Ex Binge Eaters

I definitely relate. I usually binge and stress eat when I'm tired or upset. What has helped me is keeping healthy food in the house a binge on frozen grapes isn't nearly as bad as a binge on cookies. I also try drinking a few cups of water when I feel a binge coming on. And if I do binge on crap food I don't dwell on it
I focus on making the next day better

Very inspiring and heart felt responses here.

First, to the OP... congratulations on being here, admitting and trying to work through your problem. Most people never get this far so good for you. Keep talking and keep fighting. I promise you that it will pass and you'll be successful, healthy and happy.

Second, to the folks who replied and have overcome binging, congratulations! You have overcome amazing challenges and I hope you are all proud of yourselves. Keep up the good work!

To the folks who are in the middle.. keep plugging away. There is only failure in not trying and every day, in fact, every hour is a new challenge and a new opportunity to succeed and as long as you keep trying, you're doing a good job.

In general... please don't feel guilty, easy to say I know, but guilt doesn't erase a binge and it only serves to make you feel worse about yourself so don't waste your energy on that.

While I was never truly a binge person by definition I have had my moments where I just can't get enough and I have thrown out many brand new products that I purchased with the intention of eating all of it. My personal experience has to do with extreme calorie restriction and just being stubborn enough to deprive myself and actually feel good about it. I am not in any way shape or form advocating pro-ana or ED's, I am just saying that for some folks the idea of deprivation and being empty fuels the ego. It's a control thing and unfortunately many times that leads to a binge. It is important to understand the emotional or mental causes behind the binge. Or sometimes it is as simple as the fact that you're just not getting enough food during the day.

I went no carbohydrate for a while and it was the worst thing I could have done as it made my sweets craving out of control. I am now very low carbohydrate and handle it well.

A few things have worked for me to stop myself from, I will call it over eating, since I don't truly fit into the binge category.

Tons of protein and fiber, tons of water, tons of distraction e.g., call someone, write (hand write) something, anything. Go for a walk, paint your nails, crank the music as loud as you can and dance like no one is watching Chew gum, chew on ice, put on some of the clothes you bought when you started going down in sizes and marvel at how good you look and how proud of yourself you are. Give yourself a make over, if you smoke... chain smoke! Do your hair, jump a rope, do some gardening, walk your dog, do a work out, clean your house, go to the mall and window shop, chew gum... a whole pack if you need too...

See? all of these distractions made you forget that we were talking about binging right? LOL! Sorry...

Actually the one big thing that works for me is to give myself permission to binge. Sounds counter-intuitive but giving yourself permission takes the stress off. It removes the taboo, the guilt, the anticipation, the obsession and it allows YOU to be in control of where and when YOU chose to have that binge. By the time you get around to it hopefully the urge has past and you're feeling strong enough to just say "Nah... I don't really need to do this". I also think about the fact that I have worked so hard in my MMA classes that I've actually thrown up, pissed myself and nearly crapped myself and passed out so there is just no way in hell I am going to work that hard and be counter productive.

Anyway... I know that our situations are very different but I hope that some of this helps.

Thanks.

I try to keep my hands busy. Folding laundry or mopping (somehow those things always need to be done!) If the desire gets too strong, I go for a walk - without my wallet. No matter how much I want it then, it's out of reach. Usually working out (read: walking) decreases my appetite for awhile, but that's just me.

Best of luck!

Im with this guy.

I finally got a nutritionists advice---- by eating ON PURPOSE 90-130gms of protein daily,
I am NEVER hungry, and rarely crave. In just 6 weeks it has totally changed the way I eat
and the way I look at my food life.

I have still had a few 'bumps' in the transition, and it IS a lot of work to eat this much protein.
Im doing chicken, lean steaks, protein drinks and bars, and a LOT LOT LOT of black beans.

I FEEL amazing, have dropped 7lbs in 6 weeks, and 10 inches off my body. SW was 196 on June 6th.

Make the decision to 'get full' and keep your body's needs satisfied, and you wont struggle with the cravings
NEARLY as much. The other half- is sticking to it long term- your body needs to lose its addiction to the bad fats
and chemicals you've been eating..

I have been there. Food CAN be as addicting as drugs---- its been my drug for 10 years.

Not anymore. PROTEIN FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year I reached a low point when I gained 30 kg (66 pounds) in less than one year. I realised I need professional help to overcome this, and that's the best choice I ever made. My counsellor got me through this. I would recommend "eating mindfully" by Susan Albers, the book that changed my life! If you don't change your mindset, you will never completely stop binging.

When I had the most trouble with binge eating about five years ago, I went to see a nutritionist. She looked at my diet and told me that I wasn't eating enough fat or enough calories for the amount I was working out. I made her suggested changes, and it made a MAJOR difference. I also try to make sure I get at least seven hours of sleep. If I'm sleep deprived I will get major cravings. Even now, if I work out too much or if I don't eat enough, I still feel those urges. So make sure you aren't at too much of a deficit.

Fellow binge eater

bump

I'm a low-carber, so my advice might be different than others.

I am able to stop binge eating by eating a decent quality meal.

That helped me a lot, as did reaching for a drink or distraction instead.