Binging?

lisahewitt22
lisahewitt22 Posts: 102
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I've had serious problems with binging in the past but when I joined MFP in late 2011 it stopped and I started feeling a lot better and also lost a lot of weight. But, after I lost the weight, I stopped logging my calories and the binging started again. So I thought if I started logging again maybe it would help but so far it hasn't. I was just wondering if anyone else has had any troubles with binging, any tips maybe?

Replies

  • lilypad_604
    lilypad_604 Posts: 15
    Binging can be made worse if you deprive yourself. Logging calories can be very beneficial for weight loss but it also might cause the guilt feelings that bring it on in the first place. I had issues with it and found that anytime I cut something out, I'd give in and eat 10 times as much of it later. Best thing is to allow yourself anything but be very mindful of portion sizes. That way you can curbe the cravings that also bring on a binge.

    Also, very hard exercise has been a godsend to me...after sweating that much, I don't have the urge to eat uncontrollably anymore...and also I subconsciously don't want all my effort to go to waste.

    Have you been diagnosed with BED?
    I've battled with it (and anorexia) for a few years but am totally better now. Exercise is #1. I also take Wellbutrin for ADHD which caused me to not binge anymore...lost 15-20 lbs within a couple of months as well. Don't take meds if you don't need them but if you have actually been diagnosed with it by a Dr and it is affecting your quality of life, I'd talk to your doc about options.
  • jhloves2knit
    jhloves2knit Posts: 266 Member
    What is BED?
  • MMMiroshi
    MMMiroshi Posts: 1
    Binge Eating Disorder
  • theedge56
    theedge56 Posts: 64 Member
    That is why I use Google instead of Binging
  • phyllisgehrke
    phyllisgehrke Posts: 236 Member
    I have found if I am hungry for something, I will have a small portion of it.
    I don't deprive myself of it.

    I love chocolate, so if I am hungry for chocolate, I will have 1 square of dark chocolate only.
    Then I try to drink 1 glass of water afterwards, which seems to satisfy my hunger.
    I watch Dr. Oz and he said if you feel you are hungry, first have a glass of water then if you are still hungry
    eat something.
    As most of the time when we feel hungry, we are just dehydrated
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    Logging my calories has helped my binge eating, mainly because I'm planning my meals to fit within my calorie amount, and eating more throughout the day. Before, I used to "save" my calories for the end because I knew I'd binge, but the reason why I was binge eating was because I wasn't eating enough during the day.
  • SurfyFriend
    SurfyFriend Posts: 362 Member
    I used to binge eat often and it was a bad habit.
    And I've quit smoking in the past and treated my binging in the same manner:
    Replacement.
    I chose to read books.
    I would eat great all day and at 11pm feel lonely and sad and have hot tea and a couple biscuits then would eat all the biscuits because they were so yummy and it made me forget about how I felt before. Anyway, one day I said no more, and picked up my old favourite book to take me away from my feelings. I was filled with joy because it was a good book, and this made my food urge go away.
    Other things I used were mfp, nutrition research, exercise, talking on the phone, writing to do lists, grocery lists, recipes, and cleaning my house.
    Distractions! :D
    You can do it xoxo
  • SusanMcAvoy
    SusanMcAvoy Posts: 445 Member
    I have a similar story. I started MFP in 2011 and lost 47 pounds. I got a sport injury and had to stop exercising. I got completely frustrated and binged my way back to my original weight in 2012-2013. Now I am trying to do Atkins and gain control. I probably have BED. It's very discouraging :sad: I find that lower carb diets don't make us crave as much. So far this is working. Good luck! :flowerforyou: Sue
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    That is why I use Google instead of Binging

    BAW HA HA HA HA HHA thank you

    I didn't know what the title was when I first opened it- thank you so much for this!

    + one on googling
  • Elif84
    Elif84 Posts: 287 Member
    I've been a binger since I was in high school and I feel for me it stems from stress. I don't deprive myself of anything and I still binge because it makes me feel better emotionally. I normally would binge every day after work (Mon-Friday) or when I was in school, right after school hours. I used to work out in the mornings before going into work, but changed my work out routine to after work so it would distract me from binging. Once I got home I would prepare my dinner and was less likely to binge. I've lost 40 pounds but food is always on my mind and it's an every day battle. I feel great that the weight is gone, but food is always on my mind...lol Maybe finding something that distracts you may help, like a hobby or going for a walk?
  • don3rd1981
    don3rd1981 Posts: 8 Member
    Don't use the calorie limit that MFP sets you up with. In my experience it's way too low. You only want to go from 10% to 20% below your maintenance calories. If you eat as little as the default on MFP tells you to, you'll be eating far too little and it wil cause you to binge. Use this link to find your actual maintenance level and do the math from there.

