How do you not binge?

I avoid bingeing by not denying myself treats. Instead, I monitor my calories throughout the day and allow myself a small serving of ice cream or something similar every day. Totally worth working out to "pay" for those calories so I can eat them.

I've tried sitting with those feelings and trying to figure out why I feel the urge to eat. Keeping a diary is helpful, just write, and maybe looking back at several entries, you'll find a common thread.

You could also try to make a list of things to do when the urge comes, like going out for a walk, drinking a glass of water or making a pact with yourself that if in 20mins you still want to eat that thing, you will, but not before the 20 mins have passed.

Keeping a plan could also be helpful. So, if you are set to have a snack at 3pm, but it's 2 and you want to eat a brownie, you tell yourself that you'll have to wait because it's not snack time yet. This kind of thing makes me feel in control, and I don't fall prey to emotional eating.

Good luck!

Edit: I see that you're a mommy to three kids, so obviously some of the things I suggested might not be viable if you're running 24/7. I think sticking to a plan would work best.

I have had the same tendency. I've dealt with it by changing my thinking about eating and exercise. I have recognized that I can't eat fairly healthy just for the period of time it takes me to reach my goal weight. My former attitude after a weight goal success was kind of like "Okay. I've reached that goal. Now I can relax for a bit and not make the effort of counting all my calories." The problem is, if I don't think about what I put in my mouth, it's way too easy to let the weight creep up on me. In my younger years I would naturally slow down my eating when I saw the scale creep up a little too much. I am implementing that habit back into my life and don't freak out if I gain a pound or two. The problem with binging is it can turn into a daily thing, at least for me. So I keep myself busy doing good things and necessary things, anything from COMPLETELY cleaning out my walk-in closet for the first time in seven years to reading to my three-year-old and spending extra time with my kids; I've even picked up gardening again. It's important to find ways to unwind that have nothing to do with food. And lastly, if you're gonna binge, try to do it with lower-cal goodies such as Pop Chips or a trail mix, which I indulged in myself tonight. Oh, chewing bubble-flavored gum is a help for me when I get the urge to munch inappropreately. The chewing and blowing bubbles is a darn good substitute for munching, even though it may drive my family nuts!

Hang in there and try different ideas. Good luck!! We all need it! :bigsmile:

i think the key is to not deny yourself any treats! i always allow myself treats and make it part of my daily allowance. have done so from the very beginning as it had to be a lifestyle change i was aiming for rather than a diet. I find that i would always sabotage myself on a 'diet' as id deny myself any treats and id be thoroughly miserable and give up.

However this time around, i knew that i could have a biscuit or chocolate without feeling like id cheated and hence have never felt the need to give up. I got away with a square of chocolate rather than a whole bar and in time i learnt to appreciate quality rather than quantity. hang in there, it will get easier. you have to do something that is going to be realistic and achievable. good luck.