Pizza Addiction
September 8, 2007
Seriously, let’s discuss this. I know it may sound silly but I truly believe I have a problem. They say admitting it is half the battle, right?
Friday night the husband and I had plans to go out. Not wanting to worry about dinner, I decided to order pizza. Before we left I had a few slices. When we came home, I had a few more slices. When I woke up this morning, I had a even few more slices. It was as if someone put me on autopilot. Pizza was available so I ate it, a lot of it. I don’t want to say I couldn’t stop myself because I could have, right? I mean I could have just put it away, right?
Honestly, truly doing some self-analysis and soul searching here the answer is no. I really don’t think I can. When there is pizza in the house it’s as though I have to eat it. I mean eat it ALL. It’s like I can’t handle knowing it’s in the fridge. It consumes my thoughts. I feel as if I have no self-control. What am I saying I don’t feel, I really had NO self control.
So I started digging around on the web. Surely, I can’t be the only one out there with a pizza addiction. While on my hunt to find others that have similar odd addictions I uncovered this older article entitled Chocolate cake addiction: it’s real which let me to Exposure to Food Increases Brain Metabolism.
Is it that far fetched that food addiction is similar to drug addiction? These articles say no, and I feel a little bit better about my 24-hour pizza binge.
There is a good thing to note about this, a lesson learned if you will. Even though I succumb to my addiction, I’m not using it as an excuse to return to old habits. After 2 years of living healthier, I’ve learned a momentary lapse now and then puts what I have accomplished in prospective. The way I ate in the last 24 hours is pretty much how I ate my way through college. The key is not to use it as an excuse. No ones perfect. Tomorrow I’m hitting the grocery store for my weekly supply of healthy fresh food and I will journal to be accountable. It’s about being healthy MOST of the time not all the time.
Right? … Right? Please tell me I’m right? ;~)
On September 8th, 2007 at 9:44 pm Anonymous said:
do you think that since you have a tummy tuck.. you can eat what you want/ when you want. you seemed more focused before the surgery.. just an observation… you look great though but~
On September 8th, 2007 at 9:48 pm Anonymous said:
Don’t worry about it. You’ve demonstrated that you can get right back to healthy habits. I think I’d chalk it up to stress and your new schedule.
On September 8th, 2007 at 9:57 pm Kim said:
Pizza are you kidding me………I felt like you we’re writing my thoughts when we have pizza in the house. My husband told me last night he wanted pizza for today and I told him “NO”! For this same reason….It is my weakness for sure. Today however cookie dough left over from last nights company has been call my name. After 10 hours of small nibbles its almost gone…WTHELL! I’m feeling you pain, but one thing thats different is we’re changing our habit tomorrow and have a plan to do better…right??? Right!
On September 8th, 2007 at 9:58 pm Roni said:
Anonymous (1) - I don’t think it has anything to do with the tuck. No one is perfect myself included. I’m a busy women and since reaching goal I need to learn how to maintain, it’s a different challenge. Plus the surgery has been over a year ago, I’d say I’ve been pretty focused this year. no?
Anonymous (2) - I think you are right. I have been feeling quite stressed.
On September 8th, 2007 at 10:46 pm Anonymous said:
Yeah - uh I got a tummy tuck, lost my focus and all of the sudden now I am having lapses. UGH! The two have nothing to do with each other - sounds like “anon” doesn’t have a clue. Sorry but it had to be said because his/her comment was truely ridiculous. I think you are very focused. The true key is like you said - how you recover from lapses and not letting them turn into 2 days, then a week, a month and so on. Lapses are inevitable but if you can get back on track - that is the key to true maintenance and you do that really well. I have the same problem especially with pizza - oh so oohey gooey - i love it. If the food is in the house, it has to be eaten and it has to be done in a short time whether I want it or not thus it can’t be in the house 95% of the time. :) Keep up the good work! Seeing that you are human like the rest of us is really encouraging also, helps us learn how to deal with the same issues :).
On September 8th, 2007 at 11:14 pm Anonymous said:
Everyone has this with some food once in a while…I have two principle that might help you as well:
1. If you want to eat not-so-healthy food, do Not order delievery…go to the resturant and eat it there…make it an even as much as possible and when you do that do NOT bring the leftover home.
2. If for some reason a pizza, ice cream, fried chicken, you name it! found its way to the fridge and you are standing there eating it…throw the rest in trash RIGHT NOW!
