Binge Eating

Hello Everyone! 

I have a few questions.  I used to be bulimic, and now I have a huge problem with binge eating.  On average I eat 3,500-5,500 calories a day, occasionally even more than that.  So basically it's the binge minus the purge.  Somehow, eating this amount doesn't cause weight gain.  At first I gained about 15 pounds, but I've been a solid 130 pounds (at 5' 7") for at least six months now.  I have been exercising regularly on and off during that time period (a few weeks of regular exercise, a few weeks/days off.)  I gave a blood donation and that halted the exercise for a while (never give blood if you want to keep up any cardiovascular exercise routine, it makes you tire so quickly!).  I don't exercise excessively.   I'm slowly starting to get back to eating normal portions of food, but I do slip.  Often.  

Does anyone have any tips on how to quit binge eating?  It really causes A LOT of anxiety, not to mention physical discomfort.  

Also, if I do get back to eating like a normal/healthy person, will I lose a lot of weight?  I don't really want to lose any.  I could use some toning, but that could be achieved with exercise/weight lifting.  My hair is finally growing back and my skin is looking healthy again; I don't want to stop that!  How can I stop binging and be sure that my weight will stay within a healthy range?

On a side note, I've recently become a vegetarian for moral reasons, which is helping a bit.  It forces me to pay attention to what I'm eating instead of mindlessly noshing on boxes of cookies.  And, I just recently found out that I may be developing hypothyroidism. (um...why aren't I gaining weight??  Can someone explain this?)

I dont really have any advice but I do that too, I can easily eat 3,500 calories in a day. which is what i did yesterday. it just adds on to the anxiety problem i already have. the only advice i can give is fill your house with healthy food. and when you snack try snacking on healthy things like celery. also if you eat food that have hot sauce in them i find that they keep you full for longer. try making yourself busy with things so you dont think about eating. when I have nothing to do all i can do is think about food which is horrible. thats the best advice i have, just know that you arent the only one that binge eats there are a lot of people and i am one of them.

Thanks for the advice!  I've never tried the hot sauce idea and I will try to keep myself busy.  I guess I do have a lot of free time.  My problem is whenever I stock up on healthy food, I get cravings for unhealthy food and just go buy whatever I want.    

how long have you been trying to change the way you eat? I know that it takes 21 days to kick a habit. If you eat those fatty foods every once in a while its okay, so you dont have to take them out all together. For chips try Quaker Rice Snacks they have flavors like BBQ, Ranch, Sour Cream and Onion, Cheddar Cheese, and White Cheese. They also have sweet ones too. There are a lot of 100 calorie packets that are portioned out for you that might help you a lot. Also try cutting things into little pieces and taking your time while eating it and try to make it a goal to drink a whole water bottle or 2 when you are snacking, it takes away your hunger. Almonds also take away hunger and are good for you. There are a lot of alternatives to junky food that can make you binge easily.
Good luck!

Original Post by samiiira:

also if you eat food that have hot sauce in them i find that they keep you full for longer. 

That may be because it contains vinegar, which I've heard is an appetite suppressant--

e.g.  http://www.naturalnews.com/011758.html

Also, the hotness ought to slow down your chowing down.

First I want to tell you I totally understand!  I do the same thing, except I feel so bad in the end I purge. (Nobody knows that though, I don't look like I do!) I want to just ask though, are you sure you have hypOthyroid, not hypERthyroid? Hyper would explain why you can eat that amount of cal's and not gain. It is a good idea to stock the house with healthy stuff, but I know how easy it is to go to the shops, especially if you can go through one of those check yourself out lines!!! Good luck Briley! Actually I do have a suggestion, remember that after a binge or even as you are binging remember that you don't have to wait till tomorrow to begin fresh. It's an emotional thing usually, so if you can tell yourself that you are in control and not the food, that you can being this minute, that has helped me at times. Also good for you continuing to post, make yourself responsible to yourself or someone else!!