To all binge eaters only, what has worked?

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Replies

  • 4daluvof_candice
    4daluvof_candice Posts: 483 Member
    I just did an icecream binge Wednesday night... Logged it, saw how much I went over created a more deficit the next day(food wise) and did an extra workout session to make up for it. Hopefull it will not affect my weigh-in Saturday by much.
  • ksy1969
    ksy1969 Posts: 700 Member
    i binged yesterday and ate 5 brownies (every one of them was delicious) i just made sure i worked off all of those extra calories to still have a good day! But for professional help, I am not sure.

    I don't consider that a binge. That's more like overindulgence. A binge is when you don't even taste the food, in some cases you don't even remember eating it -- you're overcome with feelings of anxiety and panic and you just stuff your face until you feel physically ill and your belly hurts and you can't move and you can't think until you go completely numb and then you just want to crawl into a hole and die.

    ^^^This +1

    You nailed it.
  • persistentsoul
    persistentsoul Posts: 268 Member
    I have had binge eating disorder for as long as I can remember. I have been obese since childhood and morbidly obese most of adult life apart from brief visits to being just fat or obese without the morbid bit. For me a binge is a good 10'000 calories or more. I put what i could remember of one of my last binges in to the log just to see and it was over 10'000 calories just for one evening. It is an awful awful addiction. Food is available, affordable and on offer eveywhere. I have tried numerouse diets and plans. I have been on or falling off some diet or other for the last 23 years solid since being put on my first diet aged 10.

    I keep trying for many years to find a way to be clean with food and not turn in to a crazed eating machine every time i take a bite of something. The constant craving is so strong and eventually i always give in to it.

    I also have bipolar disorder which I can not take medication for due to other health issues. It was while searching for alternative treatments for bipolar that I came across Ketogenic way of eating. It seemed extreme and very at odds with food pyramid and other plans i have done but out of interest i read up loads about it and decided to give it a go. For last almost 3 weeks i have been doing a dairy and grain free version of ketogenic plan. I get 75% of my calories from clean high quality natural fats (avocado, coconut oil/butter, virgin olive oil) 20% from good quality organic protien (meat eggs) and 5% from carbs (mostly green veg).

    Yes it is early days yet and the transition took some research and adjusting to, but I have no cravings at all. I have never been free of cravings before in my living memory. The peace of being free from the constant craving is amazing.
    I have tried so so many things and plans in past pills, potions, therapies, meal replacements, 12 step groups, diet groups, vegan, vegetarian, raw food................... and nothing has ever given me this peace around food.

    I don't know if this would work for everyone but it is a miracle for me so far.
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    I have had binge eating disorder for as long as I can remember. I have been obese since childhood and morbidly obese most of adult life apart from brief visits to being just fat or obese without the morbid bit. For me a binge is a good 10'000 calories or more. I put what i could remember of one of my last binges in to the log just to see and it was over 10'000 calories just for one evening. It is an awful awful addiction. Food is available, affordable and on offer eveywhere. I have tried numerouse diets and plans. I have been on or falling off some diet or other for the last 23 years solid since being put on my first diet aged 10.

    I keep trying for many years to find a way to be clean with food and not turn in to a crazed eating machine every time i take a bite of something. The constant craving is so strong and eventually i always give in to it.

    I also have bipolar disorder which I can not take medication for due to other health issues. It was while searching for alternative treatments for bipolar that I came across Ketogenic way of eating. It seemed extreme and very at odds with food pyramid and other plans i have done but out of interest i read up loads about it and decided to give it a go. For last almost 3 weeks i have been doing a dairy and grain free version of ketogenic plan. I get 75% of my calories from clean high quality natural fats (avocado, coconut oil/butter, virgin olive oil) 20% from good quality organic protien (meat eggs) and 5% from carbs (mostly green veg).

