Binge eating/food obsession
briislovely
Posts: 92 Member
As the title states I have a binge eating problem which stems from having a food obcession. I would love to keep in contact with people like me with support.
Even if I'm eating healthier, I think about food 24/7. When I am going to eat next is always on my mind. And binge eating has always been a problem. I need friends like me and what helped you if you have these problems!!
Even if I'm eating healthier, I think about food 24/7. When I am going to eat next is always on my mind. And binge eating has always been a problem. I need friends like me and what helped you if you have these problems!!
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Replies
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You can add me. I've had a binge problem myself. The only thing that seemed to help me was upping my calories and eating a balanced diet. Having a plan and pre-logging really helps a lot also.16
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Add me as well! I have the lovely combination of being a binge eater and a perfectionist - if I eat off-plan, I instantly get super critical on myself and voila, binge time
I see a psychologist once a month and I also pre-plan what I'm going to eat each day in a written journal. This helps take stress off of "what I'll eat next" and having it handwritten in pen means I can't change my plan to feel better about having overindulged or something, lol.8 -
Everytime you're about to binge just stop and think. What will consuming this unregulated food do for you? How will it help you achieve the goals you want or pursue the things you want in life? It won't.
Try do something to distract yourself when it comes up. Preferably something where you're active and can't cave in (so not a movie or something low activity). Pretty much something you'd struggle to multi task doing.
I know it seems hard but you've just got to put your food down and take charge.11 -
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I binge eat to control stress. I've done it for years. When I was younger and super active, it mattered very little. Now that I am 45, it has packed an extra 15 pounds on me in the past 5 years. I have to learn to eat mindfully. I can't say that I am food obsessed but I do have a large appetite and portion control is a problem for me.2
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Thinking about food is normal for an animal. We need food to survive. If you have starved before, or even worse, starved yourself, you will naturally think a lot about food. I think a lot about food now, even though I have a relaxed attitude towards food, and eat like a normal person. I enjoy planning meals and figuring out good combinations I think I will enjoy.
Maybe you will experience less urge to binge if you focus on eating food you like and need, instead of eating healthily. At least that was a major reason why I overate; I couldn't stand eating boring and tasteless food, and I forgot to think about why I ate, what I needed, and what I wanted. Food is good and to be enjoyed, not to be used as a coping mechanism, punishment, or for self harm.
Negative self-talk, like must have control, bad foods, make up for, pigging out, or whatever, seems to only fuel the binging. Instead, talk to yourself in a respectful and friendly way. Focus on your needs and wants. Take proper care of yourself. Sometimes that includes saying no, but you are not going to deprive yourself, you say no to protect yourself. Other times, say yes, just because you want to.11 -
Yes I fit this bill.
Add me2 -
I binge when I am under stress, even when I'm not hungry (be it real hungry or fake hungry). Add me if you like.5
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Please add me. I have struggled on and off since the age of 9, & I'm in my mid 40s now. I am 1st-gen American, came from a very passive, almost reclusive immigrant family & was taught that wasting food was immoral. After all these years I have come to find that it is absolutely NOT about the food---I have binged on both healthy & processed food, so I respectfully disagree that focusing on food you like can prevent a binge. I have had success so far in reflecting what event/s in my past triggered this coping mechanism. Still a work in progress7
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Please add me. I have struggled on and off since the age of 9, & I'm in my mid 40s now. I am 1st-gen American, came from a very passive, almost reclusive immigrant family & was taught that wasting food was immoral. After all these years I have come to find that it is absolutely NOT about the food---I have binged on both healthy & processed food, so I respectfully disagree that focusing on food you like can prevent a binge. I have had success so far in reflecting what event/s in my past triggered this coping mechanism. Still a work in progress
Just a quick question, could that "healthy food" be described as "diet food", and the "processed food" as "junk food"? Both kinds are unsatisfying, and unsatisfying food tends to lead some (many) people to overeat, to try to get the satisfaction they need, but that the food just won't and can't provide. Real, good, home cooked or restaurant meals don't normally have that effect. Just my two cents.0 -
Please add me. I have struggled on and off since the age of 9, & I'm in my mid 40s now. I am 1st-gen American, came from a very passive, almost reclusive immigrant family & was taught that wasting food was immoral. After all these years I have come to find that it is absolutely NOT about the food---I have binged on both healthy & processed food, so I respectfully disagree that focusing on food you like can prevent a binge. I have had success so far in reflecting what event/s in my past triggered this coping mechanism. Still a work in progress
Exactly. Some of the food I've binged on is pretty healthful....hummus....GF pretzels....half of the vegetable drawer. Doesn't matter. I'm still sick to death afterward, and that behavior paves the way for the next binge which could be potato chips. It's the behavior.7 -
