I'm a horrible person....

OK, I'm going to confess.... that I take/steal other people's food :(

And I don't do it for the $$ or because I'm cheap. I have a $2700 meal plan at school, and a lot of $ left on it right now (I need to use up $300 in 2 weeks)... and I live with 3 roomies, we all share a fridge.

Sometimes I eat their food secretly :(

I don't let myself buy packages of cookies, ice cream, etc. Because once I open them, I always finish them. I have NO self-control (evidently) So I just avoid them.

But if I see tubs of ice cream, or leftover cake in the fridge.... I sneak bites here and there from them....
TODAY I finished all of one of my roomate's dessert. - it was like 5 brownies topped w/ chocolate sauce, strawberry jam and choco ice cream. It had been in the fridge for 2 weeks.... and it was leftovers.
1. I can't believe I eat other people's stale leftovers.
2. I can't believe I'm technically 'stealing' other people's food.

WTF is wrong with me!! I feel So guilty.... (for binging) but mainly, for stealing food. Its not mentally right.... of all the things to steal, and its not because of $

I could easily walk 30 seconds to the cafeteria and buy it. But I won't let myself do it because I don't want to gain weight.
But than I always think, "OK one bite of theirs"... but than I always lose control, completely binge, and eat all of it!
(I feel like I actually don't have the control to stop after that one little bite...... thats just me, once I start, I cant stop)
So I couldve just gone downstairs to buy it instead of 'stealing'. (I can always offer to replace it IF she notices its missing, she probably won't, but that is not the point! The point is me.... disgusting... stealing... horrible!!)

And actually, at the bulk places where you scoop foods into bags, where it says "please - no snacking"..... I go in on PURPOSE to snack w/ no intention of buying.

Its the only way I allow myself to get sweets/junk :( and sometimes I end up eating hundreds of calories just like that. When I couldve bought it. I really don't mind spending the $ to buy it.... but I don't because I'm scared that if I buy it, I eat all of it at once. (which I know I will... and I can't let myself do that)



Whats happening to me :( This doesnt sound normal, does it!! Does anyone else do it...
If your 'cure/advice' to me, is to tell me to treat myself regularly so that I don't binge - well, I've tried it...... it doesn't work -- because I cannot stop once I start. So the only solution is for me to AVOID. I'm actually FINE most of the time if I don't start. But if I taste that TINY bit..... I cant stop.

I'm going to vow right here that I'm not touching ANY of their food for the rest of the year!! (well, its only 2 wks left, but still)

Been there done that.  For me the main temptation for me is my roommates' peanut butter.  I don't allow myself to buy the real PB, I buy better n' peanut butter but haven't gotten any in awhile cuz I know I'll eat the whole thing in a matter of a few days and it's kinda pricey.  My 2 roommates buy the "good stuff" and I'm still struggling to not indulge myself in a spoonful or two of their jars.

I also used to eat their food then rebuy it for them so they wouldn't notice. How pathetic!! We humans are interesting beings.

It's good that you feel bad about stealing their food because that means you know you shouldn't be doing it.  Just keep working at it and maybe go for a walk when temptation arises and if you still want that treat after the walk you should drink a glass of water and go out to buy a little treat.  Sometimes I think it's good to treat yourself now and again.  Moderation is key though.  I myself struggle with this everyday...Just yesterday I treated myself without going overboard.  After looking up the nutritional info for A&W's diet root beer float I decided to go get one and thankfully that didn't trigger me into a chaotic binge.  I think this will just take time and practice.  Remember that you are not alone.  Stay Strong. :-)

    Ahhh, I used to do that too! I used to sneak cheese slices out of the fridge and nick chocolate spread from their cupboards. My room's right next to the kitchen which made it unbelievably easy for me to steal stuff in the middle of the night. I feel so guilty about it now.

The best thing to do is to make sure you always have a bottle of water next to your bed, drink as much of it as you can when you start feeling the smalledt amount of cravings. If that doesn't work make yourself a large bowl of oatmeal with skim milk or something equally as filling but low-cal to try and fill you up. Try and keep lots of fruit around as well in quick portions. Hope that helps :)

I used to do the roommate thing too! When I was at my lowest ED point, I would only buy the sparest stuff for my apartment stock (think a tub of old-fashioned oatmeal, coffee, and tea, that was IT) and wouldn't let myself go to the dining hall so I wouldn't binge. But then I'd have a spoonful of my roomates' stuff, a few of their crackers, a couple of flakes of their cereal, etc. . . I even used to go over to my friends' apartment downstairs just to sneak into their kitchen on my way out and take their food! How incredibly, ridiculously pathetic is that! A couple of times, I'd find myself in front of my roomates' cupboard, eating cheez-its without even knowing how  I got there. That's freaky. I admit, I still do the bulk-food thing, but I think it is because I'm too cheap to buy it, and like you, don't allow myself to have junk in the house. The human mind is a strange, strange thing. 

