@berit, I use a C-Pap for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Lost 30 lbs. last year & kept it off, & the Sleep Medicine Dr. lowered the pressure on my machine. Much easier to deal with. Working to lose another 15 lbs., maybe resolving the Sleep Apnea & not have to use C-Pap. It's a royal pain, and I hate traveling with it. However, it's necessary for people with this condition. There are tips on the Mayo Clinic Web Site for avoiding Sleep Apnea, & keeping a healthy weight is near the top of the list. I'm certain smoking is another risk factor.

I learn something new everyday! I take Prozac, Cymbalta and Clonzepam 2x day!<br><br>

@berit, thank you for sharing your story. And thank you telling others about Mayo-Rochester's 2 week outpatient program. What about the program would you say helped you the most?

What didn't help? It was all terrific. Probably least useful for me were the didactic classes but that is only b/c i have a mental health background. I think the truly innovative part of the program was the data collection we did on ourselves. People are always telling you what to do - keep to a routine, go out with friends, get enough sleep, exercise, blah blah blah . . . But this program has you plan your own routine and activities, THEN have you track how you feel when you do them, note if other people are around or involved. The result its that you prove to YOURSELF that you actually DO feel better when you keep to a routine, exercise, etc etc.

For me, this was the best. No one was telling me what i should be doing. I was demonstrating to MYSELF that doing this stuff actually worked for ME. Doing self data collection and showing OURSELVES what works was a positive GENIUS idea of whoever it was at Mayo who came up with it. It turned my life around. I convinced MYSELF to do all these things people had been telling me to do for years b/c I had PROVEN to MYSELF that they made me feel better.

Really, they need to take tis show on the road. Not everyone has the time or money to go to MN.

I'm a non-smoker but unfortunately I am an emotional eater. When I get depressed the first place I turn is to chocolate, donuts and other goodies. i've tried juicing, which worked for a while, but I got hooked on donuts again and that's a hard habit to break. Still I'm trying, and i exercise a lot so at least that is one good thing.

It's not good to overeat, but some days it just comes down to whether you would rather be fat or dead.

I'm so sorry you are struggling with problems surrounding food. You almost<br>sound fearful, hopeless and loathsome. I have empathy for you. I have<br>experienced similar food addictions. Felt sick. Was overweight. Developed<br>illness. You can change. Or stay miserable. You should research an<br>elimination diet. A person will crave their poison. I can tell you my<br>story, but it is long. For the last 10 months I have been successful in<br>making the choices and changes I needed and now I am the perfect weight and<br>I feel so much better! The only thing you can control in a mindful manner<br>is what goes into your mouth. Think about it. Let me know if you need to<br>talk more.<br><br>

lorraine,
What is an "elimination" diet? I never heard of that one before. To say i feel loathsome is a bit strong, but i do feel frustrated, discouraged and out of control, eating-wise. Advice/suggestions appreciated.