Binged and gained 6 pounds in 1 week?

I have binged for 5 days in a row and it's getting serious. Everytime i binge I binge on typically all food in sight and I ate like 3000-5000kcals in a sitting.

I wouldn't be surprized if i gained weight, but 6 pounds in 7 days time?! Oh dear I feel so guilty and disgusted with myself now. I am afraid this late night binging is becoming a habit of mines... moreover whenever I start binging I can't stop and let myself blow over. what should I do? Is it really possible that I can gain 6 pounds in 7 days?

I have to attend my cousin's wedding next week and I tried on my dress today- and god, IT FELT TIGHTER THAN BEFORE!!! in fact even my parents felt I have gained weight as well. Every time I hear them saying I've gained weight or feel my pants becoming tighter I get so depressed and sad and binge away... :( Please help!

It's probably more like 3 or 4 lbs, and the rest is bloat.  It takes about 3 days for all that extra sodium and sugar to get flushed out of your system.

Give it some time.  Please do your best to stop the cycle. 

As I'm sure you've noticed, binging doesn't solve the problem.  Try to change your behavior, when you feel like binging, ask yourself why you feel like it, then do something productive.  This can be something you like to do like drawing, reading, playing a video game, or something that will help you lose weight, like exercise, walking, ect.  Get a beginners yoga video and do that everytime you feel like binging?

Thanks for your advice.

I'm just so not used to feeling all the flabs and fat around me again... i know it's probably psychological, but that feeling is just horrible! A mixture of guilt and failure.

The thing is, I have to attend several occasions, eg. parties, celebrations in the coming few weeks so I won't be able to keep my calorie counting on track and I'll probably overeat at those occasions where wonderful food (cakes, desserts...etc) are served.

Tomorrow is my mother's birthday and my family has already bought a big CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE which tastes heavenly but is extremely fattening and calorie-dense. I don't think I can pass on the cake as it's my mothers birthday, so that means I'll probably exceed my allotted intake.

My daily allowance is 1500kcals, should I cut it to 800 or 1000kcals if I want to lose weight QUICKLY? I just hate hate hate gaining all the weight back and I'm afraid there'll be no stop to it!

No, don't cut your calories below 1500.  This will only continue a snowball effect so to speak for restricting and binging.

Eating below 1200 for an adult woman (teens need more calories) is actually very damaging to their health.  Please don't do this.

I think your deep need to be thin for these events is the trigger to your binging.  Ease your mind that these people want to see and talk to YOU, they don't care if you're 5lbs heavier, only you will notice.

You need to eat 3500 calories on top of your BMR and exercise in order to gain 1lb.  This is a very large amount to eat. 

Provided you exercise a little and just eat your BMR at the parties, you won't gain, but you won't lose either.  Try eating healthy before you leave to attend the parties, that way you won't be hungry and make poor choices. 

Have a couple bites of cake at the Birthday party, just save 200 calories for it, that way you won't go over your allowence.  I know it seems hard to believe sometimes, but there are more important things in life than what you weigh.

Question, do these events stress you out so much that you'd rather not fit into your dress/clothing so you don't have to go?

I see.. but the thing is, I don't feel happy when I look at myself in the mirror- I really can seee my thighs and arms becoming bigger and flabbier!! Moreover when the others tell me that I've gained weight, I feel even more uncomfortable! I don't mind putting on numbers as long as others don't notice, but when the others can notice it, I just can't bear it!!! I just want to to lose the 3-4 lbs I've gained from the binges, so how many calories should i eat everyday?

My maintenance is 1500kcals, so if I want to lose weight , than 1500kcals-500 kcals = 1000kcals? If I eat 1200kcals than my deficit will be 300 only... and that will take around 2 weeks to lose one pound, as opposed to the normal rate of 1 pound per week! I have seen others losing 2 -4 pounds a week, is this really possible?

mm I have a hard time believing your maintainence is only 1500.

What are your stats?  age, weight, height, gender?

Safe weight loss is 1-2lbs a week.  Only the extremely obese should be losing 4lbs a week and it MUST be under doctor supervision.

