Has anyone kept weight off for over a year - binge eaters?
surreychic
Posts: 117 Member
Hi,
I would be really keen to hear from those who who have kept weight off... for years? If so, how did you do it? low carb,general balance of good health healthy eating, portion control three meals a day?
I am particularly keen to hear from binge/emotional eaters (I know it's psychological but I personally believe it's biological too, sorry guys but TOM is hard with carb cravings..).
Many thanks in advance! PS if you have kept weight off- massive well done!
I would be really keen to hear from those who who have kept weight off... for years? If so, how did you do it? low carb,general balance of good health healthy eating, portion control three meals a day?
I am particularly keen to hear from binge/emotional eaters (I know it's psychological but I personally believe it's biological too, sorry guys but TOM is hard with carb cravings..).
Many thanks in advance! PS if you have kept weight off- massive well done!
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Replies
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Hi no but aim aiming to do that this time round. Feel free to add me if your looking for some buddies.
Last year I workers really hard and lost 18kg - fast forward one year and I had put 10kg back on
I am an emotional eater - even writing that makes me cringe1 -
I am definitely a binge eater if I'm angry or upset I eat and tell myself I don't care. Some how saying that justifies my actions to me. Hence I have put on since I first found my fitness pal. Two years ago. But instead of say it's pointless I'm back again . Still not heart and sole I can to this more like that's a very big mountain it may take me a while but hopefully when we get to the top the view will be worth it
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I used to binge eat. I'm 4 years in and still losing but consider logging everything a cure to bingeing and intend to stay on here once I'm done to keep myself in check. At the end of the day every morsel you eat is a decision you make. If you're focused and make yourself stay at least within maintenance calories you'll maintain your loss.7
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Yes and No. I posted my success story on here.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10356416/knowing-portions-dropping-without-logging#latest
I maintained within 5lbs or so for almost 2 years then got pregnant. I am a binge eater if sugars or junk food are in the house it is lucky to make it 2 days. So I will say that yes I am. I never got control over it I just find a way to fit it into my macros the best I could.5 -
Former and current binge eater. in 2001at 260 llbs, I began a weight loss journey that took several years, but I lost 90 lbs., became a runner/gym goer, ate super healthy (I cooked all the time, still ate dessert at special occasions, drank socially) and kept the binges to a rarity. Things just worked...I can't explain it. Then in 2011/2012, I stopped caring as much, I let myself go above 190 then 200. I had a lot of stress (still do) I'm now a yo-yo. I have 2 good weeks, then sabotage it for a week or 10 days. I have a closet full of clothes that I would love to wear and I'm not sure what will send me back to those much more sane days.2
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Here's 4-1/2 years of data. Am I successful, or not?
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I would love to know, too. I lose weight fairly easily and then gain it all back very quickly by bingeing. I'm trying to hammer out a maintenance strategy even though I'm still 45 lbs to GW. I'm hoping that will make a difference, as well as sucking it up and realizing that I may have to log my food intake for the rest of my life, no matter how tired of it I get. I don't have any specific triggers that I'm aware of. I just love food and I love the endorphin rush from stuffing myself to the gills. But I'm getting too old to keep going through this cycle of yo-yoing, and it's catching up to me in terms of poor health. I need it to stick this time. So please sound off if you're a recovered binge eater!4
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I binge still on occasion. In fact, I am today starting to undo the damage of the last three days. Avoiding binges entirely would be ideal, but reducing frequency of binges and recovering quickly to a small deficit diet have been working for me. "Small deficit" is my mantra. With no painful memories of being hungry or having low energy or feeling deprived associated with this slow weight loss, I don't have as much trouble with procrastinating getting back on track.3
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I have been a binge eater my entire life. About 2 years ago I lost 55lbs and reached my goal weight. Yay! But then I went thru some huge life changes which triggered binges. Well, I ended up gaining it all back PLUS some. If I had to do it over again, I would maintain by continuing to count calories. I will probably have to count calories the rest of my life.3
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I have a problem with binge eating and emotional eating. It got to the point where I would eat non stop and then call my mom and cry about it. I was tired of waking up the next day with awful anxiety because of what I ate the day before because I worked so hard to get the weight off a few months ago and I was quickly putting it back on. I did some research and found a book and it has really really helped me.
