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.

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.

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

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.

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! 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?

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.

Well, today was binge-free day #2 for me. I changed the number on my board. 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.

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!!

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

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