huge binge, help please...
khadeejah1
Posts: 24
So I had one of the worst binges I've had in a long time I ate somewhere above 4000 calories tonight and feel disgusted. I ate well earlier but it's always harder for me later in the day. Anyways, it's happened too many days in a row and I just can't stop myself, the idea of not having something sweet feels like deprivation, but when I try to eat just a little it never works I have to eat everything.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks that work with dealing with a bad binge or a binge streak? This has been a lifelong problem, my weight has fluctuated dramatically in both ways but the binge eating is consistent throughout. I've tried telling myself to stop, or try to read a book, I've tried taking a bath or having a cup of tea, talking to a friend, going for a walk but it's so powerful, the urge to binge that I'm feeling a bit stuck, honestly a bit hopeless like this is just how my life is going to be. It's frustrating because I enjoy exercising and I can get that in regularly and I start my day so well usually and then completely ruin all of my hard work. The urge to eat something sweet or some form of junk food is so strong and I feel like when I try to not have something sweet when I crave it that I'm punishing myself or something, it feels a bit like torture and sometimes I feel like I might throw a fit like a child which is ridiculous because that is no where near the person I am day in day out. I don't know how to deal with that binge monster side of me.
How do all of you prevent a binge or even stop it in it's tracks? How do you stay motivated? How do you keep your focus and stay on the right path? Any tips or personal stories/support would be greatly appreciated I'm just really not sure what else to do? I feel exhausted from battling myself constantly over this. Thank you for listening to me.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks that work with dealing with a bad binge or a binge streak? This has been a lifelong problem, my weight has fluctuated dramatically in both ways but the binge eating is consistent throughout. I've tried telling myself to stop, or try to read a book, I've tried taking a bath or having a cup of tea, talking to a friend, going for a walk but it's so powerful, the urge to binge that I'm feeling a bit stuck, honestly a bit hopeless like this is just how my life is going to be. It's frustrating because I enjoy exercising and I can get that in regularly and I start my day so well usually and then completely ruin all of my hard work. The urge to eat something sweet or some form of junk food is so strong and I feel like when I try to not have something sweet when I crave it that I'm punishing myself or something, it feels a bit like torture and sometimes I feel like I might throw a fit like a child which is ridiculous because that is no where near the person I am day in day out. I don't know how to deal with that binge monster side of me.
How do all of you prevent a binge or even stop it in it's tracks? How do you stay motivated? How do you keep your focus and stay on the right path? Any tips or personal stories/support would be greatly appreciated I'm just really not sure what else to do? I feel exhausted from battling myself constantly over this. Thank you for listening to me.
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Replies
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Just checking if anyone has any tips??
Thank you 0 -
Ok I totally know how you feel. I was raised with sweets all over the house and whenever I would ask, my parents would give me dessert without question. So needless to say when I got older I always needed my dessert. I would check with people when I would eat at their house to make sure they had dessert (otherwise I would bring something myself), I would race through supper to get to dessert, and even in my 30's I would totally throw a fit if we didn't have anything sweet in the house.
I started MFP about 4 weeks ago and the way to solve this (for me) was to just cut desserts from my day. Why? Because I am not good with moderation and I realized that since I was never satisfied then I won't eat it. Tonight I had chocolate and stopped at 3 pieces cause I was no longer in a ''need'' to have more. I tell myself, the dessert will still be there tomorrow if you want it, no need to shove it down.
Add me, we'll help each other through this We'll be each others sponsers for desserts. 0 -
Don't buy it! When you feel like buying it, put the money you would have spent in a jar and then go treat yourself to a massage or perfume or an expensive lipstick or something else which is nice!0
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We get given lollies a lot and I just send them all to work with my bf, then they're not in the house and his work mates eat them, when I really want something sweet now I have a chai latte (lipton 110 calories) and it hits the spot and fills me up a bit0
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Just checking if anyone has any tips?? Thank you
I also have a sweet tooth - I kepp several packs of Extra Dessert gums around (three in my purse at all times) to help me get past those cravings.0 -
Something that has helped me immensely with cravings is eating more protein and fats throughout the day. I've adopted a psudo paleo diet where i generally stay away from processed carbs (wheat/gluten) and dairy. Try eating meat, fruits, veggies, and nuts (natural fats).
