Ex Binge Eaters

katie_heinricher

I definitely relate. I usually binge and stress eat when I'm tired or upset. What has helped me is keeping healthy food in the house a binge on frozen grapes isn't nearly as bad as a binge on cookies. I also try drinking a few cups of water when I feel a binge coming on. And if I do binge on crap food I don't dwell on it
I focus on making the next day better

mrsmitchell0510

Binge Eater in recovery here!
I used to order two meals at Zaxby's and be sure to order two drinks to go with it so they wouldn't know that I planned on eating both meals myself. And those bags of little powdered donuts? I have consumed many of those in my late night binge eating frenzies.
It's not an overnight transformation or a quick fix. It's something that has to be worked on slowly.
I would do well for a while and then sink back into my old ways. When that would happen and I would have a binge, I would not log the foods I binged on. But, several weeks ago, I made a goal to log every single thing I ate for an entire week. One night, I could not seem to be satisfied and before I knew it I had consumed an enormous number of calories. While I didn't want to log them, I also wanted to meet my mini-goal of logging everything for a week. So, I logged it. And what an eye-opener that was. Seeing just how many calories I had consumed, rather than just "guesstimating" just about made me sick to my stomach. I can't say that I haven't overindulged since then. But, I can say that I have not binged like I used to and progress is progress, no matter how small or how slow. Logging through my binges has helped me.
Good luck!

BoxerBrawler

Very inspiring and heart felt responses here.

First, to the OP... congratulations on being here, admitting and trying to work through your problem. Most people never get this far so good for you. Keep talking and keep fighting. I promise you that it will pass and you'll be successful, healthy and happy.

Second, to the folks who replied and have overcome binging, congratulations! You have overcome amazing challenges and I hope you are all proud of yourselves. Keep up the good work!

To the folks who are in the middle.. keep plugging away. There is only failure in not trying and every day, in fact, every hour is a new challenge and a new opportunity to succeed and as long as you keep trying, you're doing a good job.

In general... please don't feel guilty, easy to say I know, but guilt doesn't erase a binge and it only serves to make you feel worse about yourself so don't waste your energy on that.

While I was never truly a binge person by definition I have had my moments where I just can't get enough and I have thrown out many brand new products that I purchased with the intention of eating all of it. My personal experience has to do with extreme calorie restriction and just being stubborn enough to deprive myself and actually feel good about it. I am not in any way shape or form advocating pro-ana or ED's, I am just saying that for some folks the idea of deprivation and being empty fuels the ego. It's a control thing and unfortunately many times that leads to a binge. It is important to understand the emotional or mental causes behind the binge. Or sometimes it is as simple as the fact that you're just not getting enough food during the day.

I went no carbohydrate for a while and it was the worst thing I could have done as it made my sweets craving out of control. I am now very low carbohydrate and handle it well.

A few things have worked for me to stop myself from, I will call it over eating, since I don't truly fit into the binge category.

Tons of protein and fiber, tons of water, tons of distraction e.g., call someone, write (hand write) something, anything. Go for a walk, paint your nails, crank the music as loud as you can and dance like no one is watching Chew gum, chew on ice, put on some of the clothes you bought when you started going down in sizes and marvel at how good you look and how proud of yourself you are. Give yourself a make over, if you smoke... chain smoke! Do your hair, jump a rope, do some gardening, walk your dog, do a work out, clean your house, go to the mall and window shop, chew gum... a whole pack if you need too...

See? all of these distractions made you forget that we were talking about binging right? LOL! Sorry...

Actually the one big thing that works for me is to give myself permission to binge. Sounds counter-intuitive but giving yourself permission takes the stress off. It removes the taboo, the guilt, the anticipation, the obsession and it allows YOU to be in control of where and when YOU chose to have that binge. By the time you get around to it hopefully the urge has past and you're feeling strong enough to just say "Nah... I don't really need to do this". I also think about the fact that I have worked so hard in my MMA classes that I've actually thrown up, pissed myself and nearly crapped myself and passed out so there is just no way in hell I am going to work that hard and be counter productive.

Anyway... I know that our situations are very different but I hope that some of this helps.

Thanks.

soccerkon26

I will eat everything in sight, similar to things that you do (bread, donuts, etc.).

So, the other day, my family got donuts for breakfast. Instead, I ate oatmeal for breakfast, and factored in being able to have 1 donut as a snack. ....I wanted a maple donut and a sprinkle donut, so I cut each in half, so I only ate 1 donut total.

Sounds weird, but it made me get rid of my craving for the donuts! And, I made the donuts a snack instead of a meal out of them.

MegE_N

I try to keep my hands busy. Folding laundry or mopping (somehow those things always need to be done!) If the desire gets too strong, I go for a walk - without my wallet. No matter how much I want it then, it's out of reach. Usually working out (read: walking) decreases my appetite for awhile, but that's just me.

Best of luck!

nomorebingesgirl2014

Great post

Remaking_Me

Im with this guy.

