Sneak Eating

[MaxsmamaDebbie]

Hello,

I have to admit that I am a sneak eater. I have been for as long as I can remember. My Dad would tell me I was fat when I was young (he did this to my sisters too--one is anorexic and one is about 50 pounds overweight). I rebelled against being told I could not eat and I would sneak in the kitchen at night and eat. I know I wasn't hungry, but I ate anyway. Then, I hid candy, chips, and stuff in my room.

Fast forward...I am a married woman and I still do it. My husband will be in the basement (the boy lair as I call it) and I will sneak into the goody cabinet and eat, and eat, and eat. He always sees the evidence.

This is Day 2 for me and I have not been a sneak yet. However, DH is down in his lair and I can hear sugar calling me. How can you break such a cycle?

Deb

[Kntrylady]

...Oh does this sound familiar to me, as I'm sure it does to a lot of others on this board. It's not an easy habit to break, but you can do it.
...First of all, the first week will be the most difficult as you try to kick the carb/sugar habit. A lot of it will be plain rock gut determination.
...The other things I do is to grab a Big ice cold glass of water and drink it. Then make sure you have the legal snack foods available, and make sure you eat every couple of hours. If it really gets bad, I start excercising. Something about the excercise, concentrating on form, breathing, makes me forget about the food.
...Good luck to you. It will get better.

[dreamof145]

Yes, this is a familiar subject to me as well. My thoughts are that when you are overweight, you don't want to be seen eating...so sneak eating is a way you can pretend you don't overeat.

Since you know that your 'sneaking' takes place at night when he is in the basement, its important that you make a plan for those times. Write out what other things you will do while he is there. (1) go down there with him (2) go for a walk or exercise (3) read a book (4) go to ADBB for support (5) Read or write down in your journal about reasons for wanting to lose weight (6) Call a friend (7) Put a lock or alarm on the goodie cabinet and put the key in the basement (ha ha) or stock it with acceptable snacks. Whatever the plan, write it out and then DO IT. Once your plan becomes comfortable for you...it will be a habit and your husband can go downstairs without causing you grief.

Best wishes and keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it works for you.

[kellyf48]

How about taking the temptation away. If its hubbys put it in the basement, then log on here. We will talk you down,lol. When I have weak moments i always come here!

[*Emma*]

i used to be a sneak eater, heck i think we all did at some point.

I found it hard to deal with, but heres what i did... When i started Atkins i was unsure whether i'd follow it and still sneak eat bad things and use the excuse that the diet didnt work for me or whether i would actually succeed at something for once.

I carried on sneak eating.

BUT i only ate legal things, and i didnt do it so often, i would just get the urge, it was like some sort of obsession, i would go downstairs when everyone was sleeping and sneak out cheese n meats that were precooked in the fridge. after my initial 2 week induction and the tremendowus weight loss i had with still sneak eating, my obsession sorta passed - i realised that i didnt need to sneak eat - if i was losing weight like this whilst doing it imagine what i could lose while not! i just snacked publicly from then saying "its allowed, its diet food" after that the snacking ended as ketosis had well and truly took over my brain, i couldnt of forced food down my neck for trying! and here i am now, 50 pounds later.

You will succeed at this, Becky gave you some great advice, i particularly like the idea of hiding the key in the basement! lol
but the best one is to come here for advice and support.

Good luck to you!

[MaxsmamaDebbie]

Hello All,

Thanks for the advice. I haven't done it yet, but I am afraid.

Deb

[edenedee]

You said your husband sees the evidence.. does he say anything to you about it?

[E_ryder14]

I use to be the SAME way. As soon as my hubby would leave for work I would tear the kitchen apart, stuffing my face with as much as I could! then I would get on my tredmill and walk for hours. Thats the worst feeling ever too, afterwards I would feel so guilty and ashamed. I haven't done this yet, and I am praying for strength so I wont ever again.

[ThinSoon]

Deb & Everyone -

Sounds very familiar unfortunately.....

Get accountable, if hubby is willing to help, make him call you on it each time. Also, he needs to assure you that it IS ok to eat - just things on your plan - you know? It's not about NOT eating, it's about eating for you and your WOE. Hard to break that cycle but I know you can, I think you have the support there!!!!