Concerns About Binge Eating
Next week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, a week dedicated to learning about eating disorders. The most common eating disorder is Binge Eating Disorder (BED), more common than anorexia nervosa or bulimia. In the United States, approximately 15 million people struggle with Binge Eating Disorder (BED).
Who has BED?
Although people with BED are usually obese, most obese people do not have BED. And normal-weight people can have BED too. An eating disorder is always an illnesses, not a lifestyle choice. Like all eating disorders, BED is characterized with preoccupation with food and weight. Eating disorders arise from a combination of behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, biological, and social factors.
People who have BED often became overweight at a younger age than those who don't have it. They usually lose and gain weight more often, a process called “yo-yo dieting.” People of any age can have BED, but it is diagnosed more often in the 46 to 55 age group. BED occurs in women and men and in people of every race.
What is BED?
BED is characterized by eating an abnormally large amount of food AND feeling out of control. Binge-food is usually eaten quickly and in privacy to the point of discomfort. Guilt and embarrassment are experienced AFTER the binge. To be diagnosed with BED, binges must occur two or more days a week for 6 months. But officially diagnosed or not, binging is a maladaptive eating pattern associated with psychological pain.
Science isn’t sure about what causes binge eating. As many as half of all binge eaters are depressed now or have been in the past. Research shows alterations in brain chemicals set the binge in motion. Those alterations come from years and years of coping and probably a genetic predisposition too. Either way, binging is a misguided attempt to self-sooth.
For most people, BED is associated with a history of severely restrictive diets. 'Severely restrictive diets' include extreme low calorie intakes, meal skipping, avoiding classes of food, and over-exercising. Some regard extreme dieting as a form of “purging” that doesn’t involve vomiting, laxatives or water pills. Binge eating-and-dieting have been called a 'Chicken or the Egg' dilemma.
Make it go away
Binge Eating Disorder is treated by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists or clinical social workers. The most common forms of treatment are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. CBT teaches people how to change the way they feel about themselves and behave in tough situations. Interpersonal therapy deals with relationships, while drug therapy helps with depression. Researchers think there are probably two groups of BED patients: one with eating disturbances but less serious psychological problems, and another that displays the same disturbances but has more entrenched psychological difficulties.
Binge eaters generally benefit from a weight-loss program that takes an eating disorders approach. In actual practice, there are three schools of thought about how binge-eaters should eat. There is the Overeaters Anonymous Twelve-Step approach, the abstain-from-sugar-and-refined-flour addiction approach, and the legalize-all-foods approach also known as Intuitive Eating. No one method has been the key to success for all.
Once treated psychologically, the binge-eater should attempt to emulate healthy eaters. They are wise to liberalize their intakes, get in touch with their body signals, train themselves to eat regular meals, and give themselves permission to eat all foods.
Read more about Binge Eating Disorder from the National Institutes of Health.
Meanwhile, you can screen yourself for an eating disorder by using one or more of the screening questionnaires. Try this Eating disorder Screen for Primary care (ESP) tool.
- Are you satisfied with your eating patterns? (A “no” to this question is classified as an abnormal response).
- Do you ever eat in secret? (A “yes” to this and all other questions is classified as an abnormal response).
- Does your weight affect the way you feel about yourself?
- Have any members of your family suffered with an eating disorder?
- Do you currently suffer with or have you ever suffered in the past with an eating disorder?
If you have no abnormal responses or only one, an eating disorder is unlikely, whereas 3 or more abnormal responses indicate that you need additional assessment.
Your thoughts....
Are you concerned about BED or another eating disorder?
Comments
Yep I agree with all of this and yes it is easier to acknowledge than control. Definitely being too restrictive in my diet leads to binge eating episodes. As I have lost more weight, my binge eating has lessoned, but it still happens from time to time. I'm trying to learn how to incorporate a little of what I like into my normal everyday diet, so I don't feel deprived. It's all a learning process!
I've been a member of Overeater's Anonymous for 19 years and I do have Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Some of our members use intuitive eating to recover and some use the addictions approach (no sugar, no flour). The Twelve Steps are a support mechanism for either approach. The food plan is just one of our tools. We have so many other tools to use for recovery! It really works. For those of you still suffering with an eating disorder: anorexia, bulimia or BED, I recommend trying OA.
I now use calorie count.com to manage my food plan. I have been free from Food obsession for many months consecutively because I no longer restrict any foods from my plan. (The addictions approach didn't work for me.) I also do not ever eat at night because that is when I binged. Through the Twelve steps the obsession with food at night has been removed.
Each person is different and finding the right food plan can be tricky. For me, saying I couldn't ever have a certain food again was a trigger for food thoughts and obsession. Now, I strive for a healthy diet, and eat less calories than I burn to lose weight when I need to. But I include all foods even "goodies" in moderation as long as I stay under or at my burn rate. Calorie Count and using the tools of OA are helping me recover one day at a time.
