Bingeing and I broke up. And had closure.

For a long time, bingeing was like this ex-boyfriend who used to treat me like crap but still managed to get me crawling back and begging for more.

You know what it’s like. You haven’t heard from him for a while and everything’s going well in your life.
And then, one morning out of nowhere, you get a phone call. He’s in town for a few hours and wants to have a drink, for old time’s sake.

He knows as well as you do that that drink is going to turn into a full-on making out session. At least. And you know he might even stay for a few days and jeopardize everything you’ve worked so hard to get right.
Even though everything in you is screaming : « AWFULLY BAD IDEA !!! », you entertain for a few minutes the thought about getting under the covers, one last time, and do really nasty things. And start fresh tomorrow, having gotten that out of your system.
Then, you shake it, remind yourself you’re a strong, independant women who doesn’t need to get stuck into this vortex again. And go on with your day thinking : « I won’t do that to myself again ».

Hours pass and you think about him from time to time but still strongly feel you won’t do it. You won’t even see him, not even call to say you won’t meet him. You’re done.

7pm : You’re out of work. Nothing special is planned for tonight. It’s cold outside. You had a bad day. You surrender to yourself and give him the call : « I’m coming ».
You can hear him smilling over the phone, he always knew you’d come. You’re the only one who believed in your own lie.
You order one drink, alcohol free so you stay on the safe side, and ask how he’s doing.
He’s doing perfect, looks hot and not so much of a bad idea anymore. Tomorrow is as good a day as today to do the right thing.
Now you’re together, you might as well have dinner… He used to be a big part of your life and you had some great moments back then…

Before you know it, you’re in bed doing everything you weren’t supposed to do, nor want. It’s hot, steamy, everything it was supposed to be. It’s also paving your way for selfloathing the next day.


Bingeing works its way into your life the same way. You start thinking about one safe cookie, as a treat. Then you shake it, thinking : « I won’t do that to myself. I’m going to work out instead. I’m on the right path. »

All day long, you feel strong and confident. You won’t cave in. You think about it a lot but it’s not painful. It just won’t happen. You think about it, all the time actually but it won’t happen. You’re THAT strong.

7pm : You’re out of work. Nothing special is planned for tonight. It’s cold outside. You had a bad day. You surrender to yourself and get into your favorite deli to buy ONE tiny cookie. That you deserve and can have cause you’re strong and confident and will be able to keep it at that.

You buy an actual BOX of cookies because you’re strong and confident and will be able to eat one each day, not more.

Since you’re here, you might as well buy everything you need in case of friends coming over, unannounced. You want to be a good hostess. And your loved ones shouldn’t feel deprived just because you’re on a diet. So you load your shopping bags. For your friends.

Actually, before you know it, you ate the cookie and all its siblings, you’re in bed with Ben & Jerry’s, eating Nutella on top of cheesecake while bacon and bread are waiting on the side. All in an enormous food orgie that you don’t know if you can or even want to stop. It’s so awesome all that creamy, sweet food !
After all, the sun is going to rise tomorrow and it’s going to be a good time to start over.
Cue to selfloathing, you know it, it’s going to be painful. So, at least, let’s make the pain worth it and stuff yourself some more.

AND THEN, SOMEDAY :

It just happens without warning. CLOSURE.

Ex-boyfriend calls. You want to go. You entertain the idea all day long. You want him. It was hot and perfect the last time. Maybe even worth the few bad days that followed. You survived it, after all. It’going to be fun and you’ll move on. You’ve got this.

7pm : You’re out of work. Nothing special is planned for tonight. It’s cold outside. You had a bad day. And guess what, you don’t want to go. You thought about it all day long. It was exciting and you just don’t want to go, now that it’s time.
You don’t give him a call, you let him hang where he is, by himself. You have better things to do.
….
You want to eat. You plan it all day long : « that’s what I’m going to eat, in bed while watching that movie and it’s going to be perfect ». You think about it, it helps you go through your day.

7pm : You’re out of work. Nothing special is planned for tonight. It’s cold outside. You had a bad day.
You go home and your body is craving healthy food. Stuffing yourself is just not worth it anymore. You don't want the hot fudge sunday. You want tomatoes and chicken and exercise. You want the way you feel in the long run, not the peak of excitment you'd get.

