Does anyone else feel...

that if you didn't have friends or family around, you'd end up eating wayyyyy healthier? I mean, of course that's always going to be a factor, but for me it's more than just one part of the whole equation. It IS the equation. If I took out all human interaction, I'd be perfect with my eating habits. I've done it before with excellent results... expect for the fact that I rarely saw anything but the inside of my house and school =/ You could say it's all in my mind, but it doesn't feel that way. For some reason, being around people seems to trigger cravings in a way nothing else does. I literally lose ALL sense of control during, but mostly after, social situations. I'll go home and eat like I haven't eaten in days. I'm torn between being happy with my body and being happy with my social life. Does anyone else feel this way? Does anyone have any advice? You could tell me just to exercise some control, but for anyone who's faced compulsive eating issues, you'll know how it is. It's just not that simple. =[

Thank you in advance, sorry for the novel ;D

I'm the same way. When I go to my friends' houses, I have no control over what I eat. I have to eat whatever they have, and sometimes it isn't the most healthy things. Not only that, but the people I live with now are junkfood junkies, always buying candies, ice cream, unhealthy, fatty stuff and we usually eat dinner together, so if they make something that I can't have, I feel forced to eat it anyway. It's frustrating. Sometimes I don't even like going to my friends house for dinner, I'd prefer to stay home because that way I know exactly what I'ma eat and how many calories are in it.

The equation gets even more complicated for me! It's like

Me + Friends= Bad food

Me + Family = alright food

Me + alone = Good food. 

UNLESS

Alone = loneliness = bad food choices

In which case: Me + Alone = BAD food. D:

Thank you for the replies!

mztenderheart02- thanks for understanding! I feel so anti-social whenever I make up an excuse to not go out. I hate how food controls our lives in this way! And I hear you about the family! I feel like we're being forced to eat horrible food just to please people =//

ribear- that's terrible! How frustrating! I might have had the same problem with loneliness, but I tend to go on really long walks (like hours and hours) and not eat at all when I'm feeling depressed =[ It looks like you do alright with your family =]. so maybe "bonding" isn't so bad after all?

;D

Bonding is usually good! Until we have a party. My family are like...nutty party animals and I usually end up jumping right into food/pop/everything along with them! And my mom is a stellarly good cook.xD Lately I've been training them to be more health concious but dad still buys chocolate bars by cases in Costco and mom still stocks the cupboards with chips! EEP~

Ah that's gotta be hard! I know what you mean though; it's so hard to be different when everyone else is pigging out =X You tell yourself "just this once" and then the next week... =/ But chocolate bars by the case and chips by the cupboard can't be easy AT ALL =OOOO I always try to pretend the food isn't there, but sometimes it's so difficult! 

i feel the same way. most summers there are bbq's and social events with lots of food present. it's been hard, but for the most part i've managed to keep myself under control. not to mention the alcohol. i'm not a massive drinker but for the few times i get out (i'm a SAHM) i like to have a couple of shots or a smirnoff ice. those end up being my "fun days", days when i don't and can't count cals.

Original Post by ribear:

The equation gets even more complicated for me! It's like

Me + Friends= Bad food

Me + Family = alright food

Me + alone = Good food. 

UNLESS

Alone = loneliness = bad food choices

In which case: Me + Alone = BAD food. D:

ack! me too - exactly! D: 

 

i'm definitely on this boat with y'all...

when i was at my lowest weight, i had incredible control over myself, my food choices, my portion sizes, and every bite i took. i also had no friends, spent all my free time at home alone. my school schedule changed, so i couldnt work out so much, and i gained weight, but then i regained control and got back into a workout routine. i was healthy, mildly social, and almost happy with my body.

then i started dating my boyfriend. ive gained weight because he loves ice cream and chocolate and bread and he's 6'3 and has the metabolism of a 12 year old boy. also i spend alot of my free time with him cuddling in bed instead of staying active.

so, to be thin, in control, and happy with your body, or not so thin, not so in control, and have a social life?

some people would choose the social life immediately and think it wasnt even an argument. for me, and it looks like some of you, too...it's not such an easy desicion.

I'm in pretty much the same situation. I eat to fit in, so when I'm with my boyfriend or friends it usually means eating out and not always healthy food. When I'm with my family though, it's mostly healthy food, but since I love my mom's cooking, I tend to eat more than I should.

When I was in college, I didn't exercise, but I didn't eat much either, so I was very happy with my body. Now I try to exercise more and get back to where I was 5 years ago, but with a more active and social lifestyle.

Original Post by ribear:

The equation gets even more complicated for me! It's like

Me + Friends= Bad food

Me + Family = alright food

Me + alone = Good food.

UNLESS

Alone = loneliness = bad food choices

In which case: Me + Alone = BAD food. D:

This is so me. I do ok as long as I am not with friends or depressed.

Its more like

Me+Alone=CONSUMING THE WAR-CRIMINALS OF FOODS (in terms of downright badness of said foods)

Me+Family=Eating all healthy and vegetable-y and organic-y and stuff

Me+ Friends= See Me + Alone

I'm the same way- leave me alone for a day and I eat really healthy. Put me around anyone and ohhh boy, watch out- I'll eat it all!

I'm trying to switch over to the vegetarian way of life and I went to the grocery store with my mom today. She was so scared when I picked up some Boca Burgers, haha. But, when I came home and ate dinner with my family, instead of staying away from animal products, I ate a bit of shrimp. If I had been by myself, I wouldn't have even considered it. >-< Frustrates me to no end.

I feel really bad if I say 'no' to my family or friends. I sometimes say 'No, I'm too busy' (even when I'm not) to going over to my friends' houses because I know I'll eat food that I'll regret later. Going or staying, I feel guilty either way!