I can't stop eating, I'm hungry all the time

[strofan]

I'm 14 months out, I went from 333lbs to 214lbs, but have gained back to 220lbs. I can't stop eating, and have been craving foods I used to eat. I have also noticed I can get down carby/heavy foods easy again. My frustration in this is making me eat more. Kind of a loop of failure. Help?

[Ann2]

Yup. It's a loop.

Eat carby, sugary, processed, slider, slurry foods -- crave more carby, sugary, processed, slider, slurry foods -- eat more carby, sugary, processed, slider, slurry foods.

The ONLY way off that train to hell is to go cold turkey on that crap. Do what you have to do to stop eating ANY of it.

Sorry. Wish I had a magic wand. I don't.

[Marsh17]

Have you tried the somewhat new weight loss drug "CONTRAVE" it is supposed to help stop hunger cravings. I do agree it is going to take time for the brain to stop craving the processed food we have been feeding it for many, many years. I watched a show how the same folks that developed cigarettes and the addictive ingredients moved over to the food industry to create the same cravings and dependency on food. We have no more processed food in the house. Its a process to work through it but I think its important.

[Luv49ers19]

When I started my journey I was required to lose weight before surgery per my insurance. The requirement was 10 pounds in 6 months to prove I could lose weight. I was also required to do so by my surgeon. He told me the reason for that is if/when you start to regain you will already have the tools to take control and lose again. Go back to basics. No magic pill. Sorry for tough love but that is the answer. Good luck!

[AnnieG]

Yup. It's a loop.

Eat carby, sugary, processed, slider, slurry foods -- crave more carby, sugary, processed, slider, slurry foods -- eat more carby, sugary, processed, slider, slurry foods.

The ONLY way off that train to hell is to go cold turkey on that crap. Do what you have to do to stop eating ANY of it.

Sorry. Wish I had a magic wand. I don't.

We all wish you had a magic wand -- there is no easy way. I had a stall (which was because I found out I could eat SkinnyPop...apparently my body can have skinny pop, but my spirit wanted -- everything!)

The best advice is just go back and start again; but you can do this!

[Christie13]

If you are eating solid, lean proteins you will fill up much faster than if you are eating crap foods. If I wanted to I could totally eat cakes, cookies, chips, and the like without filling up and in large amounts. I CANNOT eat large quantities of chicken, steak, fish, pork, etc. And if I eat a nice solid piece of meat it is nowhere near the calories in the crap foods. Plus, it nourishes my body. And I completely agree with Ann. Stop with the crap. It will only make you crave more crap. You may need to go back to basics. You need to detox yourself away from the crap foods. If you don't get back in control now you are going to find yourself back at your starting weight before you know it. You have to decide that you are worth it. You may need to seek therapy or counseling for the self sabotaging you are doing.

[strofan]

UPDATE: It's been a few months since I posted this, and thought I'd update. I'm holding at 219.5 lbs, haven't lost anything since February of this year. Lost over a hundred from Nov 16-Jan 18 but now I'm starting to gain it back little by little. This is very depressing and makes me want to eat more

[Luv49ers19]

If you are still following the rules it could be your body has found it's happy place. Sorry to say. Focus on the positives! You lost over 100 freaking pounds!!!!!! That is amazing!

[Gvn71]

GET BACK TO BASICS!

Eliminate / limit carb intake, focus on protein. If you are hungry drink water or some other zero calorie drink. Water will fill you up and it requires a waiting period after before you can eat again.

High protein foods will fill you up. Junk will not and you will just be immediately hungry.

Get back on the plan! You can definitely do this. I agree that it is not easy. I struggle everyday with eating issues (that relationship with food thing...).

Good luck!

[Kimsterama]

When it comes to going back to the basics, start logging your food again. I used my fitness pal, and set it to lose 2 lbs a week, and I stop when I get to 1200 calories in a day. I just stop. I barely go over this, and although I'm losing slowly because I'm only 13 lbs to goal; I'm still losing. It took time to get the weight on, so it will take time to get it off. Truly you need to go back to the basics!

[sraebaer]

Eat how you were taught in the beginning. It's not hard. The more junk you eat, the more you'll crave it. If you pass on the junk, the cravings will go away. I promise!

You have only gained 6 pounds and lost over 100. You are a rock star! An amazing accomplishment.

Think about how you felt at 333 pounds. Do you want to go back there? It would be really easy if you are not careful about what you put in your mouth. Get back on track starting today and keep up the great work.

[becker2]

I am 15 months out and I have had my days when I could eat the wallpaper off the walls and the curtains from the windows. I am determined to NEVER return to my old habits, so when I start to feel out of control due to stress, lack of planning, or just plain head hunger, I get the blender and the protein shakes whirring, make some tuna and chicken salad, hard boil up a bunch of eggs, and stock up on Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. It's amazing that after just a couple of days of being back on track, my cravings settle right back down again. Protein tames the snacking monster.

[mandyjdc]

I don't know if this is the right way to do it, but I found for me, it was.

A couple of months ago, there were constant parties at work with tons of food. I slid on my diet. I finally decided to go back to only drinking protein shakes for a bit.
Made it easier to not be tempted by the solid food. I told myself, liquid only protein for 4 days. I'm one of those people that once I start to slide, it's a very slippery slope.

Forcing myself to only have protein shakes again (like right after surgery) for those 4 days help me reset. I stopped craving the crap again.

Good luck! It's difficult living in a world full of cheap, easily accessible junk food. I'm very afraid of losing control later in the process. I'm only 7 months out and still have a lot of restriction. I worry about the time when I don't.

[Marsh17]

Hi Amanda, I was just wondering what types of restrictions do you still have at months out? The May 27th I will be 2 months out. Thanks!