I finally got a nutritionists advice---- by eating ON PURPOSE 90-130gms of protein daily,
I am NEVER hungry, and rarely crave. In just 6 weeks it has totally changed the way I eat
and the way I look at my food life.

I have still had a few 'bumps' in the transition, and it IS a lot of work to eat this much protein.
Im doing chicken, lean steaks, protein drinks and bars, and a LOT LOT LOT of black beans.

I FEEL amazing, have dropped 7lbs in 6 weeks, and 10 inches off my body. SW was 196 on June 6th.

Make the decision to 'get full' and keep your body's needs satisfied, and you wont struggle with the cravings
NEARLY as much. The other half- is sticking to it long term- your body needs to lose its addiction to the bad fats
and chemicals you've been eating..

I have been there. Food CAN be as addicting as drugs---- its been my drug for 10 years.

Not anymore. PROTEIN FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ArtGeek22

I did go through a time (currently still recovering) from a time of binge eating/bulimia. I was able to really help myself from going on a hclf vegan lifestyle, and after a month I suddenly have no cravings to binge. Nothing. I put it down to well balanced nutrition and abundent eating. It has really helped me so if you wanna talk about it more or if your curious you can friend me if you'd like :flowerforyou:

Evelien11

Last year I reached a low point when I gained 30 kg (66 pounds) in less than one year. I realised I need professional help to overcome this, and that's the best choice I ever made. My counsellor got me through this. I would recommend "eating mindfully" by Susan Albers, the book that changed my life! If you don't change your mindset, you will never completely stop binging.

sarah_hite

I know this technique won't work for everyone, but hopefully someone else will find it helpful.
I used to binge eat on junk food a lot. Now, I make sure to get the nutrition (protein, etc) I need early in the day, and let myself have a small treat under my calorie limit in the evening. Looking forward to eating the treat helps me keep from binging the rest of the day. I also log everything, so if I do binge eat, I know I'll have to log it.
I know this might not be the healthiest thing to do, but I figure that I'm probably going to be watching my calories and nutrition for the rest of my life. If that means that I can't have some of the junky foods that I really like for the rest of my life, I'll probably just give up. So this is sort of a compromise. And this way, I'm actually happy with my diet, and I feel like I can stick to it for as long as I need to.

Raynne413

When I had the most trouble with binge eating about five years ago, I went to see a nutritionist. She looked at my diet and told me that I wasn't eating enough fat or enough calories for the amount I was working out. I made her suggested changes, and it made a MAJOR difference. I also try to make sure I get at least seven hours of sleep. If I'm sleep deprived I will get major cravings. Even now, if I work out too much or if I don't eat enough, I still feel those urges. So make sure you aren't at too much of a deficit.

amanda_oc

I need help. I struggle with binge eating and no matter my valiant efforts to stop, I always end up giving up and eating like a whole loaf of bread. It's always so depressing but the taste of a donut wins over all else. Why do I keep things like that around you ask? I am usually pretty good about what to buy but I breakdown and also because somewhere deep in my little optimistic mind I think can say no to it, but in all reality I have no self control. And even when I don't have anything horrible in my house, I still some how manage to find something and completely takes me off track. I obviously struggle with an addiction and would like some words of encouragement or even your own success story or just some ideas on how to slowly fix myself. I know many people struggle with binge eating and so many have beat it so maybe someone can be able to give me a little hope. I'm just tired of this vicious cycle i find myself in. If you have any thing, I'm more than happy to hear it. Thanks in advance.

I can definitely relate.

I know many responses are more about the physical side of it, rather than the psychological, but my big binge eating problem is about emotions rather than food.

I'm trying to combat this at the moment, and this morning I sat down and wrote a letter to myself that I've to read when I want to binge. Feel free to have a read in case there's anything helpful in it.

Sorry I know links don't usually post well here http://beautyfrompainblog.com/2014/07/19/so-you-want-to-binge-a-letter-to-myself/

nomorebingesgirl2014

Fellow binge eater

hungreeman

Don't Look Back! Anybody overweight is a binge eater to some degree.
1. Every time you put any calories into your mouth log them into MFP.
2. No food or snacks after 5pm.
3. Log any exercise into MFP but don't eat those calories burned.

Stay under your calories allotted for the day and you cant lose 1200. I weigh a man weighing 236 and I am eating 1500 cals a day plus exercise.

Good luck.

Robert

Hearts_2015

bump

tlicttbh

I have struggled with binge eating for 40 years. I've tried all sorts of diets, books, etc. The books that have helped me the most are:
Overcoming Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth
EatQ by Susan Albers

I got both at our library. I am now able to be satisfied with, for example, one Dove square of chocolate per day. Not the whole bag.
On MFP, there are some groups on binge eating and emotional eating which might be helpful to you.

zcb94

I'm a low-carber, so my advice might be different than others.

I am able to stop binge eating by eating a decent quality meal.

That helped me a lot, as did reaching for a drink or distraction instead.

Raynne413

double post