For the last few weeks, all I've wanted to do is eat. Not exactly sure what it is that I'm craving, so I just eat whatever I see first. If that doesn't get it, I'll go back to see what else I can find - it's become a vicious cycle!

When I first began to experience hormomal issues about five years ago, this was one of the first symptoms I noticed. After gaining about 30 pounds within a 3 month time span, those cravings finally stopped.

Could someone please tell me what is causing this, if you've experience this and how to get control of it?!!! Any advice would be so welcomed and greatly appreciated!


Hugs,
gyz

Are you on any medications such as antidepressants? Have you changed your workout routine recently?

I am on a new b/p med that I started in February, also just started Prozac last night. When this happened the first time, I wasn't on anything new or different so I'm thinking this is primarily due to hormones being all whacked out again. No new routines as far as working out, either.

Thanks for the reply, Gia.

I think back to how it was during PMS....and I was wanting to eat everything!!

I am passed that now, but being on an AD has caused a similar side effect. My appetite became this entity seperate from me. I couldn't talk my way out of eating. It was crazy. I cut the dosage of my AD in half and started a "lifestyle" change a week ago. I am down 7 pounds, but that is common for me the first week of any diet.

I am learning about low GI foods, and that might be a really good place for you to start. If you eat low GI then you stay full longer, and your blood sugar stays more level which helps prevent those awful cravings. I have also been surprised at how much food I can eat, just by eating the right food! And I am drinking the required 8 glasses of water a day too. For the first 3 days it was really hard getting all that water down, but since then it has been easy. I think our natural thirst is restored when we are drinking enough water.

I gained 31 pounds this year.....so it really is time for me to get some of that off! I understand how you are feeling with the crazy appetite. It feels hopeless sometimes.

Gyz (how do you pronounce your username ?), are you anxious at the moment?

I ask because i also posted about this a few weeks back under binge eating. My Hubby was due to go in for an op and that's how my anxiety came out. For a few weeks, I couldn't stop eating. i would be raiding the fridge and cupboards for food constantly. Wasn't hungry - just comforting myself, I think.

I've stopped now, but it took a bout of gastritis from bad eating and tension to break the cycle for me. Suddenly all food became pain. Hubs has had his op, the pain has gone and thankfully I am eating sensibly again.

gyz: I think it's hormonal. The only way to control these food craving binges is to clear everything out of your cupboards except healthy stuff. Rice cakes, carrot, apples, you get the idea. If it's in the house, I'll eat it...but if I actually have to go and drive somewhere to buy it, there is less of a chance...

Cut down on your sugar intake. I've been doing that all last week (I have yeast overgrowth) and today is one week. I weighed myself - 5 lbs down (mostly water) but I feel really good. And I don't crave sugary things. I used to wake up just wanting to stuff my face with anything and everything.

I'm doing the exact same thing!

I can't seem to get full. Not really craving anything specific...just food in general. Mine seems to be PMS-related, but knowing that doesn't make me any less hungry. What seems to be happening is that as long as I don't eat anything I'm fine. But once I start eating I can't stop! Almost like an alcoholic -- don't have the first one or all the others will follow. I've been putting off eating (I know...HORRIBLY BAD IDEA) just to keep the cycle from repeating itself.

I used to do this when I was younger -- early 20s. Don't know why it started up again, but I'm ashamed and embarrassed at the weight I've put on because of it -- 20 lbs. since February, up to 237 as of this morning, my highest weight EVER! I'm gonna try eating food with more density and fiber, like whole wheat bread or cereal, when the hunger hits. Maybe I'll stay away from the candy and salty snacks that way. I'll pass on any good results I have.

I have been feeling like this too. And then, I feel guilty for eating and not feeling full. Its been a few months for you all, have you been able to control it? if so, what are you doing to make yourself stop.

I couldn't agree more!! Sugar increases your insulin levels, thus craving more sugar! If you can stop all sugars for 2-3 days you'll have more will-power to avoid things with sugar, and this includes pasta, breads, all white flour.

I think Webalina has a great point.... once you start it's hard to stop!! It IS a vicious cycle!!

I'm such a big talker!! LOL I too have some weight to lose, it's just so hard to get started!!!

I am gluten sensitive and anytime I ingest gluten I go through this cycle of insatiable desire to eat. I'm in it now and the only thing I can remember having with gluten was a communion cracker. I had forgotten my normal GF cracker and decided one itsy bitsy cracker wouldn't hurt... well it has. I've been miserable... depressed, emotional and the cravings to eat are unmanageable... I am taking digestive enzymes to hurry it out of my system and sticking to mostly clean foods but it is madness... total madness. I hate this out of control feeling.

I agree with RR, it's probably hormonal.

Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. When you ovulate, it sends signals to your body causing you to increase your eating (hunger) so that the baby will be well nourished. This is why many of us in the couple weeks prior to the onset of a period get a voracious appetite. I would say your estrogen is low in relation to the progesterone, and once you gained weight during those 3 months, your body had enough fat to store estrogen in the form of estrone, so the cravings stopped.

sariah... makes alot of sense. i have noticed that these eating episodes come in cycles, although that very first one threw me for a loop with it being about three months long!

since my original post about this, i started jenny craig and it's slow going, but i am beginning to see some results, mostly inches lost. however, even with the food being managed for me, i am still the one that has to put forth the effort and pull out alot, and i mean ALOT, of discipline not to eat junk. i do struggle with sugar and have for years. i can see how it is an addiction.

i'm sorry to hear that you ladies are struggling in this area, too, but i have to admit that it sure is nice to know i'm not the only one!


hugs to you all,
gyz

The Ad did me wonders but not in the eating department. I am same way and especially when it comes to eating sweets.

Sorry, can't stop you as I am sitting here with my home-made Christmas cookies frm my mom.......but I'll share

Seriously, I don't know what it is. I am not on any new meds and I stopped the steriodal nose spray a month ago and yet I cannot get a handle on this eating.

Hmm I'm craving something sweet as we speak....must be almost time of month...heavy sigh!

TJ

Here ya go and i have more from where that came from!

OMG I just finished eating peanut butter and chocolate...just saw this!!! I think in 2 weeks I have gained 10 pounds...afraid to weigh myself!!!! Out of control would be an understatement!!!

TJ