Help getting over ED

Does anyone have suggestions on how to kick the habit of chewing and spitting food?

I used to binge eat junk food and sweets like chocolate and tortilla chips, but have replaced that with chewing and spitting those foods-- i know this is wrong and i want to stop. I want to lose 15lbs.  I will eat my meals and snacks and they are always healthy choices of veggies, fruits and lean protien. I also workout 6 days a week doing 30 mins cardio and weights at the gym. I have only lost 2 lbs so far and gained back 1lb from last week (not happy about that). I would ideally like to lose 2lbs a week instead of one. I also want to stop yo-yoing with my weight, it's really frustrating, cus i know i'm doing everything right when it comes to working out lots, but my eating habits need lots of work.

I was also wondering if getting treated for ED is covered by MSP in BC, canada?

I would really like to hear any suggestions from others experiencing this problem. I would like to try and help myself before i get help for this if i can. 

Thanks!

Chewing and spitting is a terribly dangerous habit. It can result in swollen glands, mouth sores, cavities and cracked teeth, a sore throat and an irritated or ulcerous stomach. It also does not aid weight loss as calorie digestion begins in the mouth. Here are some details of C+S listed on ANRED site.

Chewing and spitting

• The person puts food in his/her mouth, tastes it, chews it, and then spits it out.

• Some people believe this behavior is a separate eating disorder. It is not. It is a calorie-control strategy commonly seen in anorexia nervosa, and sometimes in bulimia and eating-disorder-not-otherwise-specified. The person is creative, allowing some experience and enjoyment of food but avoiding all but a few calories. Since essential nutrients are not incorporated into the body, chewing and spitting can be just as harmful to health as are starvation dieting and binge eating followed by purging.

While I suggest you go to a doctor and speak about your disordered eating trouble - C+S is typically classified under EDNOS, or Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified - and desire to lose weight, I am not sure about your insurance question as I live in the UK. An extremely helpful site to check out for self-help is http://www.something-fishy.org.

I am sorry I cannot help you more, but please, even if you cannot see a doctor yet I strongly suggest you try to as well as putting an end to your chewing and spitting. I hope this helps.

 - Ellie.

i am so ashamed, but i was addicted to c/s for over a year and am pretty much over it now. i think i've done it like once or twice in the past 3 months?

i tried multiple times to stop, but it's so damn addicting. it got to the point where i'd steal money and food from anywhere just to have a chewspit session. My mouth bled, I was bloated, and i had no friends. i got caught a lot, but nobody could stop me. that's what you have to realize-it is your decision to stop, and you have the power to say no.

i take it day by day.

1) TELL WHOEVER YOU LIVE WITH. After telling my parents, I felt ashamed, but i was held accountable. they also hid the peanutbutter and other various binge foods from me. they didn't buy things in bulk, and they checked for missing food.

2)THROW OUT ALL TRIGGER FOODS until you're ready

3) mark the days you go without c/s on your calendar. It motivates you

4) Eat enough. I was eating like 500-800 cals. a day and chewspitting to get the tastes of the foods i wouldn't allow myself. in truth, chewspitting takes in a lot of cals, and you will bloat and gain weight until you stop.

After a few weeks, the urge really does go away. Actually, I did it today, and after one bowl of cereal (i used to go through 10+ bowls when no one was home) i was disgusted with myself. I notice I c/s when i'm anxious about something, or when im bored. realize that it doesn't make anything better.

I have so much empathy for you, and i hope you can kick the habit before it gets any worse

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely take them in consideration and look up more info on c/s.

I'm comforted that you were able to overcome c/s and that motivates me to do it too. I will try to stop buying the foods i c/s and go for a week without c/s, it will be tuff but i'll try and stay motivated. I really want to stop and finally lose my excess weight!

Thank you so much for the support!