What made you stop binge eating FOR GOOD?
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Trouble is, everyone binges for different reasons, so the best way to stop it is to find out why.
I’ve binged for years and I still suffer with it, but I’m trying not to worry about a cure and I’m trying to learn my triggers for now.
Allowing myself to get too hungry, or feeling down makes me binge. Even not having the food in the house doesn’t help; I’ll quite happily take the time to drive to the supermarket, spend £15 on cakes and sweets and crisps, come home and eat the lot, then hide the wrappers because I’m ashamed.
Try and establish why you do it, keep a diary as such, write down your feelings before and after the binge, as well as what you’ve eaten. See a doctor, it could help0 -
Like others, therapy, because binges were part of a larger problem for me. Learning intuitive eating helped me a great deal too.
I think there's more to it than choice, it's not a case of overeating tasty food you like. I would consume boxes of doughnuts, multipacks of crisps or whatever was in the cupboard at the time, including tins of beans, dried fruit or rice pudding and things, until I felt really unwell. It's not like Christmas full, it's not like feeling queasy. Why would you make yourself feel that way if it was a simple case of choice?
And not keeping the food in the house didn't work because I'd just walk to the shop and buy it. We have 3 corner shops within 5 mins walking distance and I'd visit all 3 so it didn't look like I was buying so much at the till.
It rarely happens anymore, but if I am feeling low whilst being stressed or angry, it starts to creep back in. Though being out of the habit these days, the horrible physical sensation comes on much earlier than in the past.0 -
Binge eating and over eating have nothing to do with will power or control. It has to do with Choice.
I have spoken at length about binge eating and over eating in this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/656765-bingers
Give it a quick read :-)
I have to say I disagree with that. Choice isn't everything. Binge eating can come from a place that you don't even know about. Choice, control and willpower are not the same thing. They're all psychological and as such are all complicated but it's not as simple as just choosing not to do something when you don't know why you're choosing to do it.
I agree that Choice isnt the issue here, and it is glib to say it is. Like telling a smoker, "Oh you should just quit!"0 -
It's not black or white. I agree that TELLING someone to "just quit" is usually not the answer. But discovering (and most importantly feeling) that you have a choice YOURSELF is something different. Believe me, I've experienced this myself. And I don't have the magic button to press to get that realization/feeling. If I did, I would have lost weight years ago (and I'd be rich).
Therapy can be involved. Also have experience with that.
What I want to say is, you *can* take control, but it can definitely be very hard to get to the point where you do.0 -
Hey there, I'm glad you're seeking help. Even if it's on a forum it's a big step to recovery.
I've had an eating disorder since 2 years ago. I was anorexic. I would eat almost nothing, the bare, bare minimum to survive. But that didn't bother me, it was like I lost interest in food completely. But that didn't last very long. About a year later I started having these cravings for food I have been avoiding. They were so bad I would feel sick for the whole day unless I let myself eat it. The problem was the moment I had the first bite, a binge episode would start. I would clear all the junk food in the house. I guess you could say I saved myself through my binging... I was able to gain 30 pounds and got back to a healthy weight. Yeah I was severely underweight. Okay enough about me ^^
The way I stopped binging was by eating carbs and fat. Healthy carbs and fat. Fat deprivation actually causes depression and stress and in turn leads to seeking food as a relief. So don't avoid those two food groups completely like I did in the past.
Never eat in front of the TV. You won't realize what you're doing until it's too late. Eat slow, with water in between. You'll feel satisfied sooner.
Eat with others and share your food. You'll be less likely to binge in group settings.
Differentiate between hunger and cravings. Cravings involve wanting sweets and junk food. If you open the fridge and your eyes land on cookies or cake instead of eggs and steak then you're experiencing a craving. Allow yourself to have a piece but don't take the whole box with you. Eat slowly and actually enjoy the food then finish up with some water or tea. You'll realize your craving has been satisfied and you're not actually hungry for more.
Wow I write a lot... But I hope it helps!0 -
You literally wrote exactly what I am experiencing.0
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When I feel a binge coming on I need the "POWER" to resist it. POWER is an acronym for 5 different tools I personally use to divert my attention away from compulsive eating.
P- is for Prayer I ask my Higher Power to help take away the temptation to eat right now.
O- is for Outreach I call a friend, a sponsoror, a family member, etc. to have a chat.
W- is for Willpower No it's NOT a myth. Sometimes, I simply need to say no to foods that are counterintuitive to my recovery from food addiction.
E- is for Exercise I can go the gym or go out for a walk or drive to the mall and walk there.
