Binge Addicts Anonymous

kaleas
kaleas Posts: 200
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I have to admit this to somebody. My friends think I'm crazy when I talk to them about this.

I don't normally like sweets. I just don't eat them. I'm the healthiest eater of all my friends. I'm strict about exercising. About eating fruits, vegetables, reading ingredient labels. I'm trying to lose my last 15 pounds of winter weight again.

But this week. I don't know what happened.

It started with a party last week on Friday. I had 3 pieces of pizza and about 5 beers. Then Saturday. It was my birthday. We had breakfast, dinner, and cake. Wine. Sunday wasn't so bad. Monday was 3 pieces of pizza, tacos, white russians, and more drinks. Tuesday I was back on track again, but Wednesday, it was my bosses last day and I had two donuts. Today I ended up eating Girl scout cookies.

I'm so ashamed. I feel disgusted. I don't even wait till the next day. Right after I eat it I say, "Ok Lisa, you don't eat like this. It's okay once and awhile, but this has to stop." I'lll go work out. I'll run. I'll bike.

I've gained 5 pounds this week from all this crap. I'm so angry. It's like I opened a dam. After all these years of not eating like this, all of a sudden it's the most amazing thing in the world.

Replies

  • Beeteezie
    Beeteezie Posts: 35 Member
    I know exactly how you feel... I love sweets and the worst kind of sweets Pastries and anything custard like. When I start I can't stop, but unlike you I've been this way for a while now, which is why I joined this site... Its only been a few days since I've decided to take back my body and health and its definitely a challenge.

    Do you normally eat a lot when you're drinking heavily? Are you premenstrual? Stressed? <-- All of those set me into a sugar frenzy...

    Hopefully it's just your body telling you to change your vitamins or take more, a nurse I work with told me that one day when she saw me demolishing a sleeve of Oreo cookies.. "Your body is missing something and the cravings are a sign that you need whatever it is... FAST."
  • shanice_22
    shanice_22 Posts: 202 Member
    I've been on a binge yesterday and today :frown:

    Bought a flake ice cream cone yesterday and two 9 packs of chocolate bars. But that wasn't all... today I went the pub for a curry, ordered an extra naan bread (don't even know why, I just did it...) AND had the chocolate fudge cake for dessert.

    I don't know what's wrong with me, I was doing so well and all of a sudden I've gone back to bingeing. Really annoyed at myself for it though and now that the nasties have been eaten, HOPEFULLY it means I can go back to focusing on doing good.

    As a contrast though I bought healthy stuff on my way home from the pub LMAO.
  • reneegee23
    reneegee23 Posts: 232 Member
    It doesn't sound like you binged to me, it just sounds like you ate a lot of less than optimal foods several days in a row. :) Binging to me is eating extreme amounts of something (Swedish fish maybe?) and/or eating until you feel sick.

    Also, I swear to god, Aunt Flo has something to do with my sugar cravings. It could be all in my head, but ... yes, it probably is all in my head.
  • arkansascountrygirl
    arkansascountrygirl Posts: 234 Member
    I likewise know how you feel. I binged today on the carbs.
  • kaleas
    kaleas Posts: 200
    I know I've been stressed as I graduate in May, and between making sure I'm getting my class work done, working, and also making sure finances are in order, I've been exhausted mentally. Salad makes me feel good, but relaxing with beer and pizza feels even better. It seems when i'm in a good mood, and the sun is shining, and I have nothing to do, I barely eat. When I do eat, it's good, raw foods.

    I'm not unhappy with my body, but I'm scared that if I keep falling into this habit, I will quickly regain weight once I graduate and won't have as much constant moving to do.
  • BreatheSelina_
    BreatheSelina_ Posts: 55
    bump
  • DietingMommy08
    DietingMommy08 Posts: 1,345 Member
    I have a binge eating disorder that Ive had all my life....
    For example I woke up about 11pm last night and went and ate some cheetos.... I hardly remember doing it but because Im a binger it happens to me.

    Just because you eat the wrong things for about a week dont mean you have a binge eating disorder, it just sounds like your stressed at the moment and that can send something to the brain craving sugars and fats.

    Once you gain your mentality back and your not stressed anymore you will most likely go back to your same ol' self and routine.

