Recovering from a PMS Binge- food addiction how to stop?

Treeinthewoods

I had a 10,000 kcal binge today, I functioned in front of friends, I was foggy headed but did the tasks I needed to complete.

My only excuses are I am premenstrual (one day off, sorry gentleman) and we had five hours sleep (I need 8!).

I woke up wight he desire to eat, a lot, it wasn't hunger but the urge has been overwhelming. I found some sugary cereal (I don't usually keep it in those) and then the whole day I couldn't get enough cereal, sandwiches, cakes, chocolate- I keep going and going. I don't absolve myself from responsibility but the urge was overwhelming - I didn't want to do anything else but eat, I felt tearful and as soon as I started eating, I felt happy.

So today, in some ways, I've been euphoric, but now the day is drawing to a close and my stomach hurts, I feel sick, I want more, and I'm thinking what have I achieved today. I had lost a few pounds recently - not by starvation, but by walking and avoiding triggers (i.e. not allowing myself exposure to any carbs - apart from sweet potatoes or carbs that were already in a portioned off meal i.e. pasta- a meal for two I've shared with my husband).

I felt shaky and excited by the food, I've been on a high after having been on a low. I honestly feel food is a drug for me, I don't drink or smoke, but I'm almost scared of self, today I was driving to get more food, and if I dared add up the kcal's, i know the amount would be tear jerking.

I have loads to be grateful for, but can't believe I let myself get like this. I have felt foggy headed, anxious and prior to eating quite down. I haven't been able to walk far as I felt too sick, I used the car because any walking made me feel ill.

I just wanted advice from food addicts - how do we stop this, if I'm honest I think I love eating, the impulse is huge, I went round the shop in a daze feeling extremely excited at even cereal going in my trolley! I got the urge to be sick but have a child, I can't do that. I feel so ashamed but feel lost. How do I recover from an extreme binge.. if I'm honest I want to do it all again, and just stopping bingeing feels like what a diet would feel like to many. My heart is racing and I doubt I'll sleep this evening as I feel so ill. I feel anxious and jittery... all because of food and a low mood. I used to run, years ago but I got told by the physic my cartilage was damaged. I wonder whether to just take up running again... but the thought of being older and not being able to move at all frightens me. Sorry to ramble- and sorry if you can't relate to any of this. I just need a plan...it would be great to receive some kind help along the way x

Treeinthewoods

Bump

FindingAmy77

okay don't go shopping when hungry. go right after you get done eating so you wont get the munchies. complete your profile. make your food diary public and log in it every meal and every day. try swimming for exercise and light walking or just do house cleaning every day to the point of breaking a sweat for over an hour. all the carbs you eat are in fact sugar. get rid of all that crap in your house. if its not there then you cant eat it. try new recips. try new foods. get creative. that is all I can give as far as advice for now.. not sure what else to say until you do this for at least a month. everyone has to find their own way and see what works for them.

carinthea

That you resisted the urge to purge as well is a good thing. Binges are draining on the dieter. At the time you feel amazing and then you finish, look at the destruction (in my case normally empty tubs of ice cream and chocolate bar wrappers - if you have ever seen the Vicar of Dibley think the Crunchie episode where she decimates bars of the stuff and wakes up from her sugar induced sleep to find herself surrounded by them) and then feel instant remorse. I am a binge/purger, realistically I know that this doesn't stop the weight from being gained, but psychologically the eating of loads of food triggers the need in me to do the second phase. That you don't and haven't is honestly good.

Tomorrow is another day. You can't undo the damage in a single week (probably not even two) and resistance when you feel the need to eat junk is really difficult, but as the poster above said; don't ever go shopping on an empty stomach (preaching to the choir here, I have done that one too many times and ended up with bags of nothing but sweets and crisps), and don't keep junk food in the house. I find that I now avoid the biscuit, snack and confectionery aisles when I go to a supermarket. Though it doesn't take away the urge it certainly helps restrict the likelihood of the stuff being bought, especially as I do the shopping.

If you know that you are reaching the point where you need to eat something sweet/junk food like or have a craving, find something low-fat low-sugar (a piece of fruit or even a greek yogurt - I have taken to making these gluten free peanut butter cookies made with natural peanut butter and sugar-free jam/jelly from the South Beach diet recipe book (message me if you want it) - they are amazing and I make a batch, eat one then put the rest in a cupboard, they keep for about a week and a little goes a long way), and then go for a walk, do an exercise video, read a book, or try some activity with the family. It's not so much avoidance as replacement. Once you get in a pattern of doing something else when you have a craving it will get easier. This is not a quick fix, changing eating patterns is never straight-forward, easy or quick, but in the end it is worth it.

RodaRose

There is a very good chance that medication can help this. Go to the doctor.

LadyGisborne

I had extreme binges of at least 10,000kcal/day in my early 20s (I have never purged). They stopped when I became a mother but I am still a binge eater. It starts with a strange feeling at the back of my throat, as if it was tightening. Once I start, I cannot stop. After years of binge eating I never, ever feel uncomfortably full. I put on 35lbs in a few months last year.

10 years ago I managed to curb my extreme binges by going oustide. Sunlight, fresh air and gentle walking helped a little. Taking care of my body (waxing, scrubbing, painting my nails, putting on makeup even when I am staying in...) makes me feel better too.

Doctors have been extremely unhelpful so far. (No, Dr XXX, calling me "digustingly greedy" didn't cure me. At all.)

carinthea

LadyGisborne I think that there are a certain type of GP who are just plain unhelpful and unsympathetic (like people who have never had weight issues who believe that losing weight should be easy and people shouldn't get overweight in the first place). I went to one and told him that I was struggling, I was exercising and still just didn't seem to be shifting much even though I had reduced my calories...I had also unfortunately seen a return to old habits (binging and purging, it isn't something I am proud of but I have had this problem since my mum first told me I was fat when I was 13). He just sat there, looked at me and told me that I was obviously lying as it was simple, calories in vs calories out...he repeated this about 10 times in our 15 minute consultation, and offered nothing else at all. I have since changed practices and though the advice is still the same, the fact that my GP actually listens to me and has offered several suggestions on ways to change it up and just generally been more supportive makes it sound that much less preachy and patronising.

wonderwoman234

I think you should see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. It may be emotional or coupled with addiction/OCD genetics. It is not normal or healthy to eat this way and it sounds out of control in the same way addictions can get. Getting online advice is all well and good, but you really need a professional from the sounds of it.

Good luck!