Question about "zombie binging"

NCmcMan

Hello. I recently joined this site. I am entering EVERYTHING that I eat here and posting it openly for everyone to see so that I can have some sort of accountability. I have a binge eating problem. In fact, it's so bad it's brought me up to 500 lbs, and I just really really want to figure out something here. I obsess about loosing weight just as much or more as I do binge eating. I am hoping some of you can give me some good tips on what I can do when these feelings come about. I basically have stepped back and taken a good look at myself and I feel that the binge eating happens when I get anxious, depressed and angry. Usually since I am always feeling one or more of those emotions, I binge eat quite a bit. I am 32 now, and have been over 400 since I was 21. I really really need to get this under control. Please help! Thank You for taking the time to listen to me.

Josh

FungusTrooper

Welcome to the site, hope it helps!

How do you binge eat? Do you eat what's in the house, or do you go out to a restaurant? Do you go and buy food just to binge eat it?

I find personally, I am a lot more likely to eat bad food if I have it sitting around the house. I even eat when bored if I have cookies and things! However, I am thankfully too lazy to go to the store or get ready and go out just to eat.

My fiancee, however, has no such problem, and will happily go out to a restaurant and eat bad food just because she is bored! It changes person to person, and understanding exactly when/how/why you do it will help you in the long run.

dfborders

I like to binge eat also. I have not gotten it under control other than for short spurts of time. I do try to keep healthier foods in the house that are full of fiber and/or protein. Instead of potatoe chips I will eat Pita chips, instead of chocolate I will have Snackwells or Special K dark chocolate cereal. Once I eat a bit then I go for a walk or get out of the house. I won't drive to a store because Drive Thru's are too tempting. Try to figure out the foods that you absolutely can't stop eating even once you know you are full and don't keep them in the house. Good Luck!!

MissMaryMac33

This site is a great motivator...especially if you are truly honest with yourself and what you're eating.
I found a lot of "hidden" calories I didn't realize I was even eating... for instance, I LOVE coffee and fancy flavored creamer and had no idea I could easily drink 300-400 calories a day just on coffee.

When you wrote "zombie binging" ... I was curious if you were a night eater. I find that's the hardest time for me ... in fact I can wake up in the middle of the night and eat and go back to sleep. Now I try to leave extra calories to account for it...

Your journal will be eye opening and then you can see where you can make changes --- you can do it! Just picture the eyes bulging when they see you on your motorcycle because of how great you look!!

arwensb

There is a thread in the Motivation and Support forum for those of us suffering from Binge-Eating-Disorder. Feel free to join us over there if you feel that it would help! We support each other as we all try to overcome our disorder and free ourselves from the compulsion to binge eat.

((Hugs)) and WTG on joining this site and starting your journey!

DestinyDarbi

Personally... I stock my house full of food I get tired of eating easily. Like... carrots. I like them.. but I can't just eat and eat and eat them! I avoid buying chips or anything that I can eat without cooking first, like noodles, chicken breast...

That's what works for me. If it's in the house, I'll eat it. So, buy a lot of healthier options. At least that way, if you do binge, it's still better on your body!

Best of luck to ya!

blpope

I snack, snack, snack when I'm stressed, upset, angry, bored..especially at night when everyone is asleep and they can't judge me Just take it one day at a time and take it slow. The thing I crazy binge on is Doritos. I started by substituting them with things like Baked Lays and Pretzels and I've progressed and now when I feel like snacking, sometimes I'll have yogurt or Laughing Cow cheese. It's tough. I'll think about Doritos all week, maybe promise myself some for the weekend--and then I feel like total crap when I eat the entire bag! Sometimes I'll resist the cravings and literally fight them until the moment I fall asleep. Again, just take it one day at a time and don't totally eliminate your ABSOLUTE favorite foods. For instance, I know to stay clear of the big bags of Doritos, but once in awhile I'll grab a little bag. But I would be miserable if I told myself I could never eat Doritos again.

Good luck!

bloodbank

I'm also a binge eater, and have struggled with it for most of my life. For me, I simply cannot have my trigger foods around, or certain combinations of foods. There really is no moderation for me. I can't have "just a cupcake" or "just a sandwich" or "just a few cookies" or (insert several other things here). I hope some day I'll have it figured out, but for now it's all off limits. If I crack out and decide to binge on the strictly whole foods kept in the house now... well, while mentally it's still a sh!tty game to play, at least I haven't destroyed my weight loss. And like one of the above posters mentioned, for me, binging on carrots or something similar just doesn't have the same payoff, so it doesn't really happen.

Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you.

hill2302

I've never been a bninge eater, so I don't really know what you go through when the feeling strikes. I did cath the part of your post though about WHEN it hits you. It's probably more difficult than stopping the binge eating, but addressing your anxiety and depression would go a long way towards your mental and physical health. If you can work with someone to figure out how to manage your life so you avoid anxiety and depression, then maybe the binge feelings won't hit so hard.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck with your journey. Stick to it, even in the darkest of times. You know you are worth it.

jah7700

It took me a while to find my triggers, but when they would hit I would eat. Mainly for me I would do good all day but as soon as I hit the door if dinner wasn't on the table I would start snacking and eating whatever was available. Weekends were hard as I was off my routine.

Look for something specific, I dropped out of my dart league for at least a couple seasons because I found it was to tempting to grab a bite and a few beers at the bar. While I still go out every now and then it's not a weekly occurrence that was significantly impacting my weight loss.

Little things can make a big difference... If you find a trigger, try to replace eating with something else or at least something less caloric.

Good luck!

arwensb

It took me a while to find my triggers, but when they would hit I would eat. Mainly for me I would do good all day but as soon as I hit the door if dinner wasn't on the table I would start snacking and eating whatever was available. Weekends were hard as I was off my routine.

Sort of hijacking - but this caught my eye.
I had a huge problem with starting to snack as soon as I walked in the door. What helped me was scheduling in a high protein but small snack right before I leave work for the afternoon (or even in the car on the way home). That has helped keep me from immediately diving into the cupboard before dinner is ready.

jah7700

Sort of hijacking - but this caught my eye.
I had a huge problem with starting to snack as soon as I walked in the door. What helped me was scheduling in a high protein but small snack right before I leave work for the afternoon (or even in the car on the way home). That has helped keep me from immediately diving into the cupboard before dinner is ready.

I've tried that before, but it was a Diet Dr Pepper as I headed to the car... It worked, I just fell out of the habit. Might start stashing some hard boiled eggs in the fridge and grab one before I head home.