support for Binge Eating Disorder

KarenECunningham

I struggle with periodic binges but they last for days at a time and then I can go weeks without a binge and stick to my plan perfectly. I am glad I am not the only one who can eat a large quantity of food and then want more. I think I have always had some type of eating disorder from one extreme to the other. I weighed 97 pound in my late teens (I didn't purge, I would just not eat for days at a time) In my younger years around age 7 if I got stressed or extremely worried I would quit eating, As an adult from around my late 20's on it seemed to swing the other way and now I deal with obesity and binges. I have noticed it does help for me to get enough sleep and eat a lot of veggies and fruits, and keep hydrated. I just need to remember that when I start slacking off. I would love to be involved in this group and I am willing to be accountable and supportive.:flowerforyou:

MrsBattousai

Hey!

Very proud to say I had a great food day and no binging. I have binged everyday last week so one up for me!

Tbfree

Hey!

Very proud to say I had a great food day and no binging. I have binged everyday last week so one up for me!

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!

Behavior_Modification

My worst binge time is evening right before bed. I need to unlearn this. Last night I was having a tough time falling asleep, so naturally my body thinks sugar will put it to sleep, right? Stupid brain, stupid body. I fought the urge and only had 1/4 of the chocolate bar I bought (60 un-needed calories). I eventually fell asleep, but it just irks me, you know? When do you guys find yourselves in these frames of mind?

Behavior_Modification

Hey!

Very proud to say I had a great food day and no binging. I have binged everyday last week so one up for me!

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!

I 2nd that!

Behavior_Modification

Diane,
Can you share your experience with your nutrition coach? I have thought about it this, but not sure how it would help when I am at home alone. Thanks for any insights to the process!

I have learned so much over the past 5 months. Definitely can't capture it all in one post (especially since I can be rather long winded), but as I remember things, I'll post them. I'll call them rules. Some of them may be applicable for all binge eaters, but some of them may only apply to me because of the type of food I would choose to binge on and what time of day. As you've read, my worst time is the evenings.

Rule #1: Do not restrict your calories to an unattainable amount.

Your body needs the fuel and nourishment and if you restrict yourself to too few calories, you are setting yourself up for a binge. Your body will get those calories one way or another, so it is best to do it the healthy way and feed your body with good foods and not junk. This was a very difficult concept for me to grasp since I thought the less I ate the better. That is what I have been taught previously anyhow. But dieting does NOT work, let me repeat, dieting for a binge eater does not work! There are lots of other things going on with us than simply over-eating. There is a big difference between the over eater and the binge eater. The binge eater must re-learn healthy eating habits; and dieting involving calorie restriction is not healthy, and is not something we can live with. They have taught me how to eat for life, not temporarily to lose weight. That is where I've gone wrong all along. I've tried every way to lose weight except for what I'm doing now and for the first time ever, it is working and I can feel that it isn't coming back! When I first started with them, they wanted me to get in 2700 calories per day! 2700! I've never been on a "diet" that has allowed that. I even had a hard time getting them in because 2700 calories of healthy food is a lot of food. 2700 calories of cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream and candy is one sitting. Keep in mind I weighed over 300lbs when I went in as well. After about 3 weeks of not getting even close to 2700 most days, we decided it would be okay to lower it to 2200, but I even have a hard time getting those in with all the other nutrition rules they gave me...which we will get to later. On the days I only eat fuel and not just food, I'm usually not hungry for all 2200 calories because my body has been given lots of healthy food and is not craving junk anymore. I know I'm getting away from topic, but the phenomonon of not craving junk food every day is WONDERFUL!!! Halelujah! I didn't know it could be so...and I love it! That is now though, it has gotten easier and easier over the past 5 months. At first when they told me this would happen, I was so skeptical. I never thought my body would actually stop craving junk food...but it did!!!

Okay, long story short, FEED YOUR BODY, feed it lots and lots of fuel food, not processed junk. You need to eat, so eat well.

Tbfree

Diane,
Can you share your experience with your nutrition coach? I have thought about it this, but not sure how it would help when I am at home alone. Thanks for any insights to the process!