Sometimes if I feel an urge to binge eat something bad I pick up the book and read a chapter or two and usually it gets me back on track.
Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders
By Gregory L. Jantz
I highly recommend. I hope it helps!10 -
I will read it! I read Brian over binge. Great book. Still struggling though!
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I'm still losing but between 2013 and 2014 I started at 210, lost 50 in a few months, put 30 back on. Would lose ten, binge, give up, start over. I would do intense calorie deficits, though, and not track binges. This time around 2015-2016 I've been much more gradual- only looking to lose a pound a week gives me more calories to work with and makes it less devastating when I track my binges (which are fewer now that I've taken the slower route). I've lost 30 pounds, kept it off and maintained through major life events (wedding, miscarriage) and am continuing to lose pretty slowly- but progress is progress and my body fat* % has gone down 5% and I still get my Wisconsin Mac and cheese from Noodles & Co when I rly want it.6
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Thank you for posting, so mixed responses. I don't know if you are similar to me, but I can binge in the morning and on health foods too. So for long term weight loss I need great strategies to put in place (I also have the slight fear I am just biologically preprogrammed to eat and eat, and living in an environment whereby food is always available is tough but I am hoping this is me just trying to absolve responsibility, I want to take responsibility and want some hope!), we need to be ever prepared. So thank you for sharing!
I am the type of binge that will eat four avocados and a loaf of rye bread- if it's there I eat it, even if it's healthy stuff.
I have an issue in that I can start my day bingeing, I am also not resilient, when some one is unkind my first thought is food...
pariskathryn, how did you do it? that's fantastic!
Leah that sounds fab too, what chapters helped you specifically? I don't think I have an eating disorder in that I want to be slim (that would be nice too) i think I turn to food for happiness....0 -
Bump0
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surreychic wrote: »Hi,
I would be really keen to hear from those who who have kept weight off... for years? If so, how did you do it? low carb,general balance of good health healthy eating, portion control three meals a day?
I am particularly keen to hear from binge/emotional eaters (I know it's psychological but I personally believe it's biological too, sorry guys but TOM is hard with carb cravings..).
Many thanks in advance! PS if you have kept weight off- massive well done!
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I have a friend who has. Like myself she didn't change her eating drastically just cut back. She never gave up wine she kept it calorie based. The wonderful thing with this app it also shows how many calories you can take in without gains if you wish to maintain. I am 51 lost 20 lbs in under 2 months. 40 more to go. It's about making decisions. Is it worth the calories as you only get so many in a day. When I first started I looked at this app like a video game. Don't go over the calories or you lose. It was quite fun. Now it's a life style.4
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Compulsive over eater/ binge eater most of my adult life. Lost weight and regained it in my 30s, now 57.
Changed my eating habits September 2013.
Began exercising regularly January 2014.
Now maintaining a weight loss of 42.5kgs (93 lbs) since June 2015.
I weigh and measure my food the majority of the time - doesn't bother me.
I estimate when I eat out. I maintain a calorie count.
I occasionally over eat around things like Christmas and easter (chocolate) but try to get back on track immediately.
I check in at MFP everyday.
Persistence is the key.12 -
Roaringgael wrote: »Compulsive over eater/ binge eater most of my adult life. Lost weight and regained it in my 30s, now 57.
Changed my eating habits September 2013.
Began exercising regularly January 2014.
Now maintaining a weight loss of 42.5kgs (93 lbs) since June 2015.
I weigh and measure my food the majority of the time - doesn't bother me.
I estimate when I eat out. I maintain a calorie count.
I occasionally over eat around things like Christmas and easter (chocolate) but try to get back on track immediately.
I check in at MFP everyday.
Persistence is the key.
Bump0 -
Will someone define binge eating? When I think of binge eating I think of non stop eating over a period of time until you vomit. Is this correct?
I am definately guilty of overeating but never considered myself a binge eater.
