Stopping the Binge Cycle

daisydieter

My two days that included binging (my historically toughest challenge) did come with a price. The Mardi Gras King cake was one thing on Tuesday... but on Wednesday was nearly a bottle of wine, fried shrimp, 3 giant piece of pizza, who knows how many servings of cheetos and girl scout cookies. Took nearly 3 days to show up, but there that pound was this morning. It won't last long

I'm not discounting that I did reverse the trend yesterday. In fact, I did the blown off Wednesday evening's workout during Thursday lunch... then my usual Thursday evening work out.

What I'm looking for help is not binging at all... and if I do binge one meal.... stopping it continuing. Like I said, this seems to be historic downfall.

This advice would help for Sunday. Not one, but two parties. Sunday 1-5 is a group of friends who are passionate "foodies"... we get together once a month to make elaborate gourmet meals around a particular theme. Goal is to stretch your chef skills and impress each other. Oh. And to socialize. The menu so far is a glutton's dream. I'm bringing something that a full serving is in my calorie range... but then there is all that other food...

Then that evening, another friend is hostessing joint Oscar and Birthday party. Spaghetti Carbonara is the main course... and obviously there will be birthday cake. She loves cooking too so I know there will be plenty of other tasty (and high calorie dishes).

I know that even if I knew all the calorie counts of the dishes served, no way I could stick to 1200-1500 calories. But I'd like to to not go OVER what I need calorie wise to maintain my current weight (i.e. gain weight). Even more importantly, come the days following, I don't want to continue the binge cycle a bang.

One strategy that I can think of is to stick to just ONE cocktail at each event as that does greatly influence just how much I eat. Would it be weird to bring my 32 oz water bottle to keep in my hand and keep sipping?

Any other advice appreciated!

o_delaisse

If it was me, firstly, I wouldn't drink alcohol, simply because I know what *I* would get like. I'd have one, then maybe one more, then I'd be all chilled out and "Meh, I'll eat what I want and fix it next week".

But, best advice I can give from someone who has had massive problems in past with binging: remember YOU are in charge of what you eat. You've made clear you don't want to binge, so don't binge. I know it's not going to be possible to weigh out food and get good estimate on cals, but on other hand you more than likely do know what a portion size looks like (I never used to until I started weighing food). So have roughly what you think is a portion size.

You are in control? That little voice saying, "have another slice of cake, it'll be ok" isn't you. You don't want the other slice of cake so don't have it. Don't want the entire bowl of pasta? Don't have it. Eat what *you* want to eat, don't eat what the binge monster wants you to eat.

I know your struggle, I've been there and I'm managing much better at the moment (don't want to curse it and say I've licked the problem, but on other hand don't want to curse it by acting like I haven't!).

Just keep calm and own yourself.

Good luck

weight2go

If you know your going to eat more then excerise more. Thats what I do. I get together with Friends on Sat. night so I try to burn more caleries during the day. Instead of beer I drink Vodka and either light or sugar free kool aid. Yeah my friends laugh at me but they are not 50+ pounds overweight. I dont have a problem when Im out, my problem binge is when I am home at night. Good Luck!

ShaSimone

I like the idea about sipping water as much as you can during the parties. Maybe a glass of ice water and a straw will be less obvious than your water bottle .
One thing that helps me get back from a binge is getting over the guilt of being good or bad. I'm not bad, I made a choice to have (fill the blank) and it tasted great, now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

A workout before the parties will help you have energy and give you some extra calories to work with (obvious) Maybe don't hang around the food table and conversate...mingle more than you munch. If you are munching make it veggies if at all possible. Two days in a row are going to be tough but don't beat yourself up if you overindulge one time or both times. One weekend, one day, one meal cannot derail all you have accomplished, or keep you from reaching your goals.

Oh!! SMALL PLATES!! Always helps with portions to eat off small plates. Looks like you have lots of food, and eat slowly.

lawkat

Is it possible to not eat anything at the party at night? I would think you should still be full from eating all day. I am sure if you told them that you had a gourmet food thing earlier in the day, they would understand if you didn't eat anything. Also, I would refrain from drinking since it seems you can't just have one. I wouldn't bring a water bottle, but just ask for a glass of water. If you do get a little hungry, try to eat some veggies and other low calorie foods.

Are you able to work out before all of these events? That will certainly help when it comes to the amount of calories in vs. out.

As for binging, what brings it on? Are you stressed, bored, upset, angry, happy? Is there a reason why you would eat so much? Is it trying to bring some kind of comfort that you aren't acknowledging? Emotional eating is tough and most people don't realize that they eat what and how much they do because they are trying to fill some kind of emotional void. There are a ton of books out there that talk about this. You might want to look into it and see if that is the core reason for your binging.

Mummsy

I think too that focusing on one thing at a time may help you from feeling overwhelmed. For example, have a water only rule. So you only are allowed to drink water and fill up on that. Maybe having a ton of water on board will help you feel full and from wanting to binge. I know how hard it is. You CAN do it. If you go overboard just tell yourself it ends NOW and you just get right back on plan.

Nuriyan

I realized what was at the root of my binging habits and why I was doing it. Once I knew that, I quit. I just flatout didn't do it anymore.

seekingstrengthX2

Take control!
Your parties are excuses for you to behave badly.
OF course it's fine to bring your water.. AND it's fine to NOT drink. This isn't high school. People who care about you know you are trying to change your life and should be supportive of that. It IS possible to not go over your calories. Sample everything, a little taste here and there. Don't take a full portion of anything. If this is important to you, you have to be willing to sacrifice. Release your inner power!!!!!

blv0267

If you allow yourself a cheat day, use the monthly gourmet dinner party as your cheat day. In the little time I've been on MFP, I've learned to exercise more if I suspect I will be eating a meal that will put me over my daily allowance. I think the suggestion of sipping water throughout the night and steering clear of alcohol if you can is a good one. I would also try to nibble...if there was something I really wanted to taste that just looked so fabulous - I would taste it...but a super small amount to satisfy that urge.

daisydieter

Processing the advice thus far. And very grateful for it. Thank you.