Ask the Diet Psychologist

I really need to lose weight however it seems that when I do try the pressure is too much for me and I end up gaining weight instead.  A few years ago I did weight watchers and gained 20 lbs.  Before that I had a weekly weigh in with my sister in laws and gained about 10 lbs.  The watching and counting is too much pressure and stress that I end up eating more.

I am also someone who eats in secret.  In my car, at the office...  I know this about myself and am having a very difficult time stopping it.

I feel out of control when it comes to eating.  I have good intentions but they backfire and cause more stress and thus more eating and then more weight.  Why do I do this to myself?!

Anna

It sounds like you are an emotional eater who is prone to self-defeating behavior. Dealing with the emotional issues tied up with your eating and your motivation to lose weight needs to be your first step. Being mindful of and accountable for your food choices is necessary, and a powerful tool to achieve that is keeping a food-feelings journal. Journaling is the best way for you to identify emotional triggers and to train yourself to pay attention to your eating choices. Here's an article: http://diet.ivillage.com/motivate/mjournal/0,,83rq,00.html

Here's another article that deals with the issue of being "out of control" of your eating: http://diet.ivillage.com/issues/iemotional/0,,7jk9,00.html

You might also consider getting a copy of my book and working through the self-help program it contains:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312978812/fattitudes

If self-help isn't enough, try to find a psychologist in your area who deals with eating issues.

Good luck!

Dr. Jeff