    Yes it is early days yet and the transition took some research and adjusting to, but I have no cravings at all. I have never been free of cravings before in my living memory. The peace of being free from the constant craving is amazing.
    I have tried so so many things and plans in past pills, potions, therapies, meal replacements, 12 step groups, diet groups, vegan, vegetarian, raw food................... and nothing has ever given me this peace around food.

    I don't know if this would work for everyone but it is a miracle for me so far.

    Fat is definitely a big thing for me. When I eat a higher fat diet, I don't have nearly as many urges. I don't really do a Keto diet because I still eat carbs, but I find the "fat bombs" that are promoted for the keto diet are a way for me to have a sweet AND enough fat to keep my cravings down.
  • mistymeadows2005
    mistymeadows2005 Posts: 3,737 Member
    One really interesting thing that I have notched all experts say binge eaters should eat regularly, but for me, this gets me thinking about food even more. I also fascinated that some bingers on here are doing well with the 5:2... this really provides me with hope and well done all those of you that are finding a way to help themselves.

    This is how I cope as well :) gives you the sorta "fix" to eat a lot at once - and NOT feel guilty about it! Works like a charm for me! :)
  • mistymeadows2005
    mistymeadows2005 Posts: 3,737 Member
    I was a binge water for 10 years, recovered for 7. Getting pregnant and then pregnant/breastfeeding for six years ( three kids each 22 months apart) really helped me start to think of my body as a temple. I couldn't stop for myself but I did stop for them. It was so hard to stop binging and like an alcoholic I feel I'll never be fully recovered. Here are some things that helped in the beginning.
    The book feeding the hungry heart. Online support. Telling my husband every time. Giving myself permission to eat anything; no restricted eating. No chronic cardio. Keeping a journal. Prayer. Walking after meals. Eating frequently.

    So can I ask... how does your husband handle it? Mine just looks at me with such disappointment in his eyes... It makes me feel like I can't tell him. I'm the worlds worst liar, but there have been a few times that he's asked me if I've been "behaving myself" and I just say yes because I can't take his disappointment as another sign of failure. And he's silly enough to think that if I don't mention it that I've been good. Plus he can eat ridiculous quantities of food and not gain an ounce and so to him it's not abnormal to eat a lot at one setting. (He is very active, has a manual labor sort of job, and a fast metabolism!) He brags to me about the quantities of food he eats, even though I've told him it's hard for me to hear it. He doesn't do it to hurt me. He just can't comprehend how it could bother me and he thinks I'll be impressed that he ate 1 1/4 large pizzas...

    DecBlessings: Oh my dear! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this!!! I'm lucky that my significant other is very supportive of my eating habits! I can't imagine not being able to be honest about it with him!!! Maybe if you explained it to him as a sort of addiction???? That's what it feels like to me - overwhelming, out of control, all-consuming, shameful. Perhaps you could try asking him to be supportive and loving and that would help get you BOTH where you want to be?

    Or maybe, do you have any friends that you can do this with? I know having my bestie on this journey with me is PRICELESS!!!!
    I'm lucky to have a supportive man, but having someone who TRULY relates is a relief as well. Even if not maybe have some MFP friends!!! I'd be happy to help you in your UPS and your DOWNS!


    I know you can do this!!!
  • eggomylegos
    eggomylegos Posts: 146 Member
    Or maybe, do you have any friends that you can do this with? I know having my bestie on this journey with me is PRICELESS!!!!
    I'm lucky to have a supportive man, but having someone who TRULY relates is a relief as well. Even if not maybe have some MFP friends!!! I'd be happy to help you in your UPS and your DOWNS!

    This is very kind and my truth as well. Having a strong support system is absolutely critical. Unfortunately, your immediate family may not be the best choice for that.

    Anyone can build their own support system right here on MFP and it costs nothing but the time to read profiles and send friend requests.

