Binge Free Challenge: 6.20.11 - 6.26.11
 

:cheer2: :cheer2:Welcome to the binge-free challenge!! :cheer2: :cheer2:

This is a place where you can come in and talk about binging. Feel free to post about your successes and your struggles and keep track of how many days you've been binge free. You can also vent about anything and everything you feel like getting out. We are here to share our feelings and to encourage and inspire each other.

No negativity! We are strong chicks and I KNOW we all can do this!! And we don't have to do it alone, we have each other to get us through the rough times.

ALL chicks are welcome -- no one is excluded! If you are trying to lose weight, not trying, maintaining, recovering from an eating disorder, in the midst of one, or have ANY kind of problem with food, we would love to have you join us!!

Jump in head first!!! We WILL catch you! :hug:

I was doing well, but I blew it big time with a 2 day binge this weekend. Weight is up 4 kg in two days.

This time I couldn't pinpoint any triggers at all except the weather was gloomy and I was sad about leaving my friends and my boyfriend after a fun time in the city. Absolutely no relationship to food except that I had been at a happily "lowest in several months" weight. I binged on the day I hit my low weight of 56.1 kg/123.5 lbs too, almost as if the pressure was too great.

The sad thing is that this morning I called my dad (who is also a binge eater, but is obese) across a 13 hour time difference to wish him a happy Father's Day, and he was in bed because he had eaten too much.

I know the weight will come off and blah blah blah but I just hate that I have developed an eating disorder through trying to be healthy. What a bummer. At least I usually manage to go a week or more between the binges.

Hello everyone!! Newbie here and I'm really excited to be a part of the community! I'm going to take this binge free challenge with you! I used to be able to go WEEKS without binging but over the last few months it is all I can do to complete a full week. It doesn't help that my husband has jumped on the wagon with me and we negatively influence each other. We know the other's weaknesses and at times don't even have to speak, we can read each other's minds! So, I'm going the full week, I'm going to read my positive affirmations every day and I'm going to feel great after this week is over... and go straight into the next one! We can do it!!

Day 21 was hard but I made it....
Did I binge? No
Did I overeat? Yes

I did eat more than I normally would but I was in control....this is good....hoping to learn n be happy knowing that overeating is not a license to overeat. But in all honesty, I dont like special occassions cause it is hard...

I am happy n sleepy

10 days binge free. So far I have not felt compelled to binge at all. But this is typically around the time when I start to get tempted. But I WILL stay strong today.

Krampus: stay strong, and don't feel bad. The important thing is that you are back on track now. On a side note: congrats on reaching your lowest weight in a while. That's really exciting.

Thank heavens for this challenge! This past weekend was full of binge eating for me... ice cream, chips, soda, chocolate... oh it was awful! I had just recently gotten to my lowest weight in a LOOONG time, 142... I started my junk food binge on the day I weighed my lowest. I managed to stop before I completely sabotaged all weight loss efforts, but then I started again :( What the heck!?

I feel sooooo out of control when I have these cravings... I feel so wonderful when I am eating healthy and losing weight, but then I self destruct. Uggggh. So frustrating!

Day 22.....

So I have been noticing that all of us say that when we reach our lowest or some goal, we self-destruct. Why do you think you self sabatoge?

For me, in a way, I feel like I "deserve" something because I have worked so hard but it often leads to a binge....go figure
I also think that I get a bit relaxed and before I know it I am knee deep in crap again...

403!

254 :)

Hi Ladies - Can I join in again??? What amazing numbers I am seeing! 403! seriously! that ROCKS!

I need support. I am struggling and have been for a year if I am totally honest. My weight is 15lbs higher than last spring and I HATE how I look, feel, giggle, move, and KEEP FAILING! (at eating, exercise, and it feels like every aspect of my life).

I even have a new man who seems very very supportive (only 2 weeks into it so it is hard to know for sure about any of the important stuff yet)

day 2 ... Yesterday I overate with Father's Day but DIDN'T binge on the peanut butter pie I made. I am very proud of that. Scale was down to 185 yesterday at the gym. That is down 5lbs of PMS weight in the last two weeks. I am very hopeful that I can keep this trend going, even if it slowly.

