Overeating - how do I stop??
 

I mean, what's the first step?

I think I'm kind of hoping that I'll wake up one day and just not want to overeat, but I don't think that's going to happen is it??

Is it really just a case of it all boiling down to willpower??

It seems so hard and impossible... :(

Instead of trying to remove the overeating right now, just add something else in. Start walking/hiking/biking/swimming/yoga/pilates/martial arts, etc.

It's not about willpower. It's about giving your emotions some other outlet, and then once that other outlet is there, figuring why you are overeating, keeping junk food out of the house (or what ever your trigger foods are) avoiding restaurants where you tend to overeat, and sitting with your emotions and feelings and feeling them, rather than trying to eat them away.

Funny you should say that as I'm planning on starting back at the gym tomorrow so maybe that would help...

As for the emotional side of things, I feel that I'm eating rubbish whether I feel emotional about things or not - it just seems to happen all the time... :(

There is no cure and able to stop within ourselves. I am a sweetacholic. I live with my mom and sisters and they are not heavy as me..I see sweets each day and a constant struggle on saying NO!! Not easy..I don't believe in moderation..have all or nothing mindset and it is hard to resist.

Good luck with your efforts and stay strong, stronger for those sweet treats.:hug:

You might also start with how you talk about your self and the images you use to portray yourself - like something other than a cookie monster cupcake eating a cookie? ;)

:?:

So I should change my name you mean? I've always been known as Cookie online, nothing to do with my eating habits.

It helps if I don't let myself get too hungry and I don't keep any foods that I used to binge on in the house. Fortunately I have control over what food is in my house. Good luck!

See, but I will literally binge on anything... :( I'm really beginning to think there is no hope for me.

Not necessarily your name, but maybe your avatar. Something motivating, positive, uplifting, beautiful.

...but cookies are beautiful..! ;)

No, you are absolutely right - am off to change it now. :yes:

Done, me and my gorgeous boy! :)

Love it!!!!

Oh, I think there is hope. Maybe cognitive therapy? I think understanding why you are doing it is the key to stopping. Just my opinion.

You know, I had some great books in this area and I've no idea what I've done with them... I can't afford actual therapy but the books were a good substitute for it. Must go and try to dig them out.

For me, specific types of foods trigger overeating. Specifically, sweet/salty carby foods - pretzels, chips, cold cereals, packaged cookies.

All my life, I thought I had a problem with food, it turns out I just had a problem with SOME FOODS. Restricting/eliminating these foods have been a miracle for me, a literal miracle.

I would have thought you were crazy if you had told me 6 years ago, I'd live a live without scones, but I don't miss those foods. I really don't miss the out of control, helpless, loser feelings I used to experience when I overate/binged.

binges are hard
 

Hi Cookiebell,
Binges are a hard thing to overcome unless we realize and unearth the reason behind them.
1. Sometimes it's basically our metabolism against us in the sense that our blood sugar drops and it's the bodies way of recovering by creating a craving to raise the blood sugar. IT's our bodies self preservation mode.
2. Sometimes extremely low calorie, low fat, low carb diets will actually contribute to binging because our bodies have developed a starvation recovery program, once again self preservation mode.
3. Then there is the factor around hormones, emotions, stress, depression etc. And once again we are back to self preservation mode. For instance depression can be from low serotonin levels and the body can create a craving for foods that will increase those levels.
4. Sometimes its about being deprived of something for so long we actually sabotage ourselves and instead of eating a little of the thing we took away wer gorge.
5. Pleasure, happiness, satisfaction are all key components as well. If we are unhappy in our lives or ourselves we can self sabotage trying to create that feeling of happiness. Food can be used as a drug in this case due to the chemical reactions in the body.
6. For some people binging can actually be a symptom of a much deeper seeded problem. For example, a female victim of a sexual crime may put weight on after the assault due to an unconscious desire to not be "attractive" and a victim of another assault. After a period of time she may decide to lose weight and when she begins the process of losing subconsious problems can manifest and sabotage her.

These are just some reasons for binging and none may apply to you. I have found something very helpful has been to eat low glycemic foods, not restrict calories below 1200 a day, exercise (releases endorphins to elevate mood and building muscle doesn't hurt), journal my thoughts, when a craving hits ask myself could I be thirsty and then I drink a glass of water and wait 15 min. binge compulsion or craving usually goes away. I ask myself when the last time I ate was and can sometimes see oops got busy and skipped lunch. Then I eat veggies, protein or low glycemic carb and veggies. I also allow one day a week to have one little treat so I don't feel so deprived.

This has helped me to lose over 100 pounds in 4.5 to 5 months.

Hope this was helpful
Good luck you can do it!

I don't know if this is helpful at all, but what I do is about half way through the meal I think to myself "Am I still hungry?"
I seriously just stop eating for a minute to see how my stomach feels. If the hunger pains are gone and I feel that I am at a state between not being hungry and not being full, I stop.

Thanks - that's really helpful!! x

awesome answer
 

Thank you for the post. I used to do that in the past and forgot about it. I appreciate you taking the time to post it because it reminded me I haven't done it in a long time and can add to my behaviors. :o))

glad it helped
 

I am glad it was helpful to you :o))

For me, I have to work fairly hard not to be "in the way" of things I binge on.
That means not bringing them into my kitchen and not going out to eat unless it's with friends who will help me keep tabs on myself.

If they're there, I'll eat them. If not, I won't. Plate of brownies in front of me=no willpower. No plate=I win.