I have learned so much over the past 5 months. Definitely can't capture it all in one post (especially since I can be rather long winded), but as I remember things, I'll post them. I'll call them rules. Some of them may be applicable for all binge eaters, but some of them may only apply to me because of the type of food I would choose to binge on and what time of day. As you've read, my worst time is the evenings.

Rule #1: Do not restrict your calories to an unattainable amount.

Your body needs the fuel and nourishment and if you restrict yourself to too few calories, you are setting yourself up for a binge. Your body will get those calories one way or another, so it is best to do it the healthy way and feed your body with good foods and not junk. This was a very difficult concept for me to grasp since I thought the less I ate the better. That is what I have been taught previously anyhow. But dieting does NOT work, let me repeat, dieting for a binge eater does not work! There are lots of other things going on with us than simply over-eating. There is a big difference between the over eater and the binge eater. The binge eater must re-learn healthy eating habits; and dieting involving calorie restriction is not healthy, and is not something we can live with. They have taught me how to eat for life, not temporarily to lose weight. That is where I've gone wrong all along. I've tried every way to lose weight except for what I'm doing now and for the first time ever, it is working and I can feel that it isn't coming back! When I first started with them, they wanted me to get in 2700 calories per day! 2700! I've never been on a "diet" that has allowed that. I even had a hard time getting them in because 2700 calories of healthy food is a lot of food. 2700 calories of cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream and candy is one sitting. Keep in mind I weighed over 300lbs when I went in as well. After about 3 weeks of not getting even close to 2700 most days, we decided it would be okay to lower it to 2200, but I even have a hard time getting those in with all the other nutrition rules they gave me...which we will get to later. On the days I only eat fuel and not just food, I'm usually not hungry for all 2200 calories because my body has been given lots of healthy food and is not craving junk anymore. I know I'm getting away from topic, but the phenomonon of not craving junk food every day is WONDERFUL!!! Halelujah! I didn't know it could be so...and I love it! That is now though, it has gotten easier and easier over the past 5 months. At first when they told me this would happen, I was so skeptical. I never thought my body would actually stop craving junk food...but it did!!!

Okay, long story short, FEED YOUR BODY, feed it lots and lots of fuel food, not processed junk. You need to eat, so eat well.

Thank you so much for sharing. I think you are right about feeding your body because it will get what it needs one way or the other. I was "good" for 3 days - no binge and stayed within my calorie goal. However, last night I stayed up late and binged. I went Waaaaaaaaay way way way over my calorie goal and I probably should not eat again for 3 days! The thing is, I am a very healthy eater. I used to binge on junk food, but I got rid of that a couple of years ago, and I am not overweight. Now, I just binge on the healthy stuff. Like nut butters - eat it out of the jar, very high calorie (but not filling so you can really do some major calorie damage), nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate, bananas, grapes, etc.
I am fasting today to try to get a grip and get back on track and hope tomorrow will be a better day. One more thing, the strange thing about today is that I woke up in a Good mood (?). I usually wake up feeling like crap physically and mentally, but not today. I don't know what is up with that. But there is a tiny devil in my head that is telling me to eat today so I will feel awful - that I didn't do enough damage (although calorie wise I really did).
This is the first time I've shared the details of this. Hope it wasn't TMI. I would like to hear your comments if anyone has similar experiences or can relate, have been through, or overcome. Thanks.

Behavior_Modification

Tbfree--not TMI at all, thank you also for sharing. I think it will help us all to share our experiences here on this thread. And it is a good place for it, because none of us are going to be judging. We get it.

In regards to the "healthy" bingeing, I can totally relate. I am also guilty of this as well. Especially now since I have mostly all healthy food in the house. I think this is a misconception some people have that bingers always eat the wrong things. That isn't true. A binger will find anything and everything they can to cram into their mouth to satisfy that blasted urge. For me, whether it is healthy or not, any time I eat and it doesn't feel controlled, even if it is only 200 calories of this and that, I still feel like it is a binge. I'll go to the fridge and eat a teaspoon of this and a tablespoon of that to feed some sort of urge, and although it may not add up to a whopping amount of calories, it is still not how "normal" people eat.

