Anyone feel like they've overcome chronic compulsive overeat

Hi there

I overcame compulsive overeating using MFP. It wasn't easy - it was horrible actually, but I did it. I can honestly say I don't feel the need to do it anymore, which is huge. I'm 26 and had been suffering since I was 13. That's half my life! You are not powerless - I don't think that's a healthy way to look at it. There are issues you have to deal with that ONLY you can deal with. In my experience, YOU are the one who holds the power.

It was a long process for me but it was a natural one and I'm glad it happened the way it did. Entering my food in my MFP diary kept me accountable for what I was eating. I challenged myself to stick at it, to stay within my calories and make sure I was making good food choices. It was really hard because all I wanted to do was binge, but I didn't. Eventually I felt I'd done well enough to start factoring a few of my 'danger foods' (the foods I'd lose control over ie chocolate, cookies, ice cream) into my calorie allotment. I figured if this was a lifestyle change, it was important to include foods you love, if you restrict yourself too much you'll go crazy and blow it. So I'd factor some chocolate into my daily calories, but I found when it came time to eat it, I didn't want it. This confused me for a long time. Chocolate was my one weakness, how could I not want it when I was now allowed to have it? Finally I realised there was no excitement in allowing myself a little bit. I wanted the whole block. I wanted the excitement and the rush that came with doing something forbidden. This realisation helped me understand where I was going wrong. I looked back over my childhood when my mother wouldn't allow us to have chocolate and I would eat it in secret. This led to me gaining weight, which led to me being miserable with myself, which led to me consoling myself with - you guessed it - chocolate.

That's the short version of the story, but basically by using MFP and being accountable for what I ate, I was forced to examine my attitudes towards food and slowly I began to see the cause for my overeating. I'm sure your story is different, but the only advice I can offer is that you need to somehow find out WHY you're overeating, and deal with those issues. chances are it's not about food at all - it wasn't for me. Now, I don't even feel like eating chocolate. I find it way too sweet. I'm actually listening to my tastebuds and logical mind instead of my emotions!

I am confident you can get past this, it will take time but you can get there. If I can, anyone can!

Sounds like you're in the middle of a dilemma.....Best advice would be to seek professional help. If you personally don't know what your problem is...maybe a professional can help you out. None of us here are professionals. We can give our best advice which may not be the right advice.

Do yourself a favor and seek professional advice?? Here's hoping that you can sort out your issues soon:flowerforyou:

I used to be a binger/compulsive over-eater. I've gotten it under control by taking control over my life, in every aspect, not just my binging problem, because everything is connected to a point. You better one area of your life, it can often lead to you bettering others. When I look back on it, I can't believe I've over come it. I can't even remember the last time I had an urge to binge. My binges were out of control, and they made me sick and angry and disgusted with myself. I began taking control over my life, I started caring about myself, and finally just wanted to get to a place where I didn't abuse food as if it were a drug. It sounds easy to type but it took me a reallyyyyyyyyy long time. Years to get to the point where I am now, where I've learned to control and moderate relatively easily. It's hard, I know, because I have an addictive personality as well, and if it wasn't food at the moment it was drugs or alcohol or, even shopping at times lol, and there's so much more to it than just self-control. It's figuring out what is causing it, emotionally. But the longer you do it the easier it gets.

I did have a little trick that helped me though, may not work for you but I'll tell you anyway; ofcourse I aim to eat healthy, and I do, it's still a work in progress, but I love food too much to sacrafice flavor. I avoid the entemanns and chips and **** like that, once in a blue moon i'll treat myself to something, but rarely. And I savor it. I love food, LOVE it. And you have to live off of it so you can't give it up. For me though, I learned to be a picky eater. I started becoming picky with quality and I like to try and place every single flavor that i taste when I take a bite. I've learned to savor my food and love it that much more, and developing my love for food actually helped me get my problem under control, because I respect food too much to settle for things I don't really like, foods that aren't quality, store bought junk food, to scarf my food down or to waste a good flavor by shoving something else in my mouth right after, etc. Just becuase that worked for me though, doesn't necessarily mean that's what YOU have to do. You have to figure out what helps you get it under control. A therapist can be very helpful, because maybe they can help you pinpoint the underlying issue that you're not seeing.

