I just realized a stumbling block I've had for about 8 years now: I'm scared of being physically hungry, so I overeat. I've never heard of anyone else having this issue and I was wondering if anyone here has some suggestions or kind words.

It started when I was on the swim team in high school, about 8 years ago. We practiced 1.5 hours before school, AND another 1.5-2 hours after school, 5 days a week, HARD. All that swimming sped up my metabolism. We were not permitted to eat in school, and I would get the fiercest hunger pains until 1:00 pm lunch. It hurt so much it kind of conditioned in me a phobia. I would eat TONS of food the previous night so that I would be 'loaded' up to withstand the next day. This pattern continued even after swim season, and I gained a lot of weight.

Since then, I find myself overeating if I don't know the next time I'll have access to food. I love Atkins because it's designed to forestall hunger, but I still know I'm eating more than I need to feel satisfied. I guess I just think it's time to gently convince myself, Hey Self, you're NOT going to starve (esp with all the pre-made legal snacks i keep around).

Has anyone heard of this? I feel semi-secretive about it. I'm determined not to let this fear of depriving my body sabotage my weight loss. I think i need to 'confess' this in order to start dealing with it...

Thanks for being here
xoxo
-Claire

I think I know exactly what you mean!I grew up poor and we never had enough to eat so when I become an adult I have been anal about having my cupboards full to overflowing and I too think I overate making sure I got enough in case the well would run dry!

To get to the rainbow you must first pass through the rain!

Wow, what kind of school did you go to that wouldn't allow their students to eat? That seems harsh to me.

Your problem though seems totally normal considering what you had to go through. Eating is a very mental action.

Seems you made the first step by acknowledging it and now you can work on overcoming it! Good luck!

~Steph

I know what you mean about not being allowed to eat. We were never allowed to eat at school except at the designated lunch time. Now I'm a teacher, and the same rules apply. Only now I can't even find time for a "designated" lunch time. Boy, can I ever relate.

Beth (aka Fuelmanswife)
http://www.marykay.com/bethsimmons

It makes perfect sense that you overeat because of this. You've made a great first step in overcoming it because you have acknowledged the problem. In the mean time when you start getting that urge to splurge try splurging on something carb free (meat) or very low carb (veggies, veggies, veggies) so it won't do as much damage. Eventually you might learn that you aren't going to go hungry. When you do eat, be sure to ask yourself, "am I really hungry or is it just that I'm eating for the sake of eating" I am a big time emotional eater so I know where you are coming from. You might also try drinking a big glass of water before deciding that you are really hungry. Sometimes that lets you know if you are or aren't really hungry. Good luck!

Susan

LC and feeling better every day!

Atkins since 7/18/03
210/185/140

Moochie, this is actually a common cause of overeating. If you believe in hypnosis, the fear of not having enough food can be instilled as early as as infancy, with not enough nourishment at the breast/bottle. It can even occur in those who have never been in a situation of want.

You are not odd, you are honest. And the great thing about the situation is that you have realized your fear! You can begin now to ask yourself "Is this hunger, or is this my fear talking...."


BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

This is a great WOL for you, Moochie I never feel hungry anymore.

There are some behavioral things you can do to try to change this for yourself. One thing, for instance, is to always leave some uneaten food on your plate. If that sounds difficult, then load up your plate so you know that you'll have something left. After a while it becomes a habit.

***********************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Moochie

I can relate. I worked my way through college without any parental help and there was many a month where my food budget was $3.00. Yes for the whole month. So days would go by without a meal. It not only destroyed my metabolism but has given me a fear of being without food, lots of food, in the house. Kind of feel like scarlet O'Hara "I'll never go hungry again".
Rob

Thanks so much for the words of support; it's kind of remarkable how comforting and empowering they are for me. Dr. Insomnia, the thought of leaving food on the plate actually spooks me out - a sure sign that it's something I need to try. So here's my approach, open to amendments: leave food on the plate, and when it comes to snacking and seconds, ascertain if it's hunger or fear. THEN: act accordingly, including don't eat if I'm not hungry. here goes!
thank you warmly
xoxo