Binge eating

fourtherecord

Does anyone here have advice on how to stop doing this?

I have came back to mfp after regaining the weight I lost on here last year for my wedding. I always end up giving in after I binge and then feel totally demoralised.

I am 2 weeks in atm, I had one binge the first week but still lost 5lb. This week I had three ☹. I skipped the weigh in at work this morning as I didn't want to see if I had gained.

It just feels like I am never going to be able to lose the weight and keep it off when I can't cut out the binges.

Julem22

I have the same problem. I have read books, I have gone to groups I have done everything. This time, I set MFP to lose a half pound a week, I figured if I have extra calories to play with I won't be so tempted to binge. So far in January I have had a few binge days but many more days not binging. It is a DAILY mental struggle. Hang in there.

fourtherecord

Thank you! It really is a daily struggle. I feel like such a failure when I give in

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fourtherecord

Thank you. I am reluctant to seek professional help, partly because I am embarrassed, and partly because I have seeked help for some diagnosed MH issues (depression and social phobia) and never found it very useful

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cmriverside

For me a binge is usually because I haven't been eating enough, or if I start eating sweets or other foods that I tend to have trouble stopping.

Set your goals reasonably, your body will win if you are under eating by too much.

@fourtherecord how much are you trying to lose?

Also start taking note of your emotions when you eat. Try eating only at mealtimes.

fourtherecord

cmriverside wrote: »

For me a binge is usually because I haven't been eating enough, or if I start eating sweets or other foods that I tend to have trouble stopping.

Set your goals reasonably, your body will win if you are under eating by too much.

@fourtherecord how much are you trying to lose?

Also start taking note of your emotions when you eat. Try eating only at mealtimes.

I am trying to lose about 40lb. I'm set on mfp to lose 1lb a week so 1400 calories

leejoyce31

fourtherecord wrote: »

Thank you! It really is a daily struggle. I feel like such a failure when I give in

What do you constitute as a binge in terms of calories?

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fourtherecord

Last week I ate over 2200 in 1h

leejoyce31

fourtherecord wrote: »

Last week I ate over 2200 in 1h

Do you know how many calories total you ate that day? I only ask because over the holiday, I ate 6,000 calories one day. I didn't see it as a binge though because I didn't have any negative feelings attached to it. I just ate loads of food because I hadn't eaten my mom's cooking in over a year. So, I agree with Look its Kriss. Was it a binge or are you concerned that you have a disorder?

aflane

I'd like to offer a suggestion, if you don't mind, since I have binged in the past. I threw out all the bad stuff (cookies, ice cream, etc.) and replaced the junk with healthy alternatives (fruit, yogurt, olives, etc). I have a BIG problem with baked goods, and can keep eating them until I felt sick. Substitute good items for bad, stuff that will fill you up and be nutritious without the excessive guilt.

Now when I go on a binge, I find myself eating two oranges instead of a bag of Oreo's. If I go over on my daily calorie allowance, it's only 100 calories or so, and I don't feel deprived since I got to eat.

leejoyce31

aflane wrote: »

I'd like to offer a suggestion, if you don't mind, since I have binged in the past. I threw out all the bad stuff (cookies, ice cream, etc.) and replaced the junk with healthy alternatives (fruit, yogurt, olives, etc). I have a BIG problem with baked goods, and can keep eating them until I felt sick. Substitute good items for bad, stuff that will fill you up and be nutritious without the excessive guilt.

Now when I go on a binge, I find myself eating two oranges instead of a bag of Oreo's. If I go over on my daily calorie allowance, it's only 100 calories or so, and I don't feel deprived since I got to eat.

I have heard of people binging on "healthy" food too. Also, I have heard that some folks will throw away everything and when the overwhelming urge to binge hits, they just go buy more. I honestly believe if OP truly has a disorder, she really needs to seek the advice of a therapist. I don't think these tricks work for people with a mental disorder. This may be more for folks who just overeat and lose control. So, they put mechanisms in place like you mentioned above to help with the chronic overeating.

fourtherecord

leejoyce31 wrote: »

fourtherecord wrote: »

Last week I ate over 2200 in 1h

Do you know how many calories total you ate that day? I only ask because over the holiday, I ate 6,000 calories one day. I didn't see it as a binge though because I didn't have any negative feelings attached to it. I just ate loads of food because I hadn't eaten my mom's cooking in over a year. So, I agree with Look its Kriss. Was it a binge or are you concerned that you have a disorder?

