Overeating/binging everyday

I have the exact same problem and am fighting my way through it. I don't have a fail proof solution but one thing I'm working on is keeping track of how many binge free days I have. Once I get to a certain point I'll reward myself (clothes, movie, etc). Keeps me accountable and looking at where and when I go wrong so I can figure out how to avoid those situations. Keep track of it, just like your food and exercise here, only looking back can you move forward.

What I've found to help most was cutting out straight sugar. I used to eat A LOT of candy. A LOT! Now, I'm not saying I've completely cut out simple carbs. I eat what I like. I do try to get whole grain as often as possible. I cut out candy and switched to sugar free popsicles instead of sugar ones. For me, these simple changes were what started me on a downward trend with my weight. If simple carbs/simple sugars are an issue for you, you may find these tweaks effective for you too.

My understanding is that when you eat simple sugars, your blood sugar goes up fast and then crashes just as fast, causing you to feel hungry sooner. By eliminating, or greatly reducing, your intake of simple sugars/carbs, you reduce this effect and are less hungry and therefore eat less.

Keep in mind, too, though that completely eliminating anything can be counterproductive because when you break down and DO eat the eliminated item, you will be very likely to overdo it.

Hope this helps!

I had this problem big time when I started my diet, and still do somewhat. What I discovered is actually pretty simple.

1. Don't wait until your craving is full blown, then the only thing that will even start to satisfy it will be a binge.

2. keep the lowest calorie equivalent (peanut butter - peanuts in shell, chocolate - giardelli dark chocolate squares, ice cream - $1 individuals or "Sweet Freedom" by Blue Bunny) on hand. If you have to go to the store to buy it when the craving hits, you know you'll buy the high calorie bulk bag. When you START having the craving, eat as little as you can from your lower calorie stash.

3. if possible, make you WORK for it - peanuts in shells, air popped popcorn (1/4 cup kernels each popping) instead of microwave, individually wrapped snack size candy bars - you're less likely to go into auto-pilot AND you'll eat less because you get sick of having to work for it. It's easy to go into auto-pilot and eat the whole bag if it's there. The landfill won't thank you, but your body will.

4. HIDE your stash! Put it somewhere you don't normally look (like the top shelf of a cupboard you barely ever open). You know it's there if you crave it, but you might not THINK of craving it if you don't see it..

5. If it's not pre-packaged, weigh EVERY portion in a bowl before you eat it. NEVER take the whole bag and sit down with it. A. it takes more time, B. you are more likely to stick to portions rather than eat the whole bag.


Your "stash" will change over time. My old craving was candy bars. Now my craving is air popped popcorn. It's at least healthier, but it's still bad to binge.