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Men and food addiction Tiscali
Men have problems with food too!
Weight-related issues are just as much an issue for men as women. Rates of obesity associated with increased levels of heart disease and diabetes amongst other diseases are rising all the time. By the time I was 26 I had reached over 16 stone and the weight just kept piling on.
My Childhood - No Problem
I was a normal weight for most of my childhood although I was teased a lot about my shape and had the nickname of 'Piggy' perhaps because of the way I ate. Being at boarding school I didn't really have the opportunity to eat more than was provided by the school at mealtimes.
I do remember that my Mum was always on one diet or another and my Dad was also overweight and trying to control his weight by exercising. In fact he had a heart attack at the age of 50 whilst out running to loose weight. My sister also developed anorexia. I as far as I knew did not have a problem with food!
The Weight starts going up
It wasn't until I left school and went to university started feeding myself for the first time, as well as drinking lots of beer, that I started to put weight.
I very soon picked up the name of Hippo due to my size. At the time I put a brave face on the teasing and developed this fat person persona making sure that I was always first with the jokes about my size.
I have always been quite shy and I found university very stressful and I think I ate a lot to cover my feelings. At the time I wasn't aware that this was what I was doing. I thought I was just different from other people.
The Warning Signs
Overexercising
By the time I was 26 I was over 16 stone and could live with myself no more. I began to exercise obsessively. At one stage I was swimming over a mile every day as well as going to the gym and aerobics classes. This worked for a while, but the weight would always come back on.
Drugs
I then discovered that recreational drugs could help me loose weight. A weekend's dancing in clubs and the pounds would fall away! Also I didn't need to eat for a few days. Again this worked for a while and my weight yo-yo'd up and down over the next few years.
Food obsession
Gradually I became more obsessed with food particularly sugary things. I couldn't get through a night without at least one visit to a sweet shop. I would find myself taking the leftovers off people's plates or eating so much that I couldn't get to sleep. I would wake up in the morning sweating and feeling groggy, almost as bad as having a hangover from alcohol.
Despair
Three years ago I reached a point where I was chronically unwell with digestive problems I had tried wheat free/dairy free etc diets but could never stick to them. I was constantly thinking about what food I should eat and my weight. I never had a moment's peace and felt there was nothing I could do.
The Solution
I had read some books on addiction and these made me look more closely at my relationship with food. I had seen a naturopath who had recommended a sugar free diet which I think I was only able to stick to for 48hrs!
The idea that maybe I was addicted to sugar rang some bells for me and I decided to look into Twelve Step Recovery programmes for food addiction which were based on Alcoholics Anonymous.
Two years ago I walked into my first FA (Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous) meeting and it felt like I had come home. It was an amazing experience to meet other people who shared similar stories and an obsession with food.
What a relief to know that I wasn't alone. That first meeting I heard someone share their story around food obsession and the fact that they had maintained a constant weight for over 10 years. They had been free from the obsession of food and weight for this period of time.
Since that time through the FA programme I too have maintained a constant weight of around 12 stone and have completely lost my obession with food. My health has improved dramatically and I feel healthier now than I ever have done. I eat a healthy diet and I believe I have significantly reduced the chances of getting a heart attack or developing diabetes.
My life has changed in other ways too and by working through the 12 Steps I am loosing my shyness and beginning to live a life I could never have dreamed of. I have a new found sense of hope, optimism and confidence for which I am very grateful.
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