Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

I was happy to see this article in U.S. News & World Report:

• U.S. News & World Report: I’m an Addict. A Food Addict.

They didn’t do much research about the science of food addiction, because there have been MANY studies showing the similarities of brains addicted to drugs and brains addicted to sugar. Aside from that, they did a good job of talking about Overeater’s Anonymous and other twelve step programs for food addiction.

I especially liked this paragraph:

One component that’s controversial? Abstinence, since considering certain foods off-limits can backfire if it causes people to feel guilty about indulging. One 2012 study, for instance, found dieters who ate high-calorie breakfasts that included a dessert like chocolate cake lost nearly 40 pounds? more on average over eight months than those with low-calorie and treat-less breakfasts, who initially lost weight but then regained it. ?The bigger breakfast group also reported being less hungry and more satisfied.

That is one study I hadn’t heard about, but for me, restricting particular foods makes me want to eat them all the more. Letting myself have the freedom to eat them, paradoxically helps me to NOT eat them.

All I know, is that I struggled for TEN years, right here on this website without any lifting of the obsession to eat. Now, after a year and a half in Overeater’s Anonymous, I have been free of the compulsion. There are days when it comes back, but it’s always because I have something emotionally that I need to deal with and the program helps me to do just that without resorting to food. I have had a year and a half without a single binge, which was IMPOSSIBLE before the program. I have lost 70 pounds so far and am more productive and MUCH happier. It’s good to see Overeater’s Anonymous get the press they deserve.

Overeater’s Anonymous does not endorse anything on this entry or blog. I speak only of my personal experience and not for OA as a whole.