Getting back into the habit of binging - Need motivation!

zlottery · March 2013

Hey everyone,

So, long story short: I started my weightloss last July. I lost the bulk of it by about last November, then, as the weather got worse, I started getting into worse and worse eating habits. By the end of December I'd developed a full blown binging habit and had gained about 6 lbs. I was working out maybe once a week.. and I'd have several really good days and then binge 4000-6000 calories and feel horribly depressed. Around mid-January, I went on vacation to FL for a couple of weeks and I got back on track with both eating and exercise and dropped the weight I'd gained and then some. Recently, though (within the last about 3 weeks) I've slowly gotten back into binging habits. A lot of it has been triggered by emotional stress in my personal life, but I'd had stress before and I had not binged in over 2 months and BOOM. I didn't even know my body could still handle this amount of food.. and it really hasn't been taking well to it (sore/bloated from sodium, stomach aches from all kinds of food stuffed into me, etc). I was doing great this week thinking I was back on track, then comes today and I've racked up 5,500 calories. A lot of it isn't "junk" but it really doesn't matter WHAT I've had when I've eaten that much. I feel physically sick, I feel horribly depressed, I feel unmotivated and I just hate myself. I went on my first run this week in quite a while, and I managed 4 miles and hill sprints and I did SO GOOD and I threw it all away today by trying to eat away my emotions. I hate feeling this out of control and I just want help, maybe from someone who has also gone through this. I need someone to help me get back in control. If possible, someone who would let me message them when I'm about to go overboard to tell me "No."

Can anyone out there help me? I'm deathly afraid of gaining back the 35 lbs I've struggled so much to lose and developing a BED. Please.

2ht2hand1e · March 2013

I struggle with binging as well. I can't say that I have tips to avoid binging all of the time because I still have binges sometimes. I have learned some ways to help recover from my binging relapses, so that I do not become worse or gain weight. Some things that have helped me in the past include:

I keep logging my food no matter how far over the calories may seem to be. I notice that when I decide I will just start logging again "in the morning," that it is easier for me to continue not logging the next day,.. Which turns into the next day, and the next. Before I know it I have not logged in for three days, and I've eaten thousands and thousands of calories. Then I feel 10x worse than on the first day.

I buy tons of fruits and vegetables. I eat as many as possible to stay fuller and eat less high calorie foods.

I exercise first thing in the morning to give me a positive action in the morning. I tend to eat healthier on days that I exercise. I also am more likely to exercise when I do it in the morning.

When I want something to eat, and I a full, I also try to make myself wait and focus on something else. Sometimes I read and ppost on these message boards instead of eating out of boredom or anxiety.

I hope some of these help give you a place to start in trying to avoid binging (as much). We all have bumps in the road to improving ourselves. Sometimes they seem more like tornadoes, but just don't quit. A few binges will not make it impossible to reach your goals, but quitting can become a self-fulfilling prophecy for failure.

Hugs and best wishes! You CAN overcome this setback.

veggiehottie · March 2013

I feel your pain. I used to binge really bad when I was younger and thought i had gotten over it.

This last year has been hard for me... Breakup with a boyfriend and dealing with a special-needs 3rd grader. My binge eating has reappeared, full-force, right in the middle of my weight loss journey.

It's amazing the amount of food you can put in your mouth even though you know you will feel like crap the next day.

I guess the only thing we can do is keep plugging along and treat each day as a new opportunity to treat our bodies kindly.

*Hugs*

svelt123 · March 2013

HI, I am where you are and have been here several times. What keeps me motivated is looking back what I have lost.
I am also conscience of how my clothes are fitting and how I actually feel physically. When I focus on this it motivates me to try to take one day at a time. When life gets tough I also have a tendency to eat my emotions. Since I am aware of this,I try to keep foods that I know that will cause harm to my health out of my house. I don't even purchase it in the first place!

Believe it or not, You are still in control because you are aware of what you are doing to yourself.
Take a moment and listen to your inner voice. Give yourself one week to do the following. Each day eat less of the"sinful" food. Write down your emotions or talk to a good friend and slowly get back into your workout routine. By the end of the week throw the remaining binge food in the trash!. The next week. If whatever it is that is causing you stress is still present in your life ask yourself "Is there anything that you can do about it? If not, than you have to seek a healthy way to cope with the stress.

Try to keep in mind that if you continue with what you are doing you would have added a health issue along with life's other problems. Never quit. Keep trying. keep trying keep trying. :flowerforyou:

supplemama · March 2013

Are you willing to seek therapy? Placing the onus of your behavior onto a total stranger who is not trained to deal with eating disorder issues shows a significant lack of insight. What if they can't get to a computer or use their phone and miss your message? Are you going to binge and then blame them? What if they get bored with 'helping' you? What if what if what if. People disappear from MFP all the time. Who doesn't disappear is you. Wherever you go, there you are. You can control what you do or don't put in your mouth. Understanding what compels you to stuff yourself is a big part of changing. A therapist can help you with this.

It's quite likely your health insurance covers mental health. If you don't have health insurance, there may be therapy available at reduced prices in your area. Google 'mental health resources + your county' or something like that to see.

Getting back into the habit of binging - Need motivation!

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