I'm not a fan of overeaters anonymous, i don't like their views and i don't like their attitude. Feeling powerless is partly what LED to my eating disorder in the FIRST place. I'm sorry. If it has worked for other people that's wonderful. The most important thing, bottom line, is what works for you. I just don't personally agree with their views or methods. It's definitely a process, but you need to figure out what first triggered your compulsive eating, why you do it, which is where a therapist comes in, but more importantly, you have to find your motivation. Figure out what you need, what you feel, what you're missing, or whatever else is triggering this. Maybe it would help to keep a journal about your day and everything that happens to you and all of the feelings you get and everytime you feel an urge to binge. Write about it. Writing can do wonders, you just let it flow out, which allows you to think clearly, and keep your thoughts focused, and sometimes you come to sudden realizations that can shock you. writing helps me through sooooo much. i'd definitely be willing to chat if you ever need someone to talk to! i hope i was of some help!

EDIT:: It's also important not to beat yourself up over a slip. I used to do that, all the time, which would lead to a vicious binging cycle. I ate because I was sad, I was sad because I ate, that whole bit. I've noticed that people with addictive personalities tend to be the kinds of people who beat themselves up over every little mistake, i know i do, with school, my art, my writing, work, etc, which leads to a horrible downward spiral. It's important to believe in yourself, and to forgive yourself. A slip is not the end of the world, it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's easy to jump right back on the horse.

My advice is to never tell the truth on your health ins app. If you're not within BMI range tell them you are, if you have anything wrong with you at all they will deny you, inc ana/mia/BED, etc. You need to tell them you are 100% healthy or you will be denied then put into the "denied" pool on the state level where you will have to pay a big amt for health ins for "pre-conditions" people. Lie or get no health ins. This is jmho......the only way to get around this is to be at a workplace that provides you with group coverage.

MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE RELYING ON DATABASES FOR YOUR MEDICAL CLAIMS HISTORY.

Due to HIPPA it's illegal for them to do that. As far as your claims that insurance companies will kick you off, they're not doing it right now due to the latest healthcare law and anyone who gets kicked off can call the President's office, Pelosi's office and make a big stink.

MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE RELYING ON DATABASES FOR YOUR MEDICAL CLAIMS HISTORY.

Due to HIPPA it's illegal for them to do that. As far as your claims that insurance companies will kick you off, they're not doing it right now due to the latest healthcare law and anyone who gets kicked off can call the President's office, Pelosi's office and make a big stink.

I HAVE TO DISAGREE. PERMITTED USES AND DISCLOSURES UNDER HIPAA INCLUDE INFORMATION RELATED TO TREATMENT, PAYMENT, AND HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS. PAYMENT INCLUDES DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR COVERAGE UNDER A PLAN. ONCE COVERED, PAYMENT ALSO INCLUDES UTILIZATION REVIEWS AND JUSTIFICATION OF CHARGES. DISCLOSURE TO AN INSURANCE PAYOR IS A PERMITTED USE UNDER HIPAA. YOU CANNOT BE EJECTED BECAUSE YOU FILE CLAIMS. HOWEVER, YOU CAN BE DROPPED IF THEY CAN PROVE FRAUD IN OBTAINING COVERAGE.

I love this thread. There's so much care for each other on here, and some wonderful ideas that I'm going to use too.


And Blue, I am so sorry to hear about your health insurance problem. I was without health insurance for 3 years when I was a little older than you and it was a rough road. i found health care by looking for free/poverty clinics - if you lack health insurance they won't turn you away even if you are employed. Ironically, I got some of the best and most compassionate care at these places because anyone who works there is doing it out of compassion, not greed. Planned Parenthood also provides women's health screenings and some care. (Please, no body jump on me about abortion. That's not what I'm talking about here - just the health issues.) Lastly, if you live near a large university see if they have a medical and dental program. They often provide discounted services. You do have to have students work on you, but they are being supervised so it should be alright. i had my wisdom teeth out at Ohio State University hospital and it was a faculty member who did the surgery - his students only watched to learn. So I actually got better care from the best of the best who wanted people to demonstrate on. I hope you can get coverage soon!

I haven't experienced this personally, but I have experienced the power of prayer. If you just exercise even a little faith, God can help you overcome anything. Don't give up, pray, ask for direction and believe that He hears you. In due time, your deliverance will come. You just have to trust that it will . His time is not like our time. Be patient and take it one day at a time.