    Dont let it bring you down.
  • chowderkat
    chowderkat Posts: 6 Member
    There's a difference between overeating from time to time versus being addicted to binge eating.
  • meljoemom
    meljoemom Posts: 118 Member
    Got you all beat. I've been on a 3-year binge! I get a streak going for about 2 weeks, then lose it and overindulge nonstop. I now weigh 1 lb more than when pregnant with each of my children and over 40. Afraid to say the word addiction... it has a connotation of no self control and weakness that has been inbred in me since birth. I am completely disgusted in myself and am just at the end of my rope. I'm super private but when I quit smoking I poured myself into an online group and it really helped. I keep thinking if I was able to do that, getting myself in shape should be easy. It was when I did it 10 years ago, not so much now with kids' sports, working full time, all our volunteerism, etc. Finding the time means making the time when I had it before... oh and not having a beer or wine at night.. that destroys my motivation for anything..! Pleased to meetcha!
  • PeggyWoodson
    PeggyWoodson Posts: 337 Member
    Ok, Girls, This is from an old binger. I'm 63 and have done it most of my life. I binge when I am upset, worried, depressed, stressed, scares, bored, frustrated. You get the picture. I am an emotional binger. I don't know that I'm doing it till I get way into it and have eaten way more than I should. Then, the light comes on for me. Wait, hold up, what am I doing in the refrigerator for the tenth time in an hour. And the bad thing about binging is that it only makes you angry with yourself which causes me to eat more because now I'm upset at me. Anyone been there?

    Now for the good news. What I've learned in all my years of dieting is this. A binge is not the end of your change of lifestyle. I don't like to call it a diet. A diet is some temporary thing. For me it has to be something that changes my lifestyle. And a binge is not the end of that. Rather than hate yourself for it in the morning, Just become determined that this is a new day. Jump right back on the tracks. You are going to slip. You will undoubtedly binge. You are human. Forgive yourself for being human. What would you tell a friend who had that experience. I'm sure you wouldn't be as hard on a friend as you are on yourself. So just do what you would do with a friend. Tell yourself that you're human, you make mistakes but you don't have to continue to make those mistakes. Some people find it helpful to have one day where you can have whatever you want just for that day and in moderation. that sort of gets it out of the way for the rest of the week. If you want three pieces of pizza and a beer or two, just do some extra exercise or walk a little further but once you had your pizza and beer, get back with the program.
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    I'm a night binge eater.... this means that when my sleep cycle gets wonky, I wake up in the middle of the night either just having eaten something or in the process of eating. It's a very difficult thing to get straightened out. If I have a bad night, I could consume up to 400 calories that I had to log the next day here on MFP. That makes that day even harder because I'm hungry when I wake up too. And not only do I binge eat, I binge eat sweets and carbs.... sugar & carbs are soooooo good in the middle of the night. It's a tough process to overcome, but I think a healthy sleep cycle and a day of low sugar, low sodium, lots of water & green veggies can get you back toward the wagon. Feel free to add me.
  • coconutty420
    coconutty420 Posts: 47 Member
    I love this topic! I have NEVER spoken to anyone about this issue because unless u have it you don't understand it. I have always joked that I am a healthy skitzophrenic (spell?)...90% of the time I eat healthy organic and unprocessed foods.....but then something comes over me. I become a different person who is hell bent on cramming the most disgusting food possible into me....almost always to the point when I am sick. It is always a "closet eater" kind of situation....I won't do it in front of others and will even lie about it. Sometime it only takes a day to get back but sometimes stretches for weeks or months. Its probably one of my biggest issues regarding my weight. I just tell myself "tomorrow is a new day" I never wait til Monday to start anymore....I do like the AA people do and just plan to get thru today.
  • Britt2Fitjrny
    Britt2Fitjrny Posts: 558 Member
    I am so relieved that you posted this! For the last three days I have had it bad with my eating! I had been doing great with my eating and then all of a sudden life got stressful!! I worry so much lately and then after I make bad food choices I hate myself! I binged the last three nights stuffing my face with cheesy goodness, and sweets, and whatever else!! (because at that point, screw it! Right?) Last night when after I had cooked myself a cheesy pizza (when I wasn’t even hungry and this was after dinner) I was in the middle of eating it when I just stopped…. I felt sick (mentally) but an hour later I indulged in chocolate donut, guac and chips, and anything else I could find. I was also watching the travel channel and they were showing the worlds famous sandwiches… that didn’t help at all and that actually triggered it for me! So this morning a wake up and hate myself once again! Feeling sick and fat and bloated! The scale said 130 and I just felt defeated! So I told myself I was done!! I want to feel thin and healthy again so I need to make the right decisions! I planned out my meal for the day and just hope I have strength when I get home tonight!!

