Weekly binge

brewwerks2

Last night I did my weekly binge. I can go 6 out 7 days tracking my food, making healthful choices and exercising. but there is one day each week that i binge. it is the day i usually take off from exercise, and my warped mind thinks it means celebration. i keep thinking every week i'm not going to do it, or have just a small celebration...such as one beer, or a piece of pie....but once i get started the evening ALWAYS ends up taking all or most of my calorie deficit away so I'm stuck with 3oz lost instead of a 1lb, or end up just holding steady. I know this is rambling, but I'm looking for advice on how to curb this urge for treating myself by over indulging. Any mantras, or tips that anyone can share? I seem to have absolutely no discipline.

TByrd1325

I was this way for a LONG time. I have cut it down to a monthly thing. I still try to control it, but at the end of month it always seems to happen. It's a really difficult habit to break and it's mostly going to be will power. You can always keep a toothbrush and toothpaste downstairs. Whenever you're done eating for the night, immediately brush your teeth, floss them and rinse with mouthwash. After all that mouth work, you don't want to put food in your mouth and mess it up.

I also have a dry erase board on my fridge that I write 'NO EATING AFTER :00 hour.'
You could post a heavy picture of yourself on the fridge or cabinent where you binge eat from the most.

Good luck!

Luludog1

Sounds stupid...but when i want to indulge i always say to myself thats what the devils wants me to do and i works for me most of the time...

OR

I saw another MFPer say to just once do the opposite of want i want to do..I use that sometimes too.

Good luck curbing those craving, I now all to well how hard it can be

singcoz528

I let myself have a complete cheat day once a month. I don't feel bad about it and cheating sometimes can actually help you break plateaus. Looking forward to my once a month cheat keeps me from binging. If I'm craving something really bad like pizza or something, I just lock it away in my mind and say "I'll eat that on my cheat day". Knowing that I'm not denying myself my cravings but simply putting them off keeps me from cheating the rest of the month. It works pretty well for me.

brewwerks2

Well, when you're getting ready to binge, think about all your discipline and hard work throughout the week. I'm sure you're not putting in all that hard work to just throw it out the window on this one day, right?! Treat yourself but don't binge.

I am working hard and then throwing it out the window. it makes me feel horrible. It is an irrational act. I'm writing about it inhopes it will make me pause and think next time. I appreciate all the support and advice.

brewwerks2

I let myself have a complete cheat day once a month. I don't feel bad about it and cheating sometimes can actually help you break plateaus. Looking forward to my once a month cheat keeps me from binging. If I'm craving something really bad like pizza or something, I just lock it away in my mind and say "I'll eat that on my cheat day". Knowing that I'm not denying myself my cravings but simply putting them off keeps me from cheating the rest of the month. It works pretty well for me.

I'm thinking maybe trying to stretch it out to one cheat day a month instead of every week would be a good next step. something to look forward to, and then those extra calories wouldn't negate all my work, just a little.....

breezy81

When I want a cheat day I do it on a day that is a heavy workout day for me. Then I don't go so overboard b/c I am feeling my workout, it's a good reminder. I have a little bit of what I want then I'm not denying but not hurting either

jzbaby626

I know what you mean. Weekends are my down fall. I haven't found a solution yet, except will power (which i don't have much of when im craving something). But i do make sure that i still log EVERYTHING i eat. It keeps it in perspective just how many calories i am eating and helps me to not keep on going with that binge.

tennischic22

I know the feeling, I tend to have a weekly binge but it usually helps me to admit aloud my intent. If I call someone or say it aloud that I'm feeling the need to binge, then I usually don't. It doesn't always work, but it makes it real if I say what's going to happen. Especially since most of my binges are premeditated. I don't know if this helps, but hopefully it brings about something.

kandyjo

I definitely think that there is a fine line there and it is so easy to cross.... You want to treat yourself for your hardwork, but you don't want to over do it....
Number 1...I think it is important to "treat" yourself... total deprivation is just depressing... and holding yourself up to a system that is destined for failure does not seem like a good system to me... So, definitely treat yourself..

But, you do need to have a limit, and being able to stop when you have reached that limit is the key... I think it will just take self dicipline...and you know that you have that! So, you will just have to incorporate it during your "treat" sessions...
Good luck!! You can do it!!

dothompson

Next week try to trim it down to a meal rather than a day. Maybe you should even plan it. This isn't about deprevation, but about making healthy choices you can live with for a lifetime. It sounds as if your food plan is just a little too rigid & you need a little more ... Don't knock 3 oz a week, the slower you lose weight the higher the probability you'll keep it off.

barbarella

Can you eat a small amount of whatever you're craving once in a while instead
of waiting for the designated time? Or would that just trigger a big Binge-Fest?

Sometimes having a few bites of a treat can fend off the binging. Deprivation can really back-fire!

I'm with whoever mentioned eating treats on the heaviest workout days. Now that I'm unemployed,
every Monday I do four hours of housecleaning, then two hours of aerobics at the gym. whew.....

Then I can eat whatever the fig I want! But I'm usually too tired!!! :laugh: :bigsmile: :laugh:

brewwerks2

I know the feeling, I tend to have a weekly binge but it usually helps me to admit aloud my intent. If I call someone or say it aloud that I'm feeling the need to binge, then I usually don't. It doesn't always work, but it makes it real if I say what's going to happen. Especially since most of my binges are premeditated. I don't know if this helps, but hopefully it brings about something.

I think the premeditated part is why they end up being binges for me. I plan it, then I think it about it all day....what i'm going to eat, what i'm going to drink, how much fun that i'll be having. then i overdo and feel lousy by the time I go to bed and the next day. I'm going to have to let go of thinking that this lifestyle change is going to deprive me somehow and just enjoy the benefits of being healthy.