Behavior_Modification

TBfree--Is fasting today going to set you up for another binge? I'm just asking out of concern because I know that's what it would do to me. They've taught me that when I do binge, I just have to pick up where I left off and continue doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I can't "punish" myself for it by restricting my calorie intake then the following day. I hate putting words in people's mouths so please don't take it that way You didn't indicate it was a punishment, I'm just really hoping that it isn't.

Tbfree

Yes, its a punishment. However, in reality my body doesn't really need any more food/fuel after eating all night. You are right diane and I've heard it before - to just eat normally the next day. Its sooooo hard because I am not hungry at all - until night time again. So, I did go ahead and have dinner. But, after dinner, I found myself alone in the kitchen and I ate too much. Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what you mean about that out of control urge to eat. A lot of times its not a technical "binge", but it is a binge because its not fueling my body in a healthy way, but rather is used to deal with emotions. I really appreciate your comments. If you want to message me, feel free. I'd like to give you support too so its not one sided .

hopeitworks

Hello all. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one with this problem. I just wish there was a solution.... I had a really bad day so far and it's not even close to being over. I like the idea that someone suggested about having check-ins. I would gladly participate in that. Maybe we could even have a BED type of hotline where if you feel the urge to go crazy with food, you could check in with someone to hopefully have that person or persons try to talk you out of it. It's just a thought. Good luck to you all and I hope you're having a better day than I am. Oh well, there's always tomorrow...

10Lucks

wow, another lightbulb moment when I find I'm not the only person like this. It's been like this for over 20 years. Some times I get it under control for a few months when I'm really motivated but most of the time I'm eating stuff, lying to the kids about eating it and then having to buy more to replace it the next day only for it to happen all over again. Now at my heaviest ever and I don't like where I'm at but just can't control that 'urge' to eat all and sundry in the fridge and cupboard. I got a book about Binge Eating Disorder and it all made sense and related to me but just stopped when it got to the exercises bit where you had to write down everything you ate, what time you ate it and what triggered it off - there wouldn't be a notepad big enough!! Now approaching mid 40s and I know I have to address the problem very soon if I'm not to have high blood pressure and diabetes. I feel I'm not normal. I don't remember what started my binge eating all those years ago. Just good to know there are plenty of people out there like me.

Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods

Behavior_Modification

Welcome 10Lucks and hopeitworks (I mean Itwillwork lol)!

I'm Diane and I think we can really make this thread work to our advantage. It is so helpful to talk and share experiences with people who are going through the same things as us. I've read quite a bit about binge eating and we are a different creature. We have connections with food that is not understood very well by the general population. People don't get what binge eating really is. They don't understand the loss of control.

My sister and I were talking the other day and she mentioned something that confirms just how long I've been dealing with this. My sister is 3 yrs older than me and she said when I was little I'd always be "on a diet". She said she remembered one day I said all I ate today was an orange. She told me she remembered thinking BS, I know you have junk food stashed away in your room. There's no way all you're eating today is an orange. We lived down the road from a beer depot that sold candy and it was a place I visited as often as possible. I remember stealing $ to go buy my precious 10 cent candies, and stock them up and hide them.

My father (who I had to go see every other weekend) started weighing me at age 8. Every Friday that we saw him, he'd pick us up and take us to his condo. March my sister and I up the stairs (she was always at a healthy weight), and the 3 of us would weigh in. I weighed 120lbs at that time. My dad kept telling me that if I just don't gain any weight and keep growing taller, it will even itself out. And then he'd limit my food intake all weekend while he and my sister ate whatever. My dad weighed in at a little over 300 lbs back then so he was no skinny mini (he has serious food issues too, many habits I picked up from him), but since HE didn't gain weight that 2 weeks he could eat normally.

And why did I wonder for so many years why I'm the way I am? The more I read, the more I realized what I was. I am a binge eater and I don't want to be. I want to be healthy. I want to know what it is like to be at a healthy weight. I want a healthy relationship with food.

Ok, that's all for now. That felt kind of good typing that all up. I don't talk about it too much because most people don't understand.

10Lucks

OK, Hubby's day off and he's just gone out to take the dog for a walk and I immediately thought "what can I eat?" so decided to come and write it down here to focus myself. Am going to pour a large glass of sparkling water and wait.... I don't need to eat now, I had a good breakfast only an hour ago.....

