Help...I'm mid binge.

I've been binging for 3 days. I seriously am not hungry in any way and yet I cannot stop putting food in my mouth. Half a pound of grapes, brown sugar and maple oatmeal with EXTRA maple syrup, fast food like you wouldn't believe, along with more food than I care to recount. Not to mention at this very moment, I want to drive to McDonalds and get a hot fudge sundae so bad. this is killing me - I cannot stop.

Stop, take a breath and drink some water. Think to yourself why you're binging, it surely is entirely psychological and has nothing to do with any physiological sensation of hunger. Are you saying to yourself "Well my diet is already shot, why not continue?". You can stop now and still keep on track. You can allow yourself indulgences once in a while, but any more than that and it's not healthy for you. I'd say go and take a walk but since it's so late, perhaps reading a book would suffice. Yes, all those foods taste really good, but being committed to something and exercising will power to benefit your health can also feel really good.

sounds like this is the result of you being too restrictive in the past or simply not eating enough. make sure you allow yourself the occassional treat so that when you finally allow yourself to have something you don't go overboard.

Here is how I try to break out of a binge:  exercise, for 30 min to an hour.  This will give you energy and keep you from wanting to eat.

Drink two big bottles of water.  You won't want to eat after that, and you're not hurting yourself with water.

Go out, hang out with some friends, go shopping... do something to break out of the rut your in...that cycle.

Strong coffee...like starbucks or your local coffee shop. Espresso always suppresses my appetite.

List all your accomplishments...not just weight loss in your journal.  Feel good about yourself.  Do something pampering for your body, to make your self feel good inside and outside.  Dress up nice in a outfit you know you look extra hot in.  

Don't get down on yourself.  YOU CAN DO IT! A little binge is no big deal, just come back and try again.

Stay strong! I've been on a binging rampagne since my sport ended on Sat and I just realised how gross I feel- don't even want to go out in public. In some ways, we're all in this together so I'm here if you need to talk...but we can do this! It's easy to want to give up now but every minute of every day is a new decision and a new choice, let's just focus on making the right one...NOw.

Have you considered therapy?  You have already made progress by identifying your motivation for eating - your emotions.  Next (and most important) is to figure out the emotional problem you are trying to suppress with food.  It could be something you're not aware of, and could also be more than one issue.  If you have a feeling you know what the problem is, but aren't sure what to do about it, a therapist will guide you to the solution.  You are not alone, don't feel like you have to fix this by yourself.

Here is something that may sound out of the ordinary. Get a note pad and just write...write a fictitious story...write what is on your mind...write random thoughts...just start writing. I let my mind wander and see where it takes me on paper and that should definitely help. It is one of the tools I am using to continue to lose weight. Sometimes getting it out of your head in one frame or fashion can make a world of difference...plus you could be the next best seller ^_~

I've been on a binge since Christmas.  After a whole month of non-stop holiday baking and consuming I just couldn't get back on the healthy food thing.  Last week was a doozy!  I had to have Paczkis for Fat Tuesday.  And since I can only get those one day a year, I of course ate 4 and then my co-worker dumped a pile of M&M's on my desk and I ate those.  Then, the next day the drug reps stopped by my office and brought bagels and pastries from Panera.  It's been soooo long since I had a bagel with cream cheese and I'd always wanted to try the chocolate filled croissants - so I had 2 of each.  And THEN, it was my bosses birthday and I baked the cake for her party.  White Chocolate Whisper Cake with Lemon Buttercream frosting.  Yummmmmmmmy!

Anyway, I finally weighed myself this past weekend and I'd only gained 5 lbs!  I was quite excited.  I thought I'd have gained more like 10 or 15 since Christmas since I've been pigging out so badly. 

The way I snapped out of it this week is 1) promising my mom I would buddy up with her since she's trying to lose weight before a knee replacement and 2) I bought a new workout DVD to get me re-energized about gettin' skinny!

My advice (of course, I don't know if you want to take weight loss advice from a fat girl!) is to not get into the shame and guilt thing.  That just leads to more eating since you end up feeling like a failure.  Acknowledge you had a bad few days, set a new goal for yourself and start fresh tomorrow!

Blue and everyone,

I hate to say.. I am not writing to give advice, but rather request some help, too.  I am sort of, but not really, in the same place.  I've been doing really well for about two months.  I havent been starving myself; I feel fulfilled.  And, even in weeks that I "overeat," I have been strict about my exercise.  

Last weekend, my wife went out of town for business and for some reason, it's like that mentality "parents are gone, let's throw a party!" and I just indulge.  THEN, while she was gone, I got sick.. bad cold that left me literally conked out for 2 whole days.  

Still with some congestion, I decided to give myself the week "off"... trying to get back on the wagon of logging my calories ande verything, but I really just need someone to give me that kick in the butt to get restarted.  

Even though I am giving myself the week to recoop with being sick (I'm a teacher, so these colds tend to linger..), I NEED to get back in the game mentally.

I guess, I just need to knw from someone that it's ok to take a break every now and then, that I'm not losing all that I've worked for--since I am scared to even weigh myself this week.  

Anyways, I'm in a lull and need some support!  You guys seemed really responsive!

Thanks,

Eliza

You get back what you put in! If you are going to eat all those calories expect to get sick and fat! There is no excuses! You have to stick to your diet by any means neccessarry!!!

Don't be a jerk brame.  Everyone makes mistakes and thinking of yourself in the frame of mind that brame suggests is a big big step towards failure. 

I think the biggest things that have helped me beat binging are:

1. Forgive myself.  Binging sucks, it makes you gain weight but worst of all it makes you feel guuuuuuuuuuilty.  I find that when I can stop and think to myself "I've been hurting myself, but I can forgive myself for it because everyone makes mistakes" I can stop the binge and move on.

2.  Set a time limit.  If I go to my family's place or somewhere I know I will be tempted to cheat then I short circuit the guilt cycle by saying "I will eat what I want from 4 until 6.  Then I will take a deep breath, assess whether or not I'm hungry and eat right." I actually find that I cheat less than I would otherwise doing thins because it keeps me thinking about whats going in to me.

3. The 10 minute rule.  Most cravings last ten minutes.  If you can get through them using ANY of the strategies listed above you just might make it without ever getting into a binge. 

Good luck, its hard but you can do it!!

Thanks "eatless,"

It was nice to hear some supportive words.  Once I finally got over the cold, I really started to feel that guilt.  So, even though I'm giving myself a break from the gym this week, I definitely started to get back into logging my food diligently.. keeping it about 1500-1600 cal a day.  

I also just wanted to point out that my getting sick was actually NOT the result of overeating... it was the exact opposite.  I am guessing like most people who have struggled with their weight and eating, when I feel most vulnerable, I fall into bad eating behaviors.  

Anyways... thanks again!  Getting back on track.