Tips to Stop binge eating?

PaperThinLips

I keep on binge eating at work and when I'm tired or bored.
What should I do?

meriendatime

Bring healthy snacks with you so and eat it when you're feeling a bit hungry. Gum, water and green tea.

nonosedebb

Chew gum, drink water, a few raw almonds. I eat air popped popcorn and put a couple of olive oil pam spray then sprinkle with a small amount of garlic salt. Very low calories but satisfying.

therealangd

Eat healthy snacks.

Cal28

I wish I knew! I'm such a boredom eater too.
Take some healthier snacks? If you do want 'junk' I found a mini bag of Cadbury buttons is quite good, 99kcal and can space them over an afternoon.

Hoping to steal some better suggestions that I'm sure will come.

Nt2Badhuh

I am having issues with this too.

Something that has been working for me is thinking about the half ton lady I saw on discovery channel. I know that sounds stupid but I think about her and Im like how did that happen then I think about what im doing and how i got to the point im at and that usually scares me back into my calorie goal.


but I want tips too... Sometimes the half ton lady doesnt do the trick...


or try to fill my day with more when I feel like eating just to be eating...ill text someone and start a conversation or ask if someone wants to go somewhere

bmmadden

Just some of my ideas to get over the binge eating habits: Try doing things with your hands when tired or bored puzzles, word search puzzles , a hobby that involves keeping your hands busy.....as far as something that helps me is I chew sugarfree gum comes in many different flavors so If you like a minty taste or prefer a more fruity taste really curbs my cravings when I shouldnt be hungry but am thinking about food and as long as you can chew it at work. Also brushing teeth randomly helps too if you cant get your mind off food and if your bored at home go for a workout instead of the kitchen

superbeffie

A handful of frozen grapes, a sugar free fudgesicle or a homemade smoothie (frozen fruit, ice and a spoonful of yogurt or skim milk) They are all low calorie options that are satisfying and filling.
If you overeat grapes for instance it's only 120 calories for 2 cups. That's a LOT of grapes. Chug some water and eat these sweet things and it'll make you feel better.

becoming_a_new_me

I have found to release the boredom that leads me to binging, there are several things that work

1. get up and get moving. Sometimes this is hard, especially at work, but if you can get away from your desk for 5 minutes, go to the bathroom, etc. At home, get up and go outside for a few minutes, play with a pet, vacuum the floor...being active will make you forget what you were focusing on (that caused the head hunger to begin with)

2. Call a friend, make conversation or arrange to get together for a walk or something. The conversation will take your mind off it.

3. Drink some water and chew some gum. It will help to have something in your mouth

4. Eat some air-popped popcorn or snack on some healthy alternatives such as veggies.

taraatwood

you probably aren't eating enough and not often enough. try eating 200 cal meals every 2 hours.

jillica

I've been there and those days suck! Don't beat yourself up too much - you are making great progress.

Easier said than done - but try NOT to get bored. Make yourself a list of things to do and put it on your fridge or pantry. When you start to go down the binge road, maybe that list will help distract you.

Also, are you maybe depriving yourself of something? WARNING: This advice may get me in trouble: Like if you are really craving pototo chips, but you are resisting so you eat everything else to avoid those potato chips. When if you would have given in and allowed yourself to eat just 1/2 a serving, you would have been satisfied and ate alot less calories with that mini-serving of an unhealthy snack than the 6 servings of a healthier snack. That can be a tricky one.

Good Luck!

AdAstra47

Choose snacks with protein. Protein takes longer to digest and burns slowly when it does. It will keep you satisfied for longer. Hard-boiled eggs, beef jerky, cheese sticks, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, grilled chicken strips, things like that.

ladytinkerbell99

I have that habit as well. When I am not at work - what I do is sit ups. I know that sounds strange. For some reason, for ME - they seem to lower my desire to eat. Also, when I am finished, I no longer am hungry.
Also, going for a walk does it.

I have tried everything. Water, tea, gum, everything. I still want to eat. But for me....sit-ups and walking works.

