Compulsive Eater Needing Support (and snack ideas)

Hey guys! After reading through the weight-loss forums, I'm feeling even worse about myself. I can't life on 1200 calories a day, and at 5'7", I can't even imagine being 120lbs! :(

I just turned 26
BW-187
CW-180
GW-135-140

I gained a lot of weight because of some meds I've been on, plus I went from a very active lifestyle to a desk job. I've always been a compulsive over-eater, but now it's finally catching up to me. Can anyone recommend some munchies that I can eat at my desk that are fairly low-calorie and low-net carb?

Oh, by the way, I'm getting married in October... YAY!!! Motivation!!! But my fiance is stick thin (he eats around 3000+ calories a day), so I want to look really good next to that lucky SOB! ;)

If anyone is in a similar situation or has suggesions, I'm ready!!!

you need to break the compulsion, not accomodate it.  i suggest that you plan your meals and snacks and stick to a schedule.  having food at your desk--even if it's celery--and eating all day is a habit that needs to go.

I don't eat all day, but I really could use a snack every now and then. Eating nothing between meager meals drives me to caffeine to keep me going, which I can't have b/c of meds I'm on. I do stick to a schedule, but I wanted recommendations on what snacks other people have had luck with.

On a personal note, I was hoping for support and conversation with like-minded people, not undue criticism. I find negativity to be a more detrimental compulsion than snacking.

Thanks for the input, though.

I went through a bit of an overeating phase and what worked for me was eating small meals every 3 hours.. oh and drinking lots of water !

But some good snacks are
Grapes,
Fruit Salads ,
Rasins ,
Banana.

A good fruit should fill you up every now and then .

Awesome! That's better than not snacking at all. I drink maybe 2+ liters of water a day, should I drink more?

BTW, love your name! lol

I'm totally like you.. have to eat every hour at work otherwise I go mad!

I found snacking on fruit (specially clementines) during the day helped at work..  and splitting my lunch into 2... eat half at lunch and then half in the afternoon.

My problem now is the dinner binge.. I pick at things while I cook dinner.. last night I was cooking sea bass and broccolli with brown rice.. but whilst I was doing that I downed a croissant, cookie, peanuts, rice cake with peanut butter, and a yoghurt.. it ruined all my hard work!  And by the time I'd cooked dinner.. I wasn't even hungry anymore :(

i used to eat a pound of m&m's every day while studying.  is that what you need to hear? 

i didn't think i was being critical.  i thought i was being concise.  sorry.

Amnesiaiom, dinnertime is tough for me too. I have to cook one meal for my fiance, and a separate one for myself. I always pick at his while I'm cooking. Do you eat dinner really late? The later I cook, the more likely I am to binge.

And I'm sorry, pgeogian, I'm a little jumpy this morning... it's only my 5th day, and I'm stinkin' HUNGRY! I am cutting down on how often I snack, but like I said, I just didn't know what I could snack on.

Anyways, I'm going to the grocery during lunch to get some fruit and stuff. Thanks for the advice, please keep it coming!

Chew a piece of gum while you're cooking. Sometimes that helps stop you from eating.

 

If you need a snack just make sure its a low-calorie one. You can eat an entire big salad and stay under 50 calories if you leave off the cheese, croutons and dressing.

 

also, sometimes when I crave a snack I will have a cup of hot herbal tea instead.  it is zero calories but it satisfies my desire to have something flavorful in my mouth. 

i only have to cook for myself, but if i get home really starved and without a plan, i'll have a glass of skim milk.  it really takes the edge off.

and no sweat, kaybee.

This is my schedule, and it works well for me.

6am-wake up
7am- nonfat lit n fit yogurt before work (60cal)
8am-8:30am-weight control oatmeal and green tea (liptons pyramid bags)(160)
10:00am-10:30am- Fruit (apple, orange, clementines, bananas)(100-150cal max)
12:00pm-12:30pm- lunch. This varies, but consists always of lean protein, good fats, whole grains/rice and as many veggies as I can get. (250-400cal)
3:00pm-Snack+treat(1cup lowfat cottage cheese and small piece of chocolate, or apple with peanut butter, or kashi chewy bar and small piece of cheese)(200cal or so)
6:00pm-7:00pm-Dinner. Again, lean protein, TONS of veggies, and a small bit of grains.(300-400)
8:00pm-bed time treat- Skinny Cow ice cream bars (140cal)

My total for the day ranges between 1200-1800 depending on how hungry I am, and if I'm working out that night or not.

Following this, I'm less likely to say okay to that donut, or YES to eating fried chinese food.
Snacking on a schedule makes you be OKAY with being hungry for a bit.

I've been looking up the nutritional information on salads I was eating before, and it's AMAZING what people try to sell off as "healthy"!!! I'm going to start bringing my own salads (once I can afford a good shopping spree).

Thanks.. :)
I drink more than 2 liters simply because I'm always thirsty, heh.

Canteloupe is another great fruit to snack on ..
In fruit markets they usually sell them sliced for only 1.00.

They're really filling , along with Watermelon !

I could definitely go for low-fat milk. Is soy milk low fat/cal, though? I'm lactose-intol... name any allergy possible - I've got it ;)

i don't know about the cals in soy milk, but it's super high in protein and low in fat.  definitely a good option.

water, water, water.

during the day, i'm a fan of herbal tea (especially peppermint) when i'm feeling like a snack, but want to keep my calories down.

i usually eat about 1250-1400 calories a day, with an afternoon snack of some sort (usually yogurt). 

I can't believe how many responses this is getting... thank you all so much! I just went out and got a few gallons of water -- the tap water where I work is "the worst tasting in Virginia". I love herbal tea, so I'll have to give that a shot too.

What do you think about those 100cal pack snacks? I don't know if I buy into it. I'm assuming just fruit or something is better?

I like baby carrots, celery, grapes, and gum.  You can basically have something in your mouth all day and not overdose on calories.

I like to snack on sliced apples or broccoli spears.

Also soy milk only has 100 calories/8 0z.  That is less than 1% milk.  My daughter is lactose intolerant and that got me started on soy milk too!  It is great on cereal or oatmeal.

 

I also suffer from compulsive over eating... There is a therapy that is very effective at helping break the cycle.. It is called Cognitive Behavioral therapy. I have had issues with food since I was a teen. I was always very active so it never showed on my behind. Replacing the habit with something else is not the cure... you can eat too much good food...

My therapist suggested a book called Reinventing your life you can get it on Amazon for about 7.00. It is not a quick fix but it does work..  

i just bought Reinventing Your Life from half.com for 5 bucks

SO THERE!

(just being facetious with the "so there".  really did just buy the book from half.com.  Thanks for the recommendation)