[CyberTOPS] I have a question????

[dietorbust at aol.com]

Eli~

GREAT email!!!? Thank you for your frank honesty.? What you said made so much sense!!? And I really liked your tip about journaling.? I've lost over 130 pounds and next month will be 5 years.? I've journaled every week (except the week I'm at IRD because it would be impossible to overeat that week -- I'm far too busy!!? LOL) since June of 2002 and I will continue to for the rest of my (hopefully long!) life.

TOPS Hugs,
Angela


-----Original Message-----
From: Eli Magdaleno <elias.m at comcast.net>
To: CyberTOPS at cybertops.net <cybertops at cybertops.net>
Sent: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:34 pm
Subject: Re: [CyberTOPS] I have a question????



Hi Nan,

First, I would like to say good job on the exercise.  185 minutes is 
something to be proud of!!!  When you beat this eating thing, exercise will 
be part of your success.

I am a KOPS and a recovering alcoholic.  I know what you mean about the 
recovery programs.  For me I just didn't really get into their recovery 
program.

I was a functioning alcoholic.  Truth is, afew more years of this and I 
would not be here today. It was getting harder and harder to make it to work 
and function on a daily bases.  It was actually very painful with my body 
shaking and very bad hangovers.  I had trouble with simple things like 
writing and punching into our work computer screen to clock in  (shakes).  I 
can say that, for me, alcohol was an addictive habit and way of life for me. 
Worse yet, it was getting worse with time.

One day after another drinking binge (doing this for years) it came to me 
that this wasn't what I wanted for my life. I called my wife at work and she 
drove me to the emergency room.  I was admitted to detox.  I went to an 
outpatient program for a few weeks.  That was 3 years ago.
I have not drank a drop since.

What really worked for me was coming the realization that I needed to stop 
drinking.  I don't think I got much out of the outpatient program.  I think 
you may be at the point where I was with alcohol, in that you know you need 
to get control of your eating.  I believe recognizing the problem (not just 
knowing you need to lose weight, but rather you can't live like this anymore 
internalization of the problem) and that you need to do something about it 
is half the battle.

Now for the other half:

-You must keep a food log.  I still keep one everyday (everything I eat).  I 
have been a KOPs for almost a year, but I am not ready to leave this 
valuable tool.  This is an absolute must!!!!

-exercise (seems like you doing well here, may be room for improvement).

-drink the right amount of water everyday

-If you haven't seen your doctor or taken nutritiun classes/help than try to
 
do so.

-Get everything you can't eat out of the house (like me and alcohol).  If 
can't do this do to other family members, than work out something where you 
have the least exposure to bad food.

-If you go out, preplan what you are going to eat (call ahead to find out 
what is ok).  May help to preplan your meals at home.

I am sure there are other things, but don't want to get carried away.

Winning the Battle of the Bulge is really like going to war.

Think of your weight loss in "one day at a time" terms.  Win the little 
daily battles and before you know it, you will be winning the war.

I really wish you the best of luck.  Here to support!

Eli Magdaleno
TOPS #459 Bremerton WA




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nan Chatten" <neil.chatten at sympatico.ca>
To: "CyberTOPS" <cybertops at cybertops.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 3:50 PM
Subject: [CyberTOPS] I have a question????


> Hello all
>
>
>
> I have a question to ask, but I don't want you to answer immediately but
> think about it first.
>
>
>
> Do you believe that overeating is addictive behavior??
>
>
>
> I do believe it is an addictive behavior for me.  We need food to survive.
> I am addicted to food but I can't quit eating.  It is unlike an alcohol
> addition or a drug addiction where you can stop doing it, but an addiction
> just the same.  While TOPS has helped me immensely I have come to the
> conclusion that I need something more, perhaps behavioral therapy or
> counseling.   Alcoholics have AA and Drug users have their help.  There is 
> a
> group here called OA (Overeaters Anonymous) but it is too religious for 
> me.
> Perhaps I need psychiatric help.  I know that I was deprived of food as a
> child because my mom was a widow with 8 children and food was sometimes
> scarce.  Perhaps that is a place to start.
>
>
>
> Anyway, let me know your ideas on this and perhaps we can have a 
> discussion
> about the different views.
>
>
>
> Hugs;
>
> Nan
> _______________________________________________
> CyberTOPS -- Where Friends Meet for
 a 'Net Loss'
> http://www.cybertops.net/index.htm 
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