gained 20 lbs in nursing school. Graduated in May 2009. Waited until January 2010 to start a diet (because I knew I could handle it and stick to it). I've lost an average of 2 lbs a week - the recommended max amount of weight loss per week.

Hugs to you.