I don't know if I have it or not; I'd say a good portion of those of us who struggle with our weight have it to a degree, anyway. I mean, once you've taken a bite of the Giant Reese's peanut butter heart, who can stop? And who makes a 400 calorie gap in their calorie budget to allow for it? So then, you have to exercise to make up for it, or take something good-for-you out of your diet plan for the day. Then there's the constant fear that I'll go back to my old, fat, out-of-control self. I don't know---it's defintely a day-by-day journey. Finding and keeping a moderate and healthy balance when you've lived without one for 47 years is not easy.
I don't have BED, I've been battling Bulimia off and on for 8 years now. It is so hard! I've tried dieting and I've lost weight but one time I slip I go back to my old habits. Eating disorders are not an easy thing to over come. I just get very frustrated and more stressed when people tell me to just stop! If it was that easy I'd stop a long time ago.
i think this is an important article for many reasons: A- it shows the real problem as being emotional and psychological, not just an "addiction" or "bad habit." some of us who have BED are more likely to gain the weight easily and quickly, while losing it becomes a horrible obsession full of guilt and shame if we screw up just one time. it's also valuable for B- it is an eating DISORDER. which means, yes, folks, it's an illness. i don't think anyone who knows me understands fully what i deal with in my head on a daily basis. if i am not obsessing about food [either how to get more or how to eat less] i am usually obsessing about how i don't work out enough. or my weight. or my irrational fear of catching "fatness" from other people who are obese. even though, i, myself, am obese.
it's so hard. some days i wish i had never lost weight at all, because it wasn't until i slimmed down and gained weight afterwards that i ever felt "big." having gained the weight back again, i feel pretty hopeless. i used to love healthy eating, exercise and talking about being healthy. now i just get sick if someone mentions "weight" around me.
this is a hard, hard life to lead. i feel for anyone who suffers from an eating disorder. it can just ruin everything if you let it.
Thank you for defining BED. I sometimes wonder if my love of food goes too far. I don't believe I have BED, but I have had moments of weakness where I recognized that I was eating even though I wasn't hungry, and of course it was when I was alone. I will keep a watchful eye on this unhealthy behavior.
This is a great article. I have had BED for 40 years (since puberty) after a childhool of food rationing and praise for being so thin. After forty years of yo-yo dieting, bariatric surgery, guilt, transfer addiction and self-recrimination, the pattern continues.
Thank you for stating that BED is not a conscious choice. So many people in my life thought I got fat on purpose and could just eat normally and get thin if only I wanted to. Wanting has nothing to do with it.
I am a little skeptical of the value of questions 1 and 3 in the questionnaire. I know very few people who do not think they could improve their eating, and I don't know anyone whose weight does not affect in some way how they feel about themselves. I'm not too concerned that I answered "abnormally" to these questions.
I agree that those who struggle with food and weight have some kind of abnormality with diet. I am almost 54 and was chubby(not as heavy as todays kids) from when I was 6 yrs old and have been many different weights- now at a 26 yr high UGH. Finally got on the scale this morning. It gets old, but I am to the point where I need to do the good old calorie counting and exercise. I have gained probably over 20 lbs in 2 years. I need to be accountable to myself and do what is best for me and my family. I am in a slump career-wise, too and am not earning any money at this time. It is good to read everyone's comments and very helpful, too. To anyone who have children or are going to have children- make sure they are active and eat properly or they will have such a hard time throughout their lives. Good luck to all of us!!
I do not have nor have I been diagnosed with BED. I did however notice that when I started "dieting" 7 days a week I would binge once or twice a month and then feel terrible. And it was always super junky food like carbs and sugar. So I now eat very healthy and work out 6 days a week and then one day a week I take a "day off" and I can eat whatever I want. I never binged again because I didn't cut anything completely out of my diet since I could just eat it on my day off. My day off is when I have a drink or desert or a juicy cheeseburger with all the fixings. So that has been very affective.
I did appreciate this article though, very much, because of the awareness it brings up for you who do struggle with it. I hope the best for all of you. On this site we are all in to together and I hope you get the support you need.
Nellypie,
When you have your "free day" do you eat whatever you want throughout the day, or just have one thing that you want, like one drink, one dessert, etc. Because I do the same thing too, eat healthy all week, work out a few days etc, and then have a day where I don't watch. But I do find that I end up somewhat binging, or at least what I consider a binge in comparison to what I am used to...I am definitely never eating a whole jar of peanut butter or something, but I'll be VERY liberal with my snacking and my dinner, depending on what I do that day. I don't know if this is considered BED, but I do fill up and make sure not to do it any other days because I feel crappy until I work out the next day.
This artical is great and im so suprised its actully posted on here because in the past the people on cc have fround up on eating disorders and stuff..
Which is awful because I have fallen into a downwards cycle of bulima and anorexia. This site hasnt helped what so ever and ive started ignoring all its emails as if anything it just made me feel worse! I clicked on this one because it links to myself. I dont like how this topic is mostly about binge eating disorders because even though that must be awful to live with, i know what its like to binge.. but there are others that need help to.
im in recovery at the moment, well trying..
and i think poeple that havnt had a ed shouldnt go on about them because they dont have a clue what it feels like AT ALL..
weffyy,
I did at first sort of binge. But not now. I just normally eat really healthy food all week and the day off is when I can go out to eat and not worry about it, and have a beer or something. Or have a serving of chips with my sandwich and not think twice of it. So I am not eating a ton more food just making it carefree. I recorded a couple days off at one point to make sure I wasn't going too far out of line to moderate it. If I thought I was binging I would be way more aware of it from this article. I hope that helps.
