Is it still considered a binge when...

...you don't feel guilty afterwards? I have a bingeing problem, but lately when it happens I just think "Oh well, it's happened, so what?". I don't feel like I'm going to get fat or anything, and even though I put on a couple of pounds, I don't mind. But it was still 5000 calories in one sitting, and in a very short period of time.

 

So is it still considered a binge?

5000 kcals in one sitting and in a very short period of time? my radar points to yes, that is a binge.

although i've seen people say on here it's all about the mindset before/during/after - so maybe not.

i dunno - i don't think my opinion re: binges is unbiased anyway... but, well, there you have it.

After looking up binge: A period of unrestrained, immoderate self-indulgence, I would have to say yes.  While binge here is often used to describe gorging yourself then feeling horribly guilty after, you dont need to feel guilty to have let yourself go out of control and indulged too much.

What it really is though is unhealthy.  Putting on a couple pounds probably isn't that big of a deal, but eating 5000 calories at one time is just not good for you.  I can understand the apathy, my biggest trap that made me gain weight was I really didn't care for the longest time, I didn't mind how I looked and I thought it couldnt be that unhealthy.  The problem is though, while you don't care now, if this continues you probably will.  When you get to the point I did where you can fit into pants that used to be a few sizes to big and you get winded walking up a small hill, then i'm betting it will start to really bother you.  And trust me, you don't want to let it get that bad, or even worse then it is now, because its a lot harder to lose 10, or 20, or 50 pounds then it is to lose 4 or 5.  Think of each pound as a week or more you will have to really restrict yourself when you do get up the motivation to get it off.  3500 calories is a pound, and takes a week or more to get off if you lose it a healthy way.  Is it worth it when you really think about it like that?

You know...I agree. The freshman 15 hit me really hard this year and I think I developed a kind of binging disorder but I was never sure they were binges. I would go with my friends (all drunk, plus all of my friends were on the thin side) and we'd order excess of food at the "late night cafeteria" - mozarella sticks, onion rings, ice cream, cookies, whatever. Partying takes a lot out of you and we were all hungry. It's not abnormal for 18 year old girls to be hungry after a night of dancing and walking around. I didn't realize that I was eating more than everyone else (everyone else stopped when they were full) and I didn't realize what a problem it was. They were binges; they were thousands of calories at once, eaten quickly, just because they were there. Before I knew it all my clothes felt tight and I never felt confident about my body anymore. But I didn't put two and two together - it wasn't until I went home for thanksgiving break that I had realized I had put on 15-20 pounds (in the span of 3 months). Now I only have 2 or 3 pairs of jeans that fit where I used to have 8 or 9, and getting dressed every morning is a struggle because everything in my closet is a size small or a size 0-2. Losing this weight has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - and I have not suceeded at all :-P. I lost 5 pounds when I was home for christmas break but I put them back on over spring semester - at least it's not 5 MORE pounds. I'm at an overweight bmi and I wish I put a little more thought into my late night binges before.

I think I should clarify a few details. I have a HUGE bingeing problem, and it normally gets me really down, frustrated, disgusted and angry. And I've tried to fix it, but I can't.

So lately I've been getting that feeling that i don't care anymore. I've given up. Then is when I questioned myself if what I still had were binges due to the emotional side of it.

Ah, I'm so sad :(

does it matter if its "considered" a binge or not? "binge" is just a word, whether or not its meaning applies to what you do doesnt change the fact that you do.

if you have a problem with binging like you say (and i totally get you, because i'm in the same situation), then try not to think about whether you just binged or not - in the end, the word is just a label!

One of the criteria for binge eating disorder (BED) is feeling guilty about it afterwards, but you can binge without being BED too. 

I think you answered your own question pearsnapple - its made you so sad and depressed you've given up hope. I'd say you might want to get some help..I only say this because I'm the same exact way - but finally got some help, professionally - and it has been a breath of fresh air. Don't let this get you any lower ..

Just reading what you wrote makes me sad.  I totally know where you are coming from.  I had always been tiny up until about 2 years ago when I started binge eating.  I gained about 30lbs in half a year..maybe even less time I'm not sure.  And binging felt like a prison.  Like you're trapped or something because it's almost like someone else in your head is making you eat like that.  For me it was a combo of two things, I was really depressed and stressed about my job and eating for those few minutes made me feel better (till after).. and two, I think women are made to feel like they have to be a size 2 to be beautiful and have a nice body and for years I barely ate to achieve that and I think I snapped lol  Because I truly believe binge eating is a mental thing.  I didn't go to a professional..although I am a Christian and I prayed a lot..God is my therapist :) But I also think you have to change your mindset somehow.  To where it's okay to eat and it's okay to eat cookies or ice cream once in awhile so you don't go on a full out binge.  And find something that really motivates you to be healthy both in your body and your mind.  I've got into fitness modeling..that is my goal..to compete as a fitness model.. and it has changed the way I think about food because I know food is good.  I want to work out and I eat food that fills me up and I eat often.  And as I see my body change and the scale going down I want it even more.  Hence..no more binging.  I hope you can get past it!