Lies our disease tries to tell us

 Food as reward:

You've been exercising

You've earned this! You need this!

You’ve had a hard day (week, month, year, life)

You need this comfort now (reward)

I'm tired

Food as soothing (self-medication):

I need the comfort (soothing)

I need to manage the pain

Food will make it better

It will make me feel better

I just need something to take the edge off

You’ll get that ease and comfort of the first bite

I had such happy times eating with my family

Food helped me survive many things in my life.

Food as Companionship:

Food is my only friend

No one is interested in me, so it doesn't matter

No one loves me

No one will care

Pure defiance (resistance):

F**k it!!

I don’t want to

I’m entitled

It’s only food!

It's nobody's business what I eat!

Program has brainwashed you, there's nothing wrong with you!

I have rights! I have a right to eat this!

I just want it

Comparison defiance (resistance):

It’s not fair, they can eat it and I can’t

Why am I the only one who can't eat it?

Other people can eat this way, why can't I?

I’m not as bad as I used to be, so a little won’t hurt. (Comparison with self)

I'm not as big as I used to be (self)

I don't binge the way I used to (self)

Rebellion Defiance (resistance):

I can eat it, but I do not have to tell my sponsor

I’m not eating sugar or flour, so what’s the big deal? I am still abstinent

No one will see me

This little change in your plan is not a big deal

You’re alone now, no one will know

It's on my food plan (large amount)

I'm tired of abstinent food

I'll eat it in the store, I won't take it home

I don’t need to weigh and measure, I can eyeball it

I can have an extra tenth of an ounce

Food as excitement, relieve boredom:

I’m bored

It’s the Holidays!

Eating gives me something to do

The hopelessness of a relapser:

I already screwed up, what’s another day?

I’m going to fail anyway, just eat it now and enjoy it.

You’ve already had sugar, go for what you really like

I messed up, I might as well have it all

You just can't do this abstinence thing

Setting Yourself Up – Failing to plan:

You waited too long to eat

I’m not sure what’s in it, but it’s probably fine (i.e. sauces)

I skipped a meal, so it's okay

That's all that is in the refrigerator

I'm too tired, fast food/takeout is easier

Dealing with the Inner Miser:

I won’t buy it again, but I need to finish it

If you throw it away, you know you’re going to buy it again, just eat it now.

You already bought it, don’t waste it

Not enough to leave for another meal.

Just finish it

It was on sale

It is free food It's no big deal It won't kill you

I can't afford healthy food

I paid for the buffet, I want my money’s worth!

I can't stand looking at it any more

There is only a little left

People Pleasing, Peer Pressure, and Self-Destruction

Somebody worked hard making this, don’t waste this

You will hurt your mom’s (sister’s, friend’s, hostess’) feelings

I don’t want to annoy or be an annoyance by asking the waitress so many questions

They made it especially for you. You are not going to insult them by refusing

Everyone else is eating it, I'll stand out

It's easier for everyone if I don't ask for what I need

I'm not worth it

I need to punish myself because I’m a bad human being

Jaywalking

I only had a couple of days, restarting is no big deal

I’ll start tomorrow (or Monday or the 1st of the month, year)

It’s just one bite. I’ll walk it off.

I need a little pick me up for my brain

Just this one time.  One bite won’t hurt me

I can handle this once (a little bit, etc.)

I can handle it now, I've learned a lot

You HAVE to eat, just don't eat so much of it

You can handle this, you don't need God

I'm at a normal weight, so it's okay

This time will be different

If I could just find the right food plan

It doesn’t count if you eat it in an airport or while traveling

Putting the whiskey in the milk:

I’m not eating too much, my metabolism slowed down

I can only get this (food item) at this time of year

It’s sugar free and gluten free

It’s not flour or sugar

I am so hungry

I haven’t had it in a long time

This doesn’t have sugar.

You need the food to stay awake for this project

Everyone in my family is fat, it is a genetic problem

Today is Thanksgiving, everyone eats too much

Today is <whatever>, everyone eats too much

Italians (or other ethnicity) are meant to be voluptuous

It's healthy food!

It's only food

At least it's not booze (drugs, cigarettes, etc.)

It tastes so good!

I'm just buying it for my family

It's okay, I didn't gain it overnight

My clothes don't feel tight any more

I need to get enough

I've never had this kind of food before

Don't be so hard on yourself

You asked God to control your food, so it's no problem

Exercise Bulimia

I can eat more because I worked out a lot

I can eat more because I’m going to work out a lot