I also found out I have a gluten or wheat intolerance and am having to do the elimination diet to find out and so I am hoping that by having to cut out foods that I won't be more prone to a binge somewhere along the lines.
I am still in the weight losing process (17 lbs to go), but I am planning to do the one day a week "eat whatever I want to" thing too once I reach my goal. I'm glad to hear it's working for some of you. I feel like that's the best answer for me.
Charmarama,
I feel for you, and hope you're able to overcome your disorder; you're right, I can't fully relate to the degree you've experienced. But just because some of us haven't been diagnosed or aren't "extreme" (probably not the best word, but can't think of a different one) in our weight/eating journey doesn't mean we don't have issues or can't relate, if only to a degree. It helps us all to be able to air our thoughts and concerns and find community in our struggles. I learn a lot from others and their ways of finding success/dealing with failures. So please give us grace.
holt0220, I agree that questions 1 and 3 don't seem to have a ton of value. I also answered "abnormally."
I think here are very few people in my life who don't say they "want to eat healthier." Even if they eat very healthy already, they could be trying to go 100% whole grain, or all organic, or cutting out refined sugar, etc. There is always something.
And as for #3, who doesn't feel good when they put on that bathing suit and feel like they look extra hot that day. Or look bloated before their period and be bummed about it. Maybe there are people who are 100% satisfied with their weight and appearance all the time, but I doubt it.
I never knew this disorder had a name. I often wondered if I had a problem with binge eating. Some of the descriptors of 'abnormal' I definitely see in myself - my weight definitely affects my mood and how I feel about myself. And I've yo-yo dieted for years, even though I've never actually been classified as overweight. Usually I've dieted to 'get ready' for an event - in high school I was getting ready for prom, and every spring since then I've usually been 'getting ready' for summer swimsuit season. Last year I used Weight Watchers online to lose 15lbs, then I quit. Then I started to gain it back and joined CalorieCount.com...I find this very useful and also since joining a YMCA a few months ago I find that I don't struggle as much with my weight because I've been exercising 4-5 days p/week. And somehow I think this exercising has been helping with my eating habits - I still have candy and sweets when they're around, but I eat less of other things later, almost subconsciously. I hope that I don't revert back to binge eating, though I still find myself doing it every now and then; hopefully the constant exercise will help keep the weight off anyway.
I used to have anorexia, which was all about control. I desired control then, but simultaneously experienced longing for no control, a longing for a natural existence.
Then I snapped...I began to be very out of control. Here I am now, 60 pounds heavier in a mere few months. My mother is helping me though, since I can't afford to see a shrink. We are dieting to lose weight...but for me, it is more about really devloping healthy eating patterns.
I do know what is going on with me. It has a lot to to do with gender identity for me. I've always really struggled with my sex and gender identity. Then it manifested into these eating problems that tear up my life a bit. It gets to the point sometimes where I cannot do anything productive except flounder around in the fog of these problems.
I find what helps me the most is my dreams. I have dreams to make films and write and draw, and those dreams outside of everything are what pull me along and help me picture a future that is not bogged down in eating disorderliness.
I know what I have to do, as well to be healthy: disciplined accounting, disciplined eating. using my head when it comes to cravings or temptations for foods that are unhealthy.
I simply have to put my foot down and say "No, I want to be a healthy me and I'm not going to give up. I am not going to just eat a bunch of crap for the thrill. because it's like doing drugs- it's a serious addiction, and I'm going to kick the habit."
I found this to be a very good article and most helpful to know that I am not alone in this struggle against food. I have had an eating "disorder" since I was 12. Started with Anorexia and moved into what is defined here as BED. There was one thing that I do disagree with though and that is that BED is not a choice. I believe very much that it is a choice. Even though it is extremely difficult I can choose to walk away from food and place it into my mouth. I am not always successfull at this, however I know that I can make the choice to walk away. I think, as a nation, we need to begin taking responsibility for our actions and stop blaming a disorder for the way we act. We have a choice.
Quick correction, I meant to say: I can choose to walk away from food and NOT place it into my mouth.
For some reason food has become my comfort and secret as well as "out" friend. I am 52 and 140 lbs. overweight. I used to be only about 20-40 lbs. overweight when I was younger but through super stresses, deaths, defeats, etc.
Sometimes I really do not care but then whenI have to fly in a plane and get my big a xx into a plane seat or sit somewhere where seats are small, etc. I care. My health is relatively good, no high bp, or diabetes, etc The problem I feel and I have joined some of the above groups which does not help me is why I do it. Why when I lose 30+ lbs. on a diet do I put it back on and continue to yoyo forever. Why do I eat peanut butter out of a jar when I come home from work at 2am? Why do I think about food all the time and plan eating events like for our anniversary we'll go to ....
I have seen psych. but no one that really helps except to note that I have some manic, ocd and many anger issues for which I get pills.
I used to go to therapy but had other things to talk about and this was not the number 1, I did not find therapy to particularly help. I was thinking of hypnotism but I don't know has anyone tried it.