I don't know if I would say that I am a binge eater, as I don't necessarily eat to the point of being ill, but I am a compulsive eater. Once I get my mind fixated on eating something, I feel incredibly anxious until I do. So, keeping my head in the right place is THE most important thing for me. I fill all of my social media with positive things, and a lot of weight loss and fitness motivation. So, I definitely add me. I am trying to be more honest with myself, as well Like actually logging with I mess up instead of sticking my head in the sand and pretending that it didn't happen and "tomorrow is a new day." Anyway, yeah, hi.3
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I'm also a binge eater and emotional eater and would be happy to support each other! I've gone through periods where I weighed as much as 300 pounds and other periods where I've gained 30 pounds in the span of 3 or 4 months from binge eating. Right now, I'm almost 9 months into not binging and steadily losing weight by exercising and eating well. There's been a combination of things I've been doing to help myself: using MFP no matter what, starting therapy with a licensed counselor, tapping or EFT - demonstration here -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvHIilsh2ug (it looks crazy, but I'm a believer) and trying to fit yoga in at least once a week. I find it also helps to tell someone when I'm thinking about binging vs. hiding and eating all of the chocolate and then feeling ashamed (and then falling into a cycle of shame that breeds more binging). 5 -
The book Brain Over Binge was enormously helpful to me.13
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sadinplaid wrote: »I'm also a binge eater and emotional eater and would be happy to support each other! I've gone through periods where I weighed as much as 300 pounds and other periods where I've gained 30 pounds in the span of 3 or 4 months from binge eating. Right now, I'm almost 9 months into not binging and steadily losing weight by exercising and eating well. There's been a combination of things I've been doing to help myself: using MFP no matter what, starting therapy with a licensed counselor, tapping or EFT - demonstration here -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvHIilsh2ug (it looks crazy, but I'm a believer) and trying to fit yoga in at least once a week. I find it also helps to tell someone when I'm thinking about binging vs. hiding and eating all of the chocolate and then feeling ashamed (and then falling into a cycle of shame that breeds more binging).
@sadinplaid congrats on 9 months! That is truly an accomplishment & something I am striving for----actually I have a lot of "Day 1"s but have not had 2 consecutive days of no binging. You are an inspiration! Let us know how therapy is helping you
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it's a hard thing.. I've gained back 20 of the 90 lbs lost and I can't seem to stop myself some nights. It's all "good for you" food.. but seriously, not in those quantities.. Last night I entered 1000 calories.. it was likely 4 or 5000 but it is more a "note to self" Lots of reasons and excuses here..but it is almost winter and my pants won't fit unless I get on the ball and get this done. Feel free to add me..2
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briislovely wrote: »As the title states I have a binge eating problem which stems from having a food obcession. I would love to keep in contact with people like me with support.
Even if I'm eating healthier, I think about food 24/7. When I am going to eat next is always on my mind. And binge eating has always been a problem. I need friends like me and what helped you if you have these problems!!
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Help, I'm not quite sure how this app completely world but would like to get help and come to terms with my binge eating as I do especially hide it from others. Is there a group to join or how does this work. Desperately needing support0
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I am 100%understanding of this. That was what happened to me, to the point I would eat even when I was full and did my think about anything else but food0
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I'm also a binge eater. Feel free to add me!0
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I occasionally binge eat and am literally the same as you, think about food 24/7. Add me! Im interested in sharing and hearing stories and tips on this.. in need of help myself
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I'd say I'm a binge eater. 30 days into this I can't really put myself into the "former binge eater" catagory yet. I'd say its largely emotional binging as I tended to eat foods that made me feel good, at least while eating them.
At the moment I'm getting by through sheer force of will, but I'm dreading the day that collapses. I'm a very tall guy at 6'8-6'9 and come from an overweight family, so the amount of food I put away didn't seem abnormal to me, despite knowing I was obviously overeating to get the weight I am. It wasn't untill I went on holiday with a "normal" sized friend recently and realised just how little people need to feel full.
Last night was my biggest test so far. I had the beginnings of a migraine and was feeling rather rough and didn't fancy cooking. I went down the supermarket and immediately headed for the old favourites, a Cornish pasty, a block of blue cheese, a 4pack of frosted cinnamon things, a couple of large bags of jelly sweets, and on top of that my plan was to have a Large kebab, chips and battered sausage. A month ago I'd have eaten all that without a second thought, wouldn't even have felt full from it. I messaged my mum and said "Well I'm gonna f my eating up today" and she simply said "Will it be worth it?". That snapped me back into place, I put everything in the basket back and brought myself something to cook instead.
