i need to be honest .....

You're doing great! I have similar issues and I haven't "binge" eaten really once since starting MFP. I think it's because you stop and think about logging it and then you think about WHY you want to eat. I've made a bunch of other changes in my life since starting MFP. It's amazing what something so simple can change in your life.

I can't offer any advice, I'm wondering how to get rid of my stretch marks and all that jazz too but I can offer encouragement. You are doing amazing! And hopefully as you become healthier your confidence will increase and you won't be worried about how you look in shorts or swim suits, you'll be happy with you

I have been the girl that "eats my feelings" Thank you to all my MFP buddies I am down 22lbs(almost 23) and have been staying on track everyday!!! I also have strech marks and cellulite!! My strech marks are from HUGE babies but the cellulite is all on me! I have noticed a huge difference on the cellulite and strech marks. Keep doing what you are doing girl and it WILL get better!! Shorts and swimsuits are my worst fear... and tanktops well ummmm Im getting there. Just remember you are doing this for YOU and YOU alone! Your body will look so much better and your confidence will come in time! Feel free to add me!

I think you are extremely brave for 1) tackling this issue and wanting to get your life back and 2) for admitting your struggle. We are ALL flawed and have battles. You just need to take one day at a time and never give up on yourself. You can do this and it may always be a struggle, but that doesn't mean you can't fight and win! Believe in yourself and stop the negative talk...I can't change....I can't stop......I will never be able to......none of that is allowed in your vocabulary. A bad day is a bad day, but it does not dictate your strenght or abilities. So when you fall (and you will, because you are human), you get back up and know that you can do what you set your mind to!!!! Congratulations on your new journey

Your doing great, stick with it.

Keep up the good work.
I do not feel like I have any eating disorder. However, I have a long history of going to food when I feel down or rewarding myself with food when I am feeling good about something.
I have found that this website is excellent for keeping me in line. As long as I add everything I eat. I am able to see the immediate consequence of my decision.
Here is hoping that we both can keep on track with this site or with any tools that help.

Tasha is right. This is NOT a diet, since you are making all the rules yourself. It's a lifestyle change, and the reason it will work is because it comes from YOU. Nobody but you will judge your results (certainly not anyone on MFP). Whether you lose 5 or 500 pounds, you will get nothing but love and encouragement from this community. That's why it works!

I can't speak from experience or anything like that ... but I just want to say I am super proud of you for being open not only on here but to yourself. Recognizing an eating disorder and speaking outwardly about it must take a lot of guts.. I am sure there are many people out there having the same struggle, and your post may help them to speak about it and feel they can get encouragement to keep moving in the right direction.

Like I said I can't speak from any experience (i have watched TLC programs and that about it lol) But I am just curious if you are getting counseling to help you reach your goal? I would think like with many other disorders, be it an eating addiction or a drug addition... many people will have times of lapse and could possibly fall back to the old unwanted habit. That would be my only consern. Otherwise, I think staying here on MFP and having encouragement of friends and others who are maybe going through the same thing you is a very positive thing for you! And if you are dedicated to sticking to a diet plan you can do it for sure!!!

Point blank you are awesome for being so open... and keep up your great work!!! You are an encouragement for sure :-)

I'm going to put this out there, because I want to be honest with you and myself as well as maybe give you a glimpse into the near future...forewarned is forearmed, IMO.

I'm 42 and have struggled with binge eating, emotional eating, bulimia and various combinations of the 3 since I was 15. I have weighed anywhere from 122 (when 16) to 172 (age 39). When I first joined MFP, I had decided that I was going to conquer my demons once and for all and start taking care of myself. I went 5 weeks! w/o purging and was so damn proud of myself...then I "fell off the wagon"...for no particular reason and was so disappointed with myself.

I'm not saying that you will do the same, but I am saying that I really feel that an eating disorder is something that has to be managed on a daily basis...much like any other addiction. I don't feel like I'll ever really be cured, but I do know that it's up to me to take care of myself and manage my emotional well being. The good news is that the longer you instill healthy habits in your lifestyle, the better you feel and the stronger your other coping mechanisms become, so you feel less likely to engage in the negative behaviors.

MFP really makes me accountable for my actions and choices, so I feel that it has helped me manage my eating disorder in a healthy way. And the exercise definitely helps with my emotional well being.

So, in short, yes it can be done; but I guess I don't view it as a diet...and I agree with the statement that a traditional diet will never work long term for someone with an eating disorder. This process is as much about getting your head in the right place as it is about getting your body in shape. The latter usually follows the former.

Best of luck to you...you CAN do it!

don't ahve advice about your situation. Thank God I never had to deal with this issue. My one suggestoin to beat any weight issue no matter how big or small is to view it as a life style change and NOT a diet. I personally hate the word diet as to me it means a quick way to lsoe some unwanted weight. If you change your life style for the better, odds are you will lose weight. Sounds like you ahve your mind set in the right direction. Don't get discouraged if the scale stops moving and you plateau. Track inches lost as well as weight. Remember it is a life long journey, not a short trip!!!!!!!! You can do it! Congrats on the loss so far and the decision to take control of your life!!

So I have a bit of a confession, and I figured that non of you actually know who I am and its a site where I feel I can be open because its a "judgment free zone". Since I was probably 10-11 I developed an eating disorder. I am an emotional eater, over eater, whatever you want to name it. And I have been struggling since then. I am now 21. I joined MFP not really expecting to stick with it or be able to even come close to my calorie goal. But its been 11 days and I have had ZERO "binges" and I haven't really even wanted too. I started off weighing 204and I'm 5'7. 11 days later I'm 197.2 !! Seeing the results on the scale is such a boost of confidence and it makes me want to keep it up. The point of this posting was to ask if anyone else has been through this and if it has worked, I've had someone tell me that once I have an eating disorder ill always have it and diets won't work for me. I'm trying so hard to prove them wrong. Also, eating the way I did put a huge toll on my body, leaving me with uncountable stretch marks and cellulite. I feel like ill never be confident enough to wear shorts, bathing suits or even tank tops. Does anyone have any advise for me?

Thank you

Congratulations on your great start! If you would like to add me, I would be happy to support you through your journey!

I think it's fantastic the progress you've made so far! Keep it up!! I used to think that when someone said, "I lost 5 pounds", big deal. But it really is a big deal. It takes a lot of work and will power to lose weight. I started a weight loss program last year using this program and I lost 30 pounds. I was so proud of my accomplishements. Ihad so much extra energy, my aches and pains were gone and felt damm good about how I looked. the problem is I didn't know how to maintain to keep the weight off. I did put almost all he weight back on but I'm at it again! this time, I know better what I'm doing and I will keep it off. I not only started calorie counting but I started the "Belly good" diet. It's basically reduced carbs and sugars from your diet. I've lost 13 pounds again without even exercising. I started at 189 and I'm down to 176. It's a slow process but it'll be very maintainable. Be proud of what your doing and don't be ashamed to sneak a look in the mirror that you pass by...that person looking back at you is also very proud of what your doing. Keep up the good work Becca!!

I was bulemic, and while I think you'll always have to watch yourself more carefully than someone who is just dieting but doesn't have emotional issues (if such people even exist!), I definitely think you can do it! From when I recognized that I had an ED to when I felt like I had a somewhat "normal" relationship with food took three long, struggle-filled years. But it made me stronger and it made me believe I can do anything!!

So congrats on not binging! I know your success will continue and you will keep believing you can change - and then one day you will look back and be so proud of how much you have changed!!

I binge eat too! Well I havent in the past month since being on here, but its an old habit of mine as well. I think about what ifs? sometimes... But I havent yet. Good luck!