Help! Addictive personality, I do the same thing every day

I am a recovered binge eater so I understand your struggles with food.

These are my main binge (overeating) prevention tips:

- avoid binge inducing foods (sugar, carbs or whatever they are for you)
Personally, sugar and carbs are my downfall. I found (and still do find it) easiest to just not have trigger foods in the house. When they were there I couldn't help thinking about them but if they just weren't there (or I didn't know where they were) I could let go of them. For me avoiding sugar and carbs was really helpful because once you start eating it's soo hard to stop. If you do get something buy a limited amount like one small dark chocolate bar rather than a box of cookies because then you only have to make the decision to say no to yourself ONE time when you are at the grocery store. Binging is a result of choice fatigue because you say "no cookies" to yourself 100 times over 1/2 h and then you are tired so you give in. Limiting the number of times you have to say no to yourself helps to prevent this.
-Especially avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a really really big trigger for me. I rarely drink but even if I just have a glass of wine my temptation to binge or at least vigorously snack is still hard to control. It breaks down any barriers you start to create and makes saying no so much harder.

- Do something to boost your self esteem first thing in the morning BEFORE eating any food or later in the day if you can't fit it in early
This for me is one of the things that helped the most with not binging/overeating. These types of relationships with food are about comfort and trying to feel better so if you do something first thing that makes you feel good about yourself it will make food a far far less tempting solution. For me this is exercise. If I exercise first thing in the morning my likely hood of binging reduced by about 80%.

-Look into over eaters anonymous or the eating disorder association in your town
I only found out about these organizations when I was almost recovered but close friends of mine say they were SUPER important for their recovery and I wish I had discovered it sooner because I think it could have saved me several years of misery. There is support out there. They often offer peer tutoring (meeting with someone who has recovered) or group support. You are not alone.

-Pay attention to how you are feeling and WHY you are eating.

- Drink lots and lots of water 3lt per day minimum. This will help your body realize it is thirsty and not hungry

-Start talking about it with close friends/family or someone who has gone through an eating disorder
I think talking about it was one of the main things that helped my recovery because it helped to take away the shame that leads to more binges and self hatred. It also made me realize that so many people struggle with similar things its nothing to be ashamed of.

Avoid the scale
The scale should be included with trigger foods even if you are feeling good and see positive change in your body stepping on the scale and not seeing the number you want can sink the spirits and lead to loss of hope or binge.


Keep setting goals for recovery even if you feel like you are always breaking them
I felt like I was always trying different random approaches to managing/preventing binging and because non of them work 100% this isn't a bad thing. The important thing is to keep giving yourself hope and striving for a positive goal. Sometimes I found it actually helped to change my goal every few days because otherwise I'd lose focus.

I totally understand about food being the comfort solution, some people are addicted to cigarettes or whatever but food was my drug. The hardest part is that it's always there and that you can't quit cold turkey. For me, a binge meant almost a full body high, shaking hands can't think clearly and when I was done I felt like "what the *kitten* did I just do to myself?!" but could hardly remember how it happened. Battling through is all you can do and even though you feel weak and helpless right now you are strong because you deal with that *kitten* every day and still keep going. In a horrible way it will make you a more empathetic, stronger person when you come out the other side, I know it has done that for me. You will get better. Pick yourself up each day, set some goals and keep trying to work towards them. Even if it feels like you are failing keep trying because it's the best you can do and eventually it will work. I know how hard it is to get out of a rut and exercise really has been key for me to getting out of them. I'm a high achiever and perfectionist so my problem is I never do things half assed.. and unfortunately this applies to unhealthy relationship with food as well but on the bright side when I commit myself to exercise and healthy eating I can have the same kind of drive and commitment and you can to. I believe that through exercising and healthy eating you can retrain yourself to deal with stress in a different way such as pushing through one more weight lift or one more push up.

I know how extremely disheartening problems with food are and how much it impacts one's quality of life, so if you or anyone you know is dealing with this or any other type of disordered eating I would love to offer my support and share what I have learned about coping strategies and recovery. For a long time I was too ashamed to talk about it because as a high achiever, perfectionist and previously very healthy and fit person it was a huge blow to my self-esteem and identity. I thought it meant I was weak but now I realize it was my way of dealing with other stresses in my life and that many strong, people who I really admire have dealt with similar things. In the end it made me a stronger and more compassionate person and I hope that I can use my experience to help people overcome their challenges and lead happy, healthier lives. As overwhelming and horrible as eating disorders are, recover IS possible, and if you want it, you can and will achieve it. Every day that I eat healthy food, feel good, workout and get stronger I push myself to prove to myself and anyone that needs hope that recovery and a better life is possible. Talking to people who had recovered is what got me through and I want to pass it on. You deserve to live a happier life, free from being terrified of food.

Please feel free to add me for support, I am more than happy to pass on anything I think might be helpful or just listen if you need to talk.