Is there a difference between binge eating and over eating?0 -
kacowgill99 wrote: »Will someone define binge eating? When I think of binge eating I think of non stop eating over a period of time until you vomit. Is this correct?
I am definately guilty of overeating but never considered myself a binge eater.
Is there a difference between binge eating and over eating?
Binge eating is just eating a large amount of food in a short period of time. You don't necessarily have to throw up, though some people do.0 -
surreychic wrote: »Thank you for posting, so mixed responses. I don't know if you are similar to me, but I can binge in the morning and on health foods too. So for long term weight loss I need great strategies to put in place (I also have the slight fear I am just biologically preprogrammed to eat and eat, and living in an environment whereby food is always available is tough but I am hoping this is me just trying to absolve responsibility, I want to take responsibility and want some hope!), we need to be ever prepared. So thank you for sharing!
I am the type of binge that will eat four avocados and a loaf of rye bread- if it's there I eat it, even if it's healthy stuff.
I have an issue in that I can start my day bingeing, I am also not resilient, when some one is unkind my first thought is food...
pariskathryn, how did you do it? that's fantastic!
Leah that sounds fab too, what chapters helped you specifically? I don't think I have an eating disorder in that I want to be slim (that would be nice too) i think I turn to food for happiness....
The book isn't mainly for eating disorders but also "disordered eating". So basically when food becomes something other than to nourish your body in an addictive manor. I have the exact same problem though. I don't have an off switch when it comes to food. This past week I binge ate dried fruit and nuts which isn't good because it's high in calories and high in sugar so I had to take a step back and read a chapter or two Friday night to help regather my thoughts and figure out why I'm doing this. It truly does help a lot
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I lost around 2st and have kept that off for about 3 years now, I've done it through using MFP daily, having a more active lifestyle (now fitness is my hobby not just a means to burn calories), and education... Learning portion sizes, nutrient content, calorific values etc so that I can make informed decisions. I might 'binge' by having a splurge on a takeaway or cake or chocolate but never horrendously so and I try to save the high calorie foods for the days when I am most active. I still eat tonnes more than my friends but I also exercise tonnes more than them hence I manage my weight ok at 5ft5, 121-124lbs.1
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Yes and no.
I am a binge eater too. I lost 60ish lbs 2 years ago and kept it off for 8 months. Then, I fell and hurt my back pretty bad and the doctor put me on prednisone to treat the inflammation. After that, I started gaining rather quickly from the medicine and I got mad about it and started binging again. I stopped myself right before I got back up to my previous weight. I started losing again instantly after getting off the meds and now am 37lbs down.
Binging is a struggle and some days I have to force myself to eat, while others I have to force myself to NOT eat everything in the house. I just take it a day at a time.0 -
I have been maintaining for two years after a 118 pound loss. I am not going to lie. Even though, I have stayed the same weight, I still sometimes struggle with binge eating. I do ok for a few weeks and then all of a sudden, I have an overwhelming urge to stuff mass amounts of food down my throat. Although, I am not sure I have a good answer for you, I can say that one thing I try to do is not let it derail me into a downward spiral. I log it and move on to my regularly scheduled eating for the next day lol. I honestly think that for me it will be kind of like smoking, I will still get an occasional urge. Another thing I think that helps me with maintenance, is I look mostly at my weekly calorie goals instead of daily. That way, I bank calories for the weekends and eat less during the week. This helps me feel a little more satiated and less likely to binge.9
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I have been maintaining for two years after a 118 pound loss. I am not going to lie. Even though, I have stayed the same weight, I still sometimes struggle with binge eating. I do ok for a few weeks and then all of a sudden, I have an overwhelming urge to stuff mass amounts of food down my throat. Although, I am not sure I have a good answer for you, I can say that one thing I try to do is not let it derail me into a downward spiral. I log it and move on to my regularly scheduled eating for the next day lol. I honestly think that for me it will be kind of like smoking, I will still get an occasional urge. Another thing I think that helps me with maintenance, is I look mostly at my weekly calorie goals instead of daily. That way, I bank calories for the weekends and eat less during the week. This helps me feel a little more satiated and less likely to binge.
