need help? MFP settings causing me to binge...

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Replies

  • slimlifter
    slimlifter Posts: 61 Member
    Not sure what would make someone think they qualify to advise someone an exact number of cals they should be eating without first knowing the information required to determine BMR (properly, not on a dodgy online Calc)
  • ThePersnicketyOtter
    ThePersnicketyOtter Posts: 147 Member
    I can't really offer much but I can tell you, don't try to go to bed hungry. Find a food that fills you up and save the calories for it, that should be the last thing you eat, right before bed. (Maybe not the best *weight loss* goal but a good way to control late-night "screw this diet crap, I'm hungry" binges when you can't sleep.

    I wish you the best. :)

    Edited to add...1200 a day is enough for some people and is not enough for others. You have to listen to your body when you're changing your calorie intake. BED implies you've been eating way more cals a day than you should have been--maybe best to start slow and take off maybe 100-200 at a time until you reach something that is uncomfortable, and then slow the pace of lowering calories a day until it's your goal amount--whether that's what MFP says, or just what you think you should have.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    I THINK I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM... :[ JUST DONT GIVE UP! WE CAN DO THIS!!
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  • chanson104
    chanson104 Posts: 859
    Maybe eat something high protein just before bed to help sustain your blood sugar through the night like a boiled egg. Low calories, cheap, high protein.
  • FitMama2013
    FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
    You may have mentioned this already, but are you seeking counseling for your binge eating? You binge for emotional reasons, and a counselor can help you talk it out. Until you find healthier ways to deal with emotions, you will struggle on any amount of calories. I say this with 100% confidence, as I've been in counseling for nearly 2 years for food issues and am in a MUCH better place with it now.

    As for how much to eat - you've gotten some great advice here to eat at least your BMR and to incorporate exercise when possible. Even if you don't have a gym, you can purchase resistance bands or a small weight set for home.
  • relucas81
    relucas81 Posts: 76
    What emswanson said...

    Have you gone to see an eating disorder counselor? If you have BED, that will benefit you more than even the most well-intentioned diet advice.
  • knelson422
    knelson422 Posts: 308 Member
    I am reading a book to help me understand why I binge eat. It is called "Shrink Yourself", got it on Amazon. It has been very enlightening, as I have highlighted most of it saying, "THIS IS ME!!!" I have struggled for years with it, and am finally realizing that for me the eating issue is not just food, it is my way I soothe and fill myself with sweetness because I am craving something else. Working on how to feel and handle my emotions rather than eat to avoid them. Good luck to you, it is a tough thing, but I really feel like there is hope for us.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Here's a great beginning bodyweight workout:

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

    I was just about to go grab this link...thanks...

    everyone should subscribe to the NerdFitness blog. read everything he says, knowledgeable AND inspirational.

    and...

    meet Staci...read the whole article, but most importantly...
    check out the pic at the end where she weighs 11 pounds MORE but looks WAY WAY better...that's what weights do for you, ladies...screw the number on the scale. Let it go UP if I can look like THAT!

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    Robin, your advice in this thread is some of the best I've seen. Good job!
  • GreyV
    GreyV Posts: 60
    I've been prone to binge eat and now I'm trying to lose weight and get my life back I just make sure I eat all the time. I split my calories evenly throughout the day. I always have raw veggies and fruit available to snack on. Try having a handful of nuts when you feel light headed as they will give you enough energy to sustain you. Feel free to add me and check out my food diary. Good luck x
  • kmumansky
    kmumansky Posts: 119
    First of all...I admire you desire to change your lifestyle and wanting to be healthy.

    Honestly? If I was in your situation, I'd go about this with the help of a Dr & Nutritionist...maybe a therapist as well. If you're really wanting to change your life & beat your eating disorder while trying to lose weight. That's A LOT to take on. I wouldn't be able to do it on my own, it takes A LOT of strength to try and overcome all those obstacles at one time. MFP is really great for support...but EVERYONE has a different opinion on which is the right way, and that can be really confusing to people, and cause a lot of stress when what works for one person, doesn't work for you. It's about getting to know your body and that takes trial and error.

    All that said...if you're starving...then you need to eat more. Esp if you're talking about feeling faint. Feeling like you're starving is not going to help your bingeing at all, it will probably just make it worse because no one can hold out very long feeling the way you are describing. I find that fruit is very filling for few calories & the natural sugars will help with the faint feeling. I love melon of any type this kind of year. I'll eat 2-3 cups of it a day sometimes haha.
  • Karannia
    Karannia Posts: 1 Member
    Hi there,

    I am cheering you on and hoping things will work out for ya :) I know it is a battle but in the end it will be worth it.!