I had set a goal to run 15km by July 15th (my bday). Turns out I will be running on July 17 due to work obligations but I failed so badly on Fri on my run that I am very doubtful I can get there from here.

Anyways, I am back. I need help. I need SOMETHING!

Day 4. Another light and healthy breakfast. That really seems to set the tone for my day. The urge to overeat is already there as soon as I wake up, but it's easier to say no to in the mornings/early afternoons. And then if I can just postpone the frenzy 'til the end of the day, by that time, I've found myself saying, "Well, the day is almost over, no use ruining it now."

It's so refreshing to not be alone in this!! This week if I have cravings I'm going to meditate! Take a few minutes to just sit quietly and let it pass!

I'm new to this group- nice to meet you all! I actually logged on today looking for some forum or thread where people were discussing "cheating", and this is pretty much right on the money!

I did VERY poorly this weekend. I woke up Saturday morning with the right intentions- I went to the gym and did my usual 2 mile power walk/run with a little circuit traning thrown in... but then we went to the MALL. Worst place for a dieter!!! For lunch I ate a fajita trio at Chili's without the tortillas, just meat and veggies- which, even though it wasnt the BEST thing I could have eaten- it was the only thing this particular Chili's had to offer that wasn't deep fried, smothered in cheese or dripping in fat :( so I felt OK about that. then, we had a birthday party/cookout... I ate 2 hamburgers (no bun or condiments- they really were tasty enough without it anyway!) but could not resist the tray of large, soft baked cookies! I think I had about 5 or 6 cookies, plus a birthday cupcake!!! Fast forward to Father's day dinner- Craker Barrel, which is known for preparing everything "country style" - aka fried in dipped in butter... they actually had a great grilled chicken salad though!! yay!!! but, again, I could not resist those delicious corn muffins the bring for the table, and ended up eating 4 of them.... PLUS splitting a chocolate cake/ice cream dessert with my fiancee and daughter. I am still down 2 pounds over last week, but I WAS down 4 on saturday morning, so I gained back 2. I am feeling pretty down about it and looking for someone who understands these binges :(

Day 3. The weekend was good! I got a lot of exercise, I ate pretty well... a couple questionable choices that could have gone badly, like having a few drinks on Saturday and Chinese food last night. But I kept portions and calories in check and I'm feeling confident. For now. :D

Six days binge and over-eating free...then Fathers Day ..and I did overeat, but did not binge so that is good. Feeling positive as well. Weigh in on Thursday, hope to have lost the weight gained last week plus some. I have worked hard every day in the gym as well.

Day 1 starts tomorrow :(

I binged last night and this afternoon. :(

Last night at the gym underground parking lot, I had to turn a sharp corner in my car due to some stupid person who had to back up and reverse, causing everyone behind him to have to back up and reverse, and I scraped the side of my car.

My gym workout was short, and not intense, I was just too tired to workout.

I went home and waited the hours to go by so I would just sleep. But then decided to just binge on kashi cereal. This morning and through the night I felt sick.

So today, instead of going back on track, I just ate more. This was like a conscious effort to binge and destroy my hard work over the past few days. I knew what I was doing to myself. I regret it now, but at the time, I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to drown my upset with food. I did feel like I blew it last night too, and thought well just eat more. I don't know why I do this!
I had 2 TV dinners and a tamale, 6 ice cream sandwiches and 4 cheese apple turnover muffins. Sick sick sick. :(

I am on my mobile phone, so I can't properly address everyone at the moment, but I noticed some of you mentioned "why do we binge when we reach weight loss" or something like that...this is EXACTLY what happened with me. Like I should feel entitled or something. I weighd in at 153.5 the other day and was quite thrilled with the progress, and now I feel like I destroyed that.

I almost cried today. Maybe its TOM...anyways, iKve gained 2 pounds. I need to figure out how to stop my binges. :(

Yes. This is what happened to me Thurs/Fri. Although I guess that's pretty much all binges, isn't it... where you know exactly how much damage you're doing to your health and your weight loss, but you feel like you can't control it, but you KNOW it's technically your decision so you feel even guiltier, but you just keep doing it.