I ate about 3000 total that day because the bung happened about noon, so restricted myself afterwards.
I suppose what I class as a binge rather than just over eating for a reason is how it happens. I wasn't even hungry, but as soon as the idea had came into my head it is very difficult to not do it. My husband and son had went out and I ate anything I could get my hands on that didn't require preparation, so crisps, chocolate, biscuits etc. I only stopped when I felt physically ill. When I've eaten a similar number of calories because I have been out for a meal and had dessert, wine etc, I don't feel the shame and physical pain that I do after a binge

I don't know enough about binge eating disorder to know whether this is normal or whether it is indicative of a disorder.

fourtherecord

aflane wrote: »

I'd like to offer a suggestion, if you don't mind, since I have binged in the past. I threw out all the bad stuff (cookies, ice cream, etc.) and replaced the junk with healthy alternatives (fruit, yogurt, olives, etc). I have a BIG problem with baked goods, and can keep eating them until I felt sick. Substitute good items for bad, stuff that will fill you up and be nutritious without the excessive guilt.

Now when I go on a binge, I find myself eating two oranges instead of a bag of Oreo's. If I go over on my daily calorie allowance, it's only 100 calories or so, and I don't feel deprived since I got to eat.

Thank you for your advice. This I'm sure would help (although I have in the past made special trips to buy food to binge on However my husband eats biscuits, crisps etc and wouldn't agree not to have it in the house

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cmtigger

leejoyce31 wrote: »

fourtherecord wrote: »

Thank you! It really is a daily struggle. I feel like such a failure when I give in

What do you constitute as a binge in terms of calories?

I was going to ask. For some people it's just going over daily calories. Binge eating disorder is usually where you are eating a days worth or more in a few hours.

But in either case seeing a professional could help.

cmtigger

fourtherecord wrote: »

aflane wrote: »

I'd like to offer a suggestion, if you don't mind, since I have binged in the past. I threw out all the bad stuff (cookies, ice cream, etc.) and replaced the junk with healthy alternatives (fruit, yogurt, olives, etc). I have a BIG problem with baked goods, and can keep eating them until I felt sick. Substitute good items for bad, stuff that will fill you up and be nutritious without the excessive guilt.

Now when I go on a binge, I find myself eating two oranges instead of a bag of Oreo's. If I go over on my daily calorie allowance, it's only 100 calories or so, and I don't feel deprived since I got to eat.

Thank you for your advice. This I'm sure would help (although I have in the past made special trips to buy food to binge on However my husband eats biscuits, crisps etc and wouldn't agree not to have it in the house

Would he be willing to have at least the most tempting things in a locked container that only he has the key or combination for?

fourtherecord

cmtigger wrote: »

leejoyce31 wrote: »

fourtherecord wrote: »

Thank you! It really is a daily struggle. I feel like such a failure when I give in

What do you constitute as a binge in terms of calories?

I was going to ask. For some people it's just going over daily calories. Binge eating disorder is usually where you are eating a days worth or more in a few hours.

But in either case seeing a professional could help.

Like I said before, in a binge last week I ate over 2200 calories in about an hour (I couldn't remember everything when I tried to log it). I don't know enough to know it that is normal or disordered.

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aflane

My hubby likes junk food, too. I labelled all of his 'goodies' with a big "J" (his initial) -- just to remind me that it's "his stuff". It seems kind of stupid, when I write that down, but it does make me pause. Luckily, my husband's addictions are a brand of peanut butter that I don't like, and pie (cake, yes... pie, no).

Another bit of advice to control the binges. When a binge strikes, and you're grabbing something to eat, SLOW DOWN. Eat it slowly. Savor every salt granule and gram of sugar. Take the time to enjoy the treat. You might be able to trick your subconscious into thinking you ate more than you really did.

rharris86dc

Hi there! I too struggle with binge eating. It's not just junk food, it's anything and everything that is available. Potato chips? I'll eat the entire family sized bag. Ice cream? Why not eat half the carton? Better yet, half now, and the other half in about 2 hours. I meal prepped lunches for the week? But I'm hungry now, so I'll just eat one... Still hungry, so maybe two. Craving something sweet? How about some toast with peanut butter, and add some chocolate chips on top. What's this, I got pizza for dinner? You better believe there will not be any left over to take for lunch tomorrow.

It's a huge problem for me. I can go for days to weeks without a significant binge, but on those days where I just can't for the life of me feel full, I will eat until I feel ill. Then I'll sit on the couch and binge more (Netflix), and feel terrible. Or just go to bed, full of shame.

I am still working on this. A tactic that has worked for me in the past was to post a note on my refrigerator that says "Are you actually hungry, or are you just bored?"
I would see the note and then have to think about if I really was hungry, or just grazing because I had nothing better to do. I will be re-implementing this strategy when I get home. I have also started writing reminders in my day planner. This week's says "you're worth it," and features my goal weight in my "don't forget" box. I'm hoping these little mindful moments help me, and I hope you can take something from this thread that will help for you!

leejoyce31

fourtherecord wrote: »

leejoyce31 wrote: »

fourtherecord wrote: »

Last week I ate over 2200 in 1h

Do you know how many calories total you ate that day? I only ask because over the holiday, I ate 6,000 calories one day. I didn't see it as a binge though because I didn't have any negative feelings attached to it. I just ate loads of food because I hadn't eaten my mom's cooking in over a year. So, I agree with Look its Kriss. Was it a binge or are you concerned that you have a disorder?

