I need help...or just someone who can relate

This is me! In every way. I have pretty good eating habits in general, but some days, I just cant keep it together. I just try to remember that tomorrow is a new day and I will have a clean slate. Human nature is to splurge when you have been reserving and reserving and reserving. It is like when you have watched your budget for so long, the first little bit of extra money just eats at you until you buy something for yourself. Try not to beat yourself up and remember that you used to eat like that EVERY day, and now you dont, so you are doing good things!

The best part is everyday is a new beginning and one bad day won't ruin your progress for ever. It happens to everyone.

Shake it off and go for a walk to burn off a few of those calories.

I am going to say maybe start journaling? You said that it made you feel better to write so maybe that will help. On days when you feel like bingeing you can go back and read how it made you feel after you did. That might help you not do it next time.

Everyone has triggers and trigger foods. Find yours and eliminate it as best as possible. I don't believe in hiding food but I make for sure that junky food is closed up and put back up as soon as they have been used (out of sight out of mind). Next time you get stressed, go for a walk or just drink a huge glass of water and work through whatever without the use of food.

/Big Hugs It happens. When it does hit your workouts with some of that aggravation. Doing so really helps.

In my opinion the first step was that you wrote about it. You recognize it and are not in denial (not completely anyway). Recognizing what you are doing is far more to your advantage than not noticing at all. At the base of some of our problems is that we have not identified WHY we need the comfort foods. I know that when I get bored, I eat. When I am unhappy, I eat. Um. . . Well, when I am happy I eat too. So for the rest of us, it is not food just for comfort so much as we enjoy those tastey treats far more than we should.
I agree with everyone that says the key is to not have those foods around. However, those who do not live alone, like myself, might have others to consider and sometimes those others do NOT want to sacrifice the food THEY enjoy although they appear to want to assist you. It's okay.
The individual who suggested you write how you feel the moment you feel that way instead of going to the food has a great suggestion. I am constantly overweight and am hopeful this is my final weight lost initiative (in that I want it to work and stay off). Thus. . . . most of us understand what you did today because we have had those moments. Just don't give up. Whether you have a bad day or a bad week (or in my case a bad month) NEVER give up. Know that there will come a time when your motivation will push you and you will succeed. So many wonerful people on here want to see you succeed. You are not alone.

I can totally relate on this. When I was in college, I would hide in my dorm room or apartment room and just binge. I remember one day I had a big bag of trail mix, and almost ate the whole thing. And I felt the same way you are saying that you are feeling. Here's what has helped me.

1.) I live by the whole out of sight out of mind. If there are things around that I would binge on, I put them up in the pantry where I can't see them. If I don't see them, most likely I won't know they are there and won't be so likely to eat them.
2.) Simply don't buy the items that you tend to binge on. If you are likely to binge on chips or cookies, don't buy them. Only have healthier options like different fruits and veggies to snack on. If you have a binge on those, it's not going to be as bad. When I started doing that, I didn't really binge.
3.) Find something else to occupy yourself when you feel a binge coming on. Try going for a walk, brushing your teeth, calling a friend, painting your finger nails, etc.
4.) Don't have a mind set that you are not allowed to have something you crave. The more you tell yourself that it is completely off limits, you will really want it and most likely eventually have it, but when you have it, you will probably go overboard with it. It's all about moderation.

I really hope this helps. I have totally been in the same boat before, and it's not fun. Please feel free to add me if you would like.

I used to be the same way. I just don't keep any junk food around the house anymore. I'm not someone that can just have a few chips -- I'll eat the whole bag if it's there. I also prelog all of my food for the day and this seems to help me.

This. Exactly.

I'm in the same boat as you - bouts of secret eating and binging triggered by stress, boredom etc.

Sounds like you're brave enough to examine your habits and be brutally honest with yourself. If you really think you may have a binge eating *disorder* (i.e. if you feel like your patterns of eating really are abnormal compared to the majority of people), then the next step is to seek outside help.

A good therapist, (or better yet, a psychologist), will be able to fashion a course of cognitive behavioral therapy that might help you. Yep, they're expensive, but not as expensive as the health problems that can come attached to binge eating disorder.

I do the same every now and then, what I do is... workout that same night or the day after, and detox myself having loads of vegs nd healthy food, but right now I'm looking forward to my chinese delivery man to arrive!!:) noodles, capital spare ribs..seaweed... yumm.. and loads of exercise to feel somewhat better with myself before i go to bed!!

You are not alone. I do the exact same thing. The ONLY way I managed to lose weight was by completely overhauling my kitchen. I can resist in the supermarket, but right in front of me? No way. There are a few other people here who seem to do the same thing - bringing food you know you shouldn't eat into the kitchen makes it SO hard. The only advice I really have is to get the high calorie food out of your environment and try to visualise your goals - I found I had to get almost obsessed with losing weight and why I wanted to be healthy. The only other advice I'd have is sometimes you just have to write off a day and get stuck in to eating and exercising well for the rest of the week - also I eat when I'm bored so if you can, try to stay busy - this has the advantage of keeping you more active while distracting you from food. Also if you find you're eating when you're emotionally unstable (I do this too) and it's a real problem, you could try counselling if there are some underlying issues that are making you feel crappy. Best of luck!!

I am a "recovered" binge eater. I went through many years binging, never purging. I would buy $40.00 worth of junk food and eat it in one evening. I had a tough time working through my reasons for binging. I went to an eating therapist that specializes in Binge eating. I explored the reasons behind it and dealt with them. I haven't binged now in about 9 months. I stay away from white starchy foods and sugar. Those two things trigger my binge episodes. I have also learned to vocalize how I am feeling and what I need. This was so difficult, but so worth it. I keep reminders around me at the office and at home. One of them is, "Just don't go there." another one is what do I need? I also have to remind myself to be responsible for my eating. I log everything that goes in my mouth. I don't mindlessly eat. I actually have a 9 week eating plan and am in week 8 of 9 and this has helped. I don't have to wonder what I am going to have for snacks and meals. My husband has even gotten used to looking at my meal plan and we very rarely go out any more. It is just easier that way. When I do go out to eat, I get on the website and see what they offer and how many calories I can have. Then I choose according to that.

I used to be the same way. I just don't keep any junk food around the house anymore. I'm not someone that can just have a few chips -- I'll eat the whole bag if it's there. I also prelog all of my food for the day and this seems to help me.

I totally agree with this quote. We people that do do what you are talking about are Addicted to Food. It hurts to say it and to some they may think it is a excuse. But it is not and the only way to not eat the things you are addicted to binging on is to NOT keep them around. We have to muster up every bit of will power we have while shopping and just say NO. And maybe years from now it might get easier to do but so far still really hard. If you ever need someone to talk to or need a friend I'm here. Good luck and Feel free to friend me cuz i KNOW it IS NOT easy!!

I have found that the more carbs I eat, the more I want and it turns into a never ending cycle for me.

Once I realized that I was hooks on cards, I tried to reduce my carb intake as much as possible. It took a lot to do it and I felt sick for a few days (probably no different than getting off some types of drugs or smoking) but after a few days I starting much better and in control of what I ate.

It is a life change and will be difficult but you can do it!

I completely agree with this - it's like an addiction - but once u start cutting down carbs you crave them less!