Depression and binge eating

Nuclear_Synthesis

So i put on 2lb this week. Not a happy bunny, but i suffer from depression and ive been really down this week, last 2 days i just gave up and wanted comfort food. I must have eaten about 3 peoples portions of pasta last night. =(
Anyone any ideas on how to combat this?

xraychick77

um..remember that we all fluctuate even on a daily basis..dont worry about 1 or 2 lbs here and there.
i mean seriously..i gain around 5 lbs during that TOM.

whitejessamine

I've always done the same thing. Just chuck the rules out the window when I get upset. For me, it was the realization that I was only cheating myself when I did that that gave me the strength to start fighting it. I mean, I may be chucking the rules out the window, but physics sure isn't, or biology, and my hips and belly show the proof. So I was only hurting myself trying to comfort myself with nutritional garbage. Once I realized that, I started fighting back. It was hard at first, but kept getting easier the more I did it--because it was so empowering to be in control of my food instead of the other way around. I REFUSE to let donuts tell me what to eat anymore! And so far it's working. One thing I do, though, is allow myself one guilt-free meal a week (meal, not day). I can eat as much of anything I want as I want, and I refuse to feel guilty about it. Last week it was salmon, asparagus, mashed potatoes, wine, and a really well-doctored ice cream scoop. The other day, it was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of wine. In exchange, to help counteract that, I spend one day a week eating only proteins (other than my daily dose of oat bran). It seems to work for me. It helps, when I have a craving, to be able to tell myself "wait till Friday night" instead of just saying "no."

seph_house

can you keep a list of "slightly less bad" binge foods in mind so that when you feel the need, you have somewhere to go?

- a huge bowl of popcorn you have popped yourself can be quite low in cals, i love tossing it in a mixed spices (the spicier end of the scale the better) instead of sugar or butter or salt which makes it even lower.
- i keep bags of separated/washed grapes and sliced banana in the freezer and 0% greek yogurt in the fridge, it's my go-to pudding that is nommy (to me anyway) and low cal. if i've had a low cal day, i can have a splodge of honey on top too but to be honest, i'm getting more and more into the habit of not bothering with the honey.

& good luck **hugs tightly if that is something you don't mind**. brain chemistry is an evil thing sometimes but i'm sure you will learn techniques to work with it.

Nuclear_Synthesis

The one guilt free meal a week thing seems a good idea, i had chinese last week and still lost weight & it helped my cravings, so i think i'll go for that to try and combat this. I'm cooking my man a meal thursday evening so i'll pop that on my calendar.
Popcorn with spice is also a fantastic idea!!! Totally stealing that. *adds to shopping list*

moushtie

Yeah, I have my binge cravings too. I keep yoghurt in the fridge and skinny cow ice creams in the freezer, and plenty of fruit. I simply don't buy food that I could binge on too easily, like biscuits or crisps or chocolate. I was fighting my bingeing earlier this year, by basically refusing to buy anything that I couldn't act "healthily" around. I wasn't tracking my cals then, I only had the mental energy to fight one battle, but I think that was the battle I needed to fight the most at the time.

Also, find ways to deal with your depression that aren't food based. Listen to music, take up a hobby, find something that can occupy you. Even go deal with the emotion, instead of feeding it. If you need to scream, go scream. If you need to let off steam, go punch a pillow.

Nuclear_Synthesis

I'd love to get rid of all the chocolate and crisps from the house, sadly i live with a 13 year old and my friend who's renting a room from us who's super skinny anyway and eats a load of crap. It's harder to deal with emotions related to depression as they arnt justified and dont really have much of a cause.

Jeneba

Feel your pain!!! I have PTSD & on "anniversary days," or Trigger times, all my rational thinking goes right out into outer space. All I know is that I really WISH this was just a matter of "willpower."

ReneeMichelleN

Oh hun, I can totally relate! I struggle with depression too and I use food to fill me. I am learning VERY SLOWLY to allow myself to FEEL those emotions rather than stuff them (WITH FOOD)... it's not fun... it's much easier to turn to food but in the long run I feel much better when I refrain. I have a few key support persons I go to when the monsters start creeping in... Are there some people you can turn to when you want to turn to food during those low times? Friend me and I would be more than happy to be there for you when I can be. Also remember, tomorrow is a new day... DON'T EVER GIVE UP ON YOURSELF! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! So what if you binge a day or two... remember the 5 days you were successful (just an example). Depression tends to focus on our failures when in fact we've had MANY MORE SUCCESSES!!! Another thing to do is love the image of the you you want to be AND WILL BE... BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF... you did not gain weight overnight, you will not lose weight overnight.... and no matter what... YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! Look at yourself in the mirror daily with fierce eyes and say to yourself OUTLOUD. I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. I AM ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH WHATEVER COMES MY WAY TODAY. I WILL ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS I HAVE SET OUT FOR MYSELF. IF FOR ANY REASON I SLIP UP I WILL QUICKLY RECOVER WITH OUT PUNISHMENT FOR I AM HUMAN AND ALLOWED MISTAKES. I WANT TO BE HEALTHY AND WILL TREAT MY BODY WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. I PLACE THIS (IMAGINARY) CROWN ON MY HEAD AND I WILL TREAT MYSELF AS THE PRINCESS (OR QUEEN YOU CHOOSE) I AM! You can add or take away whatever motivates you.... but it's important to have positive self talk and the more you do it the more you will believe it. TRUST ME! Love, peace and everything good to you gorgeous!