Trouble finding the middle ground

NekoMyrrh

I'm wondering if anyone has some advice for this problem.

I am an emotional eater, and I know this. Much of my weight I have put on binging. I am working with mindfulness techniques to combat that.

My problem is, when I'm not binge eating, it's very difficult for me to eat at all. I literally have to force myself to eat, and will often become dizzy and disoriented because I haven't eaten all day. Eating, which is my self soothing crutch, becomes something so unpleasant that i dread having to do it.

Does anyone have experience with this happening to them, or any ideas on how to find a balance between binging and not eating at all?

Susieq_1994

I'm sorry that you're going through this. It sounds a bit like a restriction-binge cycle to me, but I'm not too familiar with that aspect of it. Does eating outside of your binges make you feel guilty? What is it about eating that you dread when you aren't binging exactly? Does it feel like you're doing something wrong, or you just don't feel hungry, or...?

I'm not sure how to help you, unfortunately, but I think going to a counselor or therapist that specializes in binge-eating disorders may be able to help you out, if you aren't already seeing one. All the best to you!

NekoMyrrh

It's more that I never really feel hungry, so unless I am doing the emotional eating thing I just don't care to eat at all.

For instance, I had an apple and toast for breakfast today. That was eight hours ago, and I can feel that my stomach is empty and know that I should eat lunch, but don't actually feel hungry, and eating food without pleasure seems like a weste of time so I procrastinate. I'll probably just make myself eat my lunch for dinner. But that will only put me at about 750 calories for the day.

kommodevaran

Then start eating at fixed times.

SueInAz

If your not getting the proper hunger signals even though you know you're hungry, or should be, then it's time to start eating on a schedule. I have to wonder if way you've been eating hasn't messed that up for you right now. It doesn't need to be large meals but pick times throughout the day that fit your life and schedule yourself to eat. Something like breakfast before work, a small snack 2 hours later at your desk, a small lunch, another snack 2 hours later and so on. If you prefer, it could just be the three big meals but set an alarm and eat even if your body isn't giving you hunger signals.

NekoMyrrh

I can try scheduling meals and force myself to eat them. Thank you for your advice. ^_^