Chicks in Control - Binge Free Day!

Hey all! I'm not new to this site (or weight loss) but I've realized that my eating has gotten out of control in the past month. I lost about 20 pounds from April-July and have since maintained my weight loss, even though I'd like to lose those last 5-10 at some point, but I'm pretty happy where I am. I work out every day, have become a pretty serious runner (love it!) and am overall feeling really great about my new healthy lifestyle...except for the bingeing that has made its way back into my life. I'll eat really well all day, sticking to my plan and staying within my calories, and then after dinner, something just goes haywire and I start eating all of the healthy snacks that I have around! Luckily, I never turn to unhealthy food, but too many healthy calories = too many calories! My weight has crept up almost 5 pounds and it's making me VERY uncomfortable, so I need to regain control of my eating and put an end to these binges! I think I've just gotten so complacent with where I am because I'm happy, but it's not even about the weight, it's about having a healthy relationship with food and being able to say NO when I just want to keep eating!

So here's what I propose: I saw your great thread for binge emergencies (wonderful idea!), but I was thinking we could check into this thread every day and make sure we're all staying binge free. So post when you have a great, successful day to encourage us all but also when you slip up because that'll hopefully help keep up accountable. Is anyone else on board? I could sure use the support and you girls seem like a really great group. Thanks for listening!

Yes! I have had a binge-free day so far. That's two days in a row!

Skyra - Way to go on 2 days in a row! Yesterday was great for me and my weight is finally down to normal and I wanna keep it that way! Let's say we make today another healthy, binge free day! You with me?

TakingCharge -- yes, I'm with you! Hopefully this thread will help. It's a weekend day and I don't have much to do, which is always dangerous territory for me. But I'll be here to post at the end of the day, which I think will keep me from binging. :D This thread is a great idea. Thanks!

I also had a binge free day yesterday and so far this day is going GREAT! I will be going to Chili's for tonight though for a friend's bday but I plan on getting some soup for an appetizer and a guiltless grill chicken sandwhich! Of course we'll be going to the bar afterwards though and I plan on having rum and cokes all nights. Yes I know that drinking is big no no when dieting but ya know what? After this week and the stress of school I NEED a few drinks! Wishing everyone a happy and binge free night!

~D~

Skyra - I hope to hear a good report from you tonight!

Dugserb - Good job yesterday! It seems like you have a good plan for tonight. There's nothing wrong with incorporating drinking into your life! The worst problem for me is when I get home after a few drinks and wanna eat my whole kitchen! But as long as you're careful with that, you should be great!

Hoping to report good news tonight!

Another binge free day! Woohoo! How bout you girls?

Yep. Doing really well on the binging front. Long May It Last!

One thing I discovered is that although I do like some healthy nice foods, I recently found I have an absolute PASSION for honeycrisp apples. They're almost as good as cake is - to me. Lots less calories. So that's one of my treats.

Binge-free, binge-free!

Yesterday (Saturday) was my fifth day officially abstinent, which includes no binges.

I feel totally different, like I should have lost 100 lbs or something.

I feel like a whole new person.

TakingCharge -- to report -- I did REALLY well on my food. Spectacularly good, actually!

The problem is that me and some friends went out to a bar, and I drank too much. :blush: Too many unnecessary calories. It wasn't a binge, exactly, but I still drank more than I was intending to.

How did your day go?

Blondewoman - Yum, I love apples! That's part of the problem though - I tend to binge on fruit! I just cant seem to stop at one apple lately, but I'm getting it under control!

EarthShaker - 5 days! That's awesome! I totally know what you mean about feeling SO much lighter. It's such a great feeling!

Skyra - I'm glad to hear you did so well with your food! The alcohol..well...haha. It happens though. The key is that you didn't let it ruin the rest of your night and let the drunk munchies take over. Good job!!

I'm doing well! 2 good days in a row and my weight is back to 137 (it was up to 142, which is something I told myself I never wanted to see again!). I feel so much better and just have to keep this up. Why do we torture our bodies so much by stuffing them with food? I work out, I brush my hair, put on make up, take care of myself in every other way, so why is it ok to fill up my stomach past the point of fullness? Well, it's not, and that's what I need to keep telling myself. Thanks for listening everyone!