After years and years of making the wrong choices, you got closure. Out of nowhere. No amazing sex with ex-a**hole and no food orgie is not a sacrifice anymore. It's just what you want.

Replies

  • That's very well said! I don't know if I want food or sex now, though...
  • glassgallm
    glassgallm Posts: 276 Member
    Fantastic post! Well said!
  • LoudmouthLee
    LoudmouthLee Posts: 358 Member
    That's very well said! I don't know if I want food or sex now, though...

    Both.
  • abbylbrown23
    abbylbrown23 Posts: 344 Member
    This is a great way of looking at it and how it really feels. Thanks because this has allowed me to put into perspective what bingeing actually does to me and I wont allow it anymore!
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    Ha ha! nice one!
  • LishLash79
    LishLash79 Posts: 562 Member
    great post..
    its hard to get to that point.. but its so important to get there ;)

    AWESOME
  • mrsamanda86
    mrsamanda86 Posts: 869 Member
    If you're not a writer, you definitely should be lol
  • ChristinaOrtiz23
    ChristinaOrtiz23 Posts: 1,546 Member
    love this!! so true also!!
  • RobinsEgg
    RobinsEgg Posts: 3,702 Member
    Yep, you're a great writer. I kept thinking about my past sexual liaisons and how some of them made me feel.......it is just like binging! Thanks for a great article.
  • UCME77
    UCME77 Posts: 17 Member
    Great story ! True story! I'll buy your first book!!!
  • Allterrain_Lady
    Allterrain_Lady Posts: 421 Member
    Thank you all! I thought everyone is going through some tough stuff and it might be a good idea to look at it some other ways. Just to try and put it in perspective
  • KATE5158
    KATE5158 Posts: 1 Member
    That's freaking perfect!
  • jen_zz
    jen_zz Posts: 1,011 Member
    Love this!
  • MyFoodGod
    MyFoodGod Posts: 184 Member
    Great description of the madness. Wish you continued success and peace.
  • bf43005
    bf43005 Posts: 287
    I never would have thought about it like that, but once you put it out there it makes perfect sense. Well said, and great writing.
  • ARDuBaie
    ARDuBaie Posts: 378 Member
    That is exactly what it is like. Just a half-hour ago, I was saying to myself that apple dumplings (about 800 calories each) sound so good right now. I got out the recipe books and started looking for the recipe. Then something just occurred to me - I've been so good for the last four days, why blow it now. I could have said, "I've been so good these last four days, I deserve a treat", but I didn't. I realized if I made them, they would all be gone before the end of the night. I put the recipe books down, reached for the computer, and what did I start reading about - bingeing. How ironic!
  • tambam69
    tambam69 Posts: 270 Member
    Awesome and so very true, thanks OP for putting it all into perspective......
  • FancyPantsFran
    FancyPantsFran Posts: 3,687 Member
    Great post!!you are a gifted writer and story teller.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    That's very well said! I don't know if I want food or sex now, though...

    Both.

    I'm totally going with both tonight. Goodnight peeps!!
  • Allterrain_Lady
    Allterrain_Lady Posts: 421 Member
    That is exactly what it is like. Just a half-hour ago, I was saying to myself that apple dumplings (about 800 calories each) sound so good right now. I got out the recipe books and started looking for the recipe. Then something just occurred to me - I've been so good for the last four days, why blow it now. I could have said, "I've been so good these last four days, I deserve a treat", but I didn't. I realized if I made them, they would all be gone before the end of the night. I put the recipe books down, reached for the computer, and what did I start reading about - bingeing. How ironic!

    It was a sign!!! You did good!
  • edwardkim85
    edwardkim85 Posts: 438 Member
    Softcore porn MFP?
  • Excellent post. I can relate. I think both activities are addictive behavior and a sign that we are looking for fulfillment from something- food, sex, men who knows. I had too much sex just to be accepted and loved. then I turned to food. However, I know I am the only one who can make make me happy. I know this but, I have stopped the men/sex thing and still, every now and then binge on either alcohol, food or both. It is this addictive behavior that I use to fill a void that only I can fill