binging

unfortunately, when home alone i tend to binge like crazyyy! and i'm typically home alone most of the time. what are some ways that you guys avoid binging? (i'm not sure if i spelled that right)

I've found that I used to eat a lot without realising (crisps, biscuits, chocolate) whilst just sat around at home. Counting my calories carefully has definitely put a stop to that, because when you write down every little thing you eat and drink you realise how quickly it clocks up, and even a chocolate bar can push you much closer to your total. Now I barely snack, and if I do it's fruit or cereal bars, and my boyfriend is wondering why all the crisps are piling up in the cupboard xD

Other than that, sticking to proper meals at set times is good for you. I find myself less hungry in the evening if I've had three proper meals that day.

Find your triggers. This is something that requires patience and trial and error.

It's taken me months, but I've learned the emotional part (self-esteem issues, tiredness, disapointment) will make me want to binge. I've also learned certain foods like high-fat, high-carb foods will make me want to binge too. So I work around that.

Some tips:

- GUM. Lots. And lots. Of gum.

- stumbleupon.com when you feel the impulse

- Get away from the kitchen/food. Don't go in there until you feel in control. Don't let yourself talk you into going in there.. No excuses! Make it a rule.

- Tell someone. Call someone up and talk to them about it. It's terribly embaressing at first, but letting someone know creates support from someone who might sympathize, and also distracts you for awhile!

- Draw. Journal. Dance. Do something to express yourself.

The general idea is to figure out what's buggin' yah, stay away from the food when you feel the impulse, and distract yourself like there's no tomorrow. It also helps to join a support group (Overeaters Anonymous, or hell, even start a group in the motivational/health&support!), and/or some sort of system that shows how long you've gone without binging. I'm less impulsed when I see more smiley faces then frownie faces on my calendar. ;)

ah! i am pretty sure that my triggers are lonelyness and boredom. usually to distract myself i start emailing or talking to somebody on facebook, but there are those times where nobody is on. i usually do try to get the gum before i make it to the kitcken, but sometimes i convince myself that i need it (even though i know i don't) also when there are sweet foods in the house it tempts me. i need to make that rule about going into the kitchen, it sounds very reasonable. that drawing and journaling sounds like a great idea. i will have to try that!!! i will definitely join a group, thank you so much!!!!

I try to stay out of the house.. for many reasons.  It usually means I'm being active (surfing sidewalks rather tv channels).  Also, I can pack some food for the "trip" so that I know exactly what I'll be eating.. it gives me control.  And, it feels great to get out and about - makes me feel more productive.

As for where I go, sometimes it's just a walk, sometimes it's to the library, sometimes it to the gym, maybe a friends (one who doesn't eat tons of junk food), or to play soccer, maybe play squash... something that I enjoy.  As long as you like it, go do it.  And it might be one of that things that's hard to start, but once you get off your butt it's actually a lot of fun.

Plus, you end up making friends with similar interests which helps a lot with keeping motivated to be active.

We all get bored & we all fancy snacking from time to time so that's not unusual.  What you snack on is the key.    A good method is to simply not buy the foods you don't want to eat.  If you binge on sweets, simply don't buy sweets.   Instead fill up the fruit bowl and have a few yoghurts in the fridge, cut up some vegetable sticks ... that kind of thing.   Then you don't need a shred of willpower to resist them (because they're not there) and you can't do too much damage nibbling vegetable sticks.  

If you live in a household where there are other people who buy the sweets, ask them to make them more inaccessible, out of sight and far from the other foods.  If there's a small physical barrier between you and the sweets and if they're not winking at you every time you open a kitchen cupboard, you'll start to forget they're there.