    I would not have been so successful so quickly without such a great group of online pals. Seeing their diaries and successes is a constant source of positive feedback. I don't have to hide from them. Even if I had a bad day, they would cheer me on and tell me to try again tomorrow. There's no punishment from them, which means no punishment from myself. It was the last piece of the puzzle to end my binges for good.
  • mistymeadows2005
    mistymeadows2005 Posts: 3,737 Member
    Intermittent Fasting.

    #problemsolved

    Can you explain how this helps with an eating disorder? It seems to me that this is a form of disordered eating that would not help someone with an ED move towards recovery. I could be wrong but it goes against everything I learned when I was in treatment.


    So intermittant fasting is my favorite thing ever!!! i find it's the only thing that keeps the BED at bay! Essentially, for me it gives me the notion that I can eat a LOT at once and it won't affect my overall calories deficit. Everyone is different, but it's easy for me to not eat during the day so that I can eat a bunch in the evening, which I know is my "binge time". AND NOT FEEL GUILTY!!!

    There are many different ways to do IF. Some people only eat during a small window (4-8 hours) each day - ie 5-9pm - an abstain from eating for the rest of the time. Others eat relatively normally 5 days a week (for me, 1800-2000 cals) and either fast or eat 25% or less of their normal intake the other 2 days (say 0-500 cals for me). This is called 5/2 IF.

    I do a combination of both!!! I fast Mondays and Thursdays, and I aim for 1800-2000 cals on the other days. I also tend to only eat between about 2pm-10pm. This combo allows me to eat a LOTTTTT in my normal binge craving hours, feel satisfied, get my macros in along with some treats, and pushes the "real" binge feeling away. This gives me a rough weekly totally of 10500 cals, with a TDEE of 14700. This averages out for about a 1.5 loss a week give or take and I never get the urge to binge cause I get to eat a lot all at once.

    So can you completely go on a TRUE binge 5 days a week? NO - you still have to be conscious of your calories BUT for me it takes away the deprived feeling and allows me to eat a lot at once which kills the brains urge to binge.
  • Happymelz
    Happymelz Posts: 536 Member
    Intermittent Fasting.

    #problemsolved

    Can you explain how this helps with an eating disorder? It seems to me that this is a form of disordered eating that would not help someone with an ED move towards recovery. I could be wrong but it goes against everything I learned when I was in treatment.



    So intermittant fasting is my favorite thing ever!!! i find it's the only thing that keeps the BED at bay! Essentially, for me it gives me the notion that I can eat a LOT at once and it won't affect my overall calories deficit. Everyone is different, but it's easy for me to not eat during the day so that I can eat a bunch in the evening, which I know is my "binge time". AND NOT FEEL GUILTY!!!

    There are many different ways to do IF. Some people only eat during a small window (4-8 hours) each day - ie 5-9pm - an abstain from eating for the rest of the time. Others eat relatively normally 5 days a week (for me, 1800-2000 cals) and either fast or eat 25% or less of their normal intake the other 2 days (say 0-500 cals for me). This is called 5/2 IF.

    I do a combination of both!!! I fast Mondays and Thursdays, and I aim for 1800-2000 cals on the other days. I also tend to only eat between about 2pm-10pm. This combo allows me to eat a LOTTTTT in my normal binge craving hours, feel satisfied, get my macros in along with some treats, and pushes the "real" binge feeling away. This gives me a rough weekly totally of 10500 cals, with a TDEE of 14700. This averages out for about a 1.5 loss a week give or take and I never get the urge to binge cause I get to eat a lot all at once.

    So can you completely go on a TRUE binge 5 days a week? NO - you still have to be conscious of your calories BUT for me it takes away the deprived feeling and allows me to eat a lot at once which kills the brains urge to binge.

    NOT HELPFUL FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS AN EATING DISORDER!!!

    Oh..sorry for the all caps.
    I was actually yelling it out loud WHILE I was typing it.

    You OBVIOUSLY either don't know anyone who suffers from an eating disorder OR you are currently IN an ED relationship and are happy with it.