R- is for Rest Sometimes, I'll just take a short nap or if I get a craving late at night, I'll just go to bed and forget about it.0 -
God does this sound familiar. I do it on a nightly basis but mine is chips, bananas and milk. My seems to go hand in hand with insomnia. I will be following your thread. Thanks for posting.0
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Think about WHY you binge eat. Do you do it because you're hungry? Because you're sad? Lonely? Bored. Figuring out what triggers that binge is more important than finding motivation not to binge. If it's because you're hungry, then take a look at your food diaries to find out what you're lacking. If it's because you're bored, go take a walk instead. Sad, lonely, or depressed: my best advice would be to find a professional to help or enlist some close friends to talk with.0
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I have struggled with this since I was twelve years old. Im 23... I just started to get control of this in February so it has not been long at all. Therapy did not work well for me but im sure its helpful for many! Thinking of how much my stomach hurt after a binge helpedme. Also watching videos and looking up certain foods or restaurants. Learning how truly awful fast food is for you sometimes helps me stay away from it. Feel free to send me a message sometime
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Bump- I have nearly the same exact problem.0
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I became disgusted with foods . Watching programs on how it's made and things like that . And mashing the foods up , weel they became just un-appetising . And watching people eat also turned me off , hearing somebody chew makes me cringe .
It's also alot to do with willpower . You've got to weigh the guilt vs. how nice will that food be
YES. You'll have to pay me a lot of money to get me to eat a hot dog again. learn how your good was made and ask if you really want those particles in your body. Not just going in one end and out the other, but staying there and weighing you down.0 -
I have had a binge today, I was nearly sick. I am in the grips of this big time. I fast most of the time and I am fine with that because I never really get hungry. But when the mind set is there I can do nothing to stop it. I have issues with my childhood, which I don't really want to go into and has now made me the way I am. I also have started to suffer really bad panic attacks. I have not got a clue what sparks a binge, but I am completely out of control. I am in a lot of pain when I binge. I feel like I am sliding down a slippery slope. I am really, really fed up with it all now.0
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Some things to consider as a binger, that may help you stop: (I am also a binger and working to stop)
1 - food is meant to be enjoyed, but when you binge, you do NOT enjoy it
2 - whatever problem is ailing you and making you binge is NOT going to go away after the binge is done
3 - all the exercise or activity you did will be cancelled out from the binging
4 - not only are you gaining excess weight, you are increasing your cholesterol while paying extra money on your grocery bill
(wasted money + weight gain + increased cholesterol + bad morale = more problems)
5 - strive to do better, and forgive yourself, after all you are human
Best of luck everyone, you are not alone and you CAN stop! Believe in yourself.0 -
I stopped binge eating because I didn't like the feeling afterwards. I also developed high blood pressure. I knew if I kept at it, I would get big as a house and develop other health problems, too. It comes a time where you have to take a poop or get off of the potty.0
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I am bumping to read when I have time, because like you I have a huge problem with this! When I start to feel yucky afterwards, I tell myself I will remember that feeling for next time and learn to not do it again, but I must have terrible memory, because the next time, I do it again. I know it is not ok, but I still do it.0
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Some things to consider as a binger, that may help you stop: (I am also a binger and working to stop)
1 - food is meant to be enjoyed, but when you binge, you do NOT enjoy it
2 - whatever problem is ailing you and making you binge is NOT going to go away after the binge is done
3 - all the exercise or activity you did will be cancelled out from the binging
4 - not only are you gaining excess weight, you are increasing your cholesterol while paying extra money on your grocery bill
(wasted money + weight gain + increased cholesterol + bad morale = more problems)
5 - strive to do better, and forgive yourself, after all you are human
Best of luck everyone, you are not alone and you CAN stop! Believe in yourself.
What sucks is these are all things I am aware of when doing it, but I ignore them!
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I would see a doctor to help. This is a eating disorder, an addiction almost. Good luck!0
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Honestly, I worked on it for 30 years before I stopped. I did therapy, groups, medication, books, etc. What made me stop was turning 40. I decided I was not going to carry this monster of a disease into the 2nd half of my life.
To do so, I had to stop dieting and start feeding myself for nourishment. I had to commit to the principles of mindful eating. I had to realize that stabilizing was more important than weight loss. I committed to exercising regularly and hard to relieve my stress and nervous energy. I started yoga and do it 2-3x per week. I read books about intuitive eating and cognitive behavioral modifications. I developed coping strategies and worked my program. I started gardening so I had a better connection with food (and also shopping at Farmers' Markets). I stopped bringing trigger foods into my home. I cut out flour and sugar because they were triggers for me. I made a list of things I could do instead when I wanted to binge and I worked that list.
It was HARD. It is HARD.
I have to learn to be comfortable with discomfort--to allow it to pass without any destructive behaviors to take my mind off it.
I have been successfully in recovery since last summer and while I've had some slight missteps, I just work all these strategies all the time.
The only thing that will make you stop is HARD FREAKIN WORK--working your system, sitting through emotional upsets and waiting for them to pass, and committing to living your life free from this giant weight around your neck that is choking you out. I feel like I was carrying such a heavy physical and emotional burden for so many years and it's mostly gone.
The other thing is BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR ILLNESS with yourself and with others. I allowed my illness to shame me. I hid it. Once I admitted it to everyone, it had no power over me.0 -
What stopped me bingeing and comfort eating? Knowing what I needed to eat calorie wise and never cutting more than 100-150 calories a day. I only binge after I've restricted.
Sometimes if I have holiday for a few days I go for it, but it's never with the blank staring eyes anymore lol!
