Yesterday was my first binge free day…I’m taking it one day at a time right now. I’ve always been scared to join the binge free week thread because I’m so afraid to fail but I finally decided to just get over myself because I want so badly to stop this horrible cycle of binging so I’m trying to really commit myself to staying on track.
All of you reporting on your binge free days have really inspired me to keep going and work through it. Today I’m working on my second consecutive binge free day and its going alright so far. I just need to be like the little engine who could…”I think I can, I think I can”
I was feeling very blue and fragile when I logged on here, then read about your binge-free magic, and immediately I was smiling. It is so truly cool to witness your courage.
Then your kind words made me cry. Cry in a good way. If I can cry and be emotional, it means I’m not in binge mode.
Keep in touch, keep it simple and keep it in the day!
I’ve had a rough few days – stuff coming down the tubes at me – high class issues, when I look around me at what people have to endure. But I could SO easily have broken out completely into diseased eating. I can’t believe I’m here today able to even log on here.
I came very very close to breaking my abstinence yesterday. In fact, while I stayed on my plan, there was a ‘binge-quality’ to how I ate my meals, which really scares me. And this feels like the appropriate thread to share with you all how my 12 steps carried me when I really was POWERLESS myself. Maybe my experience can help someone else.
I’d had a rough morning, stuff that I can maybe share later on the general chat thread – thanks to Odaat for getting it going. Anyway, I had not planned to overeat, it was just financial stuff, and I was trying to be in the solution and ‘figuring out’ the next right thing to do. Ok, so I called my AA friend – I had checked something out for her and was to pass it on at a lunchtime meeting. Gave her the info on the phone, explaining that I could not attend the meeting, had to try see my bank manager. She thanked me, then gently asked me was I ok. I could not find the words so just told her I was a bit stressed. She wished me well, then said ‘the serenity prayer can help stress.’ I felt a bit cranky at that, but thanked her.
I said the serenity prayer – not very serenely – but I said it.
One hour later, I found myself at the AA meeting. Still cranky, but at the meeting. Not sure why I was there, but at the meeting!
I shared. I did not want to open my mouth but I shared. Even though it was AA, I was able to say that I was in a dangerous place and might hurt myself with food, even though I did not yet have a compulsion. I know my food pattern well enough to know that late in the day is my rocky time.
Later, the compulsion really really kicked in. Took action on the finances but otherwise I isolated, could not log on here, felt exhausted, but somehow did not break out into major binge eating mode. And that’s what I wanted to pass on. Had it not been for the kind woman who gently suggested the prayer, I ABSOLUTELY know I would have broken my abstinence. And I also give thanks for whatever chink of light and grace made me think to call her even though I was obsessed in my own worries. I guess that’s my Higher Power.
Ok so the day still sucked, I felt so negative, but last night I slept well and today, my financial problems are so much more solvable. But every day it seems I learn more about why I overate so manically.
That humbles me. I can’t do this on my own. Thank you one and all for being there.
So today is day 100. I am going to be leaving this section of 3fatchicks because now I can say that binging is OFFICALLY in my past and has no part in my future. If anyone wishes to talk to me you can PM me and I would be glad to help.
You ladies are doing wonderful and I honestly would not be at day 100 without this board. There was a time where I would go 3 days and then back to square one... over and over. I was in a horrible cycle but I dug myself out because I knew I had to do it. Now look at where I am!!
RocknRoll--100 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go. Congratulations to you. I am so proud of you and I thank you for showing all of us that it can be done. Keep it going! I can't wait until you hit that 200 mark!
ODAAT--Congrats on 35 days! That is a huge accomplishment, and I am so very happy for you. I am sorry that the depression is taking its toll. You are such a strong person to not let it knock you down and take you into a binge. I hope you find a little bit of pleasure in knowing that you are inspiring me (and so many others here) with your abstinence. If you can make it through rough times like this, you can make it through anything. Just keep taking it one day at a time (or one hour at a time if needed). Look forward to seeing you on your 36th day of abstinence. Hugs to you!
As for me, 4 days are down and it feels GREAT to be abstinent. I am journaling and speaking with my sponsor every day. I am amazed at how clearly I'm thinking and how much extra room is in my mind now that I'm not obsessing about food or planning the next binge. Life is good!
Feeling good – well rested and off to my Sat morning OA meeting. That’s the only f2f meeting I can get in the week, and I love it.
Which is why this forum means so much to me.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I have to say that logging on here and getting stuff out has LITERALLY saved my ‘bacon’ many many times. I know that CONNECTING with others has actually kept me from the jaws of compulsive overeating. So many times I came real close to breaking out into major binge mode.
I’m so grateful to you all. Wish you all a nice. Gotta go open the meeting!
Searsha, this forum has being wonderful to me. It feels great to have a place where not only can I get support if needed, but hopefully I can offer support too.
There have been many times that I've logged in, in the hope of diverting my attention away from food. This place has helped me many times too.
Its inspiring, and comforting to have lovely people to share this journey with.
Just a quick note to say hello and send some hugs to everyone. We have had a busy weekend, so I haven't had a chance to log on. We're about to go meet some friends for lunch.
Today's day 7 of abstinence. It hasn't been easy and I've hit some bumps in the road, but I've managed to get through it thanks to my Higher Power. I'm so grateful that I only have to tackle it one day at a time.
Did anyone else actually have physical withdrawal symptoms? I've been struggling with headaches and lethargy. I think that this in itself is proof of my addiction. For those of you who had this, how long did it last?
Did anyone else actually have physical withdrawal symptoms? I've been struggling with headaches and lethargy. I think that this in itself is proof of my addiction. For those of you who had this, how long did it last?
For me, the major withdrawl symptoms you mentioned left after about a week, but I still felt a bit 'off' but couldn't really describe it until day 14 time. This is the time from cutting out sugar as much as possible - only natural sugar in fruit etc. No bread or similar.
ODAAT--Thanks for sharing that with me. I feel better today and I'm hoping that the withdrawal symptoms are gone. I guess I'm still feeling a bit "in a fog." I hope that doesn't last forever.
I've gone clean on the sugars and white flour, white rice, all processed carbs. I do eat 100% whole wheat or whole grain breads. So far, I'm feeling OK doing this, and I'm hoping that I can continue to eat this way without triggering a binge.
Just wanted to send out some congrats!
Yay for 2 days BF for aud.
Congrats on 37 for ODAAT!
Way to go to Searsha for 40!
You are all my inspiration right now. I'm so proud. I hope to keep it going myself.
Ok, you're all a bad influence on me. I'm now getting carried away with emoticons.
Way to go Beth! Well done – 14 days binge free is a brilliant achievement. Keep the faith! It does get a little less difficult as the days build up!
Belated mega-congrats to all who celebrated new binge-free milestones this week. It’s so good to log on here and feel the new freedom from binge eating being talked about with such gratitude. It also helps me so much when someone takes the time to express the struggle with this new way. I know I’m not alone.
Suppose I might aswell achieve something while I'm miserable.