Mostly I don't even care well mostly that is true, but I DO care about the **** obsession with food and am tired of it. it gets in the way of living sometimes.
Dear 57Lamb,
I read your post and could feel your pain. I am in no way perfect in this area and still struggle with it alot. i am no longer overweight, however still find myself binge eating a couple of times a week only to suffer the down side of it (guilt and frustration about my actions). However, I do know that my faith in Christ has been the only thing that has gotten me this far. I have dealt with a lot of anger issues in my own life and have learned to forgive those that have hurt me. . . a pill cannot do that for you or bring you true freedom in this area. Forgiving others has brought me freedom. I also learned to see myself as Christ sees me . . . His child and beautiful. I know, for myself anyways, that the binges happen the most when I am looking for something to take care of a pain in my life, or if I feel overwhelmed, or I need to unwind and I want to relax . . . that is when I turn to food. The kicker is that food doesn't satisfy my need. It never has and I know that it never will. I am finding, though this is extremely difficult for me to do, that the only thing that helps is to so no to the food and pray and ask God for strength to not mistreat my body and to not substitute Him for food. In the middle of the struggle, it is always hard for me to remember this. However, I have done it before and I know that it works. For me, it is a daily choice of choosing who I want to be and how I want to treat my body and if I want to be obediant to Christ. His desire is to not see us in a state of addiction but for us to live in freedom. He has always offered me a way out of this addiction to food . . . I simply have to be obediant to it and walk away from the food. (sometimes I have just about run out of the kitchen because I don't want to give into the temptaion to eat what I know my body does not need) I don't always make the right decisions and I always suffer for it when I make those bad decisions. When I have chosen God over food, I have found extreme freedom in this area. It is my goal to continue to do this and to fail less often in this area. I pray that you will find freedom in this area, as I understand the bondage that it can keep you in.
What a great article, with all the shame. You are not alone. For so many years I felt shame and guilt from Disordered eating. All of the above, Anorexia to Bulimia, to BED, and back again. I struggle daily. Been to many treatment center's, but haven't quite met up to my standard's regarding food and weight. Keep having Faith, It will get better.
I absolutely disagree with the comments made about questions 1 and 3 being invalid. Most women would like to be a little slimmer, but there is a huge difference between feeling sheepish in a bathing suit and breaking down crying after you've gained a pound. Eating disorders are inseparable from self-worth. Defining yourself and your value by your weight is the one connecting thread between all eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, ednos, etc. It's mostly the behavioral manifestations that differ. That's why many people who deal with eating disorders have gone through more than one.
As someone who has suffered from binge eating disorder for more than ten years, I'm glad it's finally getting some visibility and respect. I was deeply depressed when I finally confessed to a psychologist about my binge eating problem and didn't have them take me seriously. It's all too easy to say it's a conscious choice until you have the experience of watching your hands moving of their own accord as you mix your third batch of cookie dough. It's high time we as a society recognize that you don't have to be dangerously skinny, puking all your meals or abusing laxatives to have food control your life.
Agreed, I have suffered with BED for about 8 or 9 years now, only diagnosed about 2 years ago. I am still struggling to beat it, while I am not obese I still feel bad about myself, I tend to over exercise to compensate to lose weight, then I fall back into my old habbits. I think this is about the longest I have ever stayed around a certain weight within a few lbs (approx 4 months now) I am confident that maybe I am starting to beat this thing, I still slip up from time to time but my weight isn't fluctuating majorly like it used to.
I disagree when people say it is a choice, physically yes, you have a choice, you could choose to pick something up and eat it but mentally people with a disorder don't have a choice. I can say no to things and I can stop myself from grabbing and eating them, but it plays on my mind, I can't stop thinking about it and then I completely obsess about it until I just go and eat it. You need to reprogramme your brain to realise you don't actually need it, its very very hard and I just hope some day I can have a more normal relationship with food. Be at a weight I am happy and healthy and I can have the odd "treat" without thinking about it too much and bingeing on it!
Original Post by: rex_I used to have anorexia, which was all about control. I desired control then, but simultaneously experienced longing for no control, a longing for a natural existence.
Then I snapped...I began to be very out of control. Here I am now, 60 pounds heavier in a mere few months. My mother is helping me though, since I can't afford to see a shrink. We are dieting to lose weight...but for me, it is more about really devloping healthy eating patterns.
I do know what is going on with me. It has a lot to to do with gender identity for me. I've always really struggled with my sex and gender identity. Then it manifested into these eating problems that tear up my life a bit. It gets to the point sometimes where I cannot do anything productive except flounder around in the fog of these problems.
I find what helps me the most is my dreams. I have dreams to make films and write and draw, and those dreams outside of everything are what pull me along and help me picture a future that is not bogged down in eating disorderliness.
I know what I have to do, as well to be healthy: disciplined accounting, disciplined eating. using my head when it comes to cravings or temptations for foods that are unhealthy.
I simply have to put my foot down and say "No, I want to be a healthy me and I'm not going to give up. I am not going to just eat a bunch of crap for the thrill. because it's like doing drugs- it's a serious addiction, and I'm going to kick the habit."
