Any tips on bingeing? I'm at/was at my happiest weight...

KatelinIsArmyStrong
KatelinIsArmyStrong Posts: 27 Member
in Motivation and Support
I went to a really low weight (135) at 5'11 that's pretty low.
Then I maintained a 140 for a while, and was so happy with myself.
I recently joined the army, and I have no clue if it's my stress level increasing, like, maybe I'm just overly excited/nervous about BCT or what.. but I have been binging like, 3 times a week lately. And some of you are all like, "Oh I ate a pint of ice cream, I binged today" Haha...no.
Mine's like, I ate an entire jar of peanut butter, half a box of cereal, ice cream, apples (wtf right?) crackers, chips, cheese. (I DON'T EVEN LIKE CHEESE DUDE!) Anything I can eat. I caught myself eating icing with chocolate coffee creamer in it. Like.....wtf is that all about? I feel like this is never going to get better until I'm on a strict eating schedule, and binging is impossible. (Looking forward to that)
Over eating is an understatement, I eat until I'm in pain, even past that. It's absolutely disgusting, and I'm ashamed of myself. Anybody else have this problem? Or advice? Or anything on this topic? <3

Replies

  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    In my experience, getting to, and trying to maintain a weight that is unnaturally low for your height and frame can cause an issue with binge eating, which can then turn into a constant cycle of restriction, then binging, then restriction...you get the idea. At 5'11, 140 is probably too low a weight to be trying to maintain. You might find life easier if you allow a bit more leeway for your weight and eat the appropriate amount to maintain it, as that will be a lot better than constantly battling the binge.

    I know when I try and go below a certain weight (I am 5'10 and was 123-128Ibs until last Oct when I hit binge cycle extraordinaire, binges similar to yours in fact), I end up having regular binges that are very hard to fight. I think it is the body battling to get back to a weight it feels safe at.
  • KatelinIsArmyStrong
    KatelinIsArmyStrong Posts: 27 Member
    But all my doctors, even the extremely strict doctor at meps who gives you an unnecessary Q&A if you have a perfectly normal birthmark said I was in great shape and perfect health. He even complimented on my physical status and said I'm the ideal candidate for the US army. And apparently, impressing that guy is nearly impossible. I think you serve a valid point, but I feel so good at 140, and look good, and full of energy, I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that it's "too low". I feel it's just a physiological path that leads me to a binge, but I don't know how to help it..
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Maybe simply try focussing on health and fitness, and getting good nutrition, and take your mind off a set weight for a while and see if it settles down. I find that focussing on the number, or on too much limitation, makes the situation worse. You can also try various distraction techniques...trying to hold off for 5 minutes, and then 10 minutes. Grab a puzzle book or a colouring book to occupy your mind. Go for a walk, or get up and start doing some exercise. Or allow yourself a set portion of a food you might consider 'forbidden' each day, which worked for me for a period of time. Above all, make sure you are actually getting adequate calories for your weight and activity level, as in the end, it is better to get this stabilised, than to find yourself continuing to binge, and gaining a lot of weight back. I gained 10Ibs in 6 weeks from binge eating, from having the mindset that I must weigh 126Ibs or less, or I was somehow failing.
  • KatelinIsArmyStrong
    KatelinIsArmyStrong Posts: 27 Member
    That sounds good. Might try that. In that case, should I stop counting calories? Because sometimes I feel like I'm way to consumed with the whole thing. Like, I need to chill with it. I know I've gained about 4 pounds this past week or so. So maybe I'll just use the calorie counter to lose those 4 pounds and then just go about my life without the app? I mean, I've used it for so long, and it's about time I get over the calorie counting and just teach myself proper meal planning. I practically know the calorie content of everything, and that's a little scary to me. Maybe if I just stop obsessing over the number, I'll be less stressed out over how much I might be eating, I think I'll try that...

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