You sound like me. I can be extremely motivated, and resist junk all during the week. If I have junk food, or sugar, it can derail me. Pre logging helps a lot. Planning is big. Having foods in my diet daily that I truly like and that satisfy me also helps. Currently, that is one tablespoon of peanut butter on a toasted Arnold's sandwich thin for a snack. Peanut butter has always been a trigger food for me, yet I'm okay with this amount because I'm getting something I really like. The via ice coffee is another treat. Just something to sip that takes the edge off in the afternoon at work. I have tried eating skinny pop when I need chips. At least I don't do as much damage. I think going to bed earlier, going for a walk, or even trying on clothes in my closet have helped me choose to hang in there when I felt discouraged. I don't binge as often. I think understanding what we are feeling helps. But I still binge on occasion, and each time, I try to figure out ways to make myself choose a better solution for emotional eating.
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I lost 80 pounds, gained back 3 pounds in 2 years, but I've lost inches, so I don't mind that much.
What I do is keep a 300-400 calorie deficit. Basically it prevents me from eating too much on easier days, even if I go over a lot overall (that's why I keep my diary closed, lol). That way in a month I usually have or two weeks at maintenance, one or two with a 700-2000 deficit, and the last week I'm over by 500-1000 (that's PMS/TOM/Holidays, typically)... so in the end it evens out.
Basically I can do awesome for a few days, eating things in moderation without any issue then yeah, I get that urge to just eat a lot once in a while, or I just get hungrier, or there's a special event and my willpower is pretty much gone. Then once in a while I just feel the need to eat all the food... And PMS sucks big time, although it's been easier since I stopped eating sugar and bread products altogether at that time (except this month because my cycle was completely off and I just didn't see it coming).
The 3 pound gain is because I wasn't able to keep any deficit between November and January because of Holidays, PMS, and a wedding, and I haven't managed to lose it again since (but as I said, I'm slimmer now. Go figure).
To be fair... it's mostly been an issue since I got close to maintenance. I was doing great for 18 months, had no problems with PMS, no problem with moderation either, was 2 pounds from my goal... Then I went in vacations and it's been a struggle getting back into it to lose the last pounds since (that was almost 2 years ago). Go figure.
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I first had to heal my relationship with food before I could consider losing weight. I stopped making certain foods "off limits", removed the "good food, bad food" dichotomy, and fed my body at maintenance for a year before I felt comfortable that I was no longer in the bingeing spiral before I got back on the weight loss bandwagon.
This time around I am taking my weight loss at a snails pace because preventing binges is more important to me than losing quickly. I'm about half way to my goal and enjoying the journey more than I ever thought I would.
If you struggle with binge eating I recommend getting an experienced therapist first and foremost. Working through your issues and relationship with food really does make all the difference.4 -
Getting rid of the 'bad food' mentality to some extent and not depriving myself has helped preventing binges... some. I mean I stand a good chance at not eating the whole box of chocolate at once now, so there's improvement... but it still happens (usually when I'm tired or because of those pesky hormones).0
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Hello, I am currently in a yo-yo pattern. I have been back and forth on MFP for 2 years now. I have yet to ever reach to my goal weight. I managed to keep off most of it for a year. At one point I was 3lbs away from my goal, life got sticky, I got sad. I stopped caring, stopped logging, and gained back all my weight plus more. So I am here starting again. I feel slightly defeated but I do want this. I have a real problem with emotional eating. The more disappointed I am in myself the more likely I am to eat an entire pizza and say "I don't care, I will get back on track tomorrow" to justify it. The problem is that I haven't managed to get back on track long enough to lose weight. I am starting to realize that I will most likely have to log calories the rest of my life. If I don't have a daily reminder, I will eat mindlessly and lose control. I am not sure what makes me like this but I am having to learn to view food as only fuel and not a reward, emotional crutch, or activity to cure boredom.
That being said I can tell you that what worked for me was consistency. I had a work out routine 6 days a week and logged every day. When I was in that habit I was losing steadily and I found it easy to make better choices because I was fully aware of what I was putting into my body.0 -
Thank you for the replies! Ah tiredness and hormones... fatal... plus anxiety/stress/boredom!0
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