Elizabeth 17
Binge 1

Well I guess I went about 20 days and was feeling so good and just blew it. I am really trying to not beat myself up about it. It is like I can be good for so long and then bam I just don't care, which of course I do, but don't in the moment. I can't even log it b/c I can't remember everything I ate but right now I have a splitting headache. I knew one would come because I am really trying to lose weight b/c of this beach trip in a couple weeks. I have been not eating enough but an adequate amount but very low carb and tried to get off the sugar. One binge won't do all that damage but I have a feeling I will always be fighting this fight. I can't just have one or two bites of something "bad"--and I NEED to teach myself that no food is "BAD" food, got to change that mind set. But, moving on, I can turn this around and have a good rest of the week.

Me - 5.
Binge - 13.

Hang in there Graelwyn75! Success is never giving up! Hopefully you know why you are binging. It may help to share your thoughs on the thread. If not then seek help elsewhere. If you aware of why you are binging great. Now the key is figuring out a way to work on it. You can do it.

Good job on sticking with this!! Find the positives and keep on seeking and you will find a way to beat this.

Hi Mollie,
Thanks. I am sort of aware of why I am binging, but at the same time, I am not, as there seems to be so many factors.
I think depression/bipolar is one of them, I tend to binge both when happy and when unhappy.
I am also a perfectionist, and an extremist. I have never been able to find any balance in anything I do. It is always either all or nothing. People have told me I judge myself far too harshly in all senses.

I was doing sort of okay, then I decided to buy a bag of fruit and nut on discount from xmas, and some lindt chocolates, sure in my head I could just have 1 or 2, afterall, other people can, so why can't I? I was not hungry and felt sure I could remain in control. But when night hits, I seem to get stuck reading these forums for hours, in a totally OCD way, right into the early hours, and once I am tired, or my sleeping pill kicks in, I seem to go into 'don't care' mode and keep eating.

I am also a sugar addict. I have a lot of sweetners in my drinks, even hot chocolate, and if I have anything in more than a portion that is sweet, it seems to trigger a sugar hunger in me that continues until I break it by working out intensely. Of course, when you have binged badly on sugar, and especially if you purge also, the last thing you want to do the next day is don workout clothes and exercise, or even be seen for that matter. Heck, the number of times I have called my bf to say I cannot see him after a binge as it leaves me feeling very defensive, hostile and not wanting anyone to see me or touch me.

I think it is a comfort thing as my life currently is rather aimless and empty, and even with the best intentions and knowing what needs changing, I seem unable to pull myself out of my rut. I think a lot of that boils down to living in a place I am very unhappy. When you are in a home that is not like a home, and where you are not happy, it stops you from wanting to do things, and you end up just repeating routine just to escape. Thus my evenings involve watching dvds and usually simply reading endless topics on this site, unable to drag myself to do something else.Obviously this isn't very healthy.

Every evening I tell myself 'tonight I will play a new game(on the ps3 I have barely touched since getting it) or read a book, or write since I used to love writing, or do some cross stitch. And every evening, I end up back on mfp. Definitely an ocd issue and also issues with changing routines. But then I am on the autistic spectrum.

The cravings I get for the sweet foods just get so intense, almost impossible to ignore. Anytime I decide I will cut it all out and eat only 'good' things, the binging gets worse. If I try and have just 1 day a week where I allow a nice meal and dessert, I find I end up binging afterwards. I do not understand why I cannot have foods around, and just have a portion. Well, I do to a degree. I seem to be of a 'must have everything at once while it is still there' sort of mindset. Same with learning. One day I decided to just not bother trying to learn anymore because I realised I wanted to know everything and there simply wasn't enough time in a lifetime to do that. I don't start writing a book lest I cannot finish it, or fail at it.

So yes. Those are some thoughts on my predicament. By nature I am quite lazy and happiest just sitting reading or writing or playing or taking long walks. Making myself workout everyday sort of goes against my nature and possibly frustrates me at some level. Maybe the binging is some subconscious thing also, to give me an excuse to not go to the gym, to not go out, to not do things.

1-18-13
Jul: 16
Binge: 2 (1/11, 1/18)

Okay, I but disheartened. It was probably only 500 calories and I'm not crazy over, but my stomach is hurting immediately after! I hope this is a sign my body is just rejecting it now. The rest of the month, clean. My mindset is in a much better place.

me-2
binge-1

Hi, guys. As I read MFP today, I was reminded of a web-based resource that has helped me in the past...I thought I'd share it here in case any might be interested. Since this website, called SuperBetter, is not a food/exercise diary and serves a totally different purpose than MFP, I think it's OK to talk about it here.

