Carbo addiction?

[rykgirl]

Hi,
I've been eating a lot of carbs ever since I quit smoking when I got preggy with my #1.. Really a lot, like rice and noodles (I can eat up to 2 big servings of noodles *sighz*).. Not so much on the other stuff (meat, vege, dishes etc).. I got try to cut down but I will feel hollow and lethargic.. Even if I tried to substitute with other stuff (corn, lettuce salad, tomatoes, beansprouts etc), it doesn't satisfy me at all.. In fact, as I've been more sleep deprived ever since got kids, I think I have been eating more and more carbs as time goes by.. It's like the carbs is expanding my stomach capacity..

I even contemplated that gastric bypass surgery but it's way out of my budget.. Anyone who has done that before? Maybe can share exact cost?

Not sure if anyone experienced what I just said.. I just wanted to talk to someone abt this..

p/s: Please don't pm me to ask me try/buy diet products.. I would appreciate recommendations to which doctor I can see for help like this though..

 

[moorspa7]

Hi

Are u still sleep deprived? Sleep deprivation/stress might either increase or decrease the intake of food. You can google search on side effects of sleep deprivation. It is better to figure out what is the underlying problem than doing a gastric bypass surgery. Lack of sleep causes stress to the body, which creates a vicious cycle. Try to write down a list of things that may cause u stress n lack of sleep, then make adjustments to yr lifestyle.

I used to eat more when I was lack of sleep. As I tend to hv late dinner, I put on weight. When I stopped eating late at night and eat more during the day, as well as getting more sleep. I feel I don't hv to eat so much.

Now I eat less when I am stressed, trying to eat more to put on weight. Hope my sharing helps.

 

[sunnykmr123]

Hi

Are u still sleep deprived? Sleep deprivation/stress might either increase or decrease the intake of food. You can google search on side effects of sleep deprivation. It is better to figure out what is the underlying problem than doing a gastric bypass surgery. Lack of sleep causes stress to the body, which creates a vicious cycle. Try to write down a list of things that may cause u stress n lack of sleep, then make adjustments to yr lifestyle.

I used to eat more when I was lack of sleep. As I tend to hv late dinner, I put on weight. When I stopped eating late at night and eat more during the day, as well as getting more sleep. I feel I don't hv to eat so much.

Now I eat less when I am stressed, trying to eat more to put on weight. Hope my sharing helps.

yes you should eat less and stay calm.

 

[rykgirl]

I can't seem to control it.. It's like smoking.. You will smoke more when bored or stressed etc but u won't smoke less even when u're happy or relaxed.. The longer u smoke, the heavier it gets..

I can't usually find things to do because I'm stuck at home the whole day.. Going out is a nono because I live in JB and don't drive so safety is a concern.. And it's not like I have places to go or friends to meet up with.. I do exercise at home on the bicycle machine and maybe do some zumba following youtube.. But it doesn't seem to make me want to eat less.. There's no way I can sleep at night, then sleep again in the day also.. So in the day, during proper mealtimes, I will eat carbs again.. *sighz* I handle stress quite well actually so my eating isn't due to that..

What I think I need to do is to get out and get a life.. But it's kinda impossible for me.. So I'm lost as to what else I can do to curb this addiction.. I can't just keep eating more and more carbs till I'm free to go work! I would probably not be able to fit through a door by then, after so many years.. So u can probably imagine if I'm talking about smoking, I'll probably smoke my lungs out at home, all day.. At least it doesn't give me weight gain.. *sighz* Saying this, I have no urge to pick it back up.. I just want to do away with the carb problem..

I gotta stop expanding my stomach capacity.. I don't know what else I can do..

 

[moorspa7]

yes you should eat less and stay calm.

Sunny,

You got the wrong person. I am not asking for advice here.

 

[moorspa7]

Rykgirl,

Did you read ur own posting? You know what is the problem and the solution as well. You are under stress coz you need to spend time outside, but u could not as u are not staying in Singapore. U are worried abt safety and u do not bv enough sleep. All these factors are symptoms that u are under stress. You are eating carbs to deal with the stress and the solution is in you. Only u can find the solution.

I hv read from ur previous postings regarding living in JB, i understand that cost cutting is one of the reasons that u are staying there. However, it is limiting you from going out. To me, it is kind of a high price to pay for yr physical and mental health. There are many ways to deal with stress, it doesn't hv to be smoking or eating. It can be meditation, listening to relaxing music, exercise etc. You need to find one that suits u.

