Atkins cured my binge eating? Long Story, hear me out..

I am dumbfounded

I Was overweight two years ago. Went vegetarian. Exercised like a fiend. Lost 60lbs. However, during this phase I developled an eating disorder. I was binge eating and purging by vomiting from 1 to 4 times a day. Crates of cookies, chocolates, cereal, loaves of bread... you name it.

I was always hungry. I was always craving sweet food. I was upset. I was angry. I developed sleep problems. Wild mood swings. Intense dry skin. I'd cry and rage. If there was no sweets in the house i'd go buy some, if I couldn't, I make dough out of flour and maple syrup and eat it.. I'd tried putting toilet water in the bags of sugar in the pantry to dissuade myself from eating it, but I still would.. I'd hit an incredible low.

I was miserable.

I kept on and worked hard and almost stopped purging completely.. but I was still binging and binging and BINGING. One piece of candy was all it took.. as a result, of the massive binges without the purging, I gained back 20lbs in 6 months.

After much reviewing of my journal and intensive research and discussion with loved ones, others online, and my family doctor, I decided Maybe I have an addiction.. One that is easier to solve than I realised..

It made sense, and there was science and testimonials to back it up. Sugar addicition. It's been studied in lab animals and people often joke about being "addicted to junk" and unable to stop eating carb filled, High Glycemic food. I read blog after blog and book after book..

I was reading lots about Marks Daily Apple. A blog about "primal eating" and I thought, that was it. It was over. I'm going back to meat. I'm going low carb..

So naturally, I went as low as you can go. Atkins. Induction Phase. I'm currently on day 3. No binges. No Cravings. And when I say this, don't say.. "well its only three days.."

I haven't stopped binging on a DAILY basis in 20 months! 3 DAYS is UNBELIEVEABLE.

I believe in sugar/carb addiciton. It's real and it affects me. It gave me an ED.

I think I'm really free. Moderation doesn't work for alcoholics. It doesn't for me either. Sugar and Grains, High sugar fruits and All sweeteners, fake or natural, are not going to be part of my life.

Fish, Tofu, Meat, Cheese, Eggs, Nuts, Seeds, Leafy and Fiberous Vegetables, berries and Apples, Butter, Olive Oil, Spices, Sugarless Condiments... These are the things I need to survive.

One piece of bread, one whole wheat cracker.. would destroy me. Maybe it sounds crazy, but I think its the truth. I just can't deal with grains and sugars.

good for you if its working, what do you eat now? i love carbs, maybe too much...

Carbohydrates sort of 'destroy' me too.. your story sounds amazing, but kinda odd?

i hear ya, mynewfreedom.   i have a huge carb problem and cutting out carbs is the only thing that actually keeps me from being hungry and helps me lose weight. 

try this website:  forum.lowcarber.org    I like the caloriecount site better because the forums are more active, but the lowcarb site is good too.

keep it up! I hope it works out well:)

that sounds just like me. I have already gain 40 lbs back how did you start the low carb diet is there guideline.    Help?

that sounds just like me. I have already gain 40 lbs back how did you start the low carb diet is there guideline.    Help?

you could read the atkins book.  a lot of people think he says to just eat meat all the time but thats not true.  there are lots of low carb books, I think the most important thing is probably a recipe a book.    im still trying to find a good one.  also, you can get really cheap used books on amazon.com.  sometimes they sell them for only a penny or only a couple of dollars and then you just pay 3.99 for shipping and handling.  thats how i try out low carb books.  of course you also try the library.

I have also been through a similar hell of trial and error concerning sugar and grain intake.  You might have gluten allergies- one of my worst triggers undiscovered until just about a few months ago.  If it doesn't make me go crazy, it makes me just want to keep eating (3 servings of oatmeal and I'd be back in the kitchen a few minutes later for more- wtf?!).  

Ever heard of the paleolithic diet?  Might be right up your ally if you're looking for a program to follow or at least some good information on a grain free diet.

Just a thought- not sure if this applies to you at all, but dried fruit will also sometimes be a sugar-like trigger.  Sticking to fruits, at least initially, that are lower in sugar may also help.

Good luck with everything and congrats on your progress thus far!!!