Eating too little is not a good way to lose weight, it signals to your body that there isn't enough food around and it will defend itself against you by lowering your metabolism and storing what you do eat as fat.  Please don't undereat.

P.S. a lot of people are stupid and cruel.  It's really hard to tell if someone has gained 5lbs.

No, you should not go below 1200, no matter what.  Believe it or not, this will just result in you gaining more weight, because your body will think its starving and will store all you eat as fat.  I used to fall victim to the same thinking, and I ended up exhausted and sick and miserable, because I was literally living off of negative calories per day.  I have since learned that the healthiest and most effective way to lose weight is to do it slowly.  Even if this takes you a couple of weeks longer than you would like, it is more likely that you will keep the weight off if you drop it slower.  It is also a lot less hard on your body this way.  You know the saying, good things come to those who wait?  I know it's not what you want to hear, but in this case, it's true.  Have some patience, and your weight loss will be a lot more successful.

As for the binging, I really think you need to get control of yourself, and believe me, I know this is easier said than done.  But think of it this way.  If someone saw their best friend engaging in unhealthy habits with no control over themselves, the right thing to do as a friend would be to step in and help whip that person into shape, even if it was painful or unpleasant at the time.  Well, that's what you have to do for yourself.  You have to be your own best friend.  This may mean a little tough self-love.  Discipline yourself, talk to yourself, anything to break the cycle of this behavior.  Take an active role in combating it--as much as we all wish it were true, it's not just a matter of sitting around and hoping you'll magically change.  This just leads to you feeling helpless and, as a result, more binging.

Think of some things you can do when you feel like binging.  A lot of times, I think binges develop as a result of boredom.  The richer and fuller your life is, the less you will feel the need to focus on food.  When you feel the urge to binge, do something constructive instead.  Go for a walk.  Write in your journal.  Take up a hobby, like knitting or painting or working on cars.  Something you enjoy.  And it won't happen easily.  You're going to have to tell yourself, "No, I will not eat this bag of cookies.  I am going for a walk now."  Trust me, you will feel so good having made that decision.  It makes you feel like superwoman knowing that YOU are in control of your weight, life, and destiny.

You say that others make you feel bad when they say you've gained weight, and this makes you binge.  Well, prove 'em wrong.  Show them that you're not just the "fatso" that they think you are (not meant to be offensive.)  When they see the pounds dropping off, they'll see what a strong-willed person you are, and the positive changes you've made in your life.  But if you let their words make you binge, you're just reinforcing what they think, and letting yourself down.

As far as these special events go, I know how hard it can be to avoid temptation in social situations.  But these situations will inevitably arise, and you can choose to view them as disasters waiting to happen, or as tests of your strength.  Remember, no one controls what goes into your body but YOU.  You say you can't pass up the cake at your mother's birthday party.  Why not?  Is your mother going to be offended if you don't eat any?  Or is it just that you feel the temptation will be too strong?  If it's your family making you eat, then this is hypocritical.  They can't expect you to eat cake at all their family gatherings and then complain that you've gained weight.  If they expect you to eat unhealthy food at the birthday, just explain to them that you're trying to live a healthier lifestyle.  Then just try to eat some vegetables or lean meat, or some other healthy option, and maybe take just a bite or two of the cake.  You can live in moderation without having it turn into a binge.  However, if you think a bite or two of cake will trigger a binge, I would stay away from it altogether.  On the other hand, though, if no one is "making" you eat cake, then you have to be the one to say "no."  Stay away from the food table.  Try to find things to keep you busy at the party.  Talk to other people.  Help out with clearing off the table and washing dishes.  Drink water or diet soda to keep your mouth busy.

Sorry this has been so long, but it sounded like you really needed some advice.  The bottom line is, I know you can do this.  Everyone has their own personal struggles, but everyone also has the strength inside themselves to deal with whatever those struggles are.  You just need to find your strength.

you need behavioral rehab. i suggest a four day juice fast to divorce yourself from all habits.