    http://fitbie.msn.com/eat-right/foods-make-you-do-bad-things
    I just read this and I think I helped. Check it out!
  • InTheInbetween
    InTheInbetween Posts: 192 Member
    Come visit us in our group if you want. Many understanding, supportive folks here . .

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/743-binge-eating-support-group

    :flowerforyou:
  • Spedden
    Spedden Posts: 207
    To everyone: thanks for posting. I've been having a difficult time the last few months bingeing once a week as well, and twice I've put myself in extreme pain. It helps to know that others have the same issue. My trigger is stress, and since my life has been relatively low stress, I realize that I've been "borrowing" my friends' stress and bingeing when I'm worried about them. Being sleepy is another trigger, when it's early in the evening. I'm learning just to go to bed early and not worry about gettng more to eat so I can go exercise for the third time in a day. Good luck to all of you dealing with this!
  • shrinkinginQualicum
    shrinkinginQualicum Posts: 131 Member
    OMG! Binging, it seems, is something many of us fight with. I'm usually not bad, and if I don't have it in the house I'm too lazy to make anything from scratch, so it helps not to buy it. Of course, that means NEVER go to the store hungry. (It also helps that I hate to leave the house in the evenings, so I won't go out and get anything).
    I find that my binging, besides being linked to stress, which seems to be universal, from the posts here, also happens when anything changes in my world. If I go on vacation, have a long weekend, have family over, anything outside of the usual routine.
    I will bake cookies and eat them all in one evening, or buy ice cream and eat it, AND the cookies, AND whatever dessert we had. (Family dinner fail).
    I've just come off a bad after-holidays binge. I spent 3 weeks eating every night, buying everything that appealed to me at the store, having multiple helpings at supper. I wondered if I'd get if back together, but one day, the strong me woke up and grabbed hold. I am pretty much back on track now.
    I think the worst part is the hard work we put in to lose the pounds, and the quick two week turnaround to gain a bunch of it back! I get so angry with myself, and that doesn't help. When I start being kind and understanding, then it seems I can get control again.
    Hang in there, bingers. With some love and work, this too shall pass...and come back...and pass...and --
  • elishabeish
    elishabeish Posts: 175 Member
    Ok, Girls, This is from an old binger. I'm 63 and have done it most of my life. I binge when I am upset, worried, depressed, stressed, scares, bored, frustrated. You get the picture. I am an emotional binger. I don't know that I'm doing it till I get way into it and have eaten way more than I should. Then, the light comes on for me. Wait, hold up, what am I doing in the refrigerator for the tenth time in an hour. And the bad thing about binging is that it only makes you angry with yourself which causes me to eat more because now I'm upset at me. Anyone been there?

    Now for the good news. What I've learned in all my years of dieting is this. A binge is not the end of your change of lifestyle. I don't like to call it a diet. A diet is some temporary thing. For me it has to be something that changes my lifestyle. And a binge is not the end of that. Rather than hate yourself for it in the morning, Just become determined that this is a new day. Jump right back on the tracks. You are going to slip. You will undoubtedly binge. You are human. Forgive yourself for being human. What would you tell a friend who had that experience. I'm sure you wouldn't be as hard on a friend as you are on yourself. So just do what you would do with a friend. Tell yourself that you're human, you make mistakes but you don't have to continue to make those mistakes. Some people find it helpful to have one day where you can have whatever you want just for that day and in moderation. that sort of gets it out of the way for the rest of the week. If you want three pieces of pizza and a beer or two, just do some extra exercise or walk a little further but once you had your pizza and beer, get back with the program.

    Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue listening to Peggy, she writes with a soft caring yet stern voice :flowerforyou:
  • elishabeish
    elishabeish Posts: 175 Member
    I love this topic! I have NEVER spoken to anyone about this issue because unless u have it you don't understand it. I have always joked that I am a healthy skitzophrenic (spell?)...90% of the time I eat healthy organic and unprocessed foods.....but then something comes over me. I become a different person who is hell bent on cramming the most disgusting food possible into me....almost always to the point when I am sick. It is always a "closet eater" kind of situation....I won't do it in front of others and will even lie about it. Sometime it only takes a day to get back but sometimes stretches for weeks or months. Its probably one of my biggest issues regarding my weight. I just tell myself "tomorrow is a new day" I never wait til Monday to start anymore....I do like the AA people do and just plan to get thru today.

    sounds like me
  • PeggyWoodson
    PeggyWoodson Posts: 337 Member
    Ok, Girls, This is from an old binger. I'm 63 and have done it most of my life. I binge when I am upset, worried, depressed, stressed, scares, bored, frustrated. You get the picture. I am an emotional binger. I don't know that I'm doing it till I get way into it and have eaten way more than I should. Then, the light comes on for me. Wait, hold up, what am I doing in the refrigerator for the tenth time in an hour. And the bad thing about binging is that it only makes you angry with yourself which causes me to eat more because now I'm upset at me. Anyone been there?

    Now for the good news. What I've learned in all my years of dieting is this. A binge is not the end of your change of lifestyle. I don't like to call it a diet. A diet is some temporary thing. For me it has to be something that changes my lifestyle. And a binge is not the end of that. Rather than hate yourself for it in the morning, Just become determined that this is a new day. Jump right back on the tracks. You are going to slip. You will undoubtedly binge. You are human. Forgive yourself for being human. What would you tell a friend who had that experience. I'm sure you wouldn't be as hard on a friend as you are on yourself. So just do what you would do with a friend. Tell yourself that you're human, you make mistakes but you don't have to continue to make those mistakes. Some people find it helpful to have one day where you can have whatever you want just for that day and in moderation. that sort of gets it out of the way for the rest of the week. If you want three pieces of pizza and a beer or two, just do some extra exercise or walk a little further but once you had your pizza and beer, get back with the program.

    Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue listening to Peggy, she writes with a soft caring yet stern voice :flowerforyou:
    Oh thank you so much. That warmed my heart.
  • elishabeish
    elishabeish Posts: 175 Member
    Ok, Girls, This is from an old binger. I'm 63 and have done it most of my life. I binge when I am upset, worried, depressed, stressed, scares, bored, frustrated. You get the picture. I am an emotional binger. I don't know that I'm doing it till I get way into it and have eaten way more than I should. Then, the light comes on for me. Wait, hold up, what am I doing in the refrigerator for the tenth time in an hour. And the bad thing about binging is that it only makes you angry with yourself which causes me to eat more because now I'm upset at me. Anyone been there?

    Now for the good news. What I've learned in all my years of dieting is this. A binge is not the end of your change of lifestyle. I don't like to call it a diet. A diet is some temporary thing. For me it has to be something that changes my lifestyle. And a binge is not the end of that. Rather than hate yourself for it in the morning, Just become determined that this is a new day. Jump right back on the tracks. You are going to slip. You will undoubtedly binge. You are human. Forgive yourself for being human. What would you tell a friend who had that experience. I'm sure you wouldn't be as hard on a friend as you are on yourself. So just do what you would do with a friend. Tell yourself that you're human, you make mistakes but you don't have to continue to make those mistakes. Some people find it helpful to have one day where you can have whatever you want just for that day and in moderation. that sort of gets it out of the way for the rest of the week. If you want three pieces of pizza and a beer or two, just do some extra exercise or walk a little further but once you had your pizza and beer, get back with the program.

    Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue listening to Peggy, she writes with a soft caring yet stern voice :flowerforyou:
    Oh thank you so much. That warmed my heart.

    Anytime, just admiring your "MOM" voice:heart:
  • newhabit
    newhabit Posts: 426 Member
    I agree, i am there with you. Sweets are the absolute worst for me. Once I start, it's like a floodgate. So better to just not go there for me. I"ve had similar type binges to what you are describing.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories