Obese, diabetic with high BP; need help with food addiction

Posted by minda77 @minda77, Oct 4, 2016

Diagnosed 1 year ago. Can't take Metformin or Glipizide due to side effects. Felt like a zombie, could hardly do my work. Didn't make much difference in my levels as I am also a food addict. Weight at 312 (was 320 2 1/2 weeks ago). A1C at 10.2 and sugar was 345 on Saturday morning. Feel better off the Meds, actually walking and getting to the gym. I know a lot of this will get better if I lose the weight.
Anyone out there a food addict like myself? How are you coping?
Also would like to know if there are any vitamins that help with the high blood pressure or the diabetes since the meds only make it worse for me.
Thank you in advance for any help.
Minda

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

Thanks, @ihatediabetes, the idea of a women's club is a great idea. It is usually less intimidating. @contentandwell do you have a women's exercise club in your area? Teresa

REPLY
@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@ihatediabetes It sounds like a great club. I go to a co-ed one but there are two gyms. They are both co-ed but the downstairs one is for the people who are doing more strenuous things (my son goes to that one when he visits and I bring him along) and the upstairs one has equipment but not a lot of weight lifting. I chose this club because I do a lot of pool exercises and it's one of the only facilities with a pool. It's not the other people that intimidate me, it's the darned equipment. MY PT said he would go with me sometime and help me get started but so far I have not heard from him on that. It is not an inexpensive club but they rarely have trainers around to ask questions to; I think they should. Other than that I really like the place. My husband won't go there because he thinks it's a "snob club", but it is not at all. Very down to earth people there, and everyone is very friendly.
JK

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 Teresa, unfortunately no women's club around here despite there being some type of facility on almost every corner! The only all women place for exercise was Curves and they all seem to no longer be around. I have no idea what they had there.
JK

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell Yes, Curves was what I was thinking of. They were a low impact circuit-type of exercise place. (You only spent a few minutes on each machine) They used some strength training, but it was all developed for women so you did not have the heavy weights to deal with. Some of the Curves in this area have closed as well, there are 1 or 2 still open, though. Perhaps you can find something else. Maybe the Y will offer some low impact aerobic classes? The important thing about exercise is to do something that you enjoy, you will be more faithful to the exercise if you enjoy it. Best wishes!

Teresa

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell Pool walking is one of my favorite exercises as well. It is gentle on the knees as well as the other joints. Teresa

REPLY
@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@ihatediabetes Your understanding of your anxiety and how it affects your eating habits reflects some great INSIGHT! I especially like the phrase, "It really helps to pick up heavy things just to deplete me of anxiety." Yes, exercise does that, doesn't it? Thanks again for your posts, they represent insight, encouragement as well as education for everyone! Teresa

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

Teresa, yes I am monitoring myself since I am going through the Healthy Living Program. It's an intervention. I think they encourage you to be introspective. So I am paying attention to my thoughts and behaviors. I actually noticed that since I have been hiking I can actually sense my body better. I can feel hungry after and during hiking. So I carry snacks like granola bar or a mix of nuts and dry cranberries. I also carry a bottle of water in my coat pocket. I actually found myself dumping out some of the water because I knew I only needed two thirds of it and didn't want to carry extra weight. Then I don't carry more snacks than I need. I eat a few pieces and then I can feel exactly when it's enough. I know exactly how much water I need to be comfortable. I haven't felt this awareness before hiking miles at a time carrying only what I needed. So much of modern life is going through drive-thru for burger, fries, pop. You certainly can't tell when you had just enough when you get a burger combo with 1200 calories put in a bag on your carseat. People drive and eat at same time. How can they tell when they're full? Of course they can't. They're driving! So I discovered for myself what it feels like to be hungry from hiking and taking in small amounts of food and water to continue hiking. It's a new experience for me. I think that's why I noticed I was snacking when I was anxious. I could compare eating from hiking versus eating from anxiety. It felt totally different. Eating from anxiety feeds the anxiety not a physical need. To me that's an epiphany.

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@rosemarya Thanks for the testimonial! Teresa

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@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 I do the water aerobics, depending on the instructor that lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. After that, and on days when I do not make the class, I do either another 30 - 45 minutes walking in the water, vigorously, or an hour at least if I have not been in the pool for class. I hate going but I am glad afterwards. I am a fairly sociable person but I really hate it when people start talking to me because that slows me down and when I am in the pool I want to be done with it.
My club is really quite good, I have to look into more options. In all of the classes the instructors know the participants; weaknesses and problem areas and they make sure we tailor the exercises to ourselves. I have done Zumba in the past, may do it again, and I do Pilates Reformer now. There are many other types of things they have, I need to explore more. It's a good sized club with so many options.
JK

REPLY
@noreenf

I definitely know about food addiction. I am 68, and over the years, I have lost more weight than I weigh right now. I put on weight after my first child, and more with my second. My family called me fat my whole life, but looking back at pictures, I never was a bit overweight. I did put on weight my senior year of high school, mom took me to her Dr, who was really obese, he gave me a diet to follow, and diet pills. I lost the weight, then met my husband. My first real weight loss was when Weight Watchers came to our area. I lost over 100#, then my husband, who was in the Air Force, got transferred, and I lost my support system, of the weekly meetings. The next time I joined Overeaters Anonymous, when they first got started, and lost the same over 100#. Then the group lost the meeting place, so I lost my support system again, and gained the weight back, again. Then, I started hearing about bariatric bypass, and had that done 7 years ago. I lost 60 pounds, then quit losing. I maintained that 210# for about 4 years, then was put on meds for nerve damage pain, and started to put it back on again. I'm at 235# now, and not happy about it. The doctors thought I would be a good candidate for the surgery, since I had managed to lose the weight twice, but they didn't realize that the reason I was able to do it was the weekly meetings, and I thought they would have more support than the once a month support group they provided.
If it was possible to undo the bypass surgery, I would. Actually, I wish I hadn't had it in the first place, because now my body doesn't absorb nutrients, so I have to take loads of vitamins, and am supposed to eat lots of protein, etc. I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting a couple of times, but it has changed so much, it didn't help me any more.
So, I have pretty much given up. I try to eat the things that will help me lose the weight, but my husband expects me to cook him the foods he likes for dinner, when I would rather just have a salad, etc, but I don't know how to cook meals he likes, and not eat what he eats, like casseroles, hamburger helpers, etc, We end up with more leftovers than I can use as it is.
So now I pray and do the best I can. I know God doesn't want me to keep hating myself over this, so I take it a day at a time.
This is the first time I've seen this site, maybe it will help, hearing other food addicts share what they are dealing with.

Jump to this post

@contentandwell It sounds like we have similar tastes in exercise. I do not attend the water exercise classes, but like to walk in the water and move my arms at my own speed. When I exercise, I just enjoy going at my own pace. It works better than trying to keep up with an instructor, that way I can tailor the exercise and not get too tired. It sounds like you have a lot of variety in your exercise plan. Teresa

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