    Sorry...but this is not helpful to OP
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    I don't think intermittent fasting is good for most people with ED's. It doesn't teach you how to have a healthy relationship with food, when that relationship is already screwed up. It just kind of reinforces the binging tendency, you are just giving yourself permission to do it in a limited window. Because then you run into ignoring your hunger cues, which can cause further problems.
  • onmyown70
    onmyown70 Posts: 233 Member
    I get both arguments with IF.

    However, I have found breakfast does seem to "wake up my appetite" and i found, after having to fast for a day it helped me recognise true hunger... And I recognised when I was full. Emotional eating in the day wasn't an option.

    I get both sides of the argument, I'm
    Not sure what the answer is.

    Something I'm concluding is, keep busy and get enough sleep too :-) x
  • onmyown70
    onmyown70 Posts: 233 Member
    Another thing to add on to the whole binge theory. I often feel really tired (I do have mild anaemia but I don't think it explains the massive lethargy I experience during the day- my body is still I. Shock, children don't do lie ins!). I often eat when I feel tired which is ridiculous because I'm finding food makes me really tired. I thought maybe it was because u was going too high carb, but on holiday I had an omlette and coffee for breakfast and afterwards I had the huge desire to fall asleep. My husband said "what's happened you were all geared to go and you have gone all funny and sleepy again".

    I don't do the intermittent fasting, I am not sure if it's right but I'm interested because nothing else has worked. Apart from just avoiding food and not being in the house! I find out society is so "eat eat eat all the time". I don't binge because I've been restricting, I binge because food gives me a high and I turn to that comfort when bored, stressed, upset, happy, disorganised...because someone else has served it up for me.

    I do think there is a deep issue there, ofcourse. I'm
    Someone who can do a 5000 kcal binge in one go. That's not normal. Every day I do the same thing, it used to be once every now and then. Now with children, I get their breakfast, their lunch, snacks, then I feel I need to eat with them, then with other people there is always food, my husband needs a meal in the eve and likes me to eat with him. It's not their fault, they all have brilliant relationships with food, I'm just pointing out it's hard to get away from. Even of you have a set plan... If it was alcohol or cigarettes then this wouldn't be the case
  • stephgas
    stephgas Posts: 159 Member
    i hope the OP is still reading this thread - i stopped reading because i got very angry.

    OP: counseling. please, get into counseling. see your GP and ask for a referral to a specialist. NHS will cover treatment for binge eating disorder.

    all this crap about intermittent fasting and getting rid of trigger foods - great advice for people who occasionally go over their calories with a overeating binge. having a few brownies instead of one serving one day, going over your calorie goal by eating an entire candy bar instead of half, 'gorging' yourself on a 3 scoop sundae with hot fudge instead of a small froyo - THESE ARE NOT BINGE EATING DISORDER. what the OP and many others on this thread have mentioned is binge eating disorder. anyone who thinks they have an eating disorder will most likely NOT be helped by any kind of fasting, 20 hours food free/4 hours eating, clean eating, cutting out carbs or gluten, etc. are there some people who can be helped? sure, the same way some people can quit any addiction on their own. but the success rates are very poor.

    OP, please seek help. i've finally gotten honest with myself - and my counselor - and we are working on techniques and coping skills to help my disordered eating. overcoming any eating disorder is a daily struggle at first, but i'm assured it gets easier. to everyone who's suffering with an ED, please feel free to friend me.
  • Happymelz
    Happymelz Posts: 536 Member
    i hope the OP is still reading this thread - i stopped reading because i got very angry.

    OP: counseling. please, get into counseling. see your GP and ask for a referral to a specialist. NHS will cover treatment for binge eating disorder.

    all this crap about intermittent fasting and getting rid of trigger foods - great advice for people who occasionally go over their calories with a overeating binge. having a few brownies instead of one serving one day, going over your calorie goal by eating an entire candy bar instead of half, 'gorging' yourself on a 3 scoop sundae with hot fudge instead of a small froyo - THESE ARE NOT BINGE EATING DISORDER. what the OP and many others on this thread have mentioned is binge eating disorder. anyone who thinks they have an eating disorder will most likely NOT be helped by any kind of fasting, 20 hours food free/4 hours eating, clean eating, cutting out carbs or gluten, etc. are there some people who can be helped? sure, the same way some people can quit any addiction on their own. but the success rates are very poor.

