What do YOU do to stop a binge BEFORE it happens

Walk around my house half naked... Seriously. I have found the more I can see of my body, the less likely I am to gorge myself on the sweets I constantly crave.

I remember to H.A.L.T.. I do an internal check to see if I am really Hungry, if I am Angry about something, if I am Lonely, or if I am Tired.

Also, I wait a bit of time say an hour or some other amount that seems manageable before I eat that trigger food. Chances are I will forget about it or if I remember I might not really want it anymore.

I ask myself how will I feel about myself if I give in to the binge.

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/weight-loss/photos/5-habits-highly-successful-dieters#0

This is amazing--pretty much all you need to build and stick to a program that will work for you.

I work a lot, 2 and a half jobs...so I keep very busy, this past weekend I was home more then usual, being a holiday, I was scared, didn't know what to do with myself...kept going to the cupboard looking for a snack..then my MFP's told me to go do a workout, I did and felt great after doing it, so no more wanting to snack! Thank god for my mfp's...if it weren't for them I would have sat my a** on the couch all day eating:flowerforyou:

Absolutely nothing. I wouldn't binge because nothing in my diet is off limits if I truly want it. It's all about portion size to me and not depriving myself so I won't want to binge.

I usually read a bunch of magazines. Models, celebs with perfect figures, health advice. I find all this inspirational (:
I usually keep sliced cucumbers in the fridge so when I feel a binge coming, I take out the container and munch on the cucumbers. ^^

I have a huge problem on the weekends. Like someone else said...at work, you control more of what you eat because you cant readily eat whenever like when your home and can jsut go to the fridge or cabinet.

But, I find that when I am sitting around, not busy, at home is when I eat or "crave" more. It is more boredom with me.

To start, get rid of all the "junk" around the house. Easier said then done for me becuase of my husband but, I am working on him too. Then, replace it with Fruits, veggies, and lower calorie "snacks." This way, when you do get those "binge" feelings, it isnt as bad. Also, like other say, keep drinking your water! It fills you up more and you dont want or have room for other stuff.

A little hint someone else told me...if you are a SWEETS craver, the EXTRA DESSERT gums are GREAT for the hint of sweetness!! I personally like the Mint Chocolate Chip one...AMAZING!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!! (to both of us!)

Walk around my house half naked... Seriously. I have found the more I can see of my body, the less likely I am to gorge myself on the sweets I constantly crave.

That actually is a good idea...

Find what is triggering it...for me it has been emotional eating has always been my down fall. I tried to get a control of that and my binging is less severe.

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

1. Do check that you are eating enough. Find out your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) if you haven't already and try to eat that amount every day. (I know I become a moody cow if I don't eat at least 1600 but generally happiest around 1700 - my BMR)

2. One thing that helped me a lot was to be able to distinguish real hunger from a craving.. sounds simple but it just had never occurred to me that there was a difference.
If you feel the hunger below your neck (e.g. rumbling tummy) it's real hunger. If you feel it ABOVE your neck and especially if you're craving something specific, it's emotional!

3. Have the food you normally crave in small portions during the week or pick healthier alternatives.
For example, if I'm craving fries, I'll go down to the shops and grill my own instead of buying them deep fried from McDs.
If I want cheesecake on Tuesday, I'll buy a slice, go out for a run and enjoy it that same day instead of gorging myself on a whole cake during the weekend!

Bump-Great topic. I'll be back after work

For me, bingeing was a way of proving to myself that I was in control. I would binge when I felt other areas of my life were out of control. Stress at home = go to the grocery store and pick out something horrible to eat in the privacy of my car.

I have changed my need for control by logging my food into MFP. Now, I can see exactly how many calories, how much I've eaten, etc. I record EVERYTHING, even if it's ugly. It is starting to get pretty tedious (after 4 months) but it is certainly allowing me a huge amount of control. I know how much I weigh and keep track of it every day. I know what I'm eating and how many calories I have left for the day. I don't have the *need* to go binge any more.

Stress at home = go for a drive, just get out of the house for a while. Sometimes i will roam the grocery store, just being out among other people helps me feel better. If I can't leave without buying something, I make sure it is a "healthy treat" like a Zone Perfect bar, or at least something that won't affect my calories like a Diet Coke.

Another reason I would binge is if I was getting too hungry and feeling deprived. I don't really feel deprived any more, because I make sure I'm getting good nutrition and I am in control of what goes into my body. I have my semi-healthy "cheats" that keep my on track (like the previously mentioned Zone Perfect bar, or the Fiber One 90 calorie brownies.) And I don't allow myself to go out for any length of time without some food planned or prepared. If I know I'm going to go shopping for 3 hours, chances are I'm going to be hungry at some point, so I bring along my water bottle (always!) and a snack to tide me over.

Hope this helps!

2. One thing that helped me a lot was to be able to distinguish real hunger from a craving.. sounds simple but it just had never occurred to me that there was a difference.
If you feel the hunger below your neck (e.g. rumbling tummy) it's real hunger. If you feel it ABOVE your neck and especially if you're craving something specific, it's emotional!

I like this a lot! Something new to keep in mind.

I actually just wrote a blog about this, I saw a psychiatrist for this very reason (depending on how serious and frequent it is, binge eating is a type of disordered eating, especially when paired with restrictive eating at other times).

I wrote about the first few steps she had me take (don't want to make this too long but check it out if you are curious -- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ahadj ). I have a feeling that eventually she will try to wean me off calorie counting altogether; from what she said the binge is almost a kind of subconscious "rebellion" against the counting.

when i dieted, i ended up binging
but now im not dieting (eating only certain foods, makes me want the "bad" food mores" )

this is a lifestyle change,so nothing is off limits, just in smaller portions

the 1st week of April i had cheese burgers, burriots, fried chicken etc (lost 2.6)
it was in moderation though and it fit in my calories ..

i stated cutting out fast food in November, and joined MFP March 2nd ( no binges )
:bigsmile:

ETA: i do eat fast food occasionaly - maybe 4 /5 times since November
most of my food now gets cooked at home .. where as b4 me and hubby had a bad habbit of eating out almost every day for our meals

eta part 2:
the cheese burgers are cooked a forman grill at home, w/ ketchups,lettuce , tomatoe and cheese and its the best burger i have had yet .. the burritos i make at home too, beans down 1st, a lil bit of meat, i found this 5 layer dip (40 cals for 2 tblsp) i use 1 per burrito, then load it down with veggies too (better than tace bell)