Hi all,
I just felt like reporting this tonight, even though it's 1:30 a.m. my time!

I went shopping today with the intention of binging for the next 2 days. This has been a pattern of mine for a while - doing "good" during the week, binging all day on the weekends and holidays. I made a conscious decision and I promised myself I wouldn't feel guilt about it. So I binged all day today, right until now, but instead of filling up big custard-cup sized bowls, I filled up much smaller bowls so I ate less (and I'm feeling less sick than I usually do).

However, I also started thinking about if I really was all that interested in the food I had for tomorrow, was I really enjoying it, or was it just an automatic binge that I was doing because that's what I promised myself. In other words, did I have the courage to break the cycle and toss all the junk food in the garbage outside my apartment building?

I decided I was. And tossed everything out just now and tomorrow I have healthy food around.

I know this is a baby step but in light of what's been going on with me for the past year and a half, it's a major step for me that I was able to break the cycle instead of going full speed ahead numb and without thinking about it.

I've been reading the Beck Diet Solution, which talks about approaching healthy eating and weight loss from a cognitive-behavioral perspective and even though I've been doing most of the exercises and other things she recommends, I didn't think it was having much effect yet, since I'm just beginning. But I guess maybe it has!

Just needed to report that tonight...

Tam

Great job! i'm so impressed, i dont think i have that kind of strength during the holidays!

that is great news to hear!!!

baby steps add up to big steps believe me. have you ever done anything in your life without baby steps to take you there? most likely not..i just dont think we realize all the baby steps we put into things (school, career, family, relationships etc). treating yourself well and making healthy choices is another area to work on and using baby steps will get you there girl!!

thank you for the inspirational post...i have been realizing that i eat a lot on auto pilot -- and that is when i teeter the line b/w normal and binge eating.

and i realize that throwing out the food so there is an extra step i have to take between eating again is a good thing. i am not at a point where i can keep loads of food around...like reteaching yourself how to eat


congrats!!

Good for you!

Thanks for sharing

Wow. This is a BIG baby step. I know exactly what you mean -- it's so tempting to say "I'll start Monday" when standing in line at the bakery, or in front of McDonalds, or wherever one's particular demon hangs out. Good for you!

I experienced a smaller version of what you did yesterday, and brought home how much bad eating is the result of bad habits. I had to run errands, and three times came into contact with a source of snack food -- the nice man on the corner kiosk, the store where they sell lottery tickets and candy bars, a great bakery. I almost went into the store, or picked up the candy, not because I wanted it, but because that's what I do when I'm in that area. I didn't and felt very proud of it. (Not meaning to compare that to planning for a binge and seeing the light, but it's a small version of your baby step.)

More baby steps in 2008!

once read that the urge to eat should be like the urge to go to the bathroom -- like you really really feel it physically, not just b/c you walk past your friendly kiosk dude. save your $$ and buy a trashy mag instead