What do YOU do to stop a binge BEFORE it happens

I started enjoying my diet more during the week. This way, Friday no longer has that "last day of school" feeling.

The best way, for me, is to eat more calories, so that I am not starving all the time, and also to plan my meals schedule the day before. In this way it is almost impossible for me to binge.

The weekdays are easier for me because I control what food I keep at work. Weekends are harder. However, I do multiple workouts on the weekend. This gives me more calories to play with, but it also suppresses my appetite (less time to eat, and I crave healthier foods after exercising).

Drink more water. Clear out the junk food. Do not allow yourself to go through a drive-thru. Keep lots of fruit and healthy snacks around the house. Cook good, clean meals and dishes.

Some people say give yourself what you want in moderation, but I find it easier this way. For example, I am a chocolate fiend, but if I'm craving chocolate really badly, instead of diving into the massive solid bar of milk chocolate, I'll have a chocolate flavour cereal bar, I have Weetabix ones that are only about 90 calories, there's loads of low cal brands! Or even better, low fat hot chocolate if you fancy it. Warm and fills you up If it's something savoury, try some nuts, or nut butter. Give yourself what you want, things that taste good, without going overboard!
Oooh, and if you REAAALY feel like you need some chocolate ice cream, scoop a bit into a bowl and only eat that. Eating out of the pot will guarantee overeating, as I have personally discovered.

I really try to drink some water and have my meals planned for the weekend. It's not so much that I binge, it's that I mindlessly snack with my husband (who needs to eat whatever whenever lol) So I try to cook for every meal on the weekend so I have that to look forward to. I know if I cook it I will eat it.

I also workout with my hubby on the weekend, we play volleyball/badminton or go for long walks because he is supportive of me losing weight. So I tell him "Babe I think I want to eat something when I really shouldn't" So he says lets go outside etc.

I was a binge eater before I started losing weight. It's a big reason why I refusing to call what I am doing a diet. I am not on a diet, I have made a permanent life change.

I agree you have to look at it that way so you won't be tempted to "cheat:"

The weekdays are easier for me because I control what food I keep at work. Weekends are harder. However, I do multiple workouts on the weekend. This gives me more calories to play with, but it also suppresses my appetite (less time to eat, and I crave healthier foods after exercising).

Drink more water. Clear out the junk food. Do not allow yourself to go through a drive-thru. Keep lots of fruit and healthy snacks around the house. Cook good, clean meals and dishes.

Honestly, I think about how I don't want to spend an extra 30 minutes at the gym just because I wanted to binge on something. I also drink a lot of water or green tea to keep me full.

I do not mean to presume but I have found that a large number of people who continuously diet and are overweight have a tendency to binge. I am one of them. I work so hard during the week make great progress then gain it all back and then some on the weekend.

Any tricks out there to help me the next time a binge is knocking at my determination and willpower?

Thanks for taking the time

I'm trying to take each day separately. In the past 'oh well I screwed up yesterday' was a valid excuse. I'm working to get away from that.

Also working out in the morning has helped me stay on track as well.

Finally I find getting a large breakfast for me helps with fullness throughout the day.

The best way, for me, is to eat more calories, so that I am not starving all the time, and also to plan my meals schedule the day before. In this way it is almost impossible for me to binge.

That's a really good strategy. Try not to buy unhealthy foods that you might binge on--if it's not in the house, you can't eat it. I like to snack so I buy lots of fruits (like grapes and cut up pieces of watermelon) and veggies (baby carrots and celery sticks) that I can munch on when I feel like grazing. If I feel the urge to snack but I don't want the fruit or carrots then i know I'm not really hungry and it stops there. My husband likes to have things like potato chips and ice cream around the house so I just buy flavors that I don't like. Also I think the longer I stay on track eating healthy things the less I want unhealthy things. I used to have a major sweet tooth but I don't eat any processed sugar anymore. I had a donut about two weeks ago and a piece of cake on Easter--and my reaction was the same both times--way too sweet and it kind of gave me a headache. Good!! I think I've weaned myself off sugar!

Great thread -- I struggle with this too. So far I'm trying to do research before I go out to eat and plan ahead. I also don't have snacks in my apt right now because I can't be trusted with them. And I'm trying to focus on having healthy balanced meals and spreading my calories throughout the day because I find that if I skip meals or eat too light during the day that I want to binge at night (like my body's trying to make up for it or something).

Would love to hear other suggestions!

Get to the bottom of what is really bothering you and that will help you to stop self sabotaging.

I took the work DIET out of my vocabulary and I mentally know that I EDIT (same letters as diet) my food choices - diet sounds so negative and I felt like I was "missing out on the good stuff" - the stuff I love! I eat whatever I want, I just have less of it and if I "nibble it, I scribble it" .....I fuel my body with healthy good food and I feel GOOD doing so! I plan my meals and that works for me and keeps me on track. Best of luck to you - You Got This!!!

It truly is a mind game that you have to master. It's truly hard, but something I tell myself before I eat something, is 'are you going to regret eating this later?" The suggestions of water is excellent. Keep yourself busy on the weekends, don't give yourself time to sit and eat the bin of cookies. Heck, throw the cookies out!

When I was going to WW, they also pushed that if you are going to a party, position yourself away from the food table. If it's in reach, you'll keep reaching. Also something they always talked about is knowing when you are full and look for that signal your body gives you. i.e. that deep breath or sigh you make when you are eating which happens somewhere in the middle of the plate of food. That is a comfortably full signal that you have had enough food and to push the plate away.

I look at a picture of where I was at the beginning and where I am now. I did a split picture on photobucket. When I'm feeling the need to overeat, which lately has been on Easter Candy ;o), I look at that picture and realize I've come along way. I agree with thinking this is a lifestyle change and not a diet. Perhaps your calories are too low. Depending on your exercise level you might want to add more calories. I know my daily goal is 1800 calories to eat. I burn somewhere between 2000-2700 a day and I"m happy to lose one lb a week.

Good luck with stopping the emotional eating,

Danielle