About SuperBetter.com:
SuperBetter.com is a game designed specifically to help users build resilience and is applicable to a number of situations. It was created by a woman named Jane McGonigal, who specializes in the study of game theory and application. When she had a concussion, she became troubled and very depressed because she couldn’t do all of the things she used to do, and she didn’t see any progress in her recovery. To help herself get better, she created a role-playing game wherein she became a Super Hero. Every day she had bad guys to battle (those things that hindered her recovery) and quests to pursue (those things that aided her recovery). She also had daily “power ups,” those little activities or thoughts that gave her instant positive energy. She also recruited allies (friends) to help her in her recovery who had specific tasks to complete.

Eventually, she got well. You can view her (much better!) explanation about how SuperBetter came to be here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmc2DDqTXM4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEFG6_xPrxM&feature=channel&list=UL

Over time, SuperBetter was expanded so that it can be used to help people in any number of situations, including recovery from injury or illness. This is the explanation from the website:

“SuperBetter helps you achieve your health goals — or recover from an illness or injury — by increasing your personal resilience. Resilience means staying curious, optimistic and motivated even in the face of the toughest challenges.

SuperBetter is a tool created by game designers and backed by science to help build personal resilience: the ability to stay strong, motivated and optimistic even in the face of difficult challenges. Resilience has a powerful effect on health -- by boosting physical and emotional well-being. Resilience also helps you achieve your life goals -- by strengthening your social support and increasing your stamina, willpower and focus. Every aspect of the game is designed to harness the power of positive emotions and social connection [to] live, feel, and act better.

SuperBetter was created with guidance from doctors, psychologists, scientists, and medical researchers. (Our advisors and collaborators include MDs and PhDs at Stanford, UC Berkeley, University of Pennsylvania, and Ohio State University Medical Research Center.)”

So, people can now play SuperBetter to meet any number of health goals…things like quitting smoking, battling depression, getting physically fit, recovering from a specific illness, learning stress management...all kinds of things. I use SuperBetter to help manage stress and challenge low motivation. Because there are daily “tasks” to complete, it helps me to make progress, even if some of those tasks seem like little tiny things to do. There is a positive cumulative effect.

I'm thinking some of you may like to use SuperBetter (in conjunction with MFP, of course!) to help you with your specific wellness goals, too.

Just an FYI :flowerforyou:

Jan 16, 17 18th

Me: 15
B: 3

Calling Jan 18th as a B . sressed from my DD. sore from weightlifting and a mirad of excuses that we all seem to use. I like the OP who said to repeat to yourself" "I do not binge" I listened to a tv program that stated some findings that just saying those positive things over and over (3x/day) dialy your brain will start to believe it. It sure beats hearing the negative voice in my head.

Again, I also lacked in the amount of activity I did yesterday. I had all the time in the world to be active and I pissed it away. Kinda upset at myself for not handling the situation better.

Me (1)
Binge (1)

Yay! Score's tied now! I had an unplanned snack last night and realized I was in danger, thought of this group and Me vs. The Binge and...... I stopped!!

1/18/12

Rachael - 18
The Binge - 0

Days at/under goal for the day - 17 out 18

For the first time this month I went over my calorie goal, but it was only by about 250 calories. Since I wasn't feeling gross or too out of control, I won't count this as a binge, but simply as going over for the day. I was still somewhat in control. I actually feel better about things today and may have needed that slight release.

Me - 18
Binge - 0

The longest I can remember going without binging is 49 days..lol..and then Christmas hit...I'm really hoping I can stick to healthy eating this time..

YOU SO CAN . Have faith in yourself.

January 18 2013:

Dani - 10

Binge - 9

less than 8 binging days is my goal!

ok. now my goal is to snap out of this

Just as a note on the 'i do not binge' mantra, it has, somehow, really been helping me. Last night during my binge, I was literally only eating about 600 calories...300 of which I still needed for the day. When I said that phrase, I finished the food, had two huge glasses of ice water and now I'm up at 7:30 am for spin class.
YOU do not binge! It is not who you are. It is what you did but is no longer a part of you. You can separate from it, just like a past relationship! Keep it up, we can do this. We will do this.

This mantra will be very helpful to me, I believe. Thank you.

Katie 0
Binge 0
just joined in but want to keep myself from doing binging

Elizabeth 18
Binge 1

Me-3
binge-1