Binger and miserable :(

stacks34 · December 2013

I really need help.

I'm a recovering bulimic but unfortunately my bulimia has made me really enjoy binging. Although I can cut out the purge, I can't stop binging and it makes me gain weight like crazy.

This week I ate fantastically and lost weight until Friday night. I was tired and didn't fancy yoga. So I stayed in and binged and exceeded 4000 calories for the day.

Saturday I did great until the afternoon. I headed out to the gym but nipped to the shops first and my boyfriend (who is also pretty lazy, but skinny!) suggested Pizza Hut instead of the gym. I had been so motivated to go but at this point I was hungry, tired and I LOVE Pizza so another failed day. Oh and I didn't log because my meal was really confusing

This morning, I woke up and binged and have now relapsed back into bulimia.

This is a horrible cycle and I need help.

I can stop being bulimic but I can't stop binging

Has anyone here got any advice for me? Any recovering bulimics or bingers?

I eat regularly and try to distract myself but it's when I'm feeling lazy/tired I just want comfort food (sometimes I'm not even hungry!)

kokkoberry · December 2013

hi , i binge since 11 years ... we can talk if you want ... btw .. i am fighting it very well since a week for the first time ; its possible and i am sure u feel it inside you.

shred_me_up · December 2013

I HIGHLY recommend the book Brain over binge by Kathryn Hansen.

stacks34 · December 2013

Thanks! Looking into this now

Aliceeatme · December 2013

Oh my! I binged periodically all of November. Never did it before that nor did I purge once, but I did have anorexia. In fact, she's still here, I'm just telling her to shut her gaunt face. In all honesty, I never ate 4000 calories in a day. Bloody impressive that is-I would have thrown up out of reflex about two thirds of the way through.

Anyway, what worked for me was allowing myself to eat. Clearly, you're not eating enough if your body feels the need to do something that drastic. About a week and a half ago is when I finally started recovering properly and I haven't binged since then. The thing is, it was my restrictive eating throughout the week that led me to binge-even look forward to binge eating on the weekend. Don't look at binging as a treat. It is not a treat. It is hell. In my opinion, just try upping your calorie intake, and make sure you exercise every day/most days (I personally don't need full rest days, just yoga days). It doesn't matter how long you exercise; even 15 minutes is something. Also, play around with the time you work out. I used to think that I preferred the night, but I tried exercising in the morning and I loved it. As for upping your calorie intake, do it healthfully. Instead of eating cookies, biscuits, crisps and other nonsense for the extra calories, eat wholesome foods (apples with PB, grapes, carrot with hummus, cucumbers with mustard, grape tomatoes, yoghurt etc...). This will make sure you stay full and (hopefully) keep your mind off junk. You will likely gain weight at first by upping your calories, but as long as you slowly intensify your workouts, you will just begin using those calories as fuel for the exercise. Also, if you're feeling super sore and want to die-don't work out for the love of...If you work out when you should be recovering, you're going to burn out and go through this cycle again.

As for your boyfriend; stop being envious of him. I know-easier said than done, but the idea remains. Ask him if he would be willing to try eating healthier with you. Maybe ask him to just try for a week and prepare healthier versions of his favourite fast food. For example: pizzas on flatbread with reduced cheese and oil, baked sweet potato fries, almond crusted baked chicken, mix mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower etc...

If I can do this, so can you.

em435 · December 2013

Please see a medical professional. I imagine this is a common problem for those in recovery so I think they would have lots of good advice.

My 2cents:
Keep an eye on what you eat in the hours before you binge. There might be an underlying trigger like low sugar levels. Perhaps you're not eating as much as you think or perhaps you can try eating more filling foods starting with meals high in protein.

I don't know if the binge is on specific foods but if it is then try to keep them out of the house. Try to mostly have foods that you have to cook and, the rest, healthy snacks that will have a less impact on your calorie allowance.

Talk to your boyfriend and get his support with avoiding binging. (simple things like encouraging you to go to the gym before you get pizza)

Drink plenty of water between meals.

stacks34 · December 2013

Thanks for your kind words everyone

WannabeStressFree · December 2013

I'm a binger but lately it's become simpler by making sure I eat enough filling foods during the day, protein intake helps for sure. I still have urges but it's a bit easier when I'm satiated.
I used to restrict severely which would prompt huge binges, I could easily eat I'm guessing about 4-5K calories a meal if I truly give in.
I agree with talking with your boyfriend about supporting you a bit, he might not be aware of it.
Good luck!

nomeejerome · December 2013

seek a professional

Mdin1029 · December 2013

I would also try to get professional help. Something else that may help is eating foods all day that are full of nutrition so that your body has energy. This way you will hopefully not feel the need to binge.

Try something like maybe:

Breakfast:
lemon water
green smoothie (Mine is 1 cup water, 2 cups baby spinach and baby kale or other greens, 1/2 banana, 1/3 cup blueberries, I also add 1/3 cup fage yogurt or 1 tbl peanutbutter for protein-I don't like protein powders, a few mint leaves, cilantro leaves, a tiny bit of ginger)
2 boiled eggs with salt, pepper, paprika, and a little extra virgin olive oil

Snack:
1/4 cup raw unsalted almonds or other nuts

Lunch:
lean chicken or fish
lots of veggies (especially green)

Snack
1 gala apple or other fruits/veggies

Dinner
lean chicken of fish
lots of veggies (especially green)
sweet potato

LOTS of water, add lemon, cucumber, mint if you want

After dinner "tea":
1/4 lemon juice
few mint leaves
few cilantro leaves
tiny bit of fresh ginger
add boiling hot water, drink after a few minutes

Some form of activity as often as possible every day. (cardio 3x, strength 3x, walking whenever possible)

Make sure you eat enough of each of these things to get enough calories.

Medjool dates for any sweet cravings. Mix up the fruit and veggies and it can have tons of variety. A high quality multi-vitamin might be worth adding as well. The idea here is to work towards a healthier lifestyle that involves foods that nourish the body with vitamins and minerals, not just empty calories. I really hope this helps.

Binger and miserable :(

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