Well I'm sad to report that my 2 days of being binge free ended last night. I went out for a friends birthday and did really well at dinner. But then of course at the bar ppl bought me more drinks than I had intended on drinking and I was having a good time ect. So at 3am we stopped at a White Castle for some sliders then once we got home I dove into the cookies :-( While we were talking I just kept on eating and eating and before I knew it I had eaten the entire bag :-( I felt so horrible....and still feel horrible. I'm starting to notice how much a turn my self esteem has taken for the worse. Ever picture we took last night I didn't like I what I saw....I nitpicked over everything and I just felt a level of disgust with every picture :-( It's never been that bad before. I've had self esteem issues since I was a kid and after having failing relationships it just keeps getting worse. I really do sometimes wish I had money to go see a therapist :-/

~D~

D - Sorry about the binge! I know how much it sucks to be doing so well and then totally blow it and feel like crap right after. I'm also really sorry to hear about your self esteem issues. I think we can all relate, but it's so true that when you're taking good care of yourself (working out, eating right, no binges), you feel SO much better about yourself, even if you haven't lost a pound! Those are the things we need to focus on and just keep reminding ourselves (and each other!) that you CAN improve your self esteem just be taking care of yourself and don't beat yourself up when you make a mistake! It happens to absolutely everyone, but it's how you pick yourself back up and move on that is telling of your true strong character. So make sure to have a great day and take care of yourself today! We're all here to support you if you need to talk! :)

Hey everyone,
I am wondering if I am hitting bottom. If I am wondering, I probably haven't!

I pigged out again yesterday. My belts are on the last loop and my "fat jeans" are tight. I can't wait to get home and pull on sweats because all my regular clothes are uncomfortable. I know this all sounds miserable (it is), but I am also feeling really determined to figure out why I keep doing this. I am really ready to make a change. I am ready to take the challenge seriously this week.

I have been thinking about all that makes me eat like this and I am coming up with all sorts of stuff; feelings about my self-worth being wrapped up in being thin, how I comfort myself; how I numb my feelings, etc.

I know this sounds kind of crazy, but I think my overeating is been actually part of the journey to FREE myself from being obsessed about my weight and counting calories. It is like I had to prove to myself that being thin doesn't matter. I am just as valuable and lovable no matter what my weight is. My binges are (metaphorically) like a big, round, comforting auntie who is feeding me pie while she tells me I am great just the way i am and ain't nobody going to take that away from me. But I am ready to send auntie home. I can trust myself that i can take care of myself and comfort myself without the food. I trust that I can handle all the fear about being unlovable, unattractive or alone. I don't need auntie and her sweet pies anymore. I think I have gone a little bonkers the last few days because I know I am getting close to the end and I am stuffing every last bite in before it is curtains for my love affair with food.

I also don't know how to really do this. When I have "dieted" in the past, I become so obsessed about every little calorie and panic whenever I have any social event that involves food. All my food issues have been such a secret; I don't want anyone to know about my binging, but I don't want them to notice that I am dieting, either. I am scared about what this next phase will bring--can I diet without going off the deep end?

I know this is just the beginning of the really hard part, but I think with all your support I can do it.

(sorry about the book)
KL

I am also obsessed with wanting to know WHY i binge as well. And the obsessing over the calories stresses me out. But I can already tell that i may have no other choice BUT to count calories because ever since I sort of stopped doing it and just thought I could wing it, I've binged :-( I'm just so tired of thinking about it all the time.....

~D~

Counting calories leads me to binge... I get so stressed out about it for some reason. Like I'll hit 1500 or 2000 calories or whatever, and then I'll think, "Okay, now I can't eat for the rest of the day!" ... which inevitably makes me snap.

So right now I'm focusing on getting through one day at a time, without binging, and once non-binging becomes a habit for me, I'll give counting calories a try. Baby steps...

Personally I think I binge partially because -- this is going to sound weird -- I'm kind of scared of being hungry. I hate the feeling of being hungry and I worry about being somewhere (like at work) and being hungry but not able to eat anything. Sometimes I'll eat when I'm not hungry because I think, "But I might be hungry LATER..." Does anyone else feel that way?

I just started a book called "why I cant stop eating".So far....so good.

Skyra I totally know what you mean about reaching your calorie limit for the day and then you're like...now what? And I'm right there with you on the part about how calorie counting leads to bingeing. I also need to just focus on NOT bingeing OR overeating every day. I need to really focus when I eat out as well.

~D~

Karen - I found your self-analysis really interesting. Thanks for sharing! It's nice to see that you've identified at least part of the problem and can see a way out of it. I lost all of my weight calorie-counting and managed to stay binge free but the sheer determination to lose weight and be the healthiest person I can be was guiding me. If you give yourself a range of calories, it might make things a little more flexible, so you can have higher calorie days and lower calories days and not feel bad if you eat more on a given day. Either way, it's not about "dieting". It's about regaining control over your life and living it to the fullest, whether that entails being thin and hot or healthy and athletic, inspiring those around you to do the same, and obtaining a new sense of self worth. It's worth it!

Skyra - Sometimes I'll eat if I'm not hungry because I don't wanna be hungry later, but I try to stick with a few healthy staples, like turkey and grapes, or light cheese and baby carrots, and it does sometimes help stave off a binge because I'm not starving later in the day. But I do know what you mean and that it seems a little weird!

I'm not sure why I have these binge nights. It's a pretty new thing for me that became a problem after I lost about 20 pounds and have maintained for a few months. I mean, I've always had tendencies to overeat (obviously how I reached my highest weight of 170!), but only recently has it happened every few days and really made me feel like I've lost control. But as you guys have said, let's take it one day at a time. Today is looking good and it's gonna be my 3rd binge free day in a row! I'll check back in before I go to bed to stay accountable. I love having this thread because I know I'll have to post here if I binge and I don't wanna have to do that!

