Can you use willpower to stop compulsive eating?

Question

I'm an emotional eater and recently I've found myself out of control! I am trying to unterstand the underlying causes of my urges to eat. I am wondering from an educated position if it is possible to stop this kind of behavior relying only on willpower.

Answer 1

i really dont think so. I have the same problem and it is so out of control. I used medication for it and it worked for the compulsive eating but made me suicidal so im not sure

Answer 2

I very much doubt it. I guess you're taking this approach because you don't want to be given drugs or some form of treatment.

I also doubt if finding the underlying causes would do much good, you would probably be much better just accepting the present situation. The problem is that once you're labelled as 'compulsive' you may feel guilty about enjoying eating.

Certainly those who eat less tend to live longer. Are you in control of your larder? If so, why not buy foods that are nutritious but that are either new to you, or you don't particularly fancy. Having comfort food too conveniently to hand is not the best idea.

The general rules are, have a varied diet, eat well, eat slowly and really take time to enjoy and savour your food, and whenever practical eat in company

When you find yourself transgressing why not write down the excuse you give yourself. The next day look at it and ask yourself is it true or are you just kidding yourself, and whether eating actually resolved the problem?

Finally remember the old adage always leave the table feeling you could start all over again. And I wish I heeded that one a little more often than I do.

Answer 3

I'm guessing not. If you want to stop a negative compulsive behavior, you will need to find a positive substitute behavior. That's if you want to do things on your own. A therapist might be able to help you in your search for the underlying reasons for your behavior. I'm not sure how effective medication would be in stopping a compulsion, but they come out with new drugs all the time. I'd be inclined to try therapy first though.

Answer 4

Yes, you can but it takes (PRACTICE), lots of practice, and with time you slowly begin to get slightly better at it, don't throw it all out the window if you backslide or cannot get a grip on it at first, one of the things you need to do is prepare your mind, to tackle your problem. read (Good) books for great tips on how to take control and talk about it, ALL plans begin with first, the thought, then the planing, then the talking, about it, and finally, the performance of it. and if you occasionally blow it, don't worry about it, just get yourself back onto the track and continue, there will also be the occasional desire to throw it out the window for a moment for a break, I've read that that's O.K. to do because with time you'll learn to conquer even that.