binge, need help!

**** so i binged tonight for about four hours. i haven't done that in almost six months. i've never purged, but i always used to restrict afterwards, sometimes not eating for days later. i think i did it today because i'd been feeling bad about eating. my family's dieting and my little sister is exercising and crash dieting. (they don't have eds.) so i kept eating but the ed in my head was really strong... went to the store, ended up now with a massive stomach ache and guilt. i know i need to keep eating tomorrow! i don't want this to be a relapse, i've been in recovery so long! help!

Oh babe, I've been there... Many times. I really understand. And like you, I never purged my binges - though I never restricted either. And YOU will not either. Not tomorrow - because you KNOW that continuing on in the positive direction you have been pursuing is what you must continue to. This binge does not herald the undoing of all your good work - it is simply a drop in the ocean, a human slip behind which are emotional reasons (of which you are insightful and 'aware' enough to already have understood). This won't be a relapse, because you will choose to continue on doing this in the right way, with the great patterns you have established over the course of the previous six months. You're strong enough - I know this. You have given so much precious and encouraging advice on these forums - really wise, practical, sensible and empathetic contributions. This teeny slip will not set you back. My sweets, it is not the end of the world. You will pick yourself up tomorrow - it is a new day. You will follow the positive plan you have been pursuing for six months now - remember, you have made such incredible process. Just look at how far you have come, mentally and physically. Read back on some of those great posts of yours! Inspire yourself the way you have inspired me, and countless others. You are strong my girl, and I know you can do it. I send you so much love xox - Please feel free to message me any time.

wow, yeah.  what she said!  i had some things to say, but she did it better!  my only advice is to read that at least twice!

thaks, ninafish, you're right. ugh, i can hardly think about food right now, but i have lunch sitting in front of me staring me in the face. i'm going to do it. i just hate that this had to happen again after so long!!! i think i'll ask my family to plan on having dinner together, just so the ed doesn't have a chance to stop me tonight. thank you sooo much for the encouragement. you rock. <3

Wow great advice ninafish :) Yea, just remember that one slip-up in six months will do NOTHING harmful at all! Just try to minimize future incidents, which I'm sure you will. And if you do mess up again, then oh well!

true... okay, so today i did okay, but not great. i ate consistently but way lighter than i should have. i know that's not good, but it's at least a step up from what i used to do. then i ate half a huge watermelon after dinner (only half because the first half was gone!), which made me realize i was probably craving calories without realizing it. so then i made a huge protein shake, and hopefully that will keep me safe the rest of the night. thanks again, everybody!

*Hugs* to all the girls.

I think you did great today blueberry - it's more than just a step up from what you used to do, it's a leap. You made an effort to eat consistently, which is what was important, and the fact that it was lighter than usual looks like it may have been (correct me if I'm wrong), less psychological and more due to the fact that you were initially still so full from yesterday. This would not normally be a great excuse not to continue on the "gaining" meal plan, but you can certainly pick it back up tomorrow! You also made an effort to make up for your lighter eating throughout the earlier part of the day with some healthy fillers later on. What you need to keep in mind is that this is a huge advancement from your prior ED days. We all slip up from time to time, but we mustn't let this deter us. It happens to EVERYONE. It is human. And we can get ourselves back on track. You're going very well blueberry - try to remember all of your successes so far xoxox

I am sorry you had a little struggle but it does not take away the progress you have made like others stated. You can't change the past only can you learn from it, but can the future. I know how hard after times of binging it can be to get right back on the mp but it is key to stop the cycle. So from the next meal or snack it is a fresh start. I think it is good you see the possible why behind why it happened that way you can come up with healthier coping. Hang in there and hope today is better

Ninafish, as usual, said it better than I ever could. Great advice m'dear! <3

But I just quickly wanted to reiterate how much you are NOT ALONE in what you're going through.

When I started recovering, I used to go on these absolutely shocking two-day binges. I physically couldn't stop! I felt so disgusting, so out of control. But I realize now that these episodes were just my body literally crying out for more food. Now that I am closer to a healthy weight, I don't ever feel the urge to binge anymore.

It's part of the recovery process. The only way to handle them is to forgive yourself, and never ever restrict to compensate. Trust me- it only triggers future binges.

This is a normal part of recovery. It will pass. I promise.