You have to give it a week. If you do it, let me know how it goes. I was amazed at the changes. It takes a little initial effort but the outcome was amazing for me.
If you want more details, I'd be happy to give you more info.
Good Luck!0 -
I know exactly what you're going through and I don't know what to do about it. I'm scared because I've worked so damn hard to get to where I am, but these last couple of weeks have been very bad and I don't know how to stop it. I started seeing an ED therapist a few weeks ago and she had me read a book called "Eating by the Light of the Moon." I'm not usually a self-help type of person and I'm really turned off by the whole crunchy spirituality yin/yang thing....HOWEVER, this book is really good at pointing out that by bingeing we're trying to fill an emotional hole with food, and it will never work because the hole is still empty. The key is to figure out what that hole is, how it got there, and how to fill in an emotionally healthy way. Oh sure! Easy! I've had this compulsive overeating problem since I can remember...so yeah, feeling pretty sad and hopeless right now. I know I have to figure this out...somehow, sometime....I HAVE to! I don't know if this helps, and I'm sorry to go on and on about me, but your post spoke to me. Courage.0
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Something that has helped me immensely with cravings is eating more protein and fats throughout the day. I've adopted a psudo paleo diet where i generally stay away from processed carbs (wheat/gluten) and dairy. Try eating meat, fruits, veggies, and nuts (natural fats).
You have to give it a week. If you do it, let me know how it goes. I was amazed at the changes. It takes a little initial effort but the outcome was amazing for me.
If you want more details, I'd be happy to give you more info.
Good Luck!
I also agree with this approach!0 -
Enjoy the leptin boost and chill for the rest of the week.
Prelog your food if you have to.0 -
You may consider visiting a specialist and looking into whether any antidepressants or similar meds have been helpful in stifling binging? Sometimes it really is an imbalance.0
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Your problem is probably one or a few of these things: not enough protein, not enough fat, not enough calories overall. Don't buy that junk food, because it's too easy to eat quickly and doesn't satisfy your appetite. Eat real food. When you feel like snacking, reach for nuts, fruit, or vegetables - no processed crap.0
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I would say, if you can, don't buy the food. If it is in front of you at a gathering, I do understand the temptation. Try to distance yourself physically from the food. If it is in your house, put it on the shelf out of reach. Before you eat anything, look at the serving size and make a conscious decision that you are only going to have the serving size. That way, it will be a guilt-free treat. Also, don't beat yourself up too much about it-that will make you feel overly guilty and could make you eat more that way. So just decide that from this point on you are going to be more careful and that you are willing to work it off.0
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I agree with the "don't have it in the house" suggestions. I also suggest a hobby. Knitting. crochet, painting, something that keeps you busy and your hands occupied at night will do amazing things for you, I have been noticing that I'm losing weight, nothing has changed except I'm knitting/crocheting at night while I watch TV and my hands are occupied and I'm not bored so I'm not snacking mindlessly. I come from a disordered eating history so I am hyper aware of my food issues and honestly, my relationship with food is much improved since I've gotten some control over it this way. Also, I'm being super productive during what was formerly my "lazy" time! I've made like 3 scarfs, 2/3 of a baby blanket, and a dog bed, *AND* I'm losing weight.0
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Don't buy it! When you feel like buying it, put the money you would have spent in a jar and then go treat yourself to a massage or perfume or an expensive lipstick or something else which is nice!
This is actually a great idea. Might consider doing something like this for myself. 0 -
For me, it's a lot easier to avoid overeating if I don't allow it to be readily available. If it's something that can be frozen, keep it frozen and only thaw out one portion at a time. You have no choice but to only eat one portion if the rest isn't available.
I don't eat a lot of sweets, but if I did, I would only get single servings. Instead of buying a 48 oz tub of ice cream, I'd just buy one of the mini cups. Instead of buying a box of snack cakes, I'd buy one single snack cake from a convenience store. It's more expensive per serving, but if you're eating less of it, you'll probably be saving money in the long run.
I don't agree with everyone who says just don't buy it and don't eat it. I think you should have it once in a while, but find ways to avoid having large amounts of it available at any one time. You should have a lifestyle change, not feel completely deprived. A healthy lifestyle can still incorporate these snacks.0 -
I feel like I type this a few times a week here on MFP but it's so true, you have to figure out what you're getting from binging. You are getting some benefit so figuring that out is a first step.
