binge eating

mountainman440
mountainman440 Posts: 15
in Food and Nutrition
Any body out there have any luck with getting away from binge eating? my biggest problem is with parties or special occasions. I end up eating way too much. Any ideas? :glasses:

Replies

  • appleseeds
    appleseeds Posts: 212 Member
    After 2 years of trying to lose weight I only really stopped binge eating when I started working out consistantly (5 days a week)
  • eatrainsmile
    eatrainsmile Posts: 220 Member
    Eating 100-200 calories more than your target calorie isnt binge eating.
    If you want to stay away from junk food at social events you'll not go there starving and pick healthy foods in stead of sugar loaded unhealthy fat loaded food. You need to make smarter choices and fill your plate with raw vegetables and lean protein. You need to learn to say no to dessert. Some people cant eat certain foods in moderation. If you are one of them it's smarter to avoid those foods completely. For example it'll never be a bite of cake for me so I avoid the cake completely.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    I had a terrible time with stress eating, and it's taken a lot of time and emotional healing from the issues that caused me to turn to those things in the first place. It takes time and work to retrain habits, and it can be tough to deal with the emotional issues that cause binging in the first place. BUT. It can be done.
  • frogz21
    frogz21 Posts: 314 Member
    I have been having this problem too. I think drinking a lot of water & green tea helps. Self control is the biggest thing though.
  • sarahmartin2011
    sarahmartin2011 Posts: 25 Member
    i suffer wuth this aswell at the weekends when the kids are all here! i eat crap i dont want for no reason so any tips are appreciated :-(
  • 2essie
    2essie Posts: 2,861 Member
    I agree with all the above. I was a terrible binge eater. I don't know one specific thing that stopped me. I read that green tea helped so now I drink that (the flavoured kind) three or four times a day. I read that exercise helped, so I took that up six days a week. I just walk and do aerobics. I read that eating healthy (eg fruit and veg) helped so I did that, so I don't know what one thing it was that stopped me. What I do know is that after putting so much effort into stopping binge eating I am not going to spoil it by giving in to it. You have to make your mind up to saying no, and the more you say no the easier it gets and the better you feel. Give it a try - it works
  • kimothy38
    kimothy38 Posts: 840 Member
    I'm a binge eater from waaaay back. Some days are better than others but still struggle. Can you take snacks with you, eg vege sticks and hummus? For the only way not to binge is to not start, not eve just one. Stay far away from the table with snacks on it. Don't be too hungry when you go. Drink plenty of water or low cal soft drink. Do extra exercise to compensate. Concentrate on socialising not eating. Have fun and don't be too hard on yourself if you slip up
  • mountainman440
    mountainman440 Posts: 15
    Thank you all for your insight into this I will definately try these things. You're cool
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I have not binged since I started MFP in July. I am too determined to ever do that. (Not to mention that it makes me sick, so no binge eating and no binge drinking.)
  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    I have not binged since I started MFP in July. I am too determined to ever do that. (Not to mention that it makes me sick, so no binge eating and no binge drinking.)
    I second this. I've kind of become more concerned/in touch with my well-being in general. & just remembering how crap I feel after a binge is enough to discourage me from even considering it.

    My main priority used to be "lose weight & lose it as fast as possible!" I didn't care about how I felt physically or mentally, I didn't take time to make sure my eating was not only low in calories but also healthier and more nutrient-rich. And I didn't exercise.
    Now that I do all those things, binges have become super rare.
  • tgc1974
    tgc1974 Posts: 6 Member
    My problem comes when I start out hungry, I eat while I socialize, which, for me, is a lot like watching TV while I eat, I go into an autopilot mode and don't realize how much I'm consuming. I've found that if I eat a substantial high fibre/high protein snack before I go to a party where I know unhealthy food is going to be served/available, I don't eat nearly as much.

    Another strategy I've learned to help me with this, is not to socialize around the food area, since easy access makes me more likely to eat unconsciously. Also, when you are talking to someone who is eating, which seems to happen often in the area where food is laid out, I seem much more likely to eat as well.

    This is just what has been working for me, I hope it helps.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    After I started seeing changes in my body, I didn't want to ruin it just because someone brought delicious cookies to a party. Having a bite of my boyfriend's cookie was just as delicious as having 6 cookies, minus the 800+ calories. If it's a slippery slope for you, avoid those "trigger" foods until you have worked out your self control enough to just have a bite. Yes, your self control needs just as much working out as your body! It will always be hard to say "no thanks" when I'm offered something I used to gorge myself on, but I just look down at my body (or the scale) and remember why I'm saying no. Because it works!

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