Overcoming binge eating

Welcome..I havent been on here long but the community seems really helpfull. I am also really unhealthy and trying to change that..good luck!!

Ps. nice to see another mainah round here

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Grieving is such a personal thing, and everyone tries to cope with it in different ways, so I guess with a history of bingeing and purging, it's not exactly surprising you have looked to food for comfort.

I too suffer from an eating disorder - I was diagnosed in 2012 with EDNOS, and although I've gone through long periods where I have not binged/purged, recently I have been falling into the habit again. I think it's due to stress, because I've had a lot of things going on which, while pleasant, were also placing a strain on me. All I can say, for both of our sakes, is that trying to go it alone will probably not work. I have often reassured myself that it's only temporary, but the only times I've managed any long-term recovery have been when I sought professional help, or at least spoken in depth to someone who could monitor me and keep me accountable to myself in a non-aggressive, accepting way.

My purging behaviour has led to a number of health problems which I would really like to help you avoid (if you don't already have them, considering how long you've been dealing with this). I suffer from extraordinary levels of acid reflux, as well as a myriad of recurrent throat and digestive issues. You have taken the first step by speaking up on here, and I'm sure you'll find (as I have in the past) that this community will be very supportive.

I really hope you will find a way to overcome or at the very least get your maladaptive behaviours under control. Maybe we could help each other to do this? If you want to try to do this together, just shoot me a message

All the best!

I'd try to get professional help.

I also agree that you should seek professional help. Although that doesn't mean you can't come here for support as well. With the right people, MFP is a very supporting community. Find people with similar goals, whether it be recovery or weight loss or both, and you'll always have people to turn to.

Your body is the only one you'll get, so be kind to it.

Hey there. I hope you're having a good day.

I suffer from emotional binge eating as a coping mechanism for depression and PTSD, so I know where you are coming from. I would tell you that the most important thing for you to do right now is to get help, from therapy or counseling. If you don't address the underlying issues, you won't be able to build the healthy habits that you want and need.

Secondly, I have found that actively tracking my food helps a LOT with binge eating. If you measure everything out and then put up the food before you take your plate, then you aren't tempted to grab another spoonful or keep eating from the bag. If the temptation isn't there, then you aren't as likely to take it.

Also, work on removing your emotional and moral connection to food. The less you think of food as a "bad" or "good" dichotomy, the easier it will be to stop binge eating. If you accidentally slip up, you don't have to go whole hog just because you didn't meet the goals you set for yourself. Just be more conscious next time and acknowledge there will always be bumps in the road.

There are several binge eating groups on MFP that you might look into. I hope what I've said helped.

Eating healthy is not being restrictive. And yes it's okay to demonize a rack of ribs or a double quarter pounder when you have weight issues. You can't recover unless you remove the source of your unhealthy life style.