Hey, great post ms.cate (Can we just call you Cate ) And by the way to our forum.
Instead of bingeing, my personal tactics:
Log on to 3FC
Take a walk
Drink a cup (or many) of coffee
Watch a movie
Chew gum
Look through old photos
Go (non food) shopping, I go to thrift stores - no food there!!! But you know, one time, I went to a thrift store and they were selling chocolate!!! But I didn't buy any because luckily I didn't spot it until AFTER I had made my purchase and I just kept walking out the door
HEY other CICs!! Cate posted her profile. Now go read it pretty please
I like to get a get/schedule a pedicure, put on my new smaller clothes, drink lots of propel (it's a treat for me, almost sinful LOL and only 30 calories per 24oz)
- drink coffee
- go for a run (I hate the thought of it, but I feel great during and after)
- eat my three snacks throughout the day to stay fueled! (hunger is a big trigger)
- gardening (strange... I can garden for hours without even thinking about food!)
- make soap It's VERY distracting.
Try on "big" clothes to see how far I've come
Try on "small" clothes that now fit comfortably
Bleach my teeth.........use the strips or the little tray thingey....no way to eat then for at least 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes the cravings usually subside and the taste in my mouth discourages eating!
Brush my teeth and gargle with mouthwash
Lose myself (and hopefully my binge-beast) in a good book
Have you ever noticed that when you're bingeing, you're not focusing on other aspects of your life that could use more attention? Really focusing on something that I would have to atleast partially neglect in order to binge really helps me.
Here's some ideas I'd like to add
* Have a nap
* Put on scented lotion.
* Do my eyebrows (warning: may result in overplucking. *lol*)
* Get support! That's huge...whether it's talking over the phone (because remember, it's so rude and gross to eat and talk on the phone at the same time:S), going for a walk w/someone, or posting/reading on 3FC.
* Crank music and sing along.
I try to eat every 2 hours...so sometimes when I get a craving and I know I have to wait for like 2 hours since I last ate it will go away. It also helps me keep my metabolism up.
If I want something sweet I try to have coffee or a piece of fruit instead.
I avoid binges with watching tv, working out, napping. Also improving my appearance...like painting nails, doing makeup, reading a magazine. I look through some motivational pictures I keep. Logon to this forum and write on my blog.