Lose 15 pounds by end of June (binge eater)

42rose

Hi all, I'm 19, female, 5'1 and currently 125 pounds. I was 110 pounds for a long time up until early December 2013.

Now before you think "wow, 125 is MY goal weight, this girl needs to get off here"... please note that I've developed binge eating over the past couple months which is why I've put on 15 pounds in fairly short time. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but it looks awful on my short frame, it's ruined my fitness level, confidence, and made me extremely depressed. Also, I'm having extreme difficulty breaking this habit. It's only gotten worse and worse since December, and it's basically made me believe that I've done so much damage to my body and I'll never be able to fix it, not even by summer. That's the mindset I've developed alongside my binge eating completely hopeless. Binge eating is literally ruining every aspect of my life right now (school, work, relationships, confidence... everything).

I guess my question to you guys is: can I still rescue my body and weight? If I start now and stay determined, can I return to 110 by the end of June? I'm going on vacation then and I'd love to be back to my previous weight before I started binge eating.

I was planning on running for 30 minutes 3 times a week, and 30 minutes on a stationary bike every other day, for a total of 6 "cardio sessions" a week (1 rest day). If I combine this cardio with eating healthy, 1200 calories a day (approximately), will I be able to lost about 15 pounds by the end of June?

Please guys, any advice and motivation would be greatly appreciated. I am feeling so down and hopeless about myself right now. The worst part about all this is knowing that I did it to myself in such short time. I can't believe I let it happen but deep down, a part of me believes that if I start working really hard now and stick with it, I can be where I want to be by the end of June... I just hope that I can tame my binge eating.

rhonda6373

I would recommend counseling to find out why you are binge eating and deal with the underlying cause first. I am just beginning, so I will let others comment on the exercise/nutrition aspect.

Don't let this get you down or destroy your confidence. You have taken the first step admitting it and should be proud of yourself. There is always hope and don't give up. Use all avenues of support, you just may not have exhausted those yet. I know you can do this, believe in yourself.

Lowestsalary

Sure you can lose the weight if your determined. Im more concerned about whether or not you've dealt with what caused you to Binge eat in the first place. Is that still a part of your life? To me personally that would seem like the bigger goal to be concerned about. Just make sure you are eating clean and your putting in time for your work outs and you will definitely see changes.

42rose

thank you very much for your support. I guess i forgot to mention... i let myself eat whatever i wanted and to indulge in December because it was the holidays, but during December i got so used to that habit that it carried on to now, and i guess it turned into binge eating. the thing is, what started out as holiday over-eating ended up turning into a bad habit that led to my weight gain, and the weight gain made me depressed and feel hopeless... i guess that the weight gain is what caused and is perpetuating my binging!

nancy10272004

As a binge eater in recovery, I strongly recommend that you seek treatment for it before you attempt to lose weight. I had a horribly extreme case and had to go to an ED treatment center but you can check with your doctor or insurance company to see if there are therapists or counselors in your area who can help.

apparatus195316

At your height, your goal weight seems very reasonable. I think that 15 pounds in the space of about 3 months is a very reasonable goal - ambitious, yes, but reasonable. 6 cardio sessions a week is also reasonable, though I would look into possibly replacing one of those sessions with an alternate exercise of your choosing, like yoga, zumba, whatever makes you happy.

I'd like to mention that there is a big difference between a bad habit (which I can totally identify with, especially around the holidays) and an eating disorder. Binge eating is usually classified as the latter, especially when coupled with other disordered eating behaviors. I would seriously encourage you to look at the root cause of this recent change in your eating habits and consider seeking therapy if you find that it's ongoing, rather than temporary.

Just be safe, and take good care of yourself.

GingerPaleAle

Your situation is the exact same one I'm in right now and it's nice to know im not the only one out there. I'm 6'0" and now weigh 198 lbs. I weight 180 before winter hit and was at the lowest I've been in a while (I know it sounds like a lot but I have a very large frame) and over the holidays stopped caring, I haven't been able to recover. Even days where I'm ready to eat well and do good I find myself standing in the kitchen munching on cereal, or deciding to order fries at work (working in a restaurant makes this a challenge) I've been dealing with a lot of changes like getting a new job, a new apartment, and gaining weight which for some reason makes me eat more.

kill3rtofu

your plan sounds pretty good. just make sure you are logging food diligently. all your hard work earned through exercise can be fubar'd in the kitchen

apparatus195316

Even days where I'm ready to eat well and do good I find myself standing in the kitchen munching on cereal, or deciding to order fries at work (working in a restaurant makes this a challenge) I've been dealing with a lot of changes like getting a new job, a new apartment, and gaining weight which for some reason makes me eat more.

It's *especially* difficult to make positive changes when you're going through big changes in other aspects of your life! I applaud you for owning it.

RoyaltyThick

really 125? im 4'11 and 197. I have curves for days not to mention my chest is heavy! I recently gained 42lbs due to pregnancy and the baby is now 5 weeks old... I want to be 145 because curves are sexy!

tskvaughn

Are you really bingeing in the true sense of the word or have you just developed a habit of overeating? There is a really big difference. If you are truly binging, then you need to get help quickly. If you are just overeating you need to just get a grip and start logging what you eat sticking to healthy food. The end of June is about 15 weeks away. If you have been overeating, that probably means a lot of extra sodium which will cause you to retain fluid. If you cut down the sodium to no more than the daily recommended allowance and up your fluid intake to at least 64 oz a day in two weeks time you should be able to drop the fluid retention quickly which could be as much as 5 lbs. That leaves you 10 lbs for the remaining 13 weeks. Ambitious, because the less weight you have to lose, the harder it is. It is doable because you are young.
If you are a student and don't have the means of preparing your own food it is going to be more difficult. Prepared food is full of sodium. For instance, at Chilli's the 6oz sirloin with steamed broccoli is only 250 calories, but has over 1/2 of the total daily recommended amount of sodium. Think fresh fruits and vegetables, and leans cuts of meat.
Logging is a must. It will open your eyes quickly.
Again, if you are truly bingeing (google the disorder) get help!

apparatus195316

really 125? im 4'11 and 197. I have curves for days not to mention my chest is heavy! I recently gained 42lbs due to pregnancy and the baby is now 5 weeks old... I want to be 145 because curves are sexy!

You have a really good point, but I think it's important to remember that we all have different goals and ideals of beauty. As long as her goal weight ends at a healthy BMI and her methods are safe and healthy, I don't see why she shouldn't aim for a body shape that makes her happy.

(kudos for loving your curves! Thick women are gorgeous)