I am taking it one HOUR at a time and so far so good.

I am not going to count calories, but I am going to have a food plan.:carrot:

You guys are so inspiring. Thank you thank you thank you.:hug::hug::hug:

KL

Karen -- Good idea on the food plan, but not counting calories. I'm doing the same thing. Trying to follow the "eat when you're hungry, stop when you're full" rule, and generally trying to make whatever I eat healthy. And avoiding binges, of course!

I love this forum. I feel so supported. :hug:

As a side note, I have a white board on my desk I just wrote, "NUMBER OF BINGE-FREE DAYS: 1". For every day I go without binging I'm going to make the number higher. I'm going to see how many days I can go! :carrot: Last time I made it two days, this time I'm going to try for at least 3!

A food plan is a great idea! It's totally about whatever works for you, as long as you have at least a tiny bit of structure to keep you going. You girls got this!

Skyra - Love the idea of a binge-free day board. Might have to do the same! I wanna see you get to 3!!

Well girls, I'm sad to report that I didn't have a great day. The snack monster took over and those mini twix bars were too tempting to resist. I'm not too far off my calorie target for the day, but it ruined my great binge free streak. I guess tomorrow will be Day 1 again. Any good news from you guys?

Sorry to hear that the snack monster attacked Taking charge! Twix are also one of my favorite candies..but man are they HORRIBLE in the saturated fat department. I'm afraid I'm gonna have a heart attack everytime I eat them :-( I myself have done well today. No binge! :-) I'm really going to try to go binge free for 2 weeks so that I can feel good in my halloween costume :-) Here's to day 1....

~D~

TakingCharge -- sorry to hear about your Twix binge. Some days are hard. At least you didn't go too far over your calorie limit! Tomorrow's another day. :hug:

Well, today was binge-free day #2 for me. I changed the number on my board. :carrot: I ate a little more than I wanted to -- really hungry before bed so I caved and ate a Lean Pocket. I should have just gone to sleep and saved myself the 300 calories, but I thought that if I didn't eat, I'd be more likely to snap and have a binge late at night alone in the kitchen ... so I think I probably made the right choice, even if it would have been better for me to eat fruit or something instead.

Today I looked at my arms while I was lifting weights and I thought, "Wow! Is that MUSCLE I can see under the fat???" So that's good news for me! I think the exercising, at least, is starting to pay off a little. :D

Yes! This is exactly the same story as mine. And I recommitted yesterday. I have only had two binge/cheat/fudge free days! And I am happy to find others struggling one day at a time with me.

Thanks for the support girls! Tomorrow will definitely be a good day! I also went to boot camp today and it kicked my butt, so hopefully that burned off some of those damn mini twix bars!

D - What's your halloween costume? 2 weeks, you can do it!

Skyra - Good job with day 2! It seems like a good idea that you had a snack and didn't feel an urge to binge later in the night. Sounds like you made the right choice!

ajowens - Welcome! We have a nice group forming here. Despite my not so great day today, the past few have been really good thanks to this thread!

Here's to tomorrow being a NO BINGE DAY!! :)

haha my halloween costume is sexy cop haha I should be getting it in the mail at the end of this week. Depending on how it fits will depict whether I wear it or not. I payed for $55 for it so I'm REALLY hoping it fits!! So I followed up my binge free day yesterday with an awesome workout this morning...45 minutes weights and 15 minutes of some quick cardio. And now I'm having a having a healthy breakfast of 2 sunny side up eggs on an Albert's sandwhich thin with a glass of milke to follow up my protein shake I had before my workout. The sun's shining once again today so I'm ready to make it another binge free day!!! :-)

~D~

[B] But I can already tell that i may have no other choice BUT to count calories because ever since I sort of stopped doing it and just thought I could wing it, I've binged :-(
B]


I hear you on this.
When I stop keeping track, I GO NUTS.

I hear ya. My weight gain is primarily due to binging.

Back on track! Today started with a nice run and has been a great binge free day! Yay! I checked out the challenge thread and it seems like you all are doing really well!

I was SO close to not only a perfect on-plan day, but a DEFICIT (350 less than I usually eat, to make up for the awful weekend).
Then, seeing as how I had to go to the grocery store after class (9:30 pm-ish) to get a fruit platter for a work party, let’s just say evil forces took over. I was also stressed b/c I knew I had to have a discussion w/ hubby that was not going to go over well.
It was like a PRE-fight binge, in the grocery store parking lot. THEN I had 428 cal of special K fruit/yogurt cereal once I got HOME. Toward the end I was picking out the dried yogurt bits and eating just those.

This morning I was so disgusted w/ myself I had a fruit and protein shake for breakfast, hardly packed any snacks, plan on drinking lots of coffee and water today...
:(