Need Advice. Could this be a bigger problem?

molson55

Lately I've been getting into a pattern of having a huge binge about every two weeks and then the rest of the time eating at or below 1,200 calories. I'm frustrated cause every time I think I'm doing better, I binge again. I want to stop, and I thought I had the power and strength to, but apparently it's harder than I thought. Some of my friends have said that this habit could lead to an eating disorder, is that true?

I'm just frustrated and confused and a little worried I suppose. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Please nothing terribly rude, we all have our issues and I'm just trying to work through mine.

MissJay75

Everyone is different, but I know for me, if I try to eat at 1200, it's not sustainable. I can be "good" for a while, but then I binge. Sometimes my binges last months and I have to start all over again. I did this for over a decade.

This time around I changed things. I eat on average 1800 calories and 80 grams of protein a day. I make sure to leave room at the end of the day for snacks because I get the munchies around 8:30 after the kids are in bed. I make sure to include the things I crave, like potato chips, skittles, and rum. I also make sure I am getting plenty of protein, which helps dial down the cravings. In doing so, I don't feel deprived, so the temptation to binge just isn't there like before.

The weight is coming off slower, but definitely steadily. And I have been going strong for 11 months. The longest I have ever lasted by triple. I can see myself doing this for another 6 or 12 months without inwardly cringing. Because I made changes I can live with.

SLLRunner

Molson,

Eat more and stop depriving yourself.

Your ticker says you've lost 12 pounds with zero to go. Why are you only eating 1200 calories.

Sued0nim

I think the issue is you eating at under 1200 in the first place

When you eat too few calories it's all about will power..but you're not fuelling your body properly so you can get irritable, depressed, lethargic, hormonal imbalance and any number of negative reactions which leads you to crash and burn

You need to break the cycle

The trick with MFP I've found that works for me is too eat as many calories as possible, not as few as possible, to achieve your goals and not exclude food groups or treats or food you love but make everything work in your calories

Kalikel

If you eat a little more on most days, you probably won't feel the urge to binge.

Could it be a bigger problem? Maybe. If you let it be that.

If you find that you cannot eat more, go see the doctor.

RodaRose

Bump up the dally calories to 1400 or 1500 so that you can eat whatever foods you want as long as you eat in moderation.
You are close to goal. Weight loss comes off slowly at this point. Be patient with your body and kind to yourself.

TimothyFish

A woman should eat at least 1200 calories and more than that if she is trying to maintain her weight and exercise. Binge eating can be caused by eating too little. Our bodies are telling us we need to eat more to survive and like taking in air after holding our breath, there comes a point at which it becomes impossible for us to keep our bodies from trying to get food. Eat more and the binge eating will probably go away.

squirrelone

If you are not incredibly short or weight next to nothing, there is no way less than 1200 calories is anywhere near healthy.

Your BMR is probably closer to 1400 and eating below that is simply madness.

evileen99

You're bingeing because you're not eating enough and your body is desperate for nutrition. As others have said, you need to increase your daily calories.

LAWoman72

I have to agree with all of the above. I mean I don't know you personally, so I don't know if there is also an emotional/psychological factor in there (if that's what you're asking) - but to me it sounds like you're undereating to too significant an extent, and are rebounding, eventually, from plain old hunger.

TavistockToad

SLLRunner wrote: »

Molson,

Eat more and stop depriving yourself.

Your ticker says you've lost 12 pounds with zero to go. Why are you only eating 1200 calories.

This

PeterSedesse

Also, I want to stress that when you eat 1200 or less calories per day for many days in a row it will drastically alter your personality and your mental capabilities. People usually hear this and it goes in one ear and out the other, but it can drastically reduce your ability to make wise decision or act rationally.