I think part of the problem is those who have never done it, can't understand the compulsion to do so and then when they react with shock or revulsion, it can send you deeper into that spiral. We just need to take it one day at a time, because that's all we can do, and take each little victory over our internal need to self destruct.20 -
I have the same problem. It really makes it difficult to enjoy the moment your in when food is constantly on your mind. My fittness pal can def become an unhealthy upssession that can contribute to eating disorders for some people. I have chronic gi issues so I track to make sure im getting in enough calories. So it is a blessing and a curse for me.2
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I was a binge eater for a long time. I don't do it anymore though and now I'm helping others do the same. I started a video series where I'll be talking about binge eating and giving insights and tips to stop doing it. I posted the first one yesterday, it's my story in a nutshell. If you're interested in checking it out, the link is bit.ly/bingeeatingtidbits3
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@Kir122 Thanks for sharing your video! I'm excited to see the next one. I too have gone back and forth with binge eating as an adult, and even though I've gone 9 months without binging now, and I'm doing all of these healthy things- therapy and yoga and tapping- to try to keep it under control, I am still nervous that it's something that could rear it's ugly head at any time. Looking forward to hearing more about your journey!2
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Try to remind myself everyday Eat to live... NOT Live to eat...been up and down my whole life, lost 70 lbs 4 years ago...gained 30 back now being 50 years old it sucks trying to get the metabolism started again. Plus everything in body aches a lot more than I did when I was 46. I also try to make sure now I only keep food in the house that are healthier options, but l also do not want go cold turkey either I give myself cheat days and that seems to make the days, weeks and months go faster not always thinking about food. Good luck to all.0
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This was an amazing post....all of you. I've been struggling horribly lately. I really needed to read all of this please any or all of you please friend request me I need support and I want to be supportive to all of you.3
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@sadinplaid Thanks! I'm glad you're into it
That's so great you're keeping it under control and taking part in healthy activities. If you're not feeling the urge to binge anymore, or it's a quiet whisper, you should be ok. I sure it hope stays silent for you! 1 -
Please add me. I have struggled on and off since the age of 9, & I'm in my mid 40s now. I am 1st-gen American, came from a very passive, almost reclusive immigrant family & was taught that wasting food was immoral. After all these years I have come to find that it is absolutely NOT about the food---I have binged on both healthy & processed food, so I respectfully disagree that focusing on food you like can prevent a binge. I have had success so far in reflecting what event/s in my past triggered this coping mechanism. Still a work in progress
Exactly. Some of the food I've binged on is pretty healthful....hummus....GF pretzels....half of the vegetable drawer. Doesn't matter. I'm still sick to death afterward, and that behavior paves the way for the next binge which could be potato chips. It's the behavior.
Just what I suspected - "healthy" = "boring". Then the binging on junk starts. I rest my case
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@Muchabibi I actually decided last year that I had to do something. The binging was out of control. I'd gained 30 pounds in a very short time - mostly from candy bars and french fries. the cycle of shame and guilt of hiding it (as much as you can hide 30 pounds - ha ha) from my family was becoming too much. So I searched around on psychologytoday.com (not sure if it's everywhere, but it lets you put in your zip code and read about the specialties of different therapists in your area), and eventually I came across a woman who had listed eating disorders and body dysmorphia in the list of things she specialized in, and I called her. We've been meeting once a month ever since, and she's become a real ally. She was the one that introduced me to the idea of tapping. She gave me a lot of materials to read, and we've really dug in during some of our sessions, exploring why I binge. Like I told @Kir122 I'm still nervous it might be there, even as long as it's been since I've had an episode. I've gone through other times in my life where I thought I beat it, but now I take more of an approach of it might always be there, so I'm going to stay aware of triggers. We recently found out that my dad has lung cancer, and I found myself wondering around the cafeteria at my job thinking about what I could get, when it hit me - I'd just had lunch. I was looking to fill an emotional void - not a physical one. So I went back to my desk, and I was ok. 9 months ago, I would've ordered the fries and maybe the chicken tenders or a wrap and maybe a king size kitkat, I would've eaten it all despite having already had lunch, and I would've "come to" an hour or so later really hating myself - it feels like coming out of a daze, right? I'm happy this thread was started. It's definitely feels very isolating when it happens, but we're clearly not alone.1
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