That first part fits me to a tee. I was anorexic at the end of highschool, and ridiculously in control of what I ate. After losing that control on a trip to NYC, I went crazy when I got gome, wanting to gain that control back, but at the same time, wanting to just pig out on junk food because it felt SO GOOD. I just couldn't stop.
As I went through university, I desperately wanted to get my eating under control, but at the same time, be like my new carefree friends, who were so effortlessly slim, and were going out for huge dinners all the time, and not obsessing over food. I thought,
"Wow, I wish I could be like that! I wish I could be NORMAL."
I'm so self-conscious, always worrying about what people must think of me when I decline invitations to go out. Every time I do, I lose it and binge. I'm not yet at that stage where I feel comfortable enough to do that, to trust myself to make the right choices. I started to get there after losing 10 pounds from the end of August to the end of October. I was binge-free. Then at the end of October, I got super depressed one day and just pigged out. And I couldn't forgive myself. I thought,
"Great, looks like I don't have this under control. I'm not normal, after all."
And since then, I've been looking for excuses to binge. Ah well, Lent begins tomorrow, and I'm giving up bread (it's my big trigger food), and am promising myself that I will not binge. Fingers crossed.
this article came at the perfect time. i just made an appointment with the psychologist on my schools campus about BED. seeing the article today made me realize how much i need to get this under control so i can live a healthy, guilt free life and love who i am.
Original Post by: nellypieweffyy,
I did at first sort of binge. But not now. I just normally eat really healthy food all week and the day off is when I can go out to eat and not worry about it, and have a beer or something. Or have a serving of chips with my sandwich and not think twice of it. So I am not eating a ton more food just making it carefree. I recorded a couple days off at one point to make sure I wasn't going too far out of line to moderate it. If I thought I was binging I would be way more aware of it from this article. I hope that helps.
I also found out I have a gluten or wheat intolerance and am having to do the elimination diet to find out and so I am hoping that by having to cut out foods that I won't be more prone to a binge somewhere along the lines.
There are plenty of articles and blog spots on CC that are strictly about bulimia and Anorexia. No one is discounting ANY eating disorder here and nearly everyone who comments on this tread deals with their own eating "demons" and tries to empathize with others that are dealing with their own. Good luck with your own recovery.
I finally found an article that describes me to a T. All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. I will decide I am GOING to make the change. Then I feel like little demons get in my head and start me thinking about food I wouldn't normally EVER it. It will hound and hound me like the heart beating under the floor in that one Poe story. Then I break down and buy the burger or eat the cookies, thinking WHY WHY WHY! I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig." I'll even wait until my husband is in the shower to eat. I'm so disgusted with myself. My family and my husband say "Just start exercising! Just stop eating junk!" Well if it was that easy we wouldn't be in this conundrum would we. I'm stuck between a rock and hard place because eating healthy triggers the binging- but not eating healthy is, well, not healthy. Eith way I end up in the place I started. Disgusted with myself for my lack of self control with something that seems like it should be easy.
Original Post by: lulubelle79Original Post by: nellypieweffyy,
I did at first sort of binge. But not now. I just normally eat really healthy food all week and the day off is when I can go out to eat and not worry about it, and have a beer or something. Or have a serving of chips with my sandwich and not think twice of it. So I am not eating a ton more food just making it carefree. I recorded a couple days off at one point to make sure I wasn't going too far out of line to moderate it. If I thought I was binging I would be way more aware of it from this article. I hope that helps.
I also found out I have a gluten or wheat intolerance and am having to do the elimination diet to find out and so I am hoping that by having to cut out foods that I won't be more prone to a binge somewhere along the lines.
There are plenty of articles and blog spots on CC that are strictly about bulimia and Anorexia. No one is discounting ANY eating disorder here and nearly everyone who comments on this tread deals with their own eating "demons" and tries to empathize with others that are dealing with their own. Good luck with your own recovery.
I certainly hope no one thinks I was discounting ANY eating disorder. weffyy asked me a question, personally, and I answered it the best I could. I believe every one has a diet/eating demon somewhere in there. I also have a family member who has struggled with both anorexia and bulimia and though I don't know what exactly she is going through I feel for those who do.
Once I gave up sugar and got my brain chemistry in balance, I stopped craving foods which previously would have led to binge eating. I read a great book that helped me get my sugar addiction under control. I think it was titled Sugar Addicts recovery program. It helped me to understand that you need more than "will power" to overcome a sugar addiction. Hope this is helpful to someone battling the same demon...
When I look in the mirror and notice my problem areas, I get re-motivated to stick to my diet. When I look at delicious treats, I tend to forget.
I was wondering if anyone has tried this method: Put a picture of someone (not yourself) who is fat and disgusts you on your favorite foods. Whenever you reach for the foods, you have to see that ugly, fat person and think twice.
Has anyone tried this? Has it worked?
