Support for binges

dragonbug300

I'm a college student. Home for spring break, with no mode of transportation. Whenever I come home I always overeat an insane amount. We're talking more than should fit into a human's stomach. In college I just keep the fridge empty or filled with non-binge items to avoid overeating, but I don't have that option with my family around.

I'm trying to think of ways to change my mindset so that I don't pig out every time I pass the kitchen. I've only been home 24 hours and already eaten about 1000 cals over.

Any advice from the community? Clever slogans? Perspective-altering ideas? Relating stories? It's all welcome.

kioga86

One of the best things I did to stop my binges was to log everything that I was going to eat BEFORE it went in to my mouth. It really made me think about what I was putting in to my body when I forced myself to look at the numbers first.

jenbusick

I tend to snack all day long, myself. I don't consider it "binge" eating, more of a bad habit of inattention, but it can really add up. Committing to record EVERYTHING in the food journal cut down on it simply because recording everything, even with the phone app and the barcode scanner, is a hassle. You have to pay attention to serving sizes and all that stuff.

So, just committing to log everything made eating mindlessly enough of a hassle for me to make a big difference. Just tell yourself, "I can eat anything I want, anytime I want, just so long as I put it in my food journal" and I guarantee you'll eat less just so you don't have to log it.

ashahl

I have problems with that as well. It sucks.
- For me distraction works the best, get yourself involved in doing something away from the kitchen (like going for a walk) and you'll probably forget that you wanted to binge if not your away from the kitchen
- Really listen to your body. Ask yourself if you’re hungry and wait 20 minutes before you take action to eat something. If your still hungry after the 20 minutes you can consciously choose to eat something healthier or a lay out a single portion of the binge food and pack the rest away!
- Talk to your family about the issue that way you are accountable to someone other than yourself
- Try writing about the feelings and maybe it can help you figure out why you want to binge
- Try not to put yourself in any stressful situations because it could lead to binge behavior

I hope you find something that works!!!!

ej_xo

I'm actually in the midst of attending an extensive 20-week Psychological Education class revolved around Eating Disorders and proper nutrition. Binges are a main topic, and from what I've learned so far:

- Binges tend to be related to emotions.
- A lot of people binge to "fill a void"...and sometimes that VOID lies deep within our past issues/difficulties.

Perhaps coming home triggers some psychological stresses for you?
If the problem persists you may want to consider confiding in a counselor or seeking further mental diagnosis.
It's important to keep an eye on yourself, sometimes these sorts of things can transform into BED (Binge Eating Disorder)

I know how you feel, it definitely happens to the best of us. Good luck Darling! Stay strong!

navvs15

Or you could eat the foods you wanted in moderation, instead of waiting until you get home -- finding it there waiting for you. It's hard forming habits, but if you let yourself enjoy your snack foods and learned to eat the portion sizes, I don't think you'd find yourself binging when you're surrounded by the foods you enjoy.

This is of course easier said than done, but I've learned to do it -- so it's possible! If you'd take Kioga's suggestion and log the food in before you eat it, it would definately give you a better idea of what you're actually eating.