    http://www.dontstayfat.info/calorie-calculators.html
  • Storkette79
    Storkette79 Posts: 7
    The 4 causes of bingeing:
    1) Hunger/ under eating / irregular eating - If you are hungry your body is going to tell you to binge especially if you get to famished point. Make sure you never get too hungry. Make sure it's regular and you are eating enough healthy food
    2) Alcohol and drugs - increases risk of bingeing
    3) Emotions - If you are feeling intense emotions, bingeing can be used as a coping mechanism. So if it's this area, work out what it is you're feeling and work on that, problem solve if you have to, talk about it not eat it (I found this was a huge problem of mine. I would eat instead of saying what I needed to say or as a way of internalising emotions.
    4) Forbidden foods - if you have rules regarding foods and you deprive yourself you will eventually binge on it. When you have cravings, go and get that item (not keep it in the house so you have to go out to get it), try not to over do it and eat it slowly and mindfully. Also if you break one of your rules you are more likely to throw the towel in and binge. So good thing with this one is work on not having rigid food rules. A drink of water helps beforehand too, as well as wating 20 mins to see if you really do want to eat it. The app my diet coach is great for this. has a panic button (with a timer to help beat cravings and you can set little reminders during the day to drink water and much more.

    (I've worked on this a lot with an ED specialist so you're getting exactly what my therapist would say to me LOL)
    Good luck!!!!
  • mareeee1234
    mareeee1234 Posts: 674 Member
    Figure out your appropriate calorie goals

    Don't deprive yourself of food

    Don't cut anything out of your diet 100%

    Allow a treat every day if you must

    If you struggle with late night binging, allocate 200-300 calories for a snack after dinner.

    Don't make junk food the enemy, allow it here and there, and as I said a treat every day if you want

    Exercise gets you more in touch with your body, and makes you want to FUEL it properly. So make sure you have a work out routine. This REALLY helped me! It got me in a better frame of mind with my body, seeing food as fuel, and making me want to feed it well..supporting the workouts. If you get what I mean.. haha maybe thats just me!

    And remind yourself of how badly you want to be healthy and have a healthy relationship with food


    Thats pretty much all I can give. I've had binge eating disorder, and still not fully recovered. I was doing well for a couple months, but have slipped up here and there over the past 1-2months. But I find these things help. Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • Storkette79
    Storkette79 Posts: 7
    Don't use the calorie limit that MFP sets you up with. In my experience it's way too low. You only want to go from 10% to 20% below your maintenance calories. If you eat as little as the default on MFP tells you to, you'll be eating far too little and it wil cause you to binge. Use this link to find your actual maintenance level and do the math from there.

    http://www.dontstayfat.info/calorie-calculators.html

    ^He is right. The calorie limit on MFP is way too low... too fast losing that it screws your body. Definately check in with some of those formulas on that website, its what dietitians use too.
  • symonspatrick
    symonspatrick Posts: 213 Member
    Yes, I have had a problem with binging on certain foods. I have restricted myself from eating those foods as much as possible so that I could keep my calories down to where I wanted them. I have allowed myself to eat some of those foods on special occasions but not often because I want to feel that I have control over how many calories I eat. I don't want to completely cut them out of my diet forever because they are the foods that I enjoy the most and I want to train myself to eat them in moderation.
  • mareeee1234
    mareeee1234 Posts: 674 Member
    And by figuring out your appropriate calorie goals, I mean this...

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/833500-what-do-i-do-common-sense-cliff-notes

    Or -20% or 15% or 10% of your tdee for fat/weight loss, depending how much you want to lose. Or eat at tdee for maintenance :)
  • Maryaly40
    Maryaly40 Posts: 551 Member
    bump
  • aletadiana
    aletadiana Posts: 54
    So, I've had serious problems with binging in the past but when I joined MFP in late 2011 it stopped and I started feeling a lot better and also lost a lot of weight. But, after I lost the weight, I stopped logging my calories and the binging started again. So I thought if I started logging again maybe it would help but so far it hasn't. I was just wondering if anyone else has had any troubles with binging, any tips maybe?
    Hey Lisha...It sounds like your binging problem may be different than a person diagnosed with Bulimia. I'm a therapist and I have worked with people diagnosed with eating disorders in the past. In June there is a new diagnostic manual coming out that now includes Binge Eating as a disorder and separates it from Bulimia (a few ppl have mentioned it BED). It would be impossible for myself or anyone to diagnose you on this little bit of information but if you feel that it is causing issues in your life I definitely would talk to your doctor and possibly see a therapist and find out what options are available to you....you don't have to go through this alone!! MFP can be a great resource but there may be others out there as well! Good luck to you :)
  • sbrownallison
    sbrownallison Posts: 314 Member
    Bump for later reading: Good topic.

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