Binges

I find that when I deny myself something for a long time the binge will come eventually. Like last night. So I'm going to try to allow myself things more often to avoid ruining a weeks worth of work in one sitting! The gum thing doesn't help me either.

Tell yourself you can have a little of the food. Then measure out how much you'll allow yourself to have, and set it aside. Eat all your other food first. Slowly. Savor it. Drink water. Log.

Then eat your treat when you feel ready. Log it.

Look in my food journal for this morning--cottage cheese, tomatoes...cinnamon jelly hearts?!
I took my own advice. Now my boyfriend has the bag, so I know I won't go nuts on them like I want to, being as stressed as I am.

That has helped me in the past. Total denial of the food makes me flip out and eat it till I'm sick when I can get it. Allowing myself to have some takes away the "ohmygosh it won't be here forever I have to eat it while I can!!!" feeling.

Another important thing for binging is to realize that it isn't the food that's really your trigger. Binging is emotional eating. It's stress relief. So do some deep breathing when you wanna eat. Talk to someone. Start to notice the triggers that set you off, and be aware of them.

Good luck,

If you want to live a long, healthy life you will need to get and keep your relationship with food and eating under control. I agree with what others have said- being able to have the foods in moderation is key to continue this for a lifetime. Get help with that and learn some coping and management skills and I imagine it will be something you can more easily accomplish :flowerforyou:

I have always had one big meal during the day - It's how I was brought up. Snack light 'til dinner, then feast. Needless to say, the advice to "eat 6 small meals" or "3 moderate meals" does not apply to me because as far as I am concerned, a proper meal constitutes 1000 calories or more and you can see why I can't be doing that 3 times! I feel as though I have been gypped if I eat a "normal moderate meal" like a salad or pancakes. Not only am I still hungry but something is lacking because of the proportions and it makes me feel deprived. For me, there is an emotional attachment to the idea of waiting all day in anticipation of a delicious dinner. If I don't get one, I am totally bummed. If that sounds familiar to you, why not try planning a large meal at the end of the day and waiting until dinner (or "binge-time") to eat it? Sometimes when I want to have "all of everything", I fix myself a plate with many different food items that I have been craving but I use smaller portions so I can have more for less, if that makes sense?

Also, sleep deprivation is a huge trigger for me to have a binge. Usually when I am exhausted I also have lots to do, so food is a welcome escape. No one can get mad at you if you are feeding yourself, right? We all have to eat, as the logic goes.

I gained 200 lbs in only a few years as a result of binge eating. I also have a long history with anorexia and bulimia before that. The only way to reverse the course you are on and find recovery is to "normalize" your eating (this is evidence based advice from the psychological literature). This means a healthy, balanced diet. Don't wait 15 years to accept it like I did. Seek out a nutritionist/dietitian for professional guidance to help you meal plan! Also, if there are other emotional issues attached to the binging then it might also be useful to speak to a counselor/therapist or some sort who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy.

^^THIS.

You are starving yourself. You're not even following MFP recommendations for losing. You are slowing your metabolism and causing long term damage. In your situation, the binge is a result of your body screaming for sustenance. I have been there, and trust, down this road lies madness.

EAT.

How can I stop bingeing and when I start I can't stop or control it, any advice really appreciate it, I drink gallons of water, chew gum...nothing seems to work....

Food is good, eat it.
Yesterday I craved on food while I wasn't that hungry : Tougher a glass is, easier for it to break :drinker:

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it, I'm not sure why I've been bingeing but after your comments I'm starting to realise why!

Love the idea of the big dinner at night.....I can not eat all day it's as soon as I start eating I can't stop....I've never been an emotional eater so I'm not sure why and very tired too at the moment, I get plenty of sleep as I keep falling to sleep at around 9pm then bed and don't wake up until 7am.....it's a mystery but one I need to combat x

the 'why' is actually quite simple. you are deriving some sort of reward from it whether it be physical or mental. for some it's numbing some sort of pain. for others it could be your body physically needs to make up for what it lacks.

i also notice you use the word 'can't' a lot. unless you have some underlying physical condition (go to a doctor if this is a concern) preventing you from spacing out your food consumption in 'normal' portions throughout the day...it is more along the lines of 'won't'. you need to recognize that and challenge it if you want to overcome it. self-talk is a powerful thing than can make or break the changes you seek.

seriously, i know it is a scary thing to make that decision to stop restricting and eat 'regular' healthy meals and snacks throughout the day but trust me when i say it REALLY DOES help stop the binges. it's a nasty cycle.