The Binge-Free Challenge

Join me in this fight to finally put an end to our binging.  Time after time I've told myself "okay this is the last time" and I've failed over and over...but seriously this is enough! It's time to be good to ourselves and treat our bodies right.

You can join anytime.  And don't be afraid to restart.  We all have been there (probably more times than we would like to admit)  Just wipe the dust off and try again. 

There isn't just one winner in this.  We are all winners for taking steps forward to a healthier life.  Slip-ups are common when we are learning about our bodies.  Try and find out why you are binging and work hard on it because you do deserve to stop this (don't listen to those negative thoughts).  Laugh, learn and breathe.  We can get through this.  We have the whole rest of our lives to enjoy and kick this bad habit/cycle out of our lives for good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~

**The Ex-bingers:

1. Ohohcherri: Binge free as of 11/28
2. Ymclynn: Binge free as of 11/17
3. Kathryn-Leigh: Binge free as of 11/17
4. Laura_: Binge free as of 11/18
5. Amiewin: Binge free as of 11/21
6. Voixdesprit: Binge free as of 11/23
7. Todaywastomorrow: Binge free as of 12/2
8. Runningbuns: Binge free as of 11/23
9. Want2bhappy2:  Binge free as of 11/26
10. Jas_cuzzie: Binge free as of 12/2
11. Syzhu: Binge free as of 12/3
12. Melodee87: 12/11

I think treat days are fine as long as you don't go totally crazy and throw everything out the window.  Some people on this site either have cheat meals or cheat days.  For me I have a cheat meal whenever someone in my family visits.  I don't really care too much about the calories in the meal, but I try to still be smart.  Ex: one of my brothers visited me a couple weeks ago and when we went out to eat I ordered a chicken burrito but immediately cut it in half so I knew where to stop, and I focused more on conversation rather than stuffing myself with chips..I probably had like 10 chips which is probably a new personal record.  I probably ate maintenance that day but it didn't hurt me. Allowing 500 extra calories or so once a week isn't going to kill you and it may even help you.  One important thing we are going to need to learn is how to treat ourselves in a way that won't turn into a binge.  So as long as you can treat yourself without having 5 pieces of cake or 10 dinner rolls you should be fine.

I think I want to incorporate atleast one day a week that I eat maintenance (treat myself).  Thanksgiving next week will probably be that day.

Thank you all for the warm welcome to this forum, and its good to see everyone is doing well, (Congrats voixdesprit and ohohcherri for continuing to be binge free!) 

I binged last night, bringing my new date to Nov 21 :(  My problem is with alcohol. Whenever I have a few drinks with friends, the appetizers I successfully ignored while sober seem to be irresistable, and so I eat without the thought of the consequences.

But you are very right, foreverhis1, today is a new day! I don't need to dwell on past slip ups, and the only thing I can possibly do now, is to prevent future ones.

I especially like the idea of having a cheat day (In moderation), I had never thought of this before! It sounds like a perfect way to make myself think that I'm not being so strict on myself, and an awesome way to nip full out binges in the butt.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

ohohcherri: Almost a week, bet that feels gooood! Well done.

foreverhis1, runningbuns and amiewin: Having a day where you indulge a little is a good idea and a lot of people seem to find it helpful in staying on track the rest of the time. It's the bigger pic that counts. If you have or have had problems with binging I think it might be better to keep it as a social thing? Just an idea!

Can I be re-set for tomorrow please? That's 22/11. I'm sort of confident that I can get through the weekend - even if only because I ate practically everything in the house throughout yesterday and this eve!! Just to give me something to hold myself to: I WILL NOT BINGE THIS WEEKEND! I'll update on that on Monday, haha.

i lost it! :-( starting again tomorrow (11/22).  on the bright side, i EXERCIZED today, so at least a little bit of the terribleness of what was for me an average binge was countered.

hope y'all are doing well!

So I completely ruined my dinner by experimenting and was tempted to binge but I was able to fight it off! whew! Thank goodness for my frozen meal back-up!

Good job on exercising voixdesprit.  Working out helps me realize how important how/what we eat effects us and every little bit helps.

Todaywastomorrow: goodluck to resist binging this weekend.  You can do it girl!

CONGRATULATIONS ohohcherri! You've passed the one week marker and continuing to fight!

The Weekend is here! we can make it! I hope everyone has a great weekend and keeps on going strong!

Can I be reset to starting fresh today?  I binged a second day in a row, which would be norm, after slipping up the first day.  Nonetheless, I am NOT restarting my ongoing plan to exercise 5 days a week and eat moderately.  That for me is victory.  I can't tell you how many food journals I have thrown away, how many new plans I have tried, etc. after discouraging binges.  So I know that part of me is healthier than it was, kind of dealing with being imperfect, letting the journal still record my high calorie days, yet keeping going with the same journal and plan.  Does this make sense to anyone out there?

I appreciate everyone's input about allowing "cheat" days.  I think it would be healthier for my mindset, to not call it cheating at all.  I am going to think of it as a "planned higher calorie allowance day".  What a title!  I just can't compute the cheating with behaving appropriately. It will throw me off, I fear.

Hey runningbuns, if we enjoy Thanksgiving, don't really know our calorie intake that day, but don't cross that line (and we all know what I am talking about) in losing control......do we have to count that as a binge?  Say we are having a good run....binge free status....will that set us back?

No indulging in thanksgiving isn't a binge unless you totally lose control and cannot stop eating.  Thanksgiving is known for people to overeat, but there is a difference between overeating and binging.  Binging is when you totally lose control and cannot stop yourself from eating, you cant even think clearly.  Overeating can be as simple as eating an extra big piece of pie or having two pieces, or what have you.  It really depends on the person.  I'm not planning on counting calories for that day but I am going to be paying attention to portions and be smart.  But no so much for the pumpkin pie.  Usually I would just get a small sliver, but I plan on having a normal size piece with a generous scoop of cool whip on top. 

Bottom line: as long as you don't cross that line and totally go crazy you will be fine.  Indulging once in awhile isn't a binge, it may put us at maintenance or a tad bit over, but hey its only one day a year so it won't hurt us in the long run.  Just be smart and know that you want to enjoy this day and not bring the binge-monster to this party because he will only bring you guilt.

Thanks for the clarification on the whole thing.  That really helps me alot.  Have a great weekend!

I just found this thread today. This is day 6 for me. Have a good holiday all of you who are in the US. 

Welcome ymclynn I added you on. 

So I binged today.  For a dumb reason too.  I was upset because I was feeling lonely so of course I sought refuge in food instead of actually dealing with those feelings.   I really hate binging so much.  I hate it yet I still go back to it...thats some messed up mentality.  I'm going to STOP though.  I know that I can do it I just have to want it bad enough.

I hope you all are doing marvelous!

i binged too :-( sunday's a fabulous day for starting clean, though!

foreverhis1: Definitely agree that you shouldn't count a day of slight loss of control on Thanksgiving as messing up your binge-free status. I'm sure you know where "the line" is!

ymclynn: Best wishes for Day #6/#7.

I'm halfway through the weekend and haven't broken my CAPS LOCK promise yet.

I know exactly how you feel about lying to parents/family about binging.  I remember one of my brothers asking me what happened to all of his fudge stripe cookies...I immediately said I had no idea.   We have a large family so its not too uncommon for food to go missing but I hated that feeling.

So I think I sabotage myself sometimes.  I was gonna go to my friends church today but since I binged I don't want to go.  I don't want him to see me like this.  I might just try on some clothes in a bit and see how I feel.  I think I binged because I was nervous about going because I don't know many people at the church, and I'm not sure whats going on with this guy.  Gosh I feel like a teenager or something.  I turn 23 december 6th and I plan on beating this horrible cycle by then.  Before then! Goodness. 

I have to work today at 1 too so I know I'm going to have to face putting on real clothes sooner or later..

My Goals this week:

• No binging!!
• Drink lots of h20
• Run monday and tuesday (turkey trot thursday)
• No bringing sweets in house (lethal)

Hey runningbuns, I feel your pain!  I can so relate to feeling like doing nothing and so discouraged and even kind of worthless after giving in to a binge.  If it is not too late, please make yourself go to church and do what you had planned to do.  It will help pull you out of the emotions that follow a binge.  You will look fine; try not to worry about what the guy thinks, and just know you are precious in God's sight.  He loves your persistent heart that doesn't give up and wants you to overcome this stronghold in your life too!  You are a valuable young woman no matter how much you eat.  I think all of us tend to think we are "losers" for a while after a binge.  Like "what is wrong with me????  why can't I do this????!!!!!"

So pick yourself up, sweetie, and have the day you planned to have before the binge!  You deserve it!

Thanks foreverhis  I got up pretty early this morning so I had plenty of time to get my butt into gear and talk myself into going.  I just got done getting ready and I'm still early...my cat wakes me up at like 7-8am no matter what.  I do hate this down feeling after a binge and skipping church would probably make me feel even worse.  I have work at 1  so I wouldn't skip that, so that should be no excuse to not go to church.  Thank you so much for the encouraging words..binging has a way of convincing us that we are worthless which is definitely a lie. I don't really have anyone to talk to in my life about this.  I want to talk to my mom about it but I hesitate each time since I know she kind of has the same issues.  Maybe one day.  I just hope and pray that I can stop doing this to myself and to my relationship with God.  I want to stop this so bad!!

Thanks again.  I hope you have a good day!

Your are welcome!  Hope your day turns out great, and good for you, by the way!

runningbuns: Yep, well done for talking yourself into going. That's definitely all part of breaking the bad cycle.

Hi all

OK so far, days not over though but I will be going to bed soon.

Why are we so hard on ourselves.  I read somwhere on one of those diet sites, that we binge when we are unhappy, to make ourselves feel better but it only makes us feel worse. Every time I feel like binging I recall how I feel after a binge, and for that split second in time I can persuade myself that I feel better now than I will do if I binge.  So far it has worked.  Plus this site, I only binge in the evening watching TV, now I go onto this forum and look at all the different groups.

Stay strong everyone and for those of you who do have a minor lapse, be good to yourself and forgive yourself.

i'm surprised i actually controlled myself this weeked! even though today i almost binged on oatmeal and mixed nuts hahaha.. but i stopped and went exercise. anyways, i'm nervous for thanksgiving this thursday! i hope i stay on track.. good luck everyone, we can all do this

Well I made it through the post binge slump day.  My jeans felt a bit snug at work but I survived.  And I'm very glad I went to church

Great job everyone! and yes lets be good to ourselves and learn to forgive ourselves...we are worth it!

GJ ohohscherri for avoiding the binge..nuts can be killer for me.