From yr posting, it seems like being in the house too much and lack of social life has stressed u out. Maybe u want to seek the advice from a professional if u can't find a solution.

 

[rykgirl]

Erm, that's what I was hoping for.. A recommendation to how I can be helped, not diagnosed.. And hope I can find people who understands what I am going through to talk about this with.. Some form of encouragement.. Not to be judged here, or put down..

I know what stress is like and trust me when I say I'm not under stress.. It's just boring for me here and I'm happy living in JB because the real stress was before I moved here.. Even then, I didn't eat as much as now.. And I do go out on dates with my hb on his off days.. I do have a social circle with my friends.. We seldom meet but of course, that I don't expect to have a very social butterfly life.. I think u may be over-thinking things here though.. There's no need to be so insistent on me being stressed because I am not.. It's just boredom.. That's a different thing altogether..

I'm just a SAHM like every other.. And no, I don't reach for food all the time.. And yes, I enjoy the privilege of being able to be at home for the kids.. I'm not an unhappy woman..

I'm sorry that u can't understand.. But appreciate the input here..

Edit: U seemed to make the wrong assumptions about me when u stalked my old posts =P.. I apologise for my misleading u.. But my moving to JB was not mainly cost cutting but for a better retirement in future.. It was not a more stressful move but a much more positive one.. My hb and kids are much happier for it.. I'm a happy woman to have such a loving and supportive hb.. So ya, I'm not what u think of me..

 

[moorspa7]

I am sorry. I am not trying to judge u here. When I say stressed, it can be any form(physical, emotional, mental). For me being happy, it means I am happy with everything even being at home. I am a SAHM, and sometimes I need to get out of the hse once in a while. Whether it is getting groceries or just shopping. We need time for ourselves. Lack of sleep can cause physical stress in the long run. I hv been there and I am just speaking from my own experience.

As u say u re hving some form of carbo addiction, then I feel it is better to get professional help if u can't find a solution. I don't know if yr addiction is caused by health problems or just need a change of diet. I do not hv a problem in addictions as I know when to stop, if something is wrong with me. All I can say is listen to yr body or u can read up more abt carbo addiction in the Internet. At least, u would know why u need to eat more carbs.

I am sorry. I hope u can find a solution soon. Thanks for explaining to me. You are a nice person.

 

[kittyminky]

Seems like emotional eating to me. In your case, eating to kill boredom.

I used to be in a similar situation years ago. When I was living overseas due to hubby's posting, I knew no one initially, and I would eat A LOT out of boredom. And yes, carbs in particular. Eating gave me something to do plus the carbs lifted my mood temporarily. Now when I look back, I was probably depressed and eating was a way for me to cope.

I'm not suggesting you are depressed. But perhaps boredom is a factor causing you to reach for carbs. I don't think a stomach bypass is a good idea and I really doubt ethical doctors will do it for you unless you are severely overweight, and even then that's a last resort.

Why not try going cold turkey? Going to be very tough of course. Try going carb-less for a week. I think it's prob like quitting smoking? Initially will feel like crap but after that perhaps you will find yourself less "attracted" to carbs.

 

[moorspa7]

Found links on how to curb carbo addiction.

http://www.chicagonow.com/get-fit-c...arb-addiction-and-what-you-can-do-to-stop-it/
http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Oz-Kick-Your-Carbohydrate-Addiction

 

[rykgirl]

kittyminky,
U know! I have been trying to do stuff to occupy my time at home.. I'm mostly playing games on the computer so I don't always think of food.. It's when I get hungry, then it's very bad..

Did u managed to lower your carb intake? Went cold turkey? How did u do it? I tried cutting carbs totally (that's how i quit smoking also, cold turkey).. Can share how u did it? How did u cope when your hb wanted to eat noodles or rice outside? I can't expect hb to cut with me also.. But when we go for his wanton mee or prawn mee or chix rice, I duno how to order right... I start with normal portion but I can still feel hungry after that!