I go to a therapist for treatment of binge eating and it has been the best thing I've done for myself. Once I figured out why I binged, I stopped doing it, like a light was switched on. I had a big breakthrough in therapy, finished the appointment and never looked at food the same way. It was that fast and easy.
I never thought I'd see a psychologist for anything and now I'll tell anyone I'm seeing one for weight loss help. If you can see a therapist, go for it, it may change your life.
Something that may help you, that my therapist recommended, is keeping a journal. There are no rules with the journal, write in it when you want but try to write in it before you binge. When you get that "I have to have it I don't care about the consequences, give it to me NOW"-feeling, write in the journal first and see if it helps. When I kept my journal I'd just write what came to my mind, often bringing up stuff that still annoys me from the past. Eventually, that stream of thoughts helped me solve my problem, along with the therapy sessions.
Again, you have to figure out why you binge in order to stop it.0 -
I think it's hard for people that don't binge to understand what it feels like to binge but I know it really sucks. I tend to binge when I'm super deprived so a good rule of thumb is to not over deprive myself. If that means eating chocolate every day, fine. I just have to find the healthiest chocolate available. It's easier to not binge if you eat lots of healthy food and lots of protein. If you find yourself in the middle of a binge it's best to interrupt it somehow. Call a friend and go on a walk. I drive my butt to the gym and get in a good hard workout because obviously I can't eat there, and then I don't feel so guilty if I ate a lot of food. You have to find what works for you but If you do binge just remember that it's okay. Don't beat yourself up over it but try and pinpoint what brought it on. Is your body not receiving enough nutrients? Are you having a bad day?0
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I would remove ALL sweets from the house, it sounds like an addiction, so you will go through a lot of feelings at first. I used to get SOOO angry when their wasn't any Coke in the house in the mornings,so one day I drank coffee instead. Now I don't drink coke in the am just coffee, it was hard but I just thought about the calories I was saving
I understand its hard, but remind yourself of all the reasons you DONT want sweets (cals saved, weight loss, feeling better about yourself ect.) think of it like a challenge, mind against matter You will win! 0 -
I know what you mean! That is the reason I don't eat fruit (except watermelon). Fruit makes me have sugar cravings! And I also stay away from desserts! Bread is another trigger for me!0
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Have you tried hypnosis at all? It doesn't work for everyone, but it has worked for me in the past and it may be worth a try:))
Here's one on youtube I just found.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBWF3nj8jVI
good luck! xo0 -
I've only binged once in my life and it was when I got down to 10% body fat and was eating too low. But I went through all of the horrible emotions, cried, felt guilty, sick, exhausted. But now I understand that I can't eat that low anymore because my BF is too low.
What you have is the same thing but it's more emotional and I have friends who have the same issue. Most of them say writing and keeping a journal of your feelings when you have those cravings. There is usually something emotional unresolved and you try to fill it with food. There are apparently a lot of good books out there.
All I can say is I know it's hard. I don't have binge issues but I still have to keep certain foods out of the house, mainly because I maintain at a low body fat level (under 12%) and so my hunger hormones act differently now compared to when I had higher body fat and it's a lot harder to keep control.0 -
Everyone has left you some pretty good advice. I hope you can find some peace in this. In my life, I used to binge a LOT and, as you said, I'd pick up a good extra few thousand calories in an hour or two a few nights a week. Some people on here suggested therapy, and I would like to put in my vote for that as well. I have been seeing a counselor for some time--just a regular counselor, not an ED specialist. We haven't even touched on eating or binging yet, but we have spent a LOT of time talking about my past, my depression, and my generalized anxiety. Just improving these few things have helped me get my binging under control immensely because I am more clear-headed to control myself. When the time comes to bring up my eating, I feel like that "discussion" will be a lot shorter than it would have been this time last year. Good luck with this. Message or add me if you like. Sending you some positive thoughts.0
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Maybe you need to take a diet break and just eat? Your profile says you've been yoyo dieting since 13 years old.0
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To stop mine in its tracks I go brush my teeth and rinse with the strongest mouthwash I can find. The taste afterwards kind of makes me think to my self what in the world am I doing.. Some times after I eat my meals I will have a spoonful of natural peanut butter and I doesn't make me crave the sugar as much. Just watch the cals.. And last but not least I keep a unpleasant pic of me at my highest weight near the kitchen or fridge door and its a mental reminder that that makes me unhappy when I see myself like that.. Just some of my tricks.. best wishes to you!!0
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Hey are we twins? Had a binge of that magnitude last night too. It just happens....what I have been doing is asking myself what was going on for me? Typically it is something emotionally rather then physical and it occurs even if I'm eaten all day and am not hungry. Also it's about forgiving yourself when it happens and being able to move on from it. If you suffer from binge eating and have lived that way for most of your life it's not something you can just STOP all at once. It takes time and patience and a deep internal awarness of what is happening.
