beachlover -
I do and have always seemed to have your same issues. In highschool, I'd eat a donut for breakfast and crap out of the vending machines, including cokes for lunch and when I worked at McDonalds - I'd eat dinner there.
I hate to cook - and tend to eat out alot (until I me and my SO moved in together...he loves to cook, thank goodness)
But I read your post - and I know this is a late reply......but I didn't see anything like what I'm about to suggest, so figured it was worth it.
There is a show on BBC America, called "You are what you eat."
The lady who is the one who coaches your or tries to help you - seems very cruel and mean the first couple of times you watch her...........and you might say she looks like saggy old boney woman. BUT - she knows what she is talking about.
She told this one lady that the more salty and sweet things you eat - the more healthy things just taste like blah, bland nothing. Reduce the amount of packaged foods - try to eat fruit in place of your twinkies. (you're still getting sugar - but the way your body processes it is much better....but if you just ate fruit all day, you would gain weight) My SO likes donuts and coffee. I can't drink coffee with anything sweet - because it makes it seem like the coffee has no sugar in it at all. I think that's the best way I can say it in an example.
I know I'm personally not at the point to make the major changes in my life to get off of coca cola. I've cut back my calories in a big way - but cokes are my vice. Be prepared if you watch that show - because she does have some shocking moments - including what the horrible eating habits do to you via stool sample tests and blood tests.
http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/273/inde
x.jsp
Here is her personal "official website"
http://www.gillianmckeith.info
BUT - DON'T TAKE EVERYTHING SHE SAYS AS FACT. This article caught my attention as well - especially since my first impression of her was not a good one. I do choose to watch a few of her shows - because seeing some of me in the people that she tries to help - helps put things in perspective in my mind.
Here's the link to the article.
http://tinyurl.com/33w47n
Good luck - and keep in mind........the older you get, the harder it is for your body to bounce back from every disaster you put in your body or do to your body. I am 6ft2in and in HS use to weigh 175lbs and thought I was huge/fat. My children are now 10 and 6 - so i've had plenty of time to loose "baby fat" but even before my first son - my body started packing on weight with my kit kat addiction. I've gone on down to 200 once, about 5 yrs ago - and have ballooned back up to 255lbs when I was eating 5-6 super sized Symphony Almond candy bars a week. I felt that I couldn't help it - but once I said no more - and realized I could have 10 rice crispy treats and 2 granola bars for the calories in one of those candy bars (which almost exceeds the daily amount all by itself) I was able to control myself to not buy them. My boyfriend brought one home about a month ago as a treat - and his feelings were so hurt due to my horrified reaction to it being in the house. I ordered him to throw it out, or hide it or something - so I wouldn't have access to it during the day. It took me over a month to eat it - ONE OR TWO little squares at a time, and even then - my kids shared it with me.
I know if I add working out to my better ability to control my eating and calorie intake - I will start shedding the weight. I've just got to do it damn it!!! But that's my own crap to deal with.
I hope this gives you a little more insight and you are able to find a way to control it. I know that first thing in the morning feeling - big time. Try eating a banana or a yogurt - they both have sugars in them to help you wean your body off of the processed sugars.......but a banana all by itself is one of the best things you can put into your body. Just the "medicinal" uses of it are incredible. See here...
http://www.banana.com/medicinal.html
enjoy