Breaking the Binge Cycle?!

riascheme

I don't understand what's going on anymore...for the past few weeks I binge like 3 days in a week (1000 cal over my daily limit) and then I'll eat under my daily limit (by 300-400 cal) for the rest of the week. And the cycle keeps repeating! Today I had a binge day and ate 1000 cal during dinner time...I came home late and literally all I thought about was food. I want it to stop...but I don't know how to mentally get back in. I'll do fine for 4-5 days...and then it happens again. And I know about cheat meals, but they turn into a whole day for me. I'm terrified I'm going to reverse all my progress. During my binge...I eat anything and everything (Ice cream, berries, yogurt, chips, vegetables, nuts, etc.) HELP PLEASE!

cmeiron

It might be because you're under-eating most days (i.e. the ones where you're 3-400 under) and your body legitimately needs more food. The problem is that this cycle tends to result in over-eating, rather than simply meeting your daily needs. Next time you find yourself going over your calories, chalk it up as an off day, and aim to MEET your goal, not go under, for the rest of the week. You may not find that you have such a strong urge to over-eat later in the week.

Aliviuum

Sounds like you're not eating enough throughout the week. Make sure you're keeping yourself fell full all day long. There's nothing wrong with eating several meals a day, just make sure they're nutritious and satisfying for you Don't deny yourself the things you want, just take them in moderation.

2013sk

Sounds like you just need to bump up your daily calories, then you wont binge!!!

If your depriving yourself, then your body is going to want to eat all the naughty things, Eat more calories during the day, so you wont be hungry.... to binge of course!!!

When I lowered my calories... I had a massive binge of PB with bread......Not anymore... As I have it now and then!!

Everything in moderation as they say : )

JakeBrownVB

you need to get better discipline.. simple really

JesterMFP

you need to get better discipline.. simple really

So, the only reason people don't binge is because they have good discipline? How ridiculous.

JesterMFP

I don't understand what's going on anymore...for the past few weeks I binge like 3 days in a week (1000 cal over my daily limit) and then I'll eat under my daily limit (by 300-400 cal) for the rest of the week. And the cycle keeps repeating! Today I had a binge day and ate 1000 cal during dinner time...I came home late and literally all I thought about was food. I want it to stop...but I don't know how to mentally get back in. I'll do fine for 4-5 days...and then it happens again. And I know about cheat meals, but they turn into a whole day for me. I'm terrified I'm going to reverse all my progress. During my binge...I eat anything and everything (Ice cream, berries, yogurt, chips, vegetables, nuts, etc.) HELP PLEASE!

As others have said, stop coming under your calorie goal by 3-400 calories. That is very likely feeding right into the cycle. Binging is a normal physiological response to undereating. There may be other things going on (ie psychological reasons) but start by not undereating the rest of the week. Look at your calorie goal as a target to hit, not something to be under.

wannabpiper

You may also consider what you're eating. If you're eating healthy proteins and complex carbs, that's likely not it. But if you're eating processed stuff and other junk, maybe your brain chemistry is telling you to eat whatever you can catch. Then you're satisfied and you don't want to eat. Be sure to get in your fluids, too, as that can play havoc with eating.

SailorKnightWing

you need to get better discipline.. simple really

So, the only reason people don't binge is because they have good discipline? How ridiculous.

It would be pretty cool if discipline was the only reason people binged and there was a switch you could turn on and off, wouldn't it? Wish anything could be that easy.