Ok... don't change your matinence cals. DON'T, no matter what. Why? because you will continue to binge if you do. How do I know this? I speak from experience. I struggled with anorexia and binge eating for 4 years. I have overcome it, and I don't want to see someone else do the same thing I did.

Please just eat as you normally would. You have gotten a tad off track, but just like any train, it can be put back on the tracks. However if you keep sabotageing goals (by bingeing- NOT by taking your time to get back on track), you will keep gaining weight. I gained 36 lbs total over the 4 years I struggled with it. Everyonce in a while the urges rear their ugly heads... but then I must distract myself with a hobby like art, and tell myself I'm worth more than hurting my body and soul by bingeing. Just keep up the exercise, but don't over do that either, just pace yourself and take your time. It might take 3-4 weeks to lose the weight, but that is better than dealing with a very dibelateting eating disorder for years or for the rest of your life. It's just not worth it.

Tell your parents that what they say really hurts you. And for other who say such crule things kindly tell them such comments arn't nesseccary and they should think a little before they hurt someone elses feelings as well.

Also look at how you feel, write all of it out, and keep it. What is causing you to binge? There is always a reason. Be honest with yourself and be mindful of the times when you feel at your wits end and want to... read you paper, tell yourself your worth more than food comfort, call a friend, etc.

Please, please, please just calm down. I know you feel gross, and I know you feel desparate to lose what you gained, but really... in the big picture it doesn't matter so much.

---4 day juice fast=== BAD idea. Sorry, but that will make the problem worse. I tried that one time too.

To echo what others are saying, DO NOT GO BELOW 1200 CALORIES per day, no matter what.   Yes, it's unhealthy, but you probably don't care about that at this point because you're panicked and just want to lose the weight.  So the main thing YOU have to realize is that IT DOES NOT WORK and you WILL NOT LOSE WEIGHT.  Your body goes into starvation mode and actually holds on to weight when you go below 1200 calories. 

Your binging is a spiral and the TYPE of foods you binge on have a lot to do with keeping it going.   For example, you're probably eating a lot of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) if you're eating processed sugars.  The body usually sends chemical triggers to your brain to indicate fullness. HFCS tricks the body and it doesn't read fullness.  You just want MORE. 

To try and break the cycle, first get off the HFCS.  Also try to fill up on fiber and/or complex carbs.  Fiber slows down your digestive system and tricks your body into thinking you're full.  You should have 30 grams of fiber a day, optimally.  Also, if you're eating carbs, try to make sure they are complex carbs (like whole grain foods, etc.)   If you can change the TYPE of food you're eating, you may be able to stop the cycle naturally because these other foods will make you feel more full. 

Try having a bowl of cereal (cheerios is whole grain) with a lot of fruit on it.  (I usually have 1 cup of cheerios, 1/2 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup strawberries -- this REALLY fills me up and it's healthy.)

You can do this!  You might not be as skinny as you want for the wedding, but if you try to change your HABITS rather than your calories, you'll find you aren't tempted at these occasions and will  be happy with just a small sliver of cake.  For me, I had to change my eating habits FIRST then start watching calories.  I didn't worry about portion control at first -- just concentrated on eradicating ALL junk food from my diet.  I didn't lose weight at first but it took me 3-4 weeks to retrain my brain and appetite away from sugars and McDonald's and into better food.  Once I did that, it was easy for me to stick to a reduced calorie program (I'm on 1200 a day and feel full all the time, eat healthy, and have lost 15 pounds so far.)   I know you're panicked and feeling bad about yourself but if you can just stop and look at the long-range plan, you can DO IT!!

honestly, the fact that you will be somewhere, like a party, that will have tempting foods doesn't make up as an excuse to pig out on them. and if you have to have a piece of your mother's cake then make sure it's a tiny sliver, not a huge piece. drink lots of water and snack on veggies all day.

Her maintenance is only 1500 since she is so petite. I am in the same situation and won't lose weight unless I eat 1400 or less (keeping it above 1200 of course). I suggest she do the same. Keep it between 1200-1400 but eat A LOT of fruits and veggies and other large volume, low cal foods. The trick is to make sure you do not ever get toooo hungry where you will binge.