Also, eating all the foods I like, and knowing the VALUE of those foods makes me eat slower and enjoyably.
Washing up straight after dinner, having a hot drink and full fat Greek yoghurt puts a stop to my evening chow downs.0 -
P.S. I agree with the posters saying to ignore the comments about using your willpower.
Restriction is a precursor to developing BED. Don't use your willpower. Work on learning to eat normally, with a counselor and/or nutritionist if necessary.
Trying to "use your willpower" is the worst thing you can do.
However, do remember that every time you binge, your are hardwiring that behavior into your brain as a normal response to a situation. It takes quite a while to unravel those neural pathways when you want to re-write your code, so to speak.0 -
I relate to this in a very big way...I was looking for a place to post and I stumbled upon this....Thank you for sharing! I have been isolating in my binge eating and it feels like a really safe place. Unfortunatly walking around in this 220lb body is really bringing me down....not as easy to hide any more. I could use tons of encouragment and even a few bad *kitten* cause i hate to let people down. I have to do this now because my health is really bad and I have a beautiful active 5 year old daughter to raise.0
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I really like this post!0
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Binge eating and over eating have nothing to do with will power or control. It has to do with Choice.
I have spoken at length about binge eating and over eating in this thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/656765-bingers
Give it a quick read :-)
I have to say I disagree with that. Choice isn't everything. Binge eating can come from a place that you don't even know about. Choice, control and willpower are not the same thing. They're all psychological and as such are all complicated but it's not as simple as just choosing not to do something when you don't know why you're choosing to do it.
Well it's your right to disagree, but I must ask, did not read the post I linked to, or my replies to it? Choice and control are what I talk about in them at length, you might have a different opinion. :-)
I'm just sayin'.
I did read it and I still disagree. Yeah, you do choose to binge but like I said, if you don't know why you're choosing to do that then it's not as simple as purely coming down to choice. Control for me, is everything. I now know why I binge and that knowledge gives me the power to control it and my cravings. Everyone's different and uses their own methods.
You can say whatever you want but it's not backed up the body of literature regarding BED and not supported by the medical community.0 -
Honestly just logging in food everyday helps! If you have to binge eat, binge on healthy foods! Also, drink A LOT of water. It will make your stomach feel ridiculously full almost to the point where you feel sick, and you won't be able to eat. Additionally, stay active. The more you exercise the less likely you are to binge eat because after you workout, you feel too good to spoil the feeling! Staying busy is also key. If you're always busy (not watching tv, sitting around, etc) and you're out shopping or taking your dog on a walk in the park you can't eat. Shopping is great exercise and you'll be less likely to eat a lot of food if you're trying on clothes!
Hope these tips help Also, you can take green tea extract pills and the other pills recommended by Dr. Oz so your body does not absorb the fat/your metabolism is sped up etc. So, if you do binge, it won't be as bad. Also, just because you binged, doesn't mean you have to make the whole day a "lazy" day. Go for a light jog for 30 minutes, walk your dog in the park, go swimming, go shopping, go take a walk with your friend/boyfriend/husband/fiance, go take a yoga class, go take a spin class, etc.
Good luck
sending my encouragement and love! 0 -
Some things to consider as a binger, that may help you stop: (I am also a binger and working to stop)
1 - food is meant to be enjoyed, but when you binge, you do NOT enjoy it
2 - whatever problem is ailing you and making you binge is NOT going to go away after the binge is done
3 - all the exercise or activity you did will be cancelled out from the binging
4 - not only are you gaining excess weight, you are increasing your cholesterol while paying extra money on your grocery bill
(wasted money + weight gain + increased cholesterol + bad morale = more problems)
5 - strive to do better, and forgive yourself, after all you are human
Best of luck everyone, you are not alone and you CAN stop! Believe in yourself.
These plus logging as you eat so to be conscious of the binge, are really good suggestions from previous posters. I want to remember them. Maybe post on my monitor.0 -
Once I started eating enough calories throughout the week, including good healthy fats (avocado, nuts) and making sure I was getting proper nutrition.0
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I can't speak of what I would call "true" binges because I haven't had that issue. However I've found that the times when I do lose control a little bit are growing much further in between. For example, I have difficulty controlling myself when it comes to holiday candy (Halloween, Cadbury eggs, etc) and I used to go buy 3-5 pieces at once and it would have been a miracle for them to last 24 hours. But honest logging on MFP has broken me of that habit mostly. I still may talk myself into two when I planned to eat one, but it's like my self-respect has grown a bit and along with it, my discipline.0
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it happened slowly for me, it wasnt one thing but rather an accumulation of a number of different aspects of my old habits. spending way too much on food, being out of breath after performing simple stuff like climbing a couple flights of stairs, never being happy with my self-image ect.
eventually i just learned that binging isnt really worth anything, there is one positive to it, and that is the short term result of having that craving satisfied, which is outweighed 100x by the negatives. plus that craving can be satisfied without fulling yourself to the brim, i just eat a small amount of whatever im craving
havent had a true binge in 6 months0 -
Help me!!! I feel the SAME way.0
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