So learn from this, remember how physically sick it makes you feel and try to figure out what is going on for you inside.
And FORGIVE. Today is a new day.0 -
I've only binged once in my life and it was when I got down to 10% body fat and was eating too low. But I went through all of the horrible emotions, cried, felt guilty, sick, exhausted. But now I understand that I can't eat that low anymore because my BF is too low.
What you have is the same thing but it's more emotional and I have friends who have the same issue. Most of them say writing and keeping a journal of your feelings when you have those cravings. There is usually something emotional unresolved and you try to fill it with food. There are apparently a lot of good books out there.
^I agree with this & not having it in the house. I get like this but with carbs. I just restrict my carbs because they are my "addiction" & when I feel that urge to binge & the food isn't available to I do throw sort of a tantrum. It's usually because I'm really upset about something & trying to stuff it down with food that comforts me. I let myslef cry, get mad, whatever..it is how I am feeling & then I journal. Hope that helps.0 -
I have been a binge eater in the past too and still have an occasional day. One of the things for me is that I really feel I have a refined sugar addiction. I could not just stop at one. What helped me get through the first week or so was I did not buy any sweet stuff for my house, but I made sure I had plenty of fruits and veggies and I told myself that I could eat all I wanted of the fruits and veggies--that way I did not feel deprived and once I got over the hump I did not crave it so much. I do still feel that I need to be very careful of refined sugars because it would not take much for me to be back to bingeing on it. It does suck though that someone that is addicted to cigarettes or alcohol can just not have them in the house for temptation, but obviously it's impossible to not have any food.0
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Don't buy it! When you feel like buying it, put the money you would have spent in a jar and then go treat yourself to a massage or perfume or an expensive lipstick or something else which is nice!
This is actually a great idea. Might consider doing something like this for myself.
Yey! If I've helped one person then that's my tick in the box for the day! 0 -
The post about having very lean body fat and not feeling like binging makes sense to me since I have insulin resistance and it is the fat in my body that is driving that. Insulin resistance is actually pretty common. It tends to happen in overweight people. It happened to me early on during puberty since I got PCOS.
I couldn't figure out for years why I was driven to binge eat at times. I would get the shakes and feel sick. People around me freaked out, seeing a fat girl guzzle a bunch of cookies. One time at a bible study, I wolfed down 4 oreos in a row. As I tried to reach for 1 more, an older lady moved my hand with a disapproving look on her face. She must have thought "she's binge eating only from gluttony". Now I know better. There is a love of eating I have (trust me, I have my issues, I write in a journal to deal and process them as much as possible) however...it really became much more simple after I was treated with metformin and avandia. My endocrinologist got my TSH under control with me taking those meds. Apparently, in a way I don't understand, everything is connected. I was way off the charts. Once that became normal, I felt better. I went off the drugs and now eat more natural foods. I tend to eat the whites (sugar, white rice, white bread and other very refined carbs) sparingly. This helps me immensely. I sleep at night now more.
I hardly ever binge now. I still have some insulin resistance. I feel it whenever I eat things I shouldn't as I get extremely hungry and feel like I just can't stop.
In insulin resistance, the cells that let in insulin can change shape when you are overweight. The insulin has trouble getting in. It floats around in your bloodstream. You body doesn't "sense" the insulin, so it adds more and more. Your blood sugar plumments. You feel famished. You binge on sugar or simple carbs. Your sugar spikes and you feel relief. Then the cycle repeats. If you break this cycle eating something like a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread (protein+carbs), your may not get that drop.
How do those mis-shapen cells get back to normal? By you losing weight. Nobody knows why. If you want to see a doctor talk about this, click on my profile and look for the youtube link.
Short story of my post: The Opening Poster may have insulin resistance going on.0 -
Brush your teeth! You don't want to eat sweets or anything after that.0
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