Benia
Original Post by: lapayasa99I finally found an article that describes me to a T. All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. I will decide I am GOING to make the change. Then I feel like little demons get in my head and start me thinking about food I wouldn't normally EVER it. It will hound and hound me like the heart beating under the floor in that one Poe story. Then I break down and buy the burger or eat the cookies, thinking WHY WHY WHY! I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig." I'll even wait until my husband is in the shower to eat. I'm so disgusted with myself. My family and my husband say "Just start exercising! Just stop eating junk!" Well if it was that easy we wouldn't be in this conundrum would we. I'm stuck between a rock and hard place because eating healthy triggers the binging- but not eating healthy is, well, not healthy. Eith way I end up in the place I started. Disgusted with myself for my lack of self control with something that seems like it should be easy.
lapayasa99 Your comment is EXACTLY how I am/feel.
" All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. "
And
" I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig. "
My food/weight thoughts are quite obsessive. I can not eat in front of people. If I do grab fast food I have to eat it in my car, away from people other wise I can't eat.. Same goes for trying to dine out... I always feel like people are looking and saying " what a fat @ss. She should just quit eating!"... I can't have people over for dinner, even if it's a very healthy meal. I don't usually go out/over eat sense i've been trying to watch my weight, but it doesn't matter what I'm eating. I still feel the same shame for even eating at this size...
Original Post by: charmaramaThis artical is great and im so suprised its actully posted on here because in the past the people on cc have fround up on eating disorders and stuff..
Which is awful because I have fallen into a downwards cycle of bulima and anorexia. This site hasnt helped what so ever and ive started ignoring all its emails as if anything it just made me feel worse! I clicked on this one because it links to myself. I dont like how this topic is mostly about binge eating disorders because even though that must be awful to live with, i know what its like to binge.. but there are others that need help to.
im in recovery at the moment, well trying..
and i think poeple that havnt had a ed shouldnt go on about them because they dont have a clue what it feels like AT ALL..
charmarama,
Part of my eating history includes bulimia which was preceded by an anorexic phase. I want you to know it is possible to recover! Please don't give up. You say you are in recovery at the moment. Stick with it! I hope your treatment includes on-going meetings with other sufferers. It really, really works. I am living proof. Today, after many years of suffering from eating disorders, I live free from the obsession with food. One day at a time.
Use CC as a tool in your recovery. It's a very helpful site. Just remember to take what you need and leave what you don't need.
Original Post by: the_embalmerOriginal Post by: lapayasa99I finally found an article that describes me to a T. All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. I will decide I am GOING to make the change. Then I feel like little demons get in my head and start me thinking about food I wouldn't normally EVER it. It will hound and hound me like the heart beating under the floor in that one Poe story. Then I break down and buy the burger or eat the cookies, thinking WHY WHY WHY! I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig." I'll even wait until my husband is in the shower to eat. I'm so disgusted with myself. My family and my husband say "Just start exercising! Just stop eating junk!" Well if it was that easy we wouldn't be in this conundrum would we. I'm stuck between a rock and hard place because eating healthy triggers the binging- but not eating healthy is, well, not healthy. Eith way I end up in the place I started. Disgusted with myself for my lack of self control with something that seems like it should be easy.
lapayasa99 Your comment is EXACTLY how I am/feel.
" All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. "
And
" I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig. "
My food/weight thoughts are quite obsessive. I can not eat in front of people. If I do grab fast food I have to eat it in my car, away from people other wise I can't eat.. Same goes for trying to dine out... I always feel like people are looking and saying " what a fat @ss. She should just quit eating!"... I can't have people over for dinner, even if it's a very healthy meal. I don't usually go out/over eat sense i've been trying to watch my weight, but it doesn't matter what I'm eating. I still feel the same shame for even eating at this size...
I have the same problem girlie. I don't even want to eat healthy cause then I think people will think I'm PURPOSELY eating that way just to appear like I eat healthy. Or they will even be so bold as to ask "Why are you so overweight then" or "Do you eat like this all the time?" Its to the point of thinking there must be something wrong up in my head. My verbal abuse to my own self really can't be healthy.
Original Post by: lapayasa99Original Post by: the_embalmerOriginal Post by: lapayasa99I finally found an article that describes me to a T. All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. I will decide I am GOING to make the change. Then I feel like little demons get in my head and start me thinking about food I wouldn't normally EVER it. It will hound and hound me like the heart beating under the floor in that one Poe story. Then I break down and buy the burger or eat the cookies, thinking WHY WHY WHY! I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig." I'll even wait until my husband is in the shower to eat. I'm so disgusted with myself. My family and my husband say "Just start exercising! Just stop eating junk!" Well if it was that easy we wouldn't be in this conundrum would we. I'm stuck between a rock and hard place because eating healthy triggers the binging- but not eating healthy is, well, not healthy. Eith way I end up in the place I started. Disgusted with myself for my lack of self control with something that seems like it should be easy.
lapayasa99 Your comment is EXACTLY how I am/feel.
" All I think about is my weight, food, dieting. I go back and forth between not giving a crap about being overweight and laying in bed and crying. "
And
" I'm embarrassed to eat in front of people because I imagine they are all thinking, "Look at her no wonder she is so fat. What a pig. "
My food/weight thoughts are quite obsessive. I can not eat in front of people. If I do grab fast food I have to eat it in my car, away from people other wise I can't eat.. Same goes for trying to dine out... I always feel like people are looking and saying " what a fat @ss. She should just quit eating!"... I can't have people over for dinner, even if it's a very healthy meal. I don't usually go out/over eat sense i've been trying to watch my weight, but it doesn't matter what I'm eating. I still feel the same shame for even eating at this size...
