Binge Eating Help Needed!

Reformed binge-eater here I used to go out and buy packs of cupcakes and pizzas and eat it all, then restrict down to 1200 for a few days, then fall off the wagon again. Even purged a couple times (really, really stupid move on my part).
What I got was crazy acid reflux, no energy, and no sustainable weight loss- sure, I'd lose a couple pounds whilst restricting, but then it would not be enough and I would go off on a binge again.
Results? I was over 80 kgs when I came back home a few months ago. Not good for my frame, even though I wasn't obese I was not healthy either.
I agree with sophielou01: out of sight, out of mind. Well, perhaps not out of mind, but at least if it's not in the kitchen you might not eat it. Also, I found it very useful to never go to the supermarket on an empty stomach (if you're hungry you'll be more tempted to buy high-fat binge stuff), and always go with a shopping list (which comes down to planning meals in advance, I guess).
I also started exercising at home (I'm one of those people who always end up comparing myself to everyone in the gym, which doesn't help) - I used the blogilates beginner workout program for a start: http://www.blogilates.com/calendar/beginners-calendar-for-popsters-just-starting-out
I found having a clear plan makes it easier - you know what you have to do, every day, no fuss.
I also heard from a friend who stopped smoking that it was helpfull to always have something to put in your mouth in case of a craving - in my case, I now carry a bottle of water everywhere as well as sugar-free chewing gums. Chewing gum might not be elegant, but the taste (especially peppermint) makes it so that by the time I'm done chewing it the craving's passed. Not very elegant, but of great help to me
I also used to weight myself 3 times a week. I now do it only once a week, which has made me less obsessive...
I just realized I wrote a lot! And probably not very helpful... Oh well.
I wish you all the best, and don't hesitate to contact me if you need support, I can relate and I know the state of mind during a binge period is, well, no fun at all.
You can do it

I am just guessing, but do you rationalize the binge you are about to do with, "I am going to work it off chasing the two kids around."? I am sure you think through the whole process before you start. Maybe work through that.

I am just guessing, but do you rationalize the binge you are about to do with, "I am going to work it off chasing the two kids around."? I am sure you think through the whole process before you start. Maybe work through that.

^^ I agree and would look for these types of things.

Losing weight is like any other longterm project. You will do it when you really get tired of the way you are now and want to change. The weight comes off one pound at a time and takes work, like anything else, from cleaning the house to writing a paper for school or work.

You have to be onto yourself, as if you were two people -- tell yourself to stop the excuses, plan your day out, and do it.

It helped me to choose an exercise I like (walking and hiking). Choose an exercise you like. Do something with your kids. Small things add up. Find a DVD you like and dance with your kids in the house. Think of it as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Think quality of life -- more fitness in your life, better food.

Think longterm. Be positive. Praise yourself for small accomplishments.

I have a huge sugar addiction. Planning my meals out and making some in advance has saved my skin more than once. I always have the basics ready to throw a meal together in a few minutes.

Eat more protein and you won't be as hungry. If you don't know what to eat, start with some protein shakes until you plan out your diet. Find foods that are low calorie that will fill you up, like steamed kale and other fresh greens. Have fun doing some research.

Motivate yourself. Look up inspiring videos and tape some motivational sayings to your mirror.

You can do this. Thousands of people have finally lost the weight and you are just as capable as they are.

I hate that out of control feeling when binging. So, I've been channeling my energy into exercise. Sometimes I'll start to binge and then drop to the floor for 20 (granny) pushups. Exercise seems to break the binge urge

I binge eat when I'm stressed, that's for sure. I also find that I binge just for the pleasure factor in my mouth. So when I can muster up just a bit of self-control (hopefully before the binge), I shove some super-mint gum in my mouth, and that seems to help. A large mug of spicy herbal tea helps, too, as does drinking a huge glass of water. With my belly popping from liquid, the food just gives me heartburn.

I also found that hanging around MFP as often as possible gives me constant focus and motivation. Good luck!

From http://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/1qp1ng/tips_for_not_binge_eating_or_at_least_stopping_a/cdf0yey:

Avoidance: Try logging the calories of all the stuff you are planning to eat FIRST, and then deciding if you are OK with that or not.

(For me, I could so easily binge on just a crusty loaf with butter that I don't even keep that kind of bread in the house right now, but if I were going to binge on it I could eat most of a loaf and then I'd have to figure out how much butter I would put on it - maybe a pat or 1.5 pats per slice, x maybe 7 or 9 slices. Well, there I am, about 1200 calories just for this binge, tacked on to whatever I've already had for the day.)

If you don't care and still want the food, then try telling yourself you can have it after you do something productive - a walk around the block, a certain number of jumping jacks/push-ups, etc. Make yourself work for it, not because the exercise is going to cancel out the binge (it won't by a long shot) but because the effort and good feelings of physical activity might snap you out of it and realign your priorities!

Interrupting: Brush your teeth. Menthol cough drops. Strong mouthwash.

And in general, for the future, it can help if you get comfortable with the idea that being mildly hungry is a fine and pleasant temporary state to be in—anticipating, but not obsessing over, your next healthy meal. You feel good - you aren't stuffed or bloated, and you have the energy to get things done. And after you eat the meal, you won't have eaten so much to put you in a food coma, or sabotage your daily calorie target, you'll have eaten enough to satisfy your body and now you can move on to other tasks or hobbies.

I too have a problem with binging, and its getting better
What I found has worked for me (keep in mind that everyone is different; you just have to find what works for you)
-if you feel like "I cant keep _____ food in the house without binging on it" don't keep it in the house. BUT THIS IS NOT A PUNISHMENT. Just tell yourself "I am not ready to keep this IN THE HOUSE. It does not mean it is off limits".
-Speaking of that, every food is something you can eat. DO NOT restrict yourself from ANY food, even if its a problem food. I actually enjoy going out for a scone at the local café rather than trying to keep a container of mini scones in the house. That way, you still get what you want.
-Try not to over compensate a binge. It only puts you in the binge/restrict/binge again/restrict again cycle (this is one of the hardest cycles to break, IMO). However, I am an advocate for some light exercise after a binge if you're feeling up to it. But don't push yourself. The exercise may help you feel a little better physically and emotionally.
-try not to eat out of boredom / other feelings (still one of my biggest problems) if you're home alone (the times at which 90 percent of my binges take place) try to get distracted. If you're hungry, treat yourself to a nice homemade lunch of your choice. Have dessert with that if you want. And if you feel physically satisfied but you still want to eat, tell yourself "well, maybe ill wait a bit. The food will still be here later". Brush your teeth and take a walk or do something that you enjoy