Binge Eating. How do you get past the past?

Ugh, I ate too much today. I ate within my calorie range at first... but then I had to dip crackers into leftover chili on the stove, a sundrop, and spicy nacho doritos...

I struggle with the same thing, I've gotten to all time lows where I still can't get over when I binged on Easter, it feels like you're always going to feel ashamed and while you may not be proud of
It as time goes on you have to start focusing on your new, healthy habits to push forward. Focusing on my disorder is what helped me move on

Hey OP. You sound like me almost to a T. I eat in secret like a sneaky food troll and plan my binges hours or even days ahead of time. It feels like I'm completely out of control and once the thought of having a huge binge session takes hold, there is no willpower to stop it. In that moment, binging feels like the only thing that will bring me comfort and relaxation, though I always end up hating myself after. While my mother and I are very close now, my weight was a source of much "concern" and cruel remarks growing up. I hope you are able to overcome it. I've been fighting it for years. While I haven't defeated it myself, I noticed that the severe restriction and overexertion I use while dieting and exercising generally lead me to binge again within 1-2 weeks. Try your best to have balance and don't be too hard on yourself if you relapse. I don't generally follow my own advice, of course, but that's my two cents. I also suggest therapy with someone who deals specifically with disordered eating like this, not just anorexia and bulimia. Good luck

I didn't know there is a disorder for that but I feel your pain. My struggle is at night and I wait til I'm alone. My weakness is sweets. I can eat and eat and usually don't stop until I feel sick and/or I see myself in a mirror and feel disgusted. That's where my weight gain came from.

Just know you are not alone, I struggle with it too. I've gained 10 pounds in the last month (10)!!! At September I weighed 218, by Oct 18th I weighed 200. On Oct 18th my aunt passed away, I was very close to her and this hurt badly, I turned to food for my comfort. My husband didn't know how to comfort me. He lost his dad almost a year ago and he didn't express his pain like I did mine, he didn't turn to food. I know it hurts him to know his dad is gone but I don't know how he personally deals with that loss. For instance with my eating, I decided to make Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving, I ate the whole dang pie!! I would sit here at night and eat bags of blow pops! Who does this?? Me, I do this. I am starting on Day 3. I've made it through the last two days, I know I can do this. I know you can too.

Hi, Same story here. At about 15 years old with maybe 15 pounds to lose, I went to WW with my Mom. That started me on diets and the all or nothing yo-yoing for over 45 years! Imagine that, over 45 years every single day I have thought about diets and either dieting or binging, never "normal" eating. Sometimes when I am dieting, I wonder how is it I can stay on it. Then when I go off (and that can last for months which is what I am into now - thought Jan. 1 was going to be the day but well, you know the drill), I try to figure out why. Did I make to many exceptions in the restaurants, maybe breaking my "rules". I recently had one session with a dietician who deals with eating disorders (hard to find). But I guess I wasn't willing to start yet. Old habits sooooo very hard to break. I have a number for a therapist that I believe deals with BED. I need to make the phone call. Went to an OA meeting recently (I go about every year and a half and then don't go again). Met a woman who said she would be my sponsor and she really seems to know what she is talking about. But I haven't gone back. You know, I am almost 60 and my Mom is in her late 80's and she still talks about getting under that number on the scale and talks about eating too much or she will say "well I am in my late 80's. I should be able to eat what I like". I can't believe all my life I have wasted being so consumed with my weight and wanting to start my life only until I lost the weight. So much wasted years. Really sad, But I never felt bad because I truly believe that there is this pull inside of me that I can't control, wanting and needing those tasty carbs. Hugs to us all who struggle and hope 2017 we will get a better handle on our weight issues.

I recommend checking out overeaters anonymous meetings in your area. Get some phone numbers there and call them when you feel the urge to binge. I also think seeing a nutritionist can help you find a meal and diet plan according to your own health and body type, dietary needs. A therapist too is great for the emotional aspect. But my main emphasis that I don't think was mentioned enough on this forum is Overeaters Anonymous.

@nowine4me Being honest is such a great step in the right direction and I applaud you for that. I tend to want to binge when I'm alone too so sometimes
Reaching out and making phone calls or getting out of the house for random errands or just to get away from the kitchen can help me. I definitely struggle when binge foods are in the house that other people like to eat. For me, I end up mentally obsessing about it, picking at it, then tearing into it and hating myself after. I was taught a long time ago that compulsive overeating affects us spiritually, mentally, and physically, and that often one of these is out of balance when the behavior strikes. I try to write what I am feeling before or after a binge and what I was feeling during. Logging your food in MFP also keeps you honest. I know for me I grew up believing food meant love and that if I refuse what someone else cooks for me, I am hurting them.