Posts by earth_mom

I do Love the new food logger! I love it. It is easier to use, and I for one really enjoy having the eat meter and burn meter right there on the food logger page! I think that is a helpful innovation that keeps me better on track as I log and plan my day. I don't understand the requests for the old home page at all...but we're all different!

While I can't make use of the "meal" feature, because I insist on more variety every day, I do appreciate the frequent foods and the drop down lists. You guys have done a fantastic job and I am so grateful for the site and the tiny but dedicated group that keeps us "millions" going.

Did I say Thank you! Thank you! a thousand times.

Original Post by meganr:

The cover story of a recent New Scientist magazine, the UK equivalent of Scientific American, discussed what they termed "Junkie Food".  In that article was a discussion of studies and findings asking this very question, i.e. whether food can be an addiction for certain individuals.  There seems to be some evidence of this. 
Also found some interesting articles and discussions at the web site for the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, including a Food Addiction Scale.  One quote cited from a mention of a conference held there in 2007 from Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse is especially interesting:  "It is important that we study the reasons that people behave in unhealthy ways even when they are aware of potentially devastating consequences,” Volkow said. “We believe we can learn a lot about obesity by looking at what we know about the science of drug addiction. In this meeting we will be discussing the commonalities in the brain’s reward mechanisms related to compulsive eating as well as drug use for non-medical reasons.”

As a formerly obese person I find these studies fascinating; they give me some insight into some of the possibilities for why it is so difficult for some of us to change our lives in such a way as to bring ourselves back to health.  I certainly don't understand how this type of science turns the obese into "victims" or lets anyone off the hook for working hard at finding the path to health. 

I haven't seen anyone specifically address, not to mention disagree, with the actual science posted by megan. Apparently experts (although not pgeorgian) believe it is "helpful" to talk about food addiction.

Another excellent point I want to (nod in agreement) emphasize is that using the science of addiction doesn't turn anyone into a victim.

I believe that nodding in agreement is in fact very helpful, and so is looking for constructive answers to the compelling and, for some, insurmountable problem of eating too much.

Like the OA poster, I think the spiritual discipline of Twelve Step recovery programs is also extremely helpful for this obese individual.

But as you say OP "whatevs"

start weight 1/1/2010: 267

current weight 10/3/2010: 256

goal weight 12/31/2010: 240

SW: 240

CW: 244

GW: 232

going in the wrong direction! However, I have a new tool: Intuitive Eating. I am an unconscious eater (I don't think about the food while I am eating it--I just obsess about the food all the rest of the time). So I have a new approach: be present in the moment of eating: no reading, surfing, browsing, games. Going to be tough. May not always be successful. But it's a good direction for me I think. I sure hope so!

Name: earth_mom
Age: 60
Height: 5'6"
Start Weight in July: 242.6
Goal Weight  (by July 31): 238.6

July 3: 242.6
July 10: 240.4
July 17: 242
July 24:
Final Weigh In – July 31:

Total weight loss: 0.6

Been having a hard time at work, eating badly.

Favorite breakfast: bacon, eggs, grits (butter, salt, pepper), toast & jam

Favorite fruit/veggie: blueberries, peaches/eggplant, beets, spinach

Favorite sweet: chocolate, dark or with nuts

Favorite source of protein: pork, beef steak, salmon steak

Favorite carb: chocolate cake w/ chocolate icing

Favorite fat: butter

Favorite "diet" food: n/a (water? brocolli?)

Favorite drink: champagne &/or water (coffee too)

Favorite overall food: chocolate cake

Food you hate most: artificial sweetener

337/750

I love surveys...love to think about, post about, read about food!!!

Cold cereal, oatmeal or museli?--oatmeal most of the time; cold cereal & fruit sometimes

Kale, collard greens or Swiss chard? yes, also mustard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, napa cabbage, spinach, endive, escarole...etc.

Soy milk, almond milk or oat milk? no

Favorite way to cook veggies? roast or grill

Favorite fruit for breakfast? blueberries or cantaloupe

Favorite fruit for snack? banana

Best way to eat carrots? Glazed

Whole grains are best in: bread, pasta or baked goods? bread

Favorite healthy dessert? oatmeal cookies or "wacky" chocolate cake

Favorite nut butter? Nutella (my downfall)

Luna Bars, LaraBars or Think Bars? n/a

Black beans, kidney beans or garbanzo beans? pinto beans and blackeye peas

Black, spice or green tea? herbal, ginger & lemon or peppermint

How do you take your tea? hot, plain

Local or organic from store? local

Favorite farmer's market item? n/a

Favorite combinations for trail mix? Bhuja Snacks!

Favorite dried fruit? prunes

Baked potato or baked yam? yam

Favorite way to eat dark chocolate? mass quantities

242 / 750

Name: earth_mom
Age: 60
Height: 5'6"
Start Weight in July: 242.6
Goal Weight  (by July 31): 238.6

July 3: 242.6
July 10: 240.4
July 17:
July 24:
Final Weigh In – July 31:

Total weight loss: 2.2 oooo!