How Do you Become Abstinent?

[Webmaster 1]

For some members, they know immediately that sugar, flour and wheat were a problem. They have dieted for years and nothing has worked. Something inside of them knows that this may be the solution. For others, it takes a long time. I think what eventually happens to those of us who have been abstinence a long time is this-We try it and discover that we feel sooooooooo much better physically, emotionally and spiritually that we prefer this lifestyle. In addition, we get a new body!

[SFWFree]

I went cold turkey-off of everything. Of course, that was because I was at a bottom. I had tried everything and still was 5'2" and over 200 pounds. I knew artificial sweeteners didn't work because I got to 212 while eathing them.

Yes, there were withdrawal symptoms, but there was also immediate relief. Within a week, I didn't have cravings. Within 6 weeks, I was sleeping better, my energy was higher. Abstinence became a preferable way to live. It was sooooooooooooo worth it.

FAA cannot make medical claims, but many members have experienced relief to many problems. My husband's Type II Diabetes went away. There is a whole new life on the other side beyond withdrawal symptoms.

[Abinsten08]

There are great rewards to becoming abstinent. Make sure you plan what you're going to be eating then you won't fall prey to the wrong food choices. Remember your addiction is affecting your thinking and if you feel reluctant about planning, buying and cooking this could be your food addiction at work in your thoughts.

After i have had my dinner in the evening i take a few minutes to plan my MA for that evening, also my breakfast and lunch the next day. my dear mum cooks my dinner but i always weigh my meat and potatoes. i leave my weighing scales on the table as it is only small and fits into the palm of my hand. If i feel any stress i ask my higher power to take it away from me and then i just relax knowing he is always there for me.

[ratdr]

Still exploring all this stuff ! Before I knew about FAA, I had been avoiding wheat b/c I had decided that I was having a physical reaction to it (swollen, painful lips). I also tried to avoid sugar as I am "pre-diabetic"---of course, that was when I was in control of my eating, not during my frequent (daily at least) binges--which I haven't had for 10 days so far ! ;)
Two questions for now re:abstinence....I will occaisonally (1-2 times/week) eat something with rice flour, like rice bread, or rice spaghetti. It doesn't seem to trigger anything, so is it still something I need to avoid to be "abstinent"? Also, being vegetarian and "almost vegan" I do eat nuts a bit for protein. I measure out about 1 oz and then stop with no problems and no triggering. Again, is that something I should avoid? Thanks :)

[lmarie]

I need help. I finally admitted to myself that I have a serious problem with food. My relationship with it is so unhealthy, yet how do I live with this addiction. I am new to the area (and this part of the country) and have not located any meetings. I don't trust myself outside of a face-to-face meeting. :? Any suggestions? I am in the US Pacific NorthWest, western Oregon.

[step3]

Welcome to Food Addicts Anonymous, lmarie!

I understand the panic you're feeling right now, having realized your problem with food and feeling unsupported. But I want you to know, lmarie, that if you're a food addict like I am, you've come to the right place. The solution to food addiction~~ all of food addiction (physical, mental/emotional/spiritual)~~ is here and we no longer have to live in the problem.

The first thing I'd do is see if you think you're a food addict. There's a great page here on the website to help you determine this:

http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/are-you-food-addict

If you're a food addict, or think you might be, the next step is to start getting to some FAA meetings asap. True, there are face-to-face meetings in many places, but FAA does have members who don't live near one, there is a great deal of support other than those. FAA has phone meetings (over 30 per week...4 or 5 a day!), online meetings on the weekends, and the FAA Loop (a 24/7 meeting via emails through the Loop's Yahoo group). Information on all of these is here:

http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/meetings

For beginner's there's an online meeting Saturdays at 11am Eastern (8am Pacific) and a beginner's phone meeting Sundays at 6pm Eastern (3pm Pacific). FAA also has its own excellent literature. The literature has been a life-line in between meetings for me. You can also get phone numbers and make Outreach Calls for support and to find a sponsor. Or you can privately email people on the FAA Loop whose recovery you like the sound of. Some people have found their sponsors through the Loop.

We're glad you're here, lmarie, and invite you to come back to Online Support to read posts. There's a lot of good information here in FAA's Online Support. Also feel free to post with any questions you might have.

