How Can u get rid of addiction towards food??

Question

Hi,

i have a friend, who is obese. she is fat from her childhood just cos she like food lots. she is just addicted to food as an alcoholic towards alcohol . she weighs 85 kg or 187 pounds. I made her take up diet , exercise... wat not... but as soon as she see food she forgets everything. but she is feeling a lot tat she could not control herself..... can u guys help my friend????

Answer 1

There is a difference between dreams and goals. She might dream of being a healthy weight, but this is not one of her goals or values.

Look at the difference:

Statement 1: I want to be skinny and be the most attractive person out there.

Statement 2: I want to weigh 130-140 pounds and have my clothes fit nicely.

In the 2nd statement, there is more of a goal - whereas, in the first statement, it is just a dream, or a 'wish.'

To further turn statement 2 into an effective goal, it may be reworded like this, "I want to lose 46 pounds by July 20. I will do this by eating a healthy diet and exercising at least 4 times a week."

This type of statement identifies a measurable goal, sets a timeline, shows how the goal will be measured, is realistic, and defines an action plan.

The statement/goal should be further broken down into smaller goals. Also, remember even the smallest goal should be rewarded. I was extremely obese and initially had a daily goal of walking 500 steps (this was very hard way back when!!). I can now walk over 10000 steps a day.

She needs to determine what her health/physical/mental values are in life. Then in choosing goals, she needs to make sure that they align with her values. You are more likely to succeed at a goal, if it is line with your values, than if it isn't.

I would suggest Dr. Phil's book, Self Matters, as a way to help with the true thoughts running through your mind every minute of every day.

By the way YOU spend more time with yourself than anyone else, so you probably should invest some time into YOU.

Answer 2

You have to help her to find what's missing in her life or what she's afraid of because food addiction has a lot to do with filling a hole or a void in her psyche. A lot of people that are addicted to food are self-medicating themselves as a way to give themselves the love that they feel they don't get elsewhere. It also depends a lot on what she's eating... if she is eating a lot of carbs, for instance, they have an effect on the body of seratonin....that makes you feel good, even though it's short-lasting. When I was younger and I felt insecure or scared or in need of something and my family wasn't around, I ate lots of pasta and "home-cooked" type foods or when I was angry or fearful about something at work or in college, I always "treated" myself to a huge meal. I have since worked it all out, but it was an addiction for awhile to comfort myself. I hope that makes sense. I learned later that I wasn't taking care of myself; I just thought I was by eating "Mom's cooking" to make me feel better. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

she needs to talk to someone about WHY she eats. did her parents divorce? was she abused? different things can lead up to emotional eating. she needs supportive people around her, and a diet and excercise plan. depending on her height, 187 lbs isn't too excessive that she can't lose the weight to be healthy. you can't MAKE her do anything she doesn't want to do. she's your friend, not your child.

Answer 4

I'm the same exact way--constantly thinking about food. I used to think I don't have enough will power. I'm lazy. I'm weak.

Really?

I'm OCD. I went on Wellbutrin. It's not a magic pill of any kind, but it's been enormously helpful.

Answer 5

Get some literature from overeaters anonymous and see if she's interested in going to a meeting
good luck

Answer 6

tell her that everytime she thinks about food or goes to eat some to pinch herself or snap a rubber band across her wrist. She'll learn to assiociate food with pain, and therefore, not want to eat.

Answer 7

well, i had throat cancer in 2001 and that pretty much ended my addiction to food