I have the same problem girlie. I don't even want to eat healthy cause then I think people will think I'm PURPOSELY eating that way just to appear like I eat healthy. Or they will even be so bold as to ask "Why are you so overweight then" or "Do you eat like this all the time?" Its to the point of thinking there must be something wrong up in my head. My verbal abuse to my own self really can't be healthy.
I think that's the problem with a lot of us BE-ers. I was borderline anorexic at the end of highschool, and I had family members, friends, even parents of friends (with my best friend's mom constantly comparing me to her own daughter, asking her why she couldn't lose the weight like I did, ouch) telling me how impressed they were by my weight-loss (though by the time I dipped down to 95 pounds, they were concerned), and admired the determination and control I had.
After the weight came creeping back on, I was too embarrassed to eat out, to see the people who had, months before, been praising my weight loss. I feel as though I've somehow let them down, and am convinced that they're thinking,
"What'd she do to herself?"
My aunt especially is super into fitness (she's not small by any means, but whatever), and is constantly going on about how little she eats (maybe that's her problem). She has very little respect for people who are heavy. Whenever we have family dinners, I'm thinking,
"She's watching me eat, she can't believe how I've let myself go. She must think I'm some dumpy, gross free-loader."
That guilt, that feeling that I need to live up to everyone else's standards (when they probably don't really care in reality) is what keeps me yo-yo-ing. I worry that everyone else is judging my figure, the things I eat. When I take my salads to work, I assume that everyone else is either thinking,
"She always brings a salad...but she's pretty chubby. How is that?"
or
"Only a salad? She must be trying really hard to lose weight."
I assume that everyone is thinking about how my salad is connected to my weight, and that I can't just bring a salad because it's convenient and I like it.
I don't even know where this came from. Before losing weight in highschool, I didn't care much about other people's opinions. I guess that's because prior to that, eyes had never really been on me. After I lost weight, people started to take notice. In university, I became popular. I'd never been popular in school. Now I can't help but think that everyone's eyes are on me, and that they scrutinize and dissect every thing I do. I feel like I just want to hide in a cave somewhere, get back down to 110, and not have to deal with anyone until I'm ready.
Anyone else feel that way?
hello,
i posted earlier. thanks for the person who thinks christ will help me but religion is something that is not the answer for me. in fact that's why i personally could not stand o.a. it felt like church. i need to help MYSELF not some entity outside of me but good for you if that works for you.
when i was younger (i'm 52) i would not wear a bathing suit when i was just about 20 lbs. overweigt. Now I wear one and don't care, I don't mean I would not rather look more fit or not have cellulite, and not sag and have fat in places skinny people do, what I mean is that I have come to terms with... I want to swim and have fun and if you don't like seeing a fat person don't look.
my biggest problem is the food obsession loving it more than anything else (to a point ) I don't mean more than my pets or my partner. i just mean loving food vs. loving working, gardening, etc. Interesting however, once I am really into something I don't think about the food. BUT those times are VERY few and far between and when I do lose I gain it back plus. That is why I am here and I would imagine most folks are.
as far as being in public that depends too, i used to throw a lettuce on the check out aisle next to the snickers adn chips just to have a healthy thing there too. but in the end who cares what these strangers think and now I've thrown good money to that salad I prob. would not eat.
When I DO buy 90% of healthy things in the store I give myself so much credit because there were times in my life I could not even walk past the chips asile it haunted me so.
Point is for those of us lifelong foodies this will be a lifelong struggle. BUT to enjoy yourself at least half of the time is a great start and one that is my new goal!
thanks :)
Original Post by: rex_I used to have anorexia, which was all about control. I desired control then, but simultaneously experienced longing for no control, a longing for a natural existence.
Then I snapped...I began to be very out of control. Here I am now, 60 pounds heavier in a mere few months. My mother is helping me though, since I can't afford to see a shrink. We are dieting to lose weight...but for me, it is more about really devloping healthy eating patterns.
I do know what is going on with me. It has a lot to to do with gender identity for me. I've always really struggled with my sex and gender identity. Then it manifested into these eating problems that tear up my life a bit. It gets to the point sometimes where I cannot do anything productive except flounder around in the fog of these problems.
I find what helps me the most is my dreams. I have dreams to make films and write and draw, and those dreams outside of everything are what pull me along and help me picture a future that is not bogged down in eating disorderliness.
I know what I have to do, as well to be healthy: disciplined accounting, disciplined eating. using my head when it comes to cravings or temptations for foods that are unhealthy.
I simply have to put my foot down and say "No, I want to be a healthy me and I'm not going to give up. I am not going to just eat a bunch of crap for the thrill. because it's like doing drugs- it's a serious addiction, and I'm going to kick the habit."
dear friend
I found myself very much in your writing and comments.
It sounds so easy: just put down the food but in reality wow it's hard.
You wrote that you dream doing things. Did you ever tried them in reality?