    OP, please seek help. i've finally gotten honest with myself - and my counselor - and we are working on techniques and coping skills to help my disordered eating. overcoming any eating disorder is a daily struggle at first, but i'm assured it gets easier. to everyone who's suffering with an ED, please feel free to friend me.

    THIS!!!
  • Slasher09
    Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
    Not sure if OP is still reading this...but here is my 2cents. I've had an eating disorder since I was 12. I am 25 now and although I am probably considered "recovered" or "in recovery" I still struggle. Most of my time with an eating disorder was with bulimia and my binging/purging was so bad that I left college because of my over $10,000 in credit card debts.

    There are some facts that I have had to deal with. The first being that there are some foods that I just plain and simple cannot eat. At all. One being nutri-grain bars, or chewy chocolate chip bars.i literally cannot eat one without a binge being triggered either on the spot of later that day. I cannot keep pop tarts or cookies or ice cream in the house on a regular basis because at some point I WILL binge on them and whatever else is in the house or sold nearby... As those foods have very little nutritious value anyway, it's not a bad thing. (I will still eat ice cream, but I usually will go buy an ice cream cone from a vendor and not buy a container to keep at home.)

    I have also had to work out WHY I was binging. Unfortunately I have no insurance and even when I did it didn't cover counseling(or didn't cover anything before a deductible was reached) and I Couldn't afford to go. I realized I binged when I was bored and when I was lonely. I had become so used to being alone because my disorder that I had no hobbies and never saw people. Eating was an activity. I started gardening, I started crocheting, I started reading books for fun, and I even got into newTV shows. I started making my friendships more meaningful and meeting people out for non-food themed get togethers (go to the beach, the park, etc). When I felt like grabbing mindless snacks out of boredom, I started engaging in sudoku, or reading to distract my mind (because bored mindless eating triggers real bad binges as well), and if I was still actually hungry I would make sure to make myself a snack that was balanced with protein and healthy fats.

    There is no simple fix, and there's no one-size-fits-all fix. You need to work out why you binge and you need to learn how to cope with those. It's not simple or quick and it will feel like you are fighting an uphill losing battle, but I promise if you keep with it one day you will realize that you are making strides and you ARE dong better than you were yesterday. It's a long battle, but its so worth it.

    Feel free to add me if you would like :)
  • bethanyka
    bethanyka Posts: 159 Member
    i didn't read every single reply. If it hasn't been suggested already.. I have recently read the book, "Thin Side Out: How to Have your cake and your Skinny Jeans Too: Stop Binge Eating, Overeating and Dieting for Good"- By Josie Spinardi.

    It is about hunger directed eating: Eat When hungry, DON'T EAT when not. Don't go with the clock, go with your gut.
    Why eat breakfast , or eat every 3 hours if my body isn't telling me it's hungry?

    I am NOT kidding, it really has changed my life. I read it slow, and took notes. ...i was eating thousands of calories, when i was not even hungry. i know this information seems so obvious.... but, it really amazed me at how much i've changed since reading it. No food is "good" vs "bad" my whole "diet" and fear./ obsessed mindset. , i took it all in. i'm a changed person. maybe something just clicked for me. i don't know. But I'm happier and SO MUCH more in control.

