Binge eating

Auntiezozo81

Hi,
Need some advice, I have binge eating disorder. I am taking steps to lose weight. But when I am anxious, I eat. It's an endless cycle I can't seem to get off from. GP has been next to useless. Advice would be great

kshama2001

Several things help me to not eat emotionally:

1. Exercise
2. Adequate sleep
3. Eating fullness-enhancing foods, which for me are protein, fat, and veggies. More info here: http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html
4. Yoga

How Yoga Can Help End Binge Eating

One breath at a time, end the suffering of binge-eating

...According to Juliano, yoga gives people the skills to stay with what they are feeling, rather than turning to food to escape. People who are obese or suffering from eating disorders have a tendency to dissociate from their bodies -- to choose not to feel what they are feeling when they are angry, anxious, or sad. Often, they turn to food to numb themselves. "There's this sense that I have to feel better right now, " Juliano says. "There is a complete intolerance of what is happening right now." This need to escape unpleasant feelings triggers a binge.

When you eat to escape what you are feeling, you lose touch with the experience of eating, as well. This is one reason binges can spiral out of control. "You have no understanding that you are full, way past full, into uncomfortable, because you're so out of it," Juliano explains. "You have no connection to what you're eating. You're eating a pint of ice cream and can't even taste it. Or you go to make yourself some toast and before you know it, half the loaf is gone."

Mindful yoga directly challenges the habit of dissociating from your body and your present-moment experience. "The whole point of yoga is to stay connected to your body. You learn it through practice, through breathing, and through breathing through the sensations."

Read more: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-willpower/201007/how-yoga-can-help-end-binge-eating

kshama2001

Specific to anxiety, I like Yoga for Emotional Flow (How to Ride the Wave of) - a two disk CD about using yoga for emotions that seem unmanageable.

There aren't any actual yoga postures:

- CD 1 is about yoga philosophy and modern psychology. (The author is also a psychotherapist in addition to being an amazing yoga teacher and writer. I've taken several of his workshops and have two of his books.)

- CD 2 is comprised of three guided meditations which built on what was taught in CD 1.

I listen to CD 1 when I'm at the dentist and use CD 2 during high stress & anxiety periods.

dopeysmelly

I've found it helpful to write down what I'm feeling before, during and after the binge and analyze it.

Why am I bingeing? What am I trying to feel? Am I trying to feel calmer, more restful? Am I just tired? Am I really stressed? Am I procrastinating instead of getting on with what I need to focus on? Am I thirsty? Each time I identify a reason, I think of another way of satisfying the need. So, if I'm tired, I try and go to sleep (even if it's a nap). If I'm stressed, I go for a walk or do a really intensive cardio workout to force me to feel calmer/more relaxed afterwards. If I'm procrastinating, I tell myself that I can have what I'm urged to have, but only after 4-5 hours, and only if I actually want it then.

I also keep a piece of gum handy. Sometimes just chewing it helps me get through the next 10 minutes. And I try to drink plenty of water.

I've learned that binges are just my body or brain's way of trying to meet a specific need. So it's biochemistry driving it, not lack of willpower or any other perceived "weakness", so there's no reason to feel guilty (which doesn't help anyway).

Good luck.

KwonJiYong69

I sometimes binge eat too, I feel crappy after though. So next time I feel the urge to binge I remwber how disgusting it made me feel. Also I'm guessing you binge on calorific and fattening foods? Use fruit and veg. No one gained weight from that did they!? Haha. And you may feel sick after but at least you won't feel the guilt and you'll loose weigt

andympanda

Ask your GP to see a specialist.

diannethegeek

Auntiezozo81 wrote: »

Hi,
Need some advice, I have binge eating disorder. I am taking steps to lose weight. But when I am anxious, I eat. It's an endless cycle I can't seem to get off from. GP has been next to useless. Advice would be great

Are you working with a therapist or dietitian for your BED? You might find them more useful than your gp.

Auntiezozo81

No, I'm on a waiting list for a specialist. I use mfp to record all food eaten regardless of over calorie allowance.
Thank you all for your advice

kitkatkarr

You gotta change your ways and think positive. Try a different meal plan that you actually enjoy and think long term. Eat big meals with high protein if it helps.