You're not alone anymore, and never have to be alone again! Keep coming back~ this program definitely works for those who want it and are willing to work it. :P

Best wishes,
step3

[pinkgurl87]

What??? You can't become abstinent you have to eat to live. If you cut out food totally you will crave it and end up binging on it later. This doesn't make any sense to me what so ever. If you don't eat stuff that's anorexia and that is just as bad as eating to much, it's an eating disorder either way, and you deal with eating disorders by eating in moderation. Everything can be eaten in moderation.

[step3]

Hi pinkgurl,

In Food Addicts Anonymous, we discovered that we are addicted to most forms of sugar/flour/wheat. We do have a form of sugar in the fruit we eat, as an example, but things that those who are career dieters wouldn't think would be a problem (such as diet soda, sugar-free gum, or sugar-free mints) do have forms of sugar in them that trigger cravings to eat more, in a food addict.

In FAA, we abstain from sugar/flour/wheat and other high carbohydrate foods. Doing that allows those substances, toxic to food addicts, to get out of the body and stay out. When that happens, there are no longer cravings and the foods that previously were impossible to resist, now no longer "call our names".

We don't abstain from all food! FAA has a suggested food plan, very balanced, very nutritious, and with enough to eat. Following the food plan, the amounts and foods suggested, allows us to feel satisfied and not hungry. It heals the internal organs that were damaged by food addiction disease. Many people in FAA have recovered from other illnesses as well. For instance, I am diabetic and was on 3 strong medications for diabetes. Because I'ved been following the food plan, I no longer need to take any medications for it at all, and have excellent blood sugar readings. I also no longer need to take the 2 medications for high blood pressure I was on for years, and no longer need to take the medication for high cholesterol. My story is not uncommon.

You can see the FAA suggested food plan by following this link:

http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/faa-food-plan

[DivaInHopkins]

I know I am addicted to sugar and fats. I had a very successful weight loss while on Atkins years ago, 50 pounds off in 10 months. I'm back up 30 pounds from then and know it's time to kick this food addiction once and for all.
I found this website while researching "Addicted to Food" and the meal plan they use at "Shades of Hope".
FINALLY I've found someone who understands my addiction. I just wish Minnesota had meetings. I do better face-to-face, but getting a sponsor would help me immensely.
I used to tell people it would be easier if I was an alcoholic, drug abuser or smoker because you don't have to use those to live. I HAVE to eat in order to live. :sigh: However, having any addiction is not easy.
I know the cravings will go away and I will feel so much better once sugar is out of my system. It's just getting my head back into the game again that I am struggling with. I'm reading the forums and notice that a common thread is that our "Brains" are being influenced by the foods we need to avoid. Now that does make sense to me.
Tonight I will begin the process of ridding my home of the toxic stuff and redoubling my efforts to become clean.
I'm excited about this new journey into sanity and health.

Di

[here42da]

Hi Di,
Welcome to Food Addicts Anonymous. I am glad you found our FAA website, which has so much valuable information regarding the disease of food addiction. Many have come here in desperation, seeking a solution to our disease. I am so thankful to know today that there is a solution and I have found it here in these rooms, and now share my recovery daily in the service work that I do. I find it very helpful to reach out to others with the information that others have shared with me. Many have lost weight abstained from some foods, only to end up back into the foods and gaining back the weight and all that goes with it. We are a 12 step program that also deals with the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspect of food addiction. I have also found that if I do just one part, it doesn't go as well. I must abstain from all of the offensive ingredients, namely sugar, flour, and wheat, but also any and all of the other names of s/f/w, which means their substitutes, and alternatives. It is important to take a good look at the lengthy list. My experience as with many others in program is that if ingesting any of these items, that it leads right back to the cravings. Also I needed to add to this list anything that became a trigger for me, either because of overuse or just because I wanted more even if on the food plan. An example of this is watermelon. Here is a link to the food plan and the other names of s/f/w: http://www.foodaddictsanonymous.org/faa-food-plan.
I will be sending you a welcome letter with more information which you will be able to get by going to the area at the top of the page where it says control panel, click on (new messages) Again the food plan works if you follow it. Stay for the miracle.
here42da