Bingeing :( help

ive struggled in the past with various eating disorders but have been on a fairly consistent path for the past long while.

This last week however has been bad. Lots of overeating :/

I'm not sure how to stop... Any other people in recovery from eating disorders have any suggestions?
Or dietitians

Thank you

Replies

  • lindseyreid1125
    lindseyreid1125 Posts: 29 Member
    I'm in the same boat as you. I used to binge-eat on a daily basis and eat little in between because I was mortified with my compulsive eating. Although I still occasionally overeat, I have developed better control over this habit. I have found that avoidance of activities that promote binge-eating has helped, such as avoiding watching TV for long periods of time, laying in bed checking out FB, or boredom.
  • VykkDraygoVPR
    VykkDraygoVPR Posts: 465 Member
    I don't have an ED, but when I am feeling down and want to cave, I hit the gym. Or I go to sleep, or I get up and do something with friends. I also never buy the things I binge on, so I can't just get up and eat non-stop. I pretty much have to cook in order to eat.

    Seriously, what helps me most is just modifying what I buy. I can't buy chips without bingeing, and eating the whole bag in one sitting. I am tempted to buy them still, but it's easier to skip buying them than it is to stop eating them. I make some allowances, in that I will get vending machine chips for lunch, for example.
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    For me, I confuse my thirst cues as hunger cues and over eat. When you think you're hungry, drink a glass of water and reevaluate your hunger in 30 minutes. If you are still hungry then eat a small snack. For me 9 out of every 10 times I use this, I'm just thirsty.
  • generallyme2
    generallyme2 Posts: 403 Member
    Hi, I don't know how much my advice will help you, but I do want to say that it gets better. I was/am a huge binger, often cycling back and forth between salty and sweet for hundreds of calories or rummaging in the cupboards for ANYTHING remotely interesting even if I was almost sick because I ate too much :/ Now I rarely binge and sometimes I realize I don't need or want my dessert :)

    - drink some water
    - paint your nails
    - try on some clothes or go on a walk
    - have a snack! I always save room in my cals for a treat (usually a couple cookies, or a bit of really decadent chocolate or baked good)
    - drink some tea... for me, tea signals the end of a day and helps me get ready for bed
    - go to bed! tomorrow is a new day

    Good luck!
  • BarneyRubbleMD
    BarneyRubbleMD Posts: 1,092 Member
    For me, I confuse my thirst cues as hunger cues and over eat. When you think you're hungry, drink a glass of water and reevaluate your hunger in 30 minutes. If you are still hungry then eat a small snack. For me 9 out of every 10 times I use this, I'm just thirsty.

    It's the same with me--9 out of 10 times I'm just thirsty but thought it was hunger.


  • PinkPixiexox
    PinkPixiexox Posts: 4,142 Member
    It can be extremely difficult so I definitely sympathize with you. A few years ago, I used to have a very extreme and strict 'diet' plan during the week. I would probably not consume more than around 500/600 calories per day (I was totally uneducated about the whole weight loss process so assumed this was the way to do things!). My relationship with food was incredibly unhealthy and I used to swear by phrases such as "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" and "Hunger hurts but starving works". Come the weekend, I would binge - but severely. I would wake up on Saturday morning and eat around 4 enormous breakfasts (2 large bowls of sugary cereal, followed by around 4 slices of toast coated in thick peanut butter followed by cookies and shortbread). My lunch would be enormous and very, very high in EVERYTHING (Usually a cheesy lasange and massive portion of fries). My dinner would be an indian takeaway. Followed by evening snacks. I would sometimes eat until I was physically sick.This continued into Sunday where I would eat with urgency knowing that come Monday, it's back to strict and starving. My relationship with food was utterly shocking.

    Naturally, I didn't lose weight. I had to completely re-educate my way of thinking which took me a few years to do. During the 're-educating' process, I gained back a lot of weight. It wasn't until around April of this year, that I finally had to do something about my weight and approached it with caution. I use MFP to keep me mentally healthy and I have the upmost respect for my body now. I would never, ever cause my body such distress ever again. This respect and positive outlook has helped me lose 30lbs so far.

    Address your eating issues, no matter how small you think they are - before you start this journey.
    You can absolutely succeed here - but health is the number 1 priority :)

    Best of luck!