    I do strongly encourage you if possible (I don't know if you have insurance) to meet with a good dietitian to help guide you onto the right path as they can also give excellent suggestions on how to get yourself feeling fuller and what is the appropriate calorie range for you along with recipes, proper shopping etc. I do also support the suggestion of a counselor as binge eating is emotional and habitual as well.
  • IrishHarpy1
    IrishHarpy1 Posts: 399 Member
    I have skin issues as well -- rosacea, which is essentially a painful form of acne. Since I started working out (and yes, sweating a LOT!!), I have found that it has actually *improved.*

    Here are a few tips for you:
    * Drink LOTS of water to help keep you hydrated.
    * Make sure your face is clear of any products before you start to work out.
    * Keep a clean towel nearby to *blot* the sweat from your face -- don't wipe, because that can irritate your skin.
    * After working out, use a good simple cleanser (Cetaphil is the BEST) and wash your face with lukewarm water.
    * Follow up with a good moisturizer

    I used to cling to my rosacea as an excuse to not work out -- had I known that regular exercise would actually make my skin BETTER, I might have started a lot sooner!

    Best of luck! :flowerforyou:
  • zealousmissjj_wechange
    zealousmissjj_wechange Posts: 445
    I don't think you have any clue what you're talking about
    Ok then stop making excuse to what other people are telling you.
    It sounds like you are asking for permission to eat more. Others have given you that permission! Heck I do too, as I certainly don't restrict my eating to 1200 calories either. I just pointed out that you will not starve to death on 1200 calories a day. This is true. Don't want to eat only 1200? Then increase to 1400. Which you did. So what is the problem? You want to eat more than that? Then do so! But if you want to lose weight, you'll have to account for a deficit.

    I feel like I have to stick up for Supplemama. What she says is correct. You are not STARVING at 1200 tot 1400 calories a day. She means it in a clinical way. However, it is meant for a relatively short period of time, not for forever. Of course you can FEEL as if you're starving. I did too the first couple of weeks! Of course before I started MFP, I ate at McDonalds 3-4 times a week and after luch I ate a whole box of donuts ;).

    Eat when you're hungry and most of all dont go to bed feeling hungry. But also learn to tell the difference from your mind telling you it's hungry and your actual body telling you it's hungry (that's a tricky part, I confess!).

    Always make sure you have some guilt-free snacks around the house (I keep homemade frozen yoghurt or greek yoghurt with honey at hand) so you can settle your hunger. Let your body adjust to the new situation!

    Good luck hun!
  • PaveGurl
    PaveGurl Posts: 244 Member
    There's a LOT of really good info here already, so I'll just chime into second: eat more quality protein and veggies,don't be afraid of fat (quality fats like nuts, avocados, and non-bean-related oils- I like coconut oil a LOT - will help you have more energy AND help you feel full), and NerdFitness ROCKS.


    If you can't get to a gym, go to a playground. If you can't go to a playground, do stuff at home whilst watching T.V. Squats, push-ups, lunges, planks - they are all incredible for all-over training. Most libraries have DVDs you can check out, too, if you want to mix it up - and then you can kick in some yoga, Zumba, ballet, Jillian Michaels (if you can stand her), and whatever else you want to keep it mixed it up (I get bored).

    I can't tell from your profile how long you've been on the site, but I can only see two days of diary, which makes me want to caution you against making a decision just yet. It takes a while for your body to acclimate to changes like this; it won't happen over night. I can't even see where you had the binge you refer to.

    Take it easy no yourself - you're making an effort, and that's important. I would strongly suggest that if you know you have a difficult relationship with food, please do seek counselling. Food is such a tough addiction, because it's not like drinking or drugs - you can't just stop eating. So getting a handle on the relationship is super important. Please give it some thought.
  • curtnrod
    curtnrod Posts: 223 Member
    Eating Disorders are not just about food and weight. They are an attempt to use food intake and weight control to manage emotional conflicts that actually have little or nothing to do with food or weight.

    People with eating disorders are struggling with a number of emotional problems. This may be a hard concept to accept. Many people with eating disorders appear to be functioning at a high level, such as enjoying success with school or work. Often, the only problem appears to be with eating. However, healthier eating habits or stronger willpower are not the missing ingredients that will make the problem disappear. An eating disorder is an external attempt to solve inner turmoil.

    During binges, compulsive overeaters may consume excessive amounts of food calories daily, resulting in a temporary release from psychological stress through an addictive high not unlike that experienced through drug abuse.

    Researchers have speculated there is an abnormality of endorphin metabolism in the brain of binge eaters that triggers the addictive process. This is in line with other theories of addiction that attribute it not to avoidance of withdrawal symptoms, but to a primary problem in the reward centers of the brain. For the Compulsive Overeater, the ingestion of trigger foods causes release of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. This could be another sign of neurobiological factors contributing to the addictive process. Abstinence from addictive food and food eating processes causes withdrawal symptoms in those with eating disorders.

    You may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms from your BED. You really need to seek professional help in addition to your MFP program.
  • mom2handh1975
    mom2handh1975 Posts: 224 Member
    Here's a great beginning bodyweight workout:

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

    I was just about to go grab this link...thanks...

    everyone should subscribe to the NerdFitness blog. read everything he says, knowledgeable AND inspirational.

    and...

    meet Staci...read the whole article, but most importantly...
    check out the pic at the end where she weighs 11 pounds MORE but looks WAY WAY better...that's what weights do for you, ladies...screw the number on the scale. Let it go UP if I can look like THAT!

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/

    I just read that blog. Wow! I think I need to research gyms (I think we might have 2, so it shouldn't take too long) and get my booty into one! Wow!

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