It was hard for me not to bring the leftover home or throw some food in trash but I figured the time I will put worrying about it or money I will put later losing that weight is more than the money spent on the food. I am more worth than the food.
Anar
On September 8th, 2007 at 11:18 pm Anonymous said:
Having said all the above comment I think you are doing a really good job maintaining. They say attitude is a choice and I think you have a really good choice in this case.
Sorry for all the typos.
Anar
On September 8th, 2007 at 11:35 pm Anonymous said:
Honestly Roni, I think that you eat healthy and on track all the rest of the days of the week, and a splurge once a week probably balances you out with all of the rest of the week, you hardly ever use your 35 extra flex points right? You aren’t looking to lose 5 or 10 pounds anymore, you are maintaining, so with your few too many pieces of pizza it should be allowed.
I bet once you get into the groove of your routine things will settle down for you.
On September 9th, 2007 at 12:34 am jeerjeerak said:
wow. wow, wow! I thought i am the only one with this problem. I exactly had/have the same pizza addiction. I can’t rest till i eat the last cold slice in the fridge. Solution: it’s about 8 months that i haven’t let a store bought pizza in my fridge! I cook healthy pizza every more often.
On September 9th, 2007 at 3:20 am DaleJ said:
Roni,
You’re doing wonderfully.
And, yes, maintenance is a much different process than the initial loss program.
BTW, the only successful “healthy living” program I’ve used included a built-in “free day.”
6 days of following the rules and you get a day to do as you feel/wish.
As you might guess, in the beginning the free days were quite free, but over time they became less eventful and hardly even considered “bad.”
But, having the option, even when not exercised, was beneficial.
On September 9th, 2007 at 6:58 am Lorraine said:
Roni you have got to stop thinking food is illegal in your mouth. If you realise what youve done in food dicipline in the last 2 years makes you in control. Stop beating yourself up and focus on what you do right. As long as your not gaining your doing it right and for the next few years its a trial and error with how you eat everyday.
The pizza is you red light food so next time only order enough so there is no leftovers or freeze it or throw it away.
My red light food is potatoe chips and candy and for 7 mths I’ve had it in the house but not the kinds that consume my mind..the kids eat it.
Second thing Roni..if you have a tummy tuck can you have more kids ? how would the stomach stretch again ?
You are a true inspiration and pat yourself on the back your human.
On September 9th, 2007 at 8:23 am Joyce said:
Hey Roni!
You collect quite the collection of interesting souls nowadays.
I read your post and heard twilight zone music in the background. We’re channeling Roni. Mind meld again.
I feel your pizza-pain. In fact, still feel bloated from my own.
It’s “back in the saddle” hon. Brush it off, and do what you do best - knuckle down and get back into your comfort zone.
And between you and me - you’re WAY too nice sweetie. WAY TOO NICE.
*waving bye*
Joy
On September 9th, 2007 at 8:35 am Kathy said:
Wait…I see that tongue in your cheek! I know you’re not seriously worried about this and you know exactly how to manage this maintenance thing. So, no advice from this quarter…just kudos on your continued journey and thanks for sharing. It’s a lesson for us that no one is perfect and we can still reach our goals in spite of our imperfections.
On September 9th, 2007 at 8:53 am Laura said:
You are absolutely right. I have a total addiction to pizza. I’ve been contenting myself with lower calorie homemade versions for a long time now but I ordered pizza on Thursday night. This is what I did. I ordered 2 small pizzas (1 for me, one for my husband). I took 2 slices of my pizza and immediately wrapped up the rest (in serving sizes) and put it in the freezer. My husband ate his part and wrapped up the rest and put it in the fridge.
Honestly, some days the “out of sight, out of mind trick” really does work. I hadn’t thought about the pizza again until I read this post. (Granted, I made english muffin pizzas for dinner last night so I definitely have pizza on the brain).
One of my favourite ways to get a pizza fix is to make a pizza omelet using egg beaters or some other egg substitute and all of my favourite (low-fat) pizza ingredients.
I love your blog. You are so inspirational and you keep it real.
On September 9th, 2007 at 12:48 pm Anonymous said:
Hey Roni, pizza really is evil. Have some in my fridge that will not stop calling my name LOL
On September 9th, 2007 at 1:26 pm Anonymous said:
I am so happy I have you to read everyday. You are a part of my lifestyle that I use everyday for motivation and inspiration. If you were perfect, you would not have all these followers. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING HONEST! YOU DID NOT HAVE TO PUT THAT ON YOUR SITE, BUT YOU DID AND THAT IS WHY WE LOVE YOU!!!! Tiffany Anderson, ONTARIO, CANADA!