10Lucks

Well done for writing it down and sharing it. You can see where you think your problems started and I guess having a starting point and addressing it may help. Keep going - we can do this!!!

hopeitworks

So I drove past the Dunkin Donuts that I usually pass on my way to work and did not stop for the ten-pak of munchkins that I sometimes stop for and eat in my car before I get to work!!! Maybe today will be a good day....

Behavior_Modification

So I drove past the Dunkin Donuts that I usually pass on my way to work and did not stop for the ten-pak of munchkins that I sometimes stop for and eat in my car before I get to work!!! Maybe today will be a good day....

Great job! Dunkin Donuts aren't real food anyways. You need fuel in the morning to start your day. Donuts will spike your blood sugar and leave you wanting more more MORE....

Jana51

Hi Everyone,

Im with you all,Im a terrible binge eater and I generally eat a normal daily calorie intack of 1800-2000 so im definatley well feed, i also exercise a lot about 3 hours a day as im in the fitness industry...BUT when i binge like today it was well over 4000 caloires probably closer to 5 really.. its terrible, have been so good sitting just under my daily requirment according to this program (calorie)s and then bamm i blow it... So i would love to be involved in this thread and hopefully we can all get something out of it to beat the urges.. day, night or otherwise.
I definately agree with the eating regularly and learning about our moods and there relationship with food, as i find its often when Im really tiredor angry that I let myself down. And any ideas on things for distraction would be great because ive tried sowing, reading a book, going for a walk etc but once the idea is in my head its like saying to yourself dont think of the word elephant and all you can do is think big grey animal with a trunk... its impossible not to think about the inital buzz you get, Im starting now to think of the after math of annoyance and dissappointment with myself which is helping but any other ideas about getting my brain to back track and ignore the urge would be wonderful..

Anyway so many people say we can beat this maybe all we need is a few people who also understand and we can get through it togther..

take care

JR

aproc

I've been struggling with this for the past couple of months. This last week I've gone over almost every night. I can do fine throughout the day but once night hits I can't stop or seem to get enough. I've already put on 4 pounds in the past week or two and I need to get it under control soon. I'm at loss and have no one to talk about it too because I feel so ashamed and most would just say to put down the food but its not that easy...

hopeitworks

Aproc, I know exactly what you're talking about. I can totally relate to the weight gain and the eating. It really isn't just a matter of putting the food down. You are not alone in what's going on with you and you shouldn't feel ashamed about it, although I feel exactly the same way. I wish I could figure it all out myself. How can a person do so good, and then turn around and do so bad? There are a lot of great supportive people on this website who are willing to listen and offer pointers. If you ever feel like chatting, feel free to message me.

Behavior_Modification

Rule #2: Eat 5-6 times throughout the day and each "eating experience" should be well balanced and about the same amount of calories. This can be very difficult, but it is the best way to maximize your metabolism. If your body is expecting food, it will not store as much.

Rule #3: Do not eat at LEAST 2 hrs before you go to bed.

10Lucks

Right, day 2 and I've nearly made it. Got handed a large box of Roses chocs on the field after school and I've not opened them - usually would be gone by now. Took 3 biscuits this morning, ate 1 and then put 2 back. Did give in and had a pack of orange and lime tictacs but managed to stick at one pack even though I bought 4 cellophaned together. This is so difficult. Really want to eat. Only got just over 300 cals left for dinner though so know I can't just go and have bread and butter. That would only lead to more anyway! What is it in my head that's saying "go find food"? I've learned this eating pattern over 20 years so it's not going to go away in 2 nights is it?!? My son cooked tea for the children which was a great help because it kept me out of the kitchen and that's where I would normally start at about this time of day, whilst cooking tea.

Behavior_Modification

10Lucks--That's a great question and one you should seek the answer for. What is in your head that says "go find food"... I've been working on this a great deal myself. Really paying attention to what I'm feeling when I reach for things when I'm not technically feeling actual hunger. Why do I want that chocolate? What is that chocolate going to do for me? How will I feel afterwards? Will I feel better or will I be looking for the next item of food to make me feel better? What's going on in your life right now 10Lucks?

MrsBattousai

Hey!