Ohmygosh thank goodness I'm not the ONLY creeper out there haha! Thanks for all your replies.... it does make me feel a little less creeper-ish.

This morning I woke up and saw that my roomate had baked a chocolate cake w/ icing on it..... and just left it out there. (So now everytime I walk into the kitchen, the stupid cake is just staring at me...... can't she just put it in her room or something!! geez! )

BUT because I made the 'vow' here not to take any more of people's food.... I didnt!! :) I'm proud of myself.... but let me tell you, I was SO tempted to have just a forkful or two (I was already holding a fork from breakfast, it wouldve been SO easy)... but I didn't :)
(everytime I pass by it.... I'm still tempted.... but no no no! No more creeper behaviour!! :P )

hahah I do the same thing. My roommate keeps a ton of  candy and chocolate all in her room, and when she's not around, I find myself going in and taking like, one candy or chocolate from each bag/box that has already been opened so she won't notice.

It's a HORRIBLE habit. But I know that when junkfood is readily available near or around me and it's FREE, then I just have to have it. There's a vending machine right outside 10 feet away from my room but it's not free, so I take tiny things from my roommate.

I haven't done it in a while, thankfully. And it's almost time to move out so it will be over for good!

I do the same!  My roomate always keeps a big bag of Doritos sitting on top of the fridge, so every time I go to get food I see it.  The only thing that helps me stop stealing is forcing myself to ask for some (if she's home) or leave a note (if she's not).  That sort of convinces me not to take, because after asking for a handful 3x a day, or leaving a note every day I feel like a complete idiot. 

For a while I also got the 100 cal packs of Doritos from the store, that way when I wanted to steal some, I had no excuse, I just ate a little bag of my own.  Maybe you can do something similar? Get 100 cal packs of chips, and cookies, and use them as treats when you want to steal?  It really seems to help me.

Though it seems like you're giving in, it's better to give in and eat a small amount of your own junk than give in and eat a ton of someone else's!

I totally did that too when I had roommates! Like, if there was a box of pizza leftovers in the fridge, I'd steal a slice...unless it was the last one. Didn't think they'd notice! And granola bars, there was a huuuge bulk box of them, and I'd take one almost every day, then shake the box so all the ones left would be near the opening so it'd look full.

forgive me for adding my pennyworth, but of course you have nowillpower. You tell yourself you haven't and your life will be exactly what you say it will.

So give yourself a break. Forget what you did yesterday Today tell yourself that you are bright, intelligent and beautiful.

"We could all beat ourselves up over what we have done in the past., but why not allow ourselves to love ourselves.

So tomorrow instead of dwelling on how horrible you think you are, why not start the day telling yourself, hey I'm ok I can make it through today, and one day at a time . After all you succeeded in getting to college isn't that something to be proud of.

G

i don't mean to make anyone feel worse then they already do but don't think just because someone doesn't confront you that they don't notice what you're doing.

you may think you've tricked your roomate but trust me, if you sneak as much as it sounds like, chances are, they notice.  they may or may not care.  regardless, you should think of that before you take anything of theirs without asking, consumable or not.  it's not very nice at all and they shouldn't be penalized for your food issues.  i'd apologize and take some responsibility for your actions.  then you can be proud of yourself instead of feeling ashamed.

I just ate my dads jam!

straight out the jar with a spoon

xXx

I'm an emotional eater so I can not buy junk for sure, so yes I did that too, but then, one day tired of my behaviour I took a big piece of paper and wrote "STEALING IS BAD; AND MORE IF IS FOOD.  I FEEL HORRIBLE WHEN I DO THAT". Then I talked to my roommates' about what I have done and put the paper on the cupboard door.

My roommates' were really nice and help me out by hiding a bit their junk things. That help me a lot, when I was in the kitchen and saw the paper there hanging there then I didn't do it anymore...

I know it seems cruel...but It was the only way!!! Hope this gives you an idea...

Hahaha that's so funny..my sister and I stole and ate a whole bag of my room mate's chocolate covered pretzels, and I had to walk across campus and buy another bag before she could notice...thank god they had them!
Also, whenever I was drunk, I'd go back to my dorm room  and go CRAZY on my room mate's food...even sometimes when she was sleeping about 2 feet away from me! My suite once swung open my door and caught me with my face covered in peanut butter, eating it straight out of the jar : ( And this was when I was severely anorexic too..talk about humiliating...