~Marcy

jmp1031

i agree with all these, especially the gum and brushing your teeth! when i had a desk job i was a snacker too. i liked to use my apple cutter from pampered chef that cuts them into 10 pieces- you feel like you're eating a lot going back for slice after slice throughout the day, but you're only eating one apple! same with bringing a bunch of baby carrots, quantity for little calories. i'd also make up my own trail mix with dried fruits and nuts, measure it out in little baggies and take time eating it one piece at a time instead of throwing back a handful. and lots of water always helps. good luck!

noneya2010

For me, I have to really limit my carbohydrates - particularly refined (breads, junk food, etc.) Also, make a deal with yourself to commit to going so many days (identify this as 7 days, etc.) of not binge eating. Once you reach that milestone, make a new comittmnt to yourself to go X more number of days. I have found by limiting my carbs, I dont have the cravings. Also, I "treat" myself to something healthy I really love every evening -- almond butter. Recommended by my dr., it tastes like a wonderful peanut butter but is very healthy. My dr. actually recomended I eat it daily for the benefits.

Good luck - I have fought binging my entire life as far as I remember. It's tough, very tough.

ashimon

Heat up some water, throw in a bullion cube of your choice. High in sodium, but 0 calories and filling.

Salad is another option 2 cups is 15 calories add in some low calorie dressing for extra flavor.

Finally if you feel you need something more filling, go buy a bag of apples and eat a few, within 300-400 calories you'll be full.

You can still binge eat, just eat healthy when you do.

Good luck.

PlunderBunneh

Water, raw veggies, and gum.

shellimus

I have issues with this too. What seems to help is having a protein and a carb as a snack, like an apple and some cheese or fage greek yogurt with fruit, or some nuts and an orange.

abax5755

I have always had one rule about my dieting... If I crave something.... I EAT IT. of course in small doses! If I crave chocolate, I will eat a piecce of organic dark chocolate thats better for me. Every peace I eat after that, I make myself go up 3 flights of stairs, or do 50 crunches, to make over eating out of boredom NOT worth the extra calories . I also used to do the frozen grapes as another person recommended, and preportioning my meals rather than bringing the box of crackers/chips into my living room. I portion everything and then exit the kitchen to eat.

lyddsmom

Take a break and go to maintenance for a week or two. Dieting is sometimes harder for your mind than your body. I have chosen to give up dieting period because I found I could not keep it up longer than three months at a time. I exercise every day and eat whatever I want until I am full. I have found that since I do not restrict myself from any food in particular, I am never tempted to binge. I actually choose to eat healthy for the most part. It has taken some practice to do this but I have managed to continue to still lose weight, albeit slowly. I don't care though. I could not take one more minute on a diet. I'm so close to my goal weight anyway. What is another few months tacked on the end if I'm much more satisfied with myself. Good luck and I hope you find what works for you!

LosingLizard

I keep on binge eating at work and when I'm tired or bored.
What should I do?

What do you binge on?

For me, I have found that cutting out sugars and starches has helped. I had a rough week, craving every single day, but I fought it, promising myself if I made it the week, I could have one weekend day to go hog wild. Well, when I woke up on Saturday, I didn't feel like going hog wild anymore.

I eat lots of fruits and veggies, so I'm not eliminating carbs, but I've cut out the bread, rice, potatoes, and other starchy snacks that used to be my staples.

See if that helps you - whatever it is you use to binge, promise yourself one day per week if you make it six full days without a binge and see if the urge is still there by day 7. If it is, have that day, then make that your schedule - six on, one off. (Which is actually not a bad weight loss technique anyway - keeps the metabolism from getting used to lower cals by shaking up the routine a bit.) But if the urge is gone, great! You've beaten the binge monster for that week. Try it again for the next week.

downtome

I am having issues with this too.

