Binge eating/food obsession

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/bingeeatingtidbits

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.

@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!

@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.

Can I join in? I struggle with binge eating as well - recently, I've been better with it but I still have days that get out of control.

I have a 10 year history of eating disorders and think I developed the binge eating disorder from trying too hard to recover too quickly and not on my own terms. I had both anorexia and bulimia (the usual kind... and exercise-bulimia) and at time was desperate to be "normal," so I got used to ignoring the ED voices... but never dealt with them and also never developed a normal sense of hunger/eating habits.

At risk of triggering anyone with an active ED, I found some inspiration and help in reading "Safety in Numbers" by Brittany Burgunder. She went from anorexia to binge eating disorder and I found parts of her journey relatable especially in regards to the thoughts that occur before, during, and after a binge episode.

I used to but I don't any longer. I don't think about food anymore than anything else. I am happy for you or anyone else to add me.

I remember when people used to say this to me about no longer having a ed, I thought 'yeah right'. It took almost 10 years to beat it but I could have done it in a few days if I had been ready. Trust me when I say it's doable but you have to be ready to trust in process.

I definitely fall into this category. The only good news is as I have been working on it I actually find it harder and harder to eat the amounts I used to eat, but there are still some foods that I can do an easy 5000+ calories on.
I have actually had days where I went and walked miles and only ate once just to eat in large quantities and still meet a calorie goal. I am getting better, but there are times when my willpower goes on holiday and my brain just goes haywire.
That binge never actually makes me feel better. I truly do feel like crap after it, but somehow in my head it is equated with pleasure.

@makingmark I know exactly how you feel. Where you say your brain goes haywire- I used to equate it to feeling like blacking out- like coming to and realizing I ate the family size box of velveeta Mac and cheese by myself.