    Just a suggestion, because this has really helped me.
  • Stella_Mayfair
    Stella_Mayfair Posts: 226 Member
    I have had just about every eating disorder out their. B.E.D (Binge eating disorder)is one of them. My last one was bad-but not as bad as having to purge so my tummy wouldn't tear. What has helped me is realizing when I do it I am NOT hungry just wanting taste. I have not yet met a binge eater who was hungry .when they were binging-it all is so mechanical. I hate the feeling when I regain control, which is too late and the horrific pain, guilt, and what few days of cramps and tummy/intestinal damage. Plus the fact I literally treat my body as a garbage disposal and I know I won't get that out for weeks due to constipation. I never had counselling. Even as an anorexic. But if you can get it to see why ur trying to fill the void great. Hell add me if you wanna chat.

    I am a walking survival over every ed out there. I have lost more than weight and gained more inner physical issue due to each ed. Mainly anorexia and binge eating disorder. So get help if you are willing. Now I just wanna be a healthy girl who is also thin and strong:)
  • Slasher09
    Slasher09 Posts: 316 Member
    I should also add, being honest with my friends and family has helped too. When we have family get togethers and they try to send me off with plates of leftover desserts or whatnot, I have to actually come out and say "thanks, but no thanks. Whatever amount I take home will be eaten in one sitting. I can take one piece home, or one serving but that's it." They know now not to keep pushing my triggers on me. My fiancé can tell when I start binging and will suggest an "away from food activity" and also knows that if he wants to eat my "this can't be around me" foods, he keeps them at work. My friends are supportive about not constantly pushing food at me and being respectful when I say I've had enough. It was very shameful and embarrassing to me athirst to feel like I had to own up to a problem, but the response of support and love was incredible.
  • It sounds like we are similar - I binge, not on sweets but on carbs! The only thing that I have found that has worked is TOTALLY eliminating my trigger foods. I know some people say that you shouldn't eliminate - just control. I don't think those people understand binging that way I do it. I can't control it if I start - so I don't start. As you see, I just joined MFP today and I have a lot to lose, so obviously I have a long way to go in controlling my eating, but that has helped me in the past!
  • bethanyka
    bethanyka Posts: 159 Member
    it can be said that restricting / forbidding/ calling a food "good" or bad" / deprivation... is the root cause of binges in the first place.

    if you want, check out the book i suggested above ^ "Thin Side Out: How to Have your cake and your Skinny Jeans Too: Stop Binge Eating, Overeating and Dieting for Good"- By Josie Spinardi.

    It completely changed my mindset. For me anyway, it was a miracle.
  • decblessings
    decblessings Posts: 113 Member
    I was a binge water for 10 years, recovered for 7. Getting pregnant and then pregnant/breastfeeding for six years ( three kids each 22 months apart) really helped me start to think of my body as a temple. I couldn't stop for myself but I did stop for them. It was so hard to stop binging and like an alcoholic I feel I'll never be fully recovered. Here are some things that helped in the beginning.
    The book feeding the hungry heart. Online support. Telling my husband every time. Giving myself permission to eat anything; no restricted eating. No chronic cardio. Keeping a journal. Prayer. Walking after meals. Eating frequently.

    So can I ask... how does your husband handle it? Mine just looks at me with such disappointment in his eyes... It makes me feel like I can't tell him. I'm the worlds worst liar, but there have been a few times that he's asked me if I've been "behaving myself" and I just say yes because I can't take his disappointment as another sign of failure. And he's silly enough to think that if I don't mention it that I've been good. Plus he can eat ridiculous quantities of food and not gain an ounce and so to him it's not abnormal to eat a lot at one setting. (He is very active, has a manual labor sort of job, and a fast metabolism!) He brags to me about the quantities of food he eats, even though I've told him it's hard for me to hear it. He doesn't do it to hurt me. He just can't comprehend how it could bother me and he thinks I'll be impressed that he ate 1 1/4 large pizzas...

    DecBlessings: Oh my dear! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this!!! I'm lucky that my significant other is very supportive of my eating habits! I can't imagine not being able to be honest about it with him!!! Maybe if you explained it to him as a sort of addiction???? That's what it feels like to me - overwhelming, out of control, all-consuming, shameful. Perhaps you could try asking him to be supportive and loving and that would help get you BOTH where you want to be?

