Hello, I'm Jackie, and I'm an excessive eater

So, I'm new to Calorie Count and would love to get involved with my health but I'm having some problems getting constantly on this lifestyle of eating healthy. I'll be good for a day or two but then I will binge for three days. Could somebody help me get acquainted with this new idea in my life called will-power and how I can start a long term relationship with Mr. Will Power?

Also, today I ate probably just less than 3000 calories (my recommended for maintenance is about 2000) is there anything I can do to get rid of this calorie overdose?

Thank you so much for reading, good luck to everyone with their body goals!

Hi, Jackie. I'm Asia. Welcome to CC.

I started CC on January 10th 2009. I finally made the decision that it was time to do something about my weight. It’s time to get healthier for a whole slew of reasons. Some important, some not so much. I could keep putting it off... But the weight is still going to be there. So why wait?

The new life-style has been remarkable, already. I still eat plenty, but I’m eating healthier. I’m not on a set (or impressive) exercise regimen just yet, but my over-all activity has increased. I have more energy. I don’t feel like crap all of the time. Even my mood has improved. (Well, most of the time. I’m only human.)

I’m so amazed at the people I’ve met, here. I’m constantly grateful for the help, the support, and the knowledge I’ve gained from the fine folk who use CC. I have my bad days, just like everyone else. Hell, I just had my first bad WEEK. And I know it isn’t going to be the last. But my whole mentality has been turned around by the success stories I read, time and time again in the forums. I *know* I can do this. I will do this. And a bad day (or week, or month) no longer gives me an excuse to give up on myself. I’m in this for the long haul.

DON'T give up. YOU deserve the best body to live this life in. Do it for yourself. Celebrate every little bit of progress. Enjoy new (but healthier) foods.

I hope CC and the people here can help you on this amazing journey. Good luck!! You can DO this, if you want it. *Hug*

Thanks Asia! This what a nice post and I hope your new healthy lifestyle continues to benefit you! We are so lucky we have CC

Welcome to CC Jackie!  Planning your menu from day to day will greatly help your relationship with Mr. Willpower ;).  If you know exactly in advance what you are going to eat, it is much easier to stick to a smart way of eating.  If you are out there in limbo, it's too easy to go for convenience which may lead you towards unhealthy choices (ie- fast food, etc.).  You should also consider making your menu as FUN and enjoyable as possible.  Try not to have the mentality that you are "dieting" and are therefore, on some sort of restriction from every single food you love.

I love burgers for example.  Instead of going out to get one I buy these frozen Jenny-O 1/4 pound turkey burgers and use fat free (doesn't really have to be, you can use light cheese, 2% or the real thing) American cheese, mustard, a little ketchup, lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles.  I also put it on this 40 calorie per slice Natures Own light wheat bread and toast it.  It's like a healthy patty melt.  I can eat 2 of these bad boys for less calories, fat and more nutrition than ONE Big Mac.  I only eat one though. :)

Seriously, if I were you, I'd compile of a list of all my faves and think of healthier ways of preparing them and incorporating them into your diet.  That way you can still eat most of everything you like and never feel deprived of anything.  It will be much easier for you to stick to your new ways if the food satifies you.  Also if you break your meals up into smaller portions and eat more frequently during the day, that will help keep you full until the next small meal.  You will be a lot less likely to binge.  Best of luck.

I'm categorized as an "excessive eater" on CC as well so I feel you!

I know from personal experience that the times I was binge eating, I was actually thristy instead of hungry. I couldn't believe that I only had about 1 cup of water every 2 days or so!!! That's utterly shocking to me!!! For the past month I've increased my water intake to about 6 cups a day!!! I've noticed doing this relieves some of the desire to want to eat more. Also another good tip is to leave a couple of bits off each meal will roughly save you about 50 calories or more depending on what you're eating. 

I hope this helps and I hope you have a sucessful week!

As a lifetime lover of eating, I can feel your pain sister...lol.  I am sort of lucky in that I can eat a lot of food and not gain a lot of weight, although after a lifetime of doing that it does creep up on you...lol.   What tipped me over the edge was knowledge, curiousity etc.  My Dad, who is 80 this year, had a miraculous recovery and return to good health 5 years ago, simply by changing his diet after reading "The Healthy Heart Miracle" by Dr. Gabe Mirkin.  What happened to my Dad is a long story but what happened to his healthy from horrible to fantastic in just three months 5 years ago, really was nothing short of a miracle.  As a thinking, rational human being, you can be close to a situation like that and not think to yourself, "Wow, there's got to be something to this healthy eating"...and there is.

So I bought the book, started doing my own research and voila, here I am 50 lbs lighter and a whole lot healthier.  Best part is, I love to eat now, more than ever, I enjoy my food much more than I ever did before, and I eat about as healthy as it is possible to, given a busy work schedule, busy personal life etc.   I found that once the genie was out of the bottle, once I knew there was a direct connection between eating and health, not just in an airy fairy, theoretical way but in real terms, I just couldn't ignore that fact any more.

Hi Jackie,

Im there with you! I found myself in the fridge or pantry far too often eating crap! Not that I dont have slip ups now and then since I have started my journey, I have however found a couple solutions that work most of the time in choosing a healthy meal, or snacks. I take some time out to do some cooking, I cook a large amount of healthy foods and freeze them in individual portions, then when its meal time I can heat it up and have a healthy meal! I also find that if I cut up my fruits and veggies and have them on hand I will choose them as a fresh healthy snack rather than my boyfriends snacky (ie chips/gummy candies/chocolates) things!

I do find that CC is great for keeping me on track too, I have only been a member for a short time myself but already I am seeing a change in my Habits!

Too funny, what caught my attention was I'm Jackie and an excessive eater as I too am Jackie and an excessive eater. 

It is very tough, I have been going at it for well over a year now and have back slid several times.  I acheive a great goal, then lapse.  I had finally hit 25 pounds lost in October I beleive, then the holidays came and I put 10 back on.  I have been trying to get back to it since Jan. 1, but keep coming up with excuses.  I need to drop 40 pounds to be where I could feel healthy. 

I have a hard time exercising.  I work all day and have a almost 2 year old son, so when I get home, I don't want to exercise.  I play with him on the floor, but I need some good old fashion exercise.  I can't wake up early to do it, I have tried, but I am just not a morning person.  Eating is very hard, as it generally is with excessive eaters.  I like to eat for the sake of eating, not because I am hungry.  I have been at the girl scout cookies this last couple of weeks.  1 box at a time.  So I feel you Jackie, I really do.   What I do is like it has been suggested, I plan out my food for the day, enter it on the food log and make adjustments if I need to.  If I stick to it and not binge on junk food, I do very well.

Anyway, I wish you luck on your journey, I know it is possible as I have seen the results.