I'm Glad I Tracked My Binge

Colleen1980
Colleen1980 Posts: 148 Member
edited September 23 in Motivation and Support
Today I went on a huge binge. I've been under my calories every day for a month, and today I gave into my hated food weakness and ate a ton of really unhealthy stuff.

My first instinct was to hide this fact. I didn't want to put it in my journal because that meant I had to face it. Then I thought, who is it helping if I don't post? No one. Who is it helping if I do? Me, and maybe some of you guys too. I've got to own up to when I overeat. Looking at it all on the page makes me realize how bad it is for me and how crazy it is to eat that many calories.

The biggest help to me was the end of the day when your journal says, "If every day were like today...". I'm currently 221 and for the past few days (when I've been under my calories) it's said that in 5 weeks I'll weigh about 213 lbs. Tonight, it said, "If every day were like today, you'd weigh 234.8 lbs in five weeks." That's right back where I started!!! Reality check.

So, I want to encourage you to write everything you eat, even if you have a bad day. Having a bad day doesn't mean I'm doomed to be fat forever. Tomorrow it's right back to my calorie limit, with some added exercise over the next few days to make up for today. Writing down your overeating will help you face what it's really doing to your health, your goals, and your future. Is it worth it? No way!! God Bless. :-)

Replies

  • rsonthelake
    rsonthelake Posts: 113 Member
    Great post......I'll definitely heed the advice!
  • nmccabe33
    nmccabe33 Posts: 35
    Thanks for the motivation! What an excellent point. Sometimes it's so hard to remember tomorrow is another day and that you shouldn't give up after one day of bad eating.
  • javamom
    javamom Posts: 309
    Your honesty is a sign of your strength. In this moment, start anew. Don't wait for tomorrow, or Monday, or another random future date. Take a breath and get back on track now. You can do it. I believe in you.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    I'm proud of you for tracking everything today. Being honest with ourselves is the best thing we can do to take control. And you're right, it is a great example for all of us. There's no advantage in hiding our mistakes. Our friends will support us even when we slip up, but if we dont' tell them, they can't help us.

    Don't beat yourself up too much over today. It happens to the best of us, and of course it's not what we want to do, but we're fallible humans. You have made so much progress! Good for you for choosing to confront the problem and not let today's missteps derail you. :)
  • angelskye6
    angelskye6 Posts: 59 Member
    I had the EXACT same issue today and yesterday!!! Had fast food, binged, ate too much, and didn't exercise yesterday. I feel bloated and gross. I wanted to hide my diary but kept it public. Tomorrow is a new day and I also LOVE seeing how little I would lose (or even gain) if I eat crappy every day. no more!!
  • tamheath
    tamheath Posts: 702 Member
    Excellent points, and very well said!
  • THISisTARRAN
    THISisTARRAN Posts: 487 Member
    I agree! Sometimes its really hard for me to do it thought. I do something similar with my bank account. When I spend too much money I avoid looking online. LOL Good JOB! :)
  • brownsugar84
    brownsugar84 Posts: 40 Member
    Awesome post! :)
  • cheshirequeen
    cheshirequeen Posts: 1,324 Member
    be thyne own self be true. im 230 over calories withouth logging exercise, and I was like, dang, i sure ate a lot today. even if i exercised a bunch. changing that tomorrow
  • stevemcknight
    stevemcknight Posts: 647 Member
    I've struggled with B.E.D. for years and have found that tracking a binge as it's happening is the best way to end it at one day, instead of the usual 4. The other huge tip I have for people and clients that struggle with eating disorders is to read about some improvement strategy every day. First thing I do each morning is get up early and have breakfast and read/study a book. Sometimes it's on nutrition, sometimes exercise, sometimes time management, sometimes being a better person, but by starting the day like that, my mind is in the right place for the rest of the day.

    When I start skipping my hour of personal development, I start backsliding into old habits. You're so right about logging every day honestly. If you know that you can lie, or disappear when you have a bad day, you'll have more bad days, and more cheat snacks that you forget to log.

    I encourage everyone to keep their diary public and when feeling like cheating, jump on here and read some posts, write up a blog, or anything to admit what you're feeling. Putting these feelings into words is the fastest way to stop them dead in their tracks!

    Steve
    KnightFit.com
  • brazilian27
    brazilian27 Posts: 60
    i do have binge episodes at least 4 times per month(more during my period time ) and i track them no matter how horrible i feel and it seens like is helping me a lot.
  • brazilian27
    brazilian27 Posts: 60
    great reply stevem
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    I had a "cheat" meal for dinner and tracked it tonight too. I always track those because I know it'll do more harm than good to know in the back of my mind that those "unknown" calories are still lingering. In fact, the added positive is that I know my workout tonight is gonna be sweet and well-deserved.

    Then again, I estimated my intake to be about 500 calories more than my usual [it's not trackable so I chose foods closer to what I ate and tracked those], and I can easily get rid of those 500 in 15 minutes of my usual elliptical routine.
  • tdenotter
    tdenotter Posts: 40 Member
    AMAZING post! So inspiring! I so understand how you feel! That was my day yesterday. I was so tired yesterday too and I did not want to cook. I have been under my calorie limit for the day for weeks. So last night I gave in I ate KFC I ate chocolate and cookies. I just ate. I feel nasty today and sick I know it's going to take me a bit to recover but knew hiding was not the answer so I logged it all! INSANE! No wonder I feel yuck. I finally admitted to day I have a sugar problem. I LOVE SUGAR! LOVE SUGAR! I have the biggest cravings for warm chocolate chip cookies, brownies ect!
  • jmwolffyy
    jmwolffyy Posts: 212 Member
    Now granted I have just started so I have the "beginner's motivation" going, but one thing that helps me when my husband is eating something that I really want is to come on here and use the database to find out just how much it would add to my calories for the day. There have already been a couple of times that this strategy has saved me from a horrible meal that would lead to worse eating choices (the "i've already ruined my calorie intake for the day, i might as well eat this too" thought process). I know I won't be able to always be under my calorie goal so reading your situation really will be helpful in convincing myself not to hide from myself going forward. Thanks so much for sharing! We can do this when we all stick together!
  • Colleen1980
    Colleen1980 Posts: 148 Member
    You guys are the best. :-) Your encouragement, support, and understanding make all the difference!! It helps so much to know others are going through the same thing. Binging is embarrassing and hard to talk about. It's really comforting to hear about others who struggle with this as well. Thank you!!!
  • bbb84
    bbb84 Posts: 418 Member
    Log before you eat! I cannot stress this enough. Im learning day by day and this is the action that has saved me from going overboard. Now I will admit, I do make not so healthy choices sometimes I feel like im picking the lesser of two evils. I have caught myself checking out the caloric value of one food and then playing around with other foods to see if I can get more bang for my buck so to speak. It's all about choices, but when you know what your walking into seeing 1500 calories for one food will really make you think twice ie. Applebees chips and queso blanco , no thanks (although you are yummy i can get a whole steak with veggies and steam potatoes for 1/3rd the calories.... )
  • shardown
    shardown Posts: 258 Member
    This is so true! I've found that because I track before I eat, I've stopped myself from eating something I know I shouldn't because.. well I shouldn't! And if I did, I would still track it anyway because if I don't track it, I'd be cheating myself and I'd be the one losing out in the long run, not anyone else.

    Just keep going :) we all have off days but the important thing is when we get back into it!
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