Haha.  I just read about this book today where this guy did a study.  He left 6-packs of Pepsi in dorm fridges around campus.  When he checked a week later, every single can was gone.  Stolen!

Then he left a plate with 6 $1-bills in the same dorm fridges.  1 week later, no money was stolen.

It's all about how we "rationalize" what we steal, or the value we assign to stealing money vs. stealing food.  Weird, huh?

yeah, i don't think any of you are pathetic. it's normal. my roommates do not have food issues, but we all do it to eachother. i think what is abnormal is the extreme guilt and sneakines you feel about it, maYBE bc u feel that you are depriving yourselves of so much/ however you will be happier and more satasfied with life if you confront yourselves and have like a discussion with your fellow roommates about slight food sharing or whatever

hon its NOT okay to eat other people's food. I know that you already feel bad about it, but feeling bad is not enough. You need to take some real steps to prevent this from happening, both for your own sake and the sake of your roomate's wallets.

My first suggestion would be to forget this "no sweets allowed" rule-- it CLEARLY is not working anyway. Instead, find some low calorie treats that you can go to when you feel like you need something. Hard candies, skinny cow ice creams, fat free chocolate pudding, etc etc. There are many things people use-- search around on the forums for other suggestions. Cutting yourself off from all sugar and especially chocolate is 1) really difficult, as you know and 2) completely unnecessary! Once you get the idea in your head that you CAN have certain treats AND still stay in your calorie allowance, perhaps you won't go so crazy.

now chin up, don't feel bad, many people have been in your same situation including me. =) wish you the best!

 

LOL. I totally do this too! I always eat toast and peanut butter for breakfast, but I am running out of pb and since I am leaving in less than 2 weeks, I am stealing PB from roommates!!

I have problems with this too. I use a spoon and take a lot of my roommate's peanut butter, or take some bread from time to time and cover it in butter. I even rip open packages in stores and take out the food to eat later. I have a serious problem with this. Binge eating makes me guilty, but this is so much worse. I've lost control and feel like crying. I need to stop but don't know how.

You have too much time on your hands and are wanting somebody to notice.  Sounds like you are alone and your roommates have a social life and to get back at them and to make yourself feel better you eat their food.  Join some clubs, make new friends, study at the library more often, offer your knowledge as a tutor, join the local gym, get a part-time job.  Do ANYTHING to get out of the house or dorm and meet people. 

Also you need to confess to your roommates about eating their food.  Pay them back with money.  Don't replace the food because w/your low self esteem you will just eat that.   Purchase your own munchies and treats.  Let your roommates know you have these items to share and keep them in sight.  This way if you eat the whole bag of whatever your roommates will know and you will feel a small pang of guilt. 

You're not trustworthy as a roommate.  If something turns up missing you are the first person they will interrogate and most likely not believe. 

Above all; you need to get out of the house, be active and increase your circle of friends.

Here's what I think-

You aren't allowing yourself these things, which is not healthy or, as you've showm, sustainable. Curiosity killed the cat, remember?

Your mentality is that if you didn't purchase it, it didn't happen, or it isn't going to get in your way.

But you can only do without the things you love for so long. What happens to you is that you hit a breaking point. Your body obviously NEEDS these treats... 

so don't cheat yourself (or your friends) TREAT yourself!

Set a budget for fun treats... things that are GOOD for your soul... and only buy as many calories worth as you can resonably eat and still lose weight, each week.

That way, you're not robbing yourself of happiness by denying all treats,  you're not robbing your compadres of their snackage, and you're not going to get arrested for stealing from the bulk isle at the store!

 

 

I've never stolen food, but I guess I have sneaked food - I can't cook without nibbling at what I'm making, I "taste" all the time, and when I was at Uni I couldn't resist finishing whatever I opened - even if it was just a pack of sandwich ham or something. I also always eat more when I'm on my own, which is definately a bad thing. However, the more you tell yourself you can't help it, the less you can stop yourself. You have to admit to yourself that you CAN stop yourself, you just don't. As soon as you admit that, you'll be able to stop doing it.

I would say though, you may think that your room-mates don't notice, but they will. I've lived with people who did this before, and no one said anything because they liked the person, but everyone notices that they bought something, and can only remember having a little but its gone, even if you do take from things a little at a time. One sweet a day still adds up to 30 a month, and people notice if that much extra food is disappearing over time. Its something that I always really hated room-mates doing, especially when I was low on money - you need to own up to your room-mates and make it up to them.