What touched me most is the comment about sex and gender.
I still look in the mirror and see a "big, fat thing" that just want's to look nice so ONE day there is a man who does not dump me.
My weight is normal but it does not look to me like it.
Today I had very strange food cravings (hope this is the right word, sorry I'm not a native speaker). I just wanted sugar and more and more food.
I escaped by bicycle and did a one hour workout. That helped. But maybe next time........
You are not alone
I wish you all the best and a strong mind.
Thank you for addressing BED as an eating disorder. I don't think the general populace understands that this is an eating disorder, just like bulimia and anorexia. when my doctor and therapist shared with me that this was an issue for me, and I in turn shared with my family I was met with some disbelief. The most hurtful response is 'you just need more will power, that's all'. it's not all. I'm also very relieved to see by the comments on this article that I am certainly not alone in this! thanks to everyone in this community for your great and supportive posts!
I'm learning about myself. I have always joked that I'm OCD, but I looked at the Wikipedia page about Obsessive–compulsive disorder and realized that I have a these tendencies. For example, I have skin/finger-picking problem, sometimes I eat when I'm not hungry and always regret it. My doctor also told me that my concentration problems sound ADHD, which is tied into all this stuff, too.
I guess it makes sense that I would have all these behaviors if they tie together somehow.
Benia
I had a very dark side at one stage of my life due to BED but time of healing within and getting comfortable with who I was and to learn to love myself has helped but that doesn't say I am cured. It is a on going saga and for me probably won't go away completely. As they say BED is a illness but with control it can be contained, well in my case anyway. I do this by watching Red light foods which I can't control and only go there when I know I am in control. Sad but true. First step of healing is to omit that you have problem (BED) and seek medical help.
I've had BED....(which until today, I thought had no diagnosis) probably for the last 20 years. I remember being in 4th grade and being on a diet. Looking at all of my normal weight friends, eating whatever they wanted, it's all I dreamt of. Being Italian, I live to eat not eat to live. I was also the child of "On Monday I'll start my diet" Mother. Happily today, I am 25lbs from goal weight. A decade ago I was pushing 300lbs. I lost the weight by watching my calories and walking EVERYWHERE I can. BUT------I still absolutely binge eat. In fact it's worsened since I quit smoking in November. My excuses to binge eat are, "Oh, it's Sunday, a new week starts tomorrow".....or it's "a snowy day at home with the kids", or a "birthday", or I find that if I overate anything during the day, even by a little bit, I'll throw the whole day, figuring it's too late now. Then it turns into ......Now let's see what I can stuff into my mouth before tomorrow. Thanks for this article, it opened my eyes to this serious condition. I wish you all luck.
I am noticing that many people on this thread really suffer with their eating disorder. I hope that you will consider counseling. No it doesn't have to be w/ a psychiatrist although there are some really great medications out there that can help w/ the obsessive thoughts about food and exercise.
Psychotherapy gets such a bad rap but it can be really helpful for behavior change. No one should have to "just do it" alone. Friends and family while wanting to be supportive can often be part of the problem.
I also struggle w/ making bad choices and I am the "expert"!
I personally think the reason we have this problem today is because pictures of women's perfect bodies are posted all over magazine covers. It's BIG! I think this causes women to obsess that they have to have a perfect body, this causes all kind of pschological problems where it's the MAJOR goal. And some fat women are treated cruelly for not having the perfect body. I also think fast food, huge portions, commercials that link food to happiness, play in it as well. I am tired of soooo many web pages showing a women's flat belly and spilled-over breasts. It is degrading, we are more than an object...
hey i agree with you complietly. nobody understands why i dont eat normaly. since the age of 17 have had bed. but i have never been obse just very fat. the fact is i go months of strict dietig every year the rest is non stop eating on unhealthy goodies. but the eating fazes are not as long as they used to be. i dont think medication or doctors can help me. im better at it alone. i dont belive in drugs
This is really interesting...
I never knew that binging is actualy an eating disorder! i mean in a sense of that binging is something i should attend to and fix because it's not normal.
I used to ALWAYS feel guilty after a binging episode, but after i started calorie count, i learned to control my portions and eat everything that i desire IN MODERATION. i never deprived myself of anything, and it's all thanks to this website and the helpful articles that are featured regularly.
The first days that i had attempted to control my portions and eat right, sometimes i ended up feeling vulnerable and eventualy having a binge episode. it was horrible.
I took out refined sugar, and white flour from my diet and after two weeks of ups and downs my cravings were reduced to the minimum. After that i added sugar to my diet but kept it to the minimum, like a tsp for my morning tea, because that's how i like it.
I started to feel so proud of myself for achieving such a thing. and for being in control and guilt-free at last!
I no more have binging issues, because nothing is out of the menu at any day =)
It's soooo much better this way.
By the way i forgot to mention that i was 18 years old. i used to weigh about 170 pounds 30 days ago, and up until today i lost 13 pounds. in 30 days that is.
I'm so proud of myself and i also want to thank calorie count because it's has been an essential tool in my success.
The journey continues =D
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Very informative.
Unfortunately for me, I know all the information I need to know about my BED, it's just hard to deal with!