Initially, I thought I was only a really huge eater.. But then I realized I get full easily with meat.. Example, I can eat 3bowls of rice but I can't finish 2.5pieces of KFC chicken.. Volume wise, it's a very big difference.. That's when I thought something was off.. So I searched the net and came to know about this.. I know KFC isn't healthy eating also but for now, I wanna concentrate on cutting down my carb intake.. I guess u can say I'm sort of desperate.. Haha..

moorspa,
Thanks for taking the time to find the links for me! I like the 2nd one.. It's really detailed! But for us, we don't eat most of what's listed there.. I wish there was a list more suited to asian taste..

 

[moorspa7]

Erm, that's what I was hoping for.. A recommendation to how I can be helped, not diagnosed.. And hope I can find people who understands what I am going through to talk about this with.. Some form of encouragement.. Not to be judged here, or put down..

I know what stress is like and trust me when I say I'm not under stress.. It's just boring for me here and I'm happy living in JB because the real stress was before I moved here.. Even then, I didn't eat as much as now.. And I do go out on dates with my hb on his off days.. I do have a social circle with my friends.. We seldom meet but of course, that I don't expect to have a very social butterfly life.. I think u may be over-thinking things here though.. There's no need to be so insistent on me being stressed because I am not.. It's just boredom.. That's a different thing altogether..

I'm just a SAHM like every other.. And no, I don't reach for food all the time.. And yes, I enjoy the privilege of being able to be at home for the kids.. I'm not an unhappy woman..

I'm sorry that u can't understand.. But appreciate the input here..

Edit: U seemed to make the wrong assumptions about me when u stalked my old posts =P.. I apologise for my misleading u.. But my moving to JB was not mainly cost cutting but for a better retirement in future.. It was not a more stressful move but a much more positive one.. My hb and kids are much happier for it.. I'm a happy woman to have such a loving and supportive hb.. So ya, I'm not what u think of me..

I would like to clarify that I do not judge you or put u down. I just want to help u to find the root cause that is causing the carbo addiction. It is never my intention to put anybody down when I share my views in forum. I apologize that my words sound harsh to u. I always believe in finding the root cause cos solving the symptoms does not help in long term healing. I am sharing from my own experience with regards to my own health.

 

[kittyminky]

I think you got to remove all sources of carbs from your home. Eat only meat and fruits and veg for the first week at least. You said you feel full quickly when you eat protein. That's good in your case. If you eat just protein, you will feel full faster and won't be as hungry as quickly. When you next feel hungry, eat protein or fruits and veg again. Don't touch carbs! Prob with carbs is they make you hungrier, faster.

Like all addictions, you got to remove all sources of temptation. So really got to clear your house of carbs. No choice you got to rope in your hubby too. He got to go carb-less with you. If your hubby eats carbs and you see him eating carbs, you will not be able to resist and will end up eating carbs again.

Try it for 1-2 weeks. Hopefully, your craving for carbs decreases. Are you aiming to lose weight too? After going carb-less for a week, your weight will probably drop, and seeing your weight loss efforts pay off will be further motivation for you to stay off carbs.

Of course, cannot go carb-less forever. That would be really unhealthy and not practical. But for now, you got to start somewhere to kick this addiction. So get rid of those carbs. When you feel ready, then you can slowly reintroduce carbs. But think easy to go back to being carb-addicted again so you will really have to watch your portions.

Good luck ok!!! You managed to quit smoking. You can definitely get rid of this carb addiction!!!

 

[rykgirl]

kittyminky,
I tried cutting all carb before.. It wasn't easy! How did u do it? I tried substituting with meat and vege and yes, they can last me quite long, but only the really fatty stuff like KFC.. I have tried with steamed corn kernels and lettuce salad but I got sick of them after a week or 2.. I don't think I can remove all carbs from my house.. Not only my hb, the kids also need to eat their carbs.. Do u think it will work if I just eat the dishes without the rice/noodles? Wouldn't that be too salty and not filling?

Yes, I'm in the super fat category already.. If can lose weight, it will be even better.. But I know short term dieting will not work for losing weight so I wanna do it step by step.. First to stop this massive carb intake..

Yes! I quit my smoking, so I will succeed in quitting this too! Thanks for the motivation and support!

 

[lab60]

Hi,

Keep preserving! Its not easy esp dealing with emotional eating... Keep observe your thoughts. Dun react to your thoughts Try be active also. For me, I try to on U tube exercising clips and follow the exercise for 30 mins

I think Carb still important.