Hi Marie
I have been thinking of a couple suggestions for you. Some of them may be a little extreme but I think they could all be positive. I am bulimic so I do understand about the compulsive eating. I struggle with it daily as I am home alone with my DD and my fiance works out of town, so I am faced with loneliness and boredom every day. Here are my suggestions to you:
Start with how you shop. Firstly, choose healthy choices like whole grains and fresh fruits and veggies. Secondly, shop with meals in mind. This means that when you get home, in order to eat a meal you will have to take the time to prepare and cook something, which will help control that need for instant gratification a bit. Most important of all, make sure you go shopping with a list already prepared, and don't get anything that isn't on your list, and also make sure you aren't hungry when you do go shopping. This should help curb your cravings a bit more.
Another thing you could do (although I don't know how well this would go over with your housemate) is to get rid of your microwave. Leftovers can be reheated in an oven safe container but it will also take a while to reheat it, just like preparing a meal from scratch. Once again, this helps stall the need for the instant gratification.
Also if you feel like having some goodies, buy lots of baking supplies (with healthful choices in mind) and bake some yourself. You can always freeze a batch and then if you wanted to take a couple out to eat, once again you learn patience while waiting for them to defrost. But when buying baking supplies make sure you think of low-fat/low-calorie/low-sodium varity of supplies, you could consider using Splenda instead of sugar as well.
Another thing that has helped me... is to drink LOTS of water or fluids of any sort. Filling up on water between meals helps to curb the munchies or the meandering grazing I tend to do throughout the day. Also having a cup of chamomile tea a while after supper puts a nice cap on my evening and relaxes me and my digestive system. Drinking lots of fluids is good for you so if you pick and choose the appropriate times to drink it (when you're feeling munchy) it can work in your favor in more ways than one.
My very last suggestion would be to keep lots of fresh fruits and veggies, or the dried variety, on hand for when the munchies hit and water just won't cut it. You could have a serving of fruit and a big glass of fruit juice or water to help you feel full. You could keep some other healthful snacks on hand in small quantities as well; small amounts of nuts or sunflower seeds, rice cakes, gummy bears, jelly beans, etc.
It's definitely a mind over matter thing. You really have to decide that you're going to fight it with everything you've got and that you'll do whatever it takes. There's also many other things you could try when you have the urge to binge.... going for a walk instead, meditating, journaling, crafting, chewing gum, phoning a friend, cleaning the house, painting your nails, and so on... the important thing is to keep yourself busy and positive... and don't forget to take it one day at a time. Also consider other outside sources of support such as Overeaters Anonymous. I know all of this has helped me in the past and continues to help me today.... I hope it can help you as well!
*HUGS*
Dietrie
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