14 Day Binge Free Challenge???

Hi,
My name is Winnie, I am 21 and I have a very serious binge eating disorder. I want to do a challenge where we can support each other in a 14 day binge free challenge. I have tried to challenge myself to stop so many times and have continued to fail. I am hoping that sharing a challenge with this group will help to keep me accountable and I would like to help others stay accountable.

My Story:
I have been binge eating for a year now and I just get worse and worse. Ever since I was advised to go on a limited diet for my gut issues, the restriction has caused my binge eating to worsen. Now my gut health is not good at all because I can't stop binging on crap food and even knowing this does not stop me. I used to binge once a month, then once every 2 weeks, once a week, 3 times a week and now every. single. day. It makes me so so sick and sad but I just don't know how to stop myself. Even with a bad case of acne caused by binge eating, 42 lbs added and a poor digestive system nothing has been able to get me to take it serious enough to stop. I have told people but the people I am surrounded by don't understand how serious it is. Here is what an episode will look like for me, I will go to make myself lunch, have a chicken salad. The urge to binge comes so strong and next thing I know I ate a whole box (6) granola bars, 4 bowls of cereal, 5 slices of bread slathered in nut butter and honey, a bowl of ice-cream, a pop tart, a large bowl of chips and sometimes even more. I am gaining so much weight so fast. I can not rid my house of these things because I live with family who eat these things and there is no changing that.

So I am hoping making this a group effort will keep me motivated to resist and help me to think twice before binge eating. I binge eat because it is a horrible habit, just like smoking for some people, and I just want support in breaking these bad habits. If you are in let's do 14 days where we challenge ourselves and each other to break the cycle. Update daily (if possible) , this is the form in which I will be updating:

Day : ___
I: am binge free today! / binged today
I feel:
___ day down, ___left to go

I will start my challenge tomorrow as today is already almost over and I (sadly) feel sick because I have failed already earlier today, hence why I sought out this support group. Let me know if you're in.

Replies

  • Go for it! Even if you can do 14 hours or 14 minutes it's a victory. Once you get your streak going, it will be self reinforcing.
  • ChronicOptimist
    ChronicOptimist Posts: 558 Member
    I think this is a great idea! Way to go being proactive and looking for solutions that work for you. Right now I'm about 90 days binge free (woo woo!) and I still consider every day a victory. Happy to join the challenge and support you in your goals!

    Also feel free to send a friend request if you like.
  • FluffyFontaine
    FluffyFontaine Posts: 27 Member
    I'll do it with you; my start day will be tomorrow. We can do this together!!!
  • Leahkat1020
    Leahkat1020 Posts: 8 Member
    Hi!

    I'm also a recovering binge eater. I'm 22, been fat as long as I can remember. Am now on a slow decrease from my highest weight of 240lbs. My BMI is still about 42, which means I am morbidly obese. I always struggled with fast food binges as well as ice cream and candy.

    I've been vegetarian for about four months now and this has been helping me, I feel like I've been avoiding the high fat foods and have been working on transitioning to veganism.

    Counting calories has been challenging for me and I've been on myfitnesspal for a while, bouncing around and being ashamed to count the calories on my binges. When I would enter them I would be immediately horrified and I felt so ashamed of myself. The thing is, I think there is healing with coming clean. I've done a few of the Overaters Anonymous online meetings and I feel like this has helped me learn more about the nature of a food addiction. I also consider myself a food addict in recovery.

    I'm in the challenge. I never want to feel like I feel after a binge again. I wish you the best and if you want someone to talk to about this, send me a message.

    I'm currently on a 3rd day without a binge. I feel strong.

    Best!
    Leah
  • ChronicOptimist
    ChronicOptimist Posts: 558 Member
    How's the challenge going, everyone?

    I'm feeling a little apprehensive because I'm going out drinking with friends tonight to celebrate finishing our hardest week of med school so far. Today marks 94 days without a binge for me, but for the first 60 days of that I was completely alcohol free, and for the past 34 I've only had like... a glass of wine with dinner VERY rarely. I'm feeling worried that the alcohol might trigger a binge urge and the loss of inhibition might make me give in.

    The good news is that my friend will be out with me who knows all about my struggle with ED and I know I can turn to her for support if need be. So glad to have her!

    Hope everyone is having a great day and looking forward to a long weekend (assuming you're in the US)!
  • I managed a family wedding last weekend without any alcohol - I stopped drinking primarily because I didn't want the empty calories. I have never thought about drinking and binging before -- but it does make sense. Good luck with keeping your celebration focused on celebrating all of your hard work.

    Nice blog post to pass along -
    Top 5 Causes of Binge Eating Disorder
    1. Backlash from dieting
    2. There was abuse
    3. Depression
    4. Overstimulation
    5. Perfectionism
    http://bingeeatingtherapy.com/2014/08/28/whatcausesbingeeatingdisorder/
  • Leahkat1020
    Leahkat1020 Posts: 8 Member
    I'm still going strong! It's been a week!
    I had one day when I went over my daily calorie count, but I have not had a binge.
    On my night off of work, I was up late and my boyfriend was sleeping. This is usually a bad time for me to be awake since I always binge in secret. When I got up and opened the fridge I just thought about my progress and how I didn't want to give up. I cut up a lime and drank ice water with a lime in it. Then I started crocheting to keep my hands busy. Success!

    I hope everyone else is doing well and staying strong.
  • ChronicOptimist
    ChronicOptimist Posts: 558 Member
    @danielle - LOVE that blog post. I frequently attribute my BED to dangerous restriction dieting when I was a teenager. Nice to see that I'm not just making up that connection!

    @leah - Congrats on your week! It feels so great to recognize a potential opportunity for a binge and walk away. Way to go!

    Happy to say that my night out did NOT end in a binge, and my streak continues! I'm so so so excited to round on 100 days binge-free this week. As someone who truly used to binge every single day, I honestly never thought I'd be able to say that sentence.

    Way to go, all, on your progress so far!
  • Congrad's all -

    I am a huge knitter - keeping my hands busy is such a good way to avoid a binge.

    One Hours, One Day, One Week or 100 Days - How do we keep that fear of it starting up again? I'm so afraid that I will suddenly will have a huge binge attack, fall off the train and not bother getting back on (My history is full of such incidents) --

    Virtual Pink Balloons to all

    Danielle
  • ChronicOptimist
    ChronicOptimist Posts: 558 Member
    Well, 14 days have come and gone - I hope everyone was able to learn a little bit about themselves and reflect about what drives us to binge. Congrats to all on the progress made!

    I'd love to see this group get a little more active! BED is such a common problem and I think the more people can be open about it and talk about it, the better it is for us all.