Looking for a buddy or two (or more!) - kicking binge eating for good

Runner2478

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to the MFP community, but it seems like such a positive supportive environment!
I have been struggling for about a year now with consistent binge eating, which leaves me feeling (predictably) awful about myself and fearful that there is no way to break the habit. I believe it started about 2 years ago, when I wanted to lose around 15 pounds and did so via the Paleo diet. Through the restrictive nature of the diet and working out, I saw great results....and now I have gained it all back and then some. After about a year of Paleo, I started to binge...mostly at night after dinner. It's a terrifying mode to be in because it feels COMPLETELY separate from my more rational side....it's like I'm watching myself do it from the outside, wanting to stop but unable to control some baser instinct to keep eating, well beyond when I'm full.

I'm looking for others who have experienced this same thing, who are working on overcoming it, or who are just kind and sympathetic and willing to offer words of support as I start today to break the bingeing cycle. I was hoping to be able to message someone when I'm feeling a binge coming on, and also to keep track of progress with a buddy or two (or more!).

This community has already made me feel more comfortable, knowing that my story will be received without judgment. I look forward to getting to know some of you!

PastelSquash

Hi! I understand your story completely.. thanks for sharing! I have binge eating disorder and binging episodes can be terrifying.

My binging started after some restrictive dieting too.. it's a defence mechanism that our bodies have to avoid starvation. It's so difficult to control and I'm still just learning, but I'd love to help you out any way that I can!

An important step is to identify your triggers (ie boredom, extreme hunger, certain foods) and limit them. Try to learn how to stop triggers before they start.

Repeating a phrase to yourself that discourages binging can help break the cycle. (I say "I eat to live, I don't live to eat")

For me, when a binging urge hits, I repeat this phrase to myself 10 times, breathe 10 times, and think:
Why do I want to binge?

Generally, I can munch on veggies until the urge is gone, but it doesn't always work and I do slip up. The important thing is to keep trying

DCRunnerGirl78

Same boat here! Food to know I'm not alone. Please feel free to add me as a friend on here. I need support and motivation as I just seem to be moving further down this path.

efoleo

Add me pls! SAme boat....except i have struggled since adolescence

Skillet007

Add me! I have been binging my whole life even though I didn't know I had a problem until I lost 100 lbs this year. I'm trying to fight it and work with it, but it's tough.

annobrien6175

I suffer from.binge eating two add me please anyone that wants to

hannah_978

I struggled with it for years. It is a difficult habit to break and everyone is going to find something different that resonates with them, but what really helped me was the book "Brain Over Binge." While the author is bulimic, which is something I've never dealt with, how she talks about her bingeing habits really stuck with me. From what I remember (I read it a few years ago) is that she talks a lot about habit forming and the chemical changes that happen in your brain when you're bingeing, especially after a period of deprival. It's a mental urge that needs to be recognized but not acted on, which I know is easier said than done. I still overeat and eat past when I'm full sometimes, but it's different. I don't feel that disconnect or lack of control anymore. So I guess for me, it was a combination of reading and listening to other people's stories about bingeing and just trying again and again. I don't think I could put a date on when I finally stopped but it was just more of a gradual fade until I was no longer bingeing anymore.

SaffronMonroe

I wake up in the night and binge eat but I only know I've done it when I wake up in a bed of wrappers I don't know im doing it at the time and it's really upsetting me

espressoshotsnheavysquats

heya, i suffered with binge eating for many years. recently feel like i have been able to overcome it. it's more mental than anything. mfp def helped me to stop.

newstart1988

Runner2478 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to the MFP community, but it seems like such a positive supportive environment!
I have been struggling for about a year now with consistent binge eating, which leaves me feeling (predictably) awful about myself and fearful that there is no way to break the habit. I believe it started about 2 years ago, when I wanted to lose around 15 pounds and did so via the Paleo diet. Through the restrictive nature of the diet and working out, I saw great results....and now I have gained it all back and then some. After about a year of Paleo, I started to binge...mostly at night after dinner. It's a terrifying mode to be in because it feels COMPLETELY separate from my more rational side....it's like I'm watching myself do it from the outside, wanting to stop but unable to control some baser instinct to keep eating, well beyond when I'm full.

I'm looking for others who have experienced this same thing, who are working on overcoming it, or who are just kind and sympathetic and willing to offer words of support as I start today to break the bingeing cycle. I was hoping to be able to message someone when I'm feeling a binge coming on, and also to keep track of progress with a buddy or two (or more!).

This community has already made me feel more comfortable, knowing that my story will be received without judgment. I look forward to getting to know some of you!

Feel free to add me!

JessiNeko

I've been binge eating for about 6 months now, and I'm so upset with how I look. I also feel like I'm watching myself binge, and it's one of the worst experiences I've ever had, there's no control there whatsoever.

Mersie1

I get it! Add me too
If you like!

rishywest

I totally understand. Stress is my trigger. Feel free to add me if you'd like. We can conquer this beast!

ked24_7

This is my downfall lately- overcoming binging is my goal for the year. Anyone can feel free to add me as well!

glitternurse

This is my boat... every day! I eat healthy, and cook at home, no fast food... but for the binging

nanpask

Please add me to group I've been binge eating since I was a child. Haven't conquered it yet but not giving up

candylovergirl

Please add me. Looks like there are many of us in the same boat

nanpask

Hope all of you are doing well. So far so good with me. I have to be really careful in not letting my thoughts go in the wrong direction. God bless you all