And I big HUG and Welcome to all the new peeps that joined the theard. I know we can help each other with this. I just got back from camping today I went way over on my food. But I'm bond and determined to jump back on the wagon again. Tks for all the helpfully tips dianeg1981. We can do this. Also no binging for me today! Yay!!!!!!!!!

Tbfree

Wow, it is so hard. Aproc, Jr, try not to feel ashamed, I know that is hard. I too feel that way, but in reality there is nothing to be ashamed of. You have not hurt another person or harmed an animal or stolen anything of value. You are dealing with your emotions in a way that you have learned works for you. Unfortunately, the way that we are dealing with them is hurting us. We will need to learn a new way and it can be done.

I've had a bad day today...this whole week has been bad. Over the past 10 weeks or so I've gained 10 lbs, and this reality is not getting thru to my brain!! I just eat more!!!
Today was going to be the turn around day...but alas it was not so. Tomorrow will be the turn around day. I will eat normally tomorrow and stay within my calorie goal. I will check in to this post in the morning to re-commit. Then I will check in to this post at night to report that I did it. Let's see if this approach will work for me

Tbfree

Hey!

And I big HUG and Welcome to all the new peeps that joined the theard. I know we can help each other with this. I just got back from camping today I went way over on my food. But I'm bond and determined to jump back on the wagon again. Tks for all the helpfully tips dianeg1981. We can do this. Also no binging for me today! Yay!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful...binge free day (BFD)....lol, I can think of something else that could stand for but its totally not appropriate .
Great job...keep up the good work. Think of what it was that worked for you today and repeat.

Tbfree

Friday morning: I gained 3 lbs since yesterday!! But that's ok. I think I was dehydrated yesterday so now I know my true weight. I am having a good morning and will have a great day.

Hang in there everyone - think positive thoughts and how wonderful your body is and all that it can do for you!!

MrsBattousai

Well had a binge this morning this is driving me nuts. I really need to figure out how to deal with this. I'm by myself without I always eat when no one is around. trying not to feel bad about because I will just eat more! Getting there slowly but surely!

Behavior_Modification

Hang in there ladies! Everyone have a great Friday and a fabulous weekend. Last night after I had a controlled portion of no sugar added ice cream I CRAVED chocolate. It's like once my brain even has a little sweet, it turns on the switch for wanting more and more. Some days I feel like I'd have been better off not even eating a little something sweet. I had 1/4 of my hershey bar and ate it slowly and forced myself to just go to bed so I wouldn't be thinking about it anymore. Also, sometimes I'll brush my teeth too at those times so I don't want to taste minty toothpaste food. I also wear a mouth appliance at night (I know, it's ssssssuper ssssexy lol) for grinding so sometimes I'll just pop that thing in early and that helps too. Damned chocolate! It wasn't even that great cuz I had it in the fridge and I think it distorted the flavor. But all in all, it was a good night and I dealt w/ the sitauation well. I did better than I would before because there is still a piece of the Hershey bar left in the fridge for another day. I didn't eat the whole thing. I resisted the urges to get up out of bed and continue to eat. I resisted the sugar free chocolates I have in the cupboard (I should really get rid of those, but can't throw away precious chocolate). I resisted the umpteen other things I wanted to eat to try to fill some sort of void I had that I thought would allow me to sleep better or fall asleep better. Nope, I fell asleep just fine after I got my mind off the food and had a nice peaceful sleep. And did NOT binge! Yay!

10Lucks

Right, I have now managed 3 days without a binge and I'm feeling very pleased with myself. Told my hubby that I've been 3 days without but I don't think he quite realises how momentous that achievement is to me as I don't think he knew that binging had become a daily event for me. Has been really difficult not to go off to the kitchen. If I have just one biscuit I know I'll go off in a 'food trance' and won't stop until I've eaten everything available that doesn't need cooking! Just read someone else's report and it mentioned ice-cream. Now I know I have a tub of icecream in the freezer and I'd normally go and dip a spoon in but I'm not going to. Want to wait a whole week before reporting my weight loss but I did step on the scales this evening and they are going in the right direction!! I've been binge eating for about 20 years so it isn't going to go away overnight. There are issues in my life at the moment that probably drive me to eat but they haven't been there all 20 years.