Something that has been working for me is thinking about the half ton lady I saw on discovery channel. I know that sounds stupid but I think about her and Im like how did that happen then I think about what im doing and how i got to the point im at and that usually scares me back into my calorie goal.


but I want tips too... Sometimes the half ton lady doesnt do the trick...


or try to fill my day with more when I feel like eating just to be eating...ill text someone and start a conversation or ask if someone wants to go somewhere

I hear ya! When I see overweight people in the stores while shopping, I remember back to when that was me only a short year ago, and it definitely keeps me motivated to keep at it! It's been hard lately but I'm all in, and never giving up..Why? so I can be like I used to be, fat, miserable, ashamed and feeling depressed all the time?! Besides, I got rid of all my "fat clothes" and have bought many new thinner pieces, am I willing to give all that up?! Sure don't want to! I can't go back now, so would it be worth it to continue eating bad and feeling bad about yourself...No, of course not! It's ok to have a splurge every so often, but once you get on that path of over eating and self destruction again everyday, it gets harder and harder to keep going in the right direction. So please, never give up... I know how you feel. Diets are boring and so is exercise,so look at it more as a way of better health. Just keep in mind how much better you feel now and always ask yourself, "Is it worth it"???? hugs

downtome

I've been there and those days suck! Don't beat yourself up too much - you are making great progress.

Easier said than done - but try NOT to get bored. Make yourself a list of things to do and put it on your fridge or pantry. When you start to go down the binge road, maybe that list will help distract you.

Also, are you maybe depriving yourself of something? WARNING: This advice may get me in trouble: Like if you are really craving pototo chips, but you are resisting so you eat everything else to avoid those potato chips. When if you would have given in and allowed yourself to eat just 1/2 a serving, you would have been satisfied and ate alot less calories with that mini-serving of an unhealthy snack than the 6 servings of a healthier snack. That can be a tricky one.

Good Luck!
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Not gonna beat you up!...LOL...It's definitely true what you said. Somedays I want something so bad, and instead of just eating the thing I really wanted, I will eat everything else in site and I still feel empty and not satisfied! This is a life long journey, your bound to have good and bad days, good moments and bad moments. Just be smart, and keep continuing on, and never, never beat yourself up..only makes it worse and that much harder to continue on your healthy journey!

brittanyjeanxo

stop it.

jfluchere

how about focus on your WORK

Inebriated

Choose snacks with protein. Protein takes longer to digest and burns slowly when it does. It will keep you satisfied for longer. Hard-boiled eggs, beef jerky, cheese sticks, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, grilled chicken strips, things like that.

This.

becoming_a_new_me

how about focus on your WORK

If you have never had problems with binging then you can't understand how powerful the urge can be.

sheystar

i know how hard it is to control binge eating. i don't know how i've managed to stop myself from bingeing but i guess i just stopped depriving myself from the foods i love to eat before i lost weight. now i'll eat a square or two of chocolates, not a whole bar. i eat doritos, but i'd share it with a friend.

also, you'll keep on bingeing because it's a cycle: deprivation-bingeing-guilt-depression back to deprivation and the cycle goes on. so let's say you binged. the key is not to stress on it too much. instead, move on and log it in your food diary. see how that bar on your weekly graph goes red to remind yourself how it strays you away from your goal.

lastly, try your best to stuff your kitchen with healthy snacks. it's better to binge on fruits than on potato chips with the same amount of calories.

tmarie2715

At work can be hard, but you can do this! Make sure you pack a lunch and several healthy snacks. I like hummus and veggies, salsa and veggies, light tuna and celery, black beans or fat free refried beans, fat free cottage cheese, light yogurt, fruit. I try to keep snacks to about 300 calories per day, but that depends on your daily intake as well.

I also really stand by drinking to avoid binges. I drink coffee with Splenda and unsweetened almond milk, tea with Splenda, herbal tea, water.

I also think you should listen to what you want for a binge-- if you want cheese, have a slice of that or some hard grated cheese on whole grain crisps like Kavli. If you want sweets try a fruit and yogurt or some Fiber one brownie.

You can do this and you can beat a binge. GL!

echoica

you probably aren't eating enough and not often enough. try eating 200 cal meals every 2 hours.

^^ this

Natihilator

The distraction techniques are well and good but personally they usually don't work for me. I'd say eat small servings of protein AND (good)fat snacks to cull cravings and thoughts of bingeing - almonds, walnuts, a spoonful of peanut butter. Take a small amount, put the bag or jar away, remove yourself from where the food sources are and eat your snack.

Also try to chug a good amount of water. I just chugged half of my water bottle, and it made my stomach so full feeling that the thought of putting anything else in there made me feel uncomfortable and was the farthest thing from my mind