Extreme binging... need advice

Summerfit321

I've been AWOL for a while. Things got really stressfull, as they say, life got in the way... Short summery is that I've been struggling with binge eating since June, but through extreme restriction some days and overexercising on others I was able to keep the actual weight gain low. I decided this last month just to focus on no more bingeing, without restriction or overexercising, but couldn't do it.

I have gained almost 18 pounds in two months (12 kg) and I am 5 foot 2 inches. I hadn't weighed myself for a few weeks, but I was just in denial.

I feel a bit desperate. Somehow nothing seems real right now. Any advice for today and the next days? How do I deal with such a set back?

Dennis4766

Would agree with strategy to stop dieting, stop weighing, stop restricting. IMO, the binging starts out as the bodies response to dieting, but then becomes habitual. Even once all dieting / weighing / restricting activities are stopped, it still takes time to break the habit.

To break the habit: you need to recognize the urge to binge, and than consciously overrule that urge. The more times you overrule the urge, the weaker the habit becomes.

Once the habit is broken, than I would recommend working on the weight. But to me, the binge was far worst than 10-15 extra pounds. The binge brings horrendous shame and regret. The weight, we can address anytime later.

girlviernes

It sounds like you've stopped the extreme restricting and overexercising which is a huge step forward! That is integral to stopping binge eating. I would also suggest if you aren't already doing so making an eating plan where you are eating every 3-4 hours so you don't get overly hungry and making sure to eat enough food (which would be 3 meals that are full plates) plus some snacks such as fruits, nuts. You want to make sure you have a good amount of protein at your meals as well.

When you have that foundation stopping bingeing is so much easier, but like Dennis said it is also learning to break the habit. A lot of it can be emotional so finding ways to cope with the emotions is important. Try out different coping skills like journaling, meditating, going for a walk, distracting, talking with a friend, yoga, etc. Even just putting off the binge by a few minutes can be helpful.

Summerfit321

Would agree with strategy to stop dieting, stop weighing, stop restricting. IMO, the binging starts out as the bodies response to dieting, but then becomes habitual. Even once all dieting / weighing / restricting activities are stopped, it still takes time to break the habit.

To break the habit: you need to recognize the urge to binge, and than consciously overrule that urge. The more times you overrule the urge, the weaker the habit becomes.

Once the habit is broken, than I would recommend working on the weight. But to me, the binge was far worst than 10-15 extra pounds. The binge brings horrendous shame and regret. The weight, we can address anytime later.

I know. Thanks for the advice and support. Weight can be gained and lost any time, but if I don't break the habit, I'm just stuck in a futile cycle. I don't ever want to blame others for my issues, but there's no-one who seems to understand me at all. I talk to family, but am too embarrassed to talk to friends about this. Now having to let go of binging scares me so much: it's like someone is saying that that one friend who is always there, no matter what, is leaving right now. I want so badly to be binge-free, and live like normal people.
Today is a new day though, so yeah, trying from today. And I will weigh myself though, because otherwise I tend to get into denial too quickly.

Summerfit321

It sounds like you've stopped the extreme restricting and overexercising which is a huge step forward! That is integral to stopping binge eating. I would also suggest if you aren't already doing so making an eating plan where you are eating every 3-4 hours so you don't get overly hungry and making sure to eat enough food (which would be 3 meals that are full plates) plus some snacks such as fruits, nuts. You want to make sure you have a good amount of protein at your meals as well.

When you have that foundation stopping bingeing is so much easier, but like Dennis said it is also learning to break the habit. A lot of it can be emotional so finding ways to cope with the emotions is important. Try out different coping skills like journaling, meditating, going for a walk, distracting, talking with a friend, yoga, etc. Even just putting off the binge by a few minutes can be helpful.

Thanks for the advice. Yes indeed: it's breaking the cycle. I feel like food is my addiction, and I no-longer get pleasure from eating normal amounts. Restricting brings me a high because I think "yeah, I'm losing weight again", but that high never lasts too long, and then bingeing now seems to be my normal eating pattern... It is when my mind feels most comfortable.

I need to start planning. Maybe I should right out a diet plan for an entire week and stick to that. Maybe I should change my eating hours. I usually finish work quite late, and sometimes I'm too tired to cook and eat right away. I tend to night eat. Maybe I should change am this.

Dennis4766

4 books I recommend that helped me greatly...

1. 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder
2. Brain over Binge - Kathryn Hansen
3. Ditching Diets - Gillian Riley
4. The Rules of Normal Eating - Karen R. Koenig

I downloaded Brain over Binge and Ditching Diets from Amazon to my wifes Kindle and had them read in 24 hours. These books reinforced what my counselor & doctors were already telling me.

Important to keep in mind - stay positive, be good to yourself, and remember that each step forward is progress.

Summerfit321

4 books I recommend that helped me greatly...

1. 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder
2. Brain over Binge - Kathryn Hansen
3. Ditching Diets - Gillian Riley
4. The Rules of Normal Eating - Karen R. Koenig

I downloaded Brain over Binge and Ditching Diets from Amazon to my wifes Kindle and had them read in 24 hours. These books reinforced what my counselor & doctors were already telling me.

Important to keep in mind - stay positive, be good to yourself, and remember that each step forward is progress.

Thanks for the advice I am going to do my best to acquire at least one of those books. For now, I'm glad to say that I'm out of the binging slump for now, and haven't binged for three days.
I feel better: I'm looking up as much as I can, writing a personal diery, not logging or overeercising and am going to see a psychologist next month.