    Or maybe, do you have any friends that you can do this with? I know having my bestie on this journey with me is PRICELESS!!!!
    I'm lucky to have a supportive man, but having someone who TRULY relates is a relief as well. Even if not maybe have some MFP friends!!! I'd be happy to help you in your UPS and your DOWNS!


    I know you can do this!!!

    Thanks for the support. I don't know how the rest of you feel, but on a day where I don't feel "bingy" it seems like such a non-issue... but I never know when something will set me off. It almost feels weird to talk about on a "non-issue" day.

    My husband and I actually got into an argument about Robin Williams' death yesterday and addiction was brought up. I really do think of my ED related issues as a sort of addiction. I think I have a lot of sympathy for people like RW or even Cory Monteith because these people tried to reach out to others for help, but ultimately it wasn't enough. My husband, having never dealt with depression, addiction, or really any physical struggle, does not understand. He thinks someone should just be able to make the decision to NOT be a certain way. He thinks I should be able to just decide I'm not going to binge/purge anymore and that it is that easy. I've had many discussions with him about it and there really is no getting through to him. The best I've gotten is that he will sometimes hide his bags of donuts now or take them to work with him.

    I have friends who know... but none that I feel comfortable talking to about it regularly. (Not that I really feel like talking about it regularly.) Sometimes it would be easier if people knew, but I don't want to be judged. For example, I often turn down desserts/treats/certain foods because I know one little serving can be a trigger. People don't understand why I do it. It's kind of a joke in the department I work in. It's not that I'm afraid of ruining my "diet" with one treat. It's not that I simply cannot go over my calories for the day. It's that I'm afraid of feeling out of control because although I often think I can enjoy a donut or a slice of pizza and go on with my day... I usually can't. Even if I can avoid an all out binge/purge, it's in the back of my mind the entire rest of the day.

    One of my best friends is quite a bit more overweight than I am. (I'm about 8 pounds overweight according to the BMI charts.) Honestly, I've never come right out with it, but at one point in time, my doctor wanted to put me on a certain medication and my insurance refused to cover it due to a bulimia diagnosis. At that time I told her why it wasn't covered, but I could tell it made her uncomfortable so I really didn't go into specifics. I'm pretty sure she thinks that is something I just struggled with in the past. (I talked to another friend about it somewhat recently and her reaction was something like, "You're still doing that?!" because she knew it was an issue long ago. It made me really ashamed. :( ) She really thinks I'm ridiculous and too hard on myself, and I know she probably gets annoyed by me because she thinks I'm already thin enough. Plus she never sees me binge. She sees me turning away food or eating appropriate serving sizes and generally nutritious foods. My eating habits and desire to be healthy are only partially related to my weight, (although I think I may have some body dismorphia issues as well) but I know that's not obvious unless I spell it out. My other best friend is tiny and has never had to worry about weight or what she eats... so I just don't feel like she can relate. :o/
  • onmyown70
    onmyown70 Posts: 233 Member
    Decblessings, I had to reply!

    I am exactly the same. On a non urge/binge day I can't think why on earth I would do what I do on a binge day. I don't think about food much, I eat when I'm hungry.

    What I have found though is since having a child and being at home a lot (and a lot worse pmt!) the binges are becoming more frequent. I didm't much sleep last night and today, as soon as i woke up I wanted to cry- it was a case of waking up with the urge to binge.

    Interestingly, I did find fluoxetine helped, but that was a long time ago and I'm thinking of going back on it.

    I'm sorry I can't give you an answer but in terms of treatment for myself at the moment, if i don't restrict at all I just "give in and eat all day" (as I said binge days are becoming more frequent). I am of course cautious of going under my kcal incase it increases my bingeing but I just seem to be eating more.

    So I apologise, this is bit about me, but I just wanted you to know I sympathise and can COMPLETELY relate. xx