On September 9th, 2007 at 2:00 pm Chicken Girl said:
Honestly, truly doing some self-analysis and soul searching here the answer is no. I really don’t think I can. When there is pizza in the house it’s as though I have to eat it. I mean eat it ALL.
I have the same problem with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I’m much more sane when those are out of house, out of mind, and out of mouth.
On September 9th, 2007 at 3:44 pm Sarah said:
Pizza is totally of the devil. I have the same exact problem. I wonder if it’s the combonation of carbs, protein, and fat - I have this same issue with enchilladas. If either of those things are in my fridge I will obsess over them until they’re gone. You do have to indulge once in a while - it’s totally a lifestyle change and a life without pizza would truly not be worth living!!
On September 9th, 2007 at 9:43 pm Kate from AZ said:
I know what you mean about food addictions, if there is an addiction to Coca-Cola, I have it!
I just can’t have it in the house anymore…
On September 9th, 2007 at 10:10 pm Roni said:
Thanks for all the support guys! It’s great knowing I’m not the only one with this addiction!
Lorraine - My doc recommended to wait until I was done with kids. He said it would re-stretch and you would basically undo the what you had done. I’d ask your doc if you are thinking about it.
On September 10th, 2007 at 9:28 am Anonymous said:
I’m the same way with pizza. I try not to order it, or send it home with other friends… I’m a complete pizza addict!
On September 10th, 2007 at 2:40 pm Candace said:
I love pizza!!! We used to order once a week. Now we do the frozen so I can have a quarter of a thin-crust greek. The 9yo loves it, too. Just one of those things I can’t trust myself with - bad, bad, bad when they order it at work. Thank GOD for weekly FPs.
On September 10th, 2007 at 4:29 pm Anonymous said:
Well, I agree with Tiffany and Kathy…everyone comes here to see that a successful person struggles, too. You inspire us! This page is no longer about your journey Roni…now it’s like a lighthouse for the rest of us! (Sappy, sentimental music plays.) I come here when I’m struggling, when I didn’t struggle enough, and as a reward when I’m doing well. (The recipes are kickin’, too! Sometimes I come here just because I don’t know what to fix for supper.)And I think when you add to this THING, this CULT-LIKE following you have going on (grin)it probably makes your maintenance a little easier because you KNOW that so many people are looking up to you, and you are not going to let them down. (That’s why you rebuilt your site.) Face it, Roni…you are a giver! (Grin & Wink) BTW…I’m LIFETIME this Saturday, and you are going to be part of my little “speech.”
Tina in Alabama
On September 11th, 2007 at 11:12 pm Swizzlepop said:
Every once in a while I NEED pizza too. Not sure if I would eat it twice in a day and then again the next day, but I’ve suddenly NEEDED a certain food just because and I think that the body craves certain foods because those foods contain something that we aren’t getting in our daily diet. Now if you did this daily for a week I’d have to rally the troupes for an intervention ;p.
I’m a firm believer in indulging every once in a while as long as you are aware, enjoy and stop when you know you should. IMO nothing is totally off limits, it’s just limited. i.e.: a couple slices of pizza now and again (like once a month or two) is fine, a whole pizza weekly is not.
You are doing great so don’t stress.
On September 13th, 2007 at 5:10 pm Bonita said:
Every once in a while should be okay. I have slices of pizza in the freezer. So, next time if you have the willpower, just freeze it right away so that you can have it weeks later rather than that evening or the next day.
On November 2nd, 2007 at 5:31 pm ashly said:
Im pretty new to posts….(I’m not a noob) i just typed in google- “pizza addiction” because im an athletic 22 year old male..and
i’m extremely addicted to pizza’s but ony from a particular pizza delivery shop (sacillian pizza - birmingham england) I’m started to feel strange as im the only person i know that ..when i get my wages ..I know I can order my favourite stuff (as usual) i used to be athletic- muscular with a higher muscle than fat ratio..Im now ..not fat..but developing a belly and I;m terrified of becoming one of those unfortunate obese fast food addicts I see on tv (No offence) Help! I cant stop!! seriously I ate one 12″ pepperoni 15 mins ago..and I always get the worst hearturn ever!!!1
Ash
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