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

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)

I THINK I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM... :[ JUST DONT GIVE UP! WE CAN DO THIS!!

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.