I ate about 3000 total that day because the bung happened about noon, so restricted myself afterwards.
I suppose what I class as a binge rather than just over eating for a reason is how it happens. I wasn't even hungry, but as soon as the idea had came into my head it is very difficult to not do it. My husband and son had went out and I ate anything I could get my hands on that didn't require preparation, so crisps, chocolate, biscuits etc. I only stopped when I felt physically ill. When I've eaten a similar number of calories because I have been out for a meal and had dessert, wine etc, I don't feel the shame and physical pain that I do after a binge

I don't know enough about binge eating disorder to know whether this is normal or whether it is indicative of a disorder.

Yes, I have that same overwhelming urge to eat during hormonal times every 6-8 weeks. I will range similar to your intake at that time. However, mine is only one day and I am back to eating my normal intake.

How long have you struggled with this issue? I don't know much about it either. However, if the behavior continues and it begins to impact you mentally, emotionally, and/or physically, maybe you should look further into speaking with someone about it.

leejoyce31

Look_Its_Kriss wrote: »

I agree leejoyce, This little mind tricks are nice if you just have a slight lapse in compulsion from time to time but when you truly have a mental disorder... nothing stops you... and honestly, i could of filled my apartment with nothing but carrot sticks.. either im going to eat and eat those until their gone or im going to walk to the store and buy a bag of chips

I threw away two deep freezers 1 small freezer and a fridge full of food and everything that was in my cupboards right down to the mustard and salt and pepper... and still didn't go a day without food and i still managed to comsume 2500-3000 calories in one meal. and you eat this food and you feel nothing but empty.. you pray that you could just sleep and sleep and not wake up so you dont have to eat anymore.. you try so hard to avoid anything that has food attached to it but its everywhere... its such a desperate helpless feeling, i dont even feel like i am describing how i felt properly at all

Yes, this is my understanding of what happens with BED. I'm so glad you received treatment. I think I recall that you are in Canada and seeing a doctor takes forever. Looks like you finally were able to receive treatment. You still look great!

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leejoyce31

cmtigger wrote: »

leejoyce31 wrote: »

fourtherecord wrote: »

Thank you! It really is a daily struggle. I feel like such a failure when I give in

What do you constitute as a binge in terms of calories?

I was going to ask. For some people it's just going over daily calories. Binge eating disorder is usually where you are eating a days worth or more in a few hours.

But in either case seeing a professional could help.

From my understanding BED is more than that. I think it also has to do with the guilt, shame and other negative emotions attached with over eating. I also think that it impacts other aspects of your life as well, (i.e. personal/professional).

If it's just as simple as eating a days worth of food in a few hours, then I have it too. When those uncontrollable hormonal urges to eat hit, I'm a hoover vacuum and I don't stop eating until I'm about to burst. Thankfully, it only lasts one day.

leejoyce31

aflane wrote: »

My hubby likes junk food, too. I labelled all of his 'goodies' with a big "J" (his initial) -- just to remind me that it's "his stuff". It seems kind of stupid, when I write that down, but it does make me pause. Luckily, my husband's addictions are a brand of peanut butter that I don't like, and pie (cake, yes... pie, no).

Another bit of advice to control the binges. When a binge strikes, and you're grabbing something to eat, SLOW DOWN. Eat it slowly. Savor every salt granule and gram of sugar. Take the time to enjoy the treat. You might be able to trick your subconscious into thinking you ate more than you really did.

I'm sorry, but again. I think these are tricks for overeating. Not for someone with a true BED.

150poundsofme

There are therapists who say they know about binge eating disorders and when you see them, they are actually not helpful. You have to find someone who specializes in binge eating disorders.
A medicine to help with BED? You mean phen-phen or these days it is only just one of those medications they sell now? It truly is an extremely hard thing to get over. I am still struggling every day after 45+ years of it.
Therapy, nutritionist/dietician/Overeaters Anonymous, books (though my OA sponsor told me to dump my nutritionist because neither one believes in each others ways of doing things.

xmichaelyx

I binge (eat & drink!) on the weekends, but not during the week. It's easy not to do it during the week: I don't have any foods in the house to binge on, and I don't eat foods at work that I didn't bring myself.

I also eat less during the week to allow for weekend hedonism.

If you don't want to eat it, just stop buying it.

Unknown

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