Always eat over my calorie limit

yeah I don't know how to tackle the pregnant hunger thing. What I do is save most of my calories for the evening because that is my snacking time. It allows me to snack and give in to some of my impulses and stay in my calorie/macro counts.

I've had 3 babies so understand the pregnancy cravings. If I were you, I'd try to keep the "bad stuff" out of the house. Not there to eat, cannot eat/over-eat it. Actually that is my rule right now, ha. I have 3 kids and they like cookies as their snack and I intentionally only buy the ones I can resist. Win-win for both them and me.

Also, keep simple, easy to grab snacks available like fresh fruit and veggies or individual sized items (granola bars for example). Tell yourself, if I'm feeling hungry, drink 1 glass of cold water (add a lemon if you'd like) then wait 30 minutes and if I still want food grab that healthy snack.

As some noted above:
- Shop smarter, don't bring trigger foods into the house.
- Pre log

Also, I'm almost always over cals. I figured out for me it's some sort of psychological cheat the numbers thing, so I reduced my target and I go over. It's a delicate balance though, too far over and I'll undo my deficit. Are you losing (or not overly-gaining since you are pregnant) on 1500 even even though you go over? Well then don't worry about the target just focus on health (and no gain).

Additionally, I eat every three hours. If I get even a smidge of hungry I'm prone to binge. How often are you scheduling your meals/snacks?

A few words from a past binger (I used to binge eat 4-5 days per week with often 2-3 days 3000 calories plus:()
- I eat reasonable portions of healthy food at meals - for me (not pregnant, loosing weight now) 450 breakfast 600 lunch 150 snack 550 dinner - this is a move from not eating enough at meals or "saving up' for the evening leading me to over snack and binge.
- Don't concentrate on "dieting", concentrate on good quality food
- In the book "brain over binge" by kathryn hansen a really good point is made that you're upping your calories massively by binging so why not enjoy those calories in a healthy way spread out over the day, guilt free! (i.e up your calorie goal)
Finally you're growing a tiny human, which is incredible, focus on health, 15lbs is not that much weight wise, don't sweat the small stuff!

I have to start by asking exactly what you mean by a "binge"? Different people use the word differently. Are we talking a pint of ice cream? Or eating half the fridge?

Have you tried regular snacks - making sure to incorporate some fat and protein into them? Things like an apple with an ounce or two of cheese? Or nuts and dried fruit? Or cheese and crackers?

I'm probably not the best person to give advice in this scenario because, for me, eating while pregnant was a nightmare. Trying to work around morning sickness (which lasted all day for six months; blech), severe acid reflux (which meant I couldn't eat some of my favourite things - like tomatoes and most fruit) and pregnancy-only food aversions (no milk, for example) made it very difficult to find foods I could eat and keep down. Suffice it to say, I ate more than my fair share of ice cream, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. But, on the plus side, I had two healthy babies and did manage to lose all the pregnancy weight. So, the point of that whole tangent was just to say that, no matter what, you can get this to work, it will work out okay, and best of luck!

You have gotten some great replies! I was thinking it might also be helpful to try to think about what you are feeling leading up to a binge. I struggle with bingeing as well, and I have found it helpful to be mindful of the circumstances surrounding my binge. I often binge if I'm watching tv and eating, so I try to limit myself to a cup of yummy tea to sip on while watching television and eat at the table. I have also noticed that my binges are inspired by unaddressed emotions. If I get carried away with anxiety it will often spur a binge. But if I am able to step back and think about what I am feeling and what that situation really needs it helps me avoid a binge. I hope that is helpful! You got this!

jathieret wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

How many calories ARE you actually eating. Are we talking "I'm aiming for 1700 and ate 4000" or "i'm aiming for 1700 and ate 1950"?

I would say I aim for 1700 but typically eat 2000-2200 (some days even more and I just don't even track because I don't want to see the damage!)

It's not even that I'm hungry, I'm not. My body "isn't telling me I need more calories" like some previous posters have said. I just lose control.

I also realize I posted this in the "weight loss" board which was probably poor planning on my part, I apologize but all the replies have been wonderful and greatly appreciated.

Set your goal to maintain in MFP (App version - Goals> Weight Loss Goal> Maintain my current weight or Web Version Goals>View Guided Setup>What is your goal?>Maintain my current weight)

and it will give you a good idea of what you should be eating on a normal day - I lose 1lb per week on 1600/1700 so it's not unreasonable to think you might actually be eating more because you aren't actually eating enough.

I also realize I posted this in the "weight loss" board which was probably poor planning on my part, I apologize but all the replies have been wonderful and greatly appreciated. [/quote]

I was just getting ready to tell u this ^^^^
If u post in the weight loss section, folks will think u are trying to loose lol

Anyway u received a lot of good suggestions. I just want to second the idea of not bringing "bingeable food"in the house. For me, that would be chips, pretzels, nuts. Best of luck to u ☺

Hey!! I have had issues as a exercise bulimic - to binge eating severely (I'm talking uncontrollable 4000-5000cals)... now my binges aren't what they use to be but I have come A LONG WAY. It's a journey. The biggest and hardest part is eliminating the negative talk in your head and eliminating "no". Once foods become off limits or once you tell yourself you can only have so much you immediately want to rebell that... and then feel guilty...like head under the pillow and cry guilty/ not talking to anyone/ I'm a failure type thing. It sucks. I am 3 months PP and I struggle every day BUT I try to focus on living my life and enjoying foods mindfully. Think "add" instead of "limit". For example "add" some awesome fruit or veggies to your meals...or more protein etc...if you have a binge - acknowledge it and move forward...do not give it a name -ie bad, messed up, binge. Acknowledge that it probably occured in the first place NOT because of food itself but your own anxieties / shoulds/ inner voice manipulating. I would highly recommend the book "intuitive eating" by Evelyn tribole...it saved my life in terms of guilt and just not living. When you let go of negative food behavior you start to enjoy life and focus less on food anyways. I still have bad days often ...but I can move on and actually focus on my health better then before. Feel free to add me. My baby is 3 months...and some days I seriously struggle with the binges/overeating. Usually because I AM telling myself I need to hurry up and lose weight etc...instead of being kind to myself and focusing on eating well to breast feed well...when you do these things all else falls into place.

For me the simple rule that I can eat whatever I want but I must log before I consume it has helped a ton. This has stopped my binging because I simply look at my log and see that I am well over and then it triggers me to stop. I don't know if this simple rule will help you but it is well worth the try

What has your OB said your calorie intake should be? That's the GUIDELINE you should follow.

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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition