Binging at the TV

[gonnamakeit76]

I swear, everytime I'm sitting at the couch and the TV is on, I can't control myself... I avoid it as much as I can now, I sit over here at my computer and comb this board like mad to keep my thoughts off of food, but I still can't stand the fact that as soon as I'm in front of the TV, wham, it just triggers insanely compelling food wants.

I don't know if it's the TV-trance thing or if it's cuz when I was home alone as a child, when my COE started, I would sneak off to the fridge if noone was around and get something to eat while I watched tv. I'm not sure which it is.

How am I supposed to battle these things (other than to avoid them) when they drive me that insane?

I suppose somehow it can be done, I used to binge in front of the computer too but now don't.... soo..... maybe.....

Don't know what fixed the computer part though that made me not really eat in front of the puter. hrm.... anyway, i'm just ranting.

[desirable dream]

Maybe you need something to keep your hands busy? Why not try knitting or sewing or something like that.

Or keep a supply of healthy snacks nearby, like raisons or carrot sticks.

Or every time you settle in front of the tv why don't you have a nice big mug of tea? Make that your new habit instead of eating

[littlekittentoes]

Well, it looks like you might have pinpointed when the TV munching started (home alone, sneaking food in front of TV) but I guess you could look at why...?

I'm pretty sure that my TV munching problem was conditioned early on (and possibly the whole COE thing could have been set up for later) when I'd visit my grandparents or my dad.

My parents divorced when I was two, and my mom had a major fight with her parents not long after which resulted in her not ever speaking to them again, so I did a lot of 'visitation' at both houses. At both places I got to eat in front of the TV (I was never allowed to at home) and at both places they would be like "did you have enough to eat? what about some cake, or ice cream, or mashed potatoes and gravy? or..." You get the idea.

I was so happy when i got to see my grandparents or my dad, and I felt sooo loved to be able to get away with eating in front of the TV, never getting yelled at, and getting endless amounts of my favourite foods. I was just so happy...

Shortly thereafter I was put into competitive sports and ended up severely Ana/Mia, but I think those early experiences set me up for COE to come crashing down as soon as I was 'recovered' and the stress of life got too much. Whereas I used to hold on to a sense of control with ED, now I kinda use it to numb my brain and body into oblivion...

Ramble ramble...I know

Hugs to everyone.

[monclaire]

I have the same problem, and I recently read an article that said that the food commercials on tv make people hungry and people will, on average, eat a ton more calories if they are watching tv than if they are sitting at a table instead. Maybe muting the tv during the commercials will help, or maybe if you are hungry you should just have what you want but eat it at the table with the tv off instead. I'm trying not to eat in front of the tube too. Let me know how it goes, and good luck!