third whole 30 attempt

[jlj80]

i am starting my third whole 30 attempt tomorrow. the first one i didnt finish. the second one i didnt commit to fully. i ate butter instead of ghee. and ate way too many starchy veggies. used fruit as a snack. i found ways around the sugar cravings and so when i finished nothing had changed. 

 

this is it. my eating is out of control. sugar, junk food, closet eating, out of control emotional eating. i am looking to find a therapist to help me with my eating issues-i need someone else to help me through some deeper seeded issues that are manifesting themselves as sugar addiction and an inability to eat in a healthy, normal way long term. i am so not myself right now but i just cant get it under control. 

 

im making it public on here, im making it public on my instagram and to my family and friends. if anyoen else has visited a therapist for disordered emotional eating issues, would love to hear about it!

[praxisproject]

You can do this!

[Saree_maree]

Welcome! You CAN do this!

 

I have had eating disorders for most of my life and have been in formal treatment many, many times. One thing that you will learn in therapy is that if you truly have an eating disorder, it is not about food. It is not about sugar. It is a complex bio-psycho-social process, an interplay between genetics and environment, deeply influenced by and entwined with your upbringing, your personality, your emotions, your patterns of thought, and your coping mechanisms.

 

Now, that being said, I have had  success with the Whole30 program when it comes to symptom management. If you have had disordered eating for a long time, those behaviors, regardless of their roots, eventually become habit. And habits can be broken. I have not restricted, binged, or purged for over six weeks. The only change I made was to follow the Whole30 program. This has kept my symptoms entirely in check. However, I would caution you (and myself!) that managing symptoms is not the same as treating a disease. A person may take strong painkillers and feel relief, but if the source of the pain is not treated, then all they are doing is masking the symptoms.

 

You are right to combine Whole30 with a program of formal treatment. Best of luck to you in finding a compassionate and knowledgeable therapist. These forums can also be a wonderfully supportive place.

 

Saree

[jlj80]

Thank you saree!! It took a lot to finally admit

To myself that I need help but once I did I feel more at peace. I was about to start down the road of powders and shakes and just realized that is not the answer. I know the food habits are a symptom and that nothing will change until I identify and solve the root issue-which to your point is why I am starting work with a therapist as I do the whole 30. I know it may take time but I'm proud of myself for taking the first step. Thanks so much for your support. It really is so helpful.

[MeadowLily]

There are food disorders that cannot be self-medicated away with food and that includes good dietary fats.  If it were so, they would cease to exist.  

 

As you tool along with a qualified counselor/therapist they can help one see that black and white thinking/Splitting is indeed a coping mechanism that starts in childhood.   

 

With knowledge comes power and that includes sitting down face to face with someone who can  truly help one get to the roots of any disorder.  They can give you tools how to manage it for the rest of your life.

[Wannabewonderwoman]

What a very brave honest post.Im just a newbie to this and planning a date in March to start.I am also an emotional eater and have dealt with many inner demons with therapy in the past so you are not alone. There are a couple of things that help me ,one of which is reminding myself,I am enough just the way I am.I don't need to be perfect,more slimmer,brighter,funnier etc.I am enough just the way I am.

There will always be chocolate,bread,treats available if I choose to eat them,but if I choose to eat them,I choose the consequence too.i.e. Guilt,bloating etc.You have always a choice.

So why I am choosing this program is for health ,in healing from an unmanageable fibromyalgia, and I am sure you will have plenty to give the likes of me with your experience.

Good luck with the therapy and most of all be kind to yourself,like you would other people and you will get through it.You have taken the first step by saying what you feel out loud.You really can do it !