I wish I had advice and answers, but... I'm only on day 3. :dizzy: So here's what I have: :hug::hug::hug: and empathy.

Beila: You can get back on track - these past few setbacks don't have to be a big deal, and those 2 pounds don't have to be real gain. I'm sorry to hear about your car :( That sucks.

End of Day 4, and I guess I just had a NSV of sorts. I ate well today, stayed on plan, and then had a lighter than usual dinner because i wanted to "save" some calories for the donut & chocolate milk (from Dunkin Donuts) that I wanted for dessert. Since I couldnt "save" all those calories without starving myself all day, I had planned to go over plan by a couple hundred calories. So I planned it all out and went to DD. I stood in line for a couple minutes, looked at the donuts, and decided to leave!

I went and got a small McDonalds plain vanilla softserve cone for dessert instead. They say that's only 150 calories or so, but even if it's twice that much, it's still several hundred less than what I had expected to eat, and still not over my allotment for the day. I don't know how I managed to say no while I was already standing in line, smelling the donuts! I'm proud of myself.

I just realized I only ate 5 ice cream sandwiches, not 6...I was eating so fast I didn't count correctly. I am laying in bed sick to my stomach. I threw away the rest of the junk food I bought and a tv dinner too, even though it wasn't even opened. I feel so out of control, I can't have any food triggers in my house until I get strong again. I thought I was getting better, but today just proves I may be going backwards in my battle. This binge seems worse than my last. And then the overeating last week which I forgave myself for and moved on. The only good thing about last week was thur-sat. I was so good those days. I should focus on those days in my food diary.

Very impressive!

Can you figure out anything you did differently those days, maybe not even food related? Anything in your mood? Your habits? Maybe you can find something that will help you in the future.

Beila Sounds like what I did, almost in a nutshell. You will move on from here though...onward and forward is the only direction to go.

I'm on Day 2 today and the scale moved down 4.4 lbs overnight after one day on plan with running.

Day 48 done. Wow, I totally could have polished off the nutella jar today, but didn't. Sigh......glad today is over!

Hang in there, Beila!!!!

Hope everybody else is doing good!!

Maaaaaaan. I have been congratulating myself for not eating those donuts, but now all of a sudden I'm struggling with urges again. Namely, the urge to stuff my face with Stouffer's Mac & Cheese and all manner of pastry until I can't move. :( I'm not going to do it - I'm going to read a little and then sleep - but it's sure hurting my morale. I know I am capable of losing weight, but when I imagine how difficult it'll be to take off and maintain if these urges don't stop, I start to wonder if it's worth it. Oh well. Tomorrow's another day.

Hang in there Beila, it will be ok, we have all had those moments of being out of control and getting rid of the trigger foods was a very good thing to do because if you don't have any of the junk in the house then when you do go on binges you are only able to binge on healthier foods. Because if you are like me and had to go out of the house to get the foods you are craving, well that would just be to much work, so it helps not having it in the house.

As for why do we self-destruct, I think for me it only happens when I just get to a point where I am working so hard and feel that I should be making more progress and then step on the scale to see that I have only lost a lb or even worse gained weight, then I go in to "oh what is the point" mode and reach for whatever I can find. I am definitely an emotional eater, always have been, so if there is a whole bunch of life stresses coming at me all at once I have gotten to where I can handle it but if you through like drama with the hubby or something like that on top of it then the game is over and that is what happened this past weekend. I was angry and feeling so unappreciated and like I have to do every stinking thing to keep my household running and I just felt like what the heck is the point and why do I care, no one else cares about me, the only way they would care is if I couldn't work and do everything for them anymore, but that was when I had to refocus and remind myself that I care about me and that I have to keep going for me, and my little girl. And I have to remind myself that hubby cares about me too, he just doesn't show it the way I feel he should.

So with that, I am starting day 3 today.

Beila: :hug: I feel your struggle. Hang in there.

I had a great weekend at work--working.
I had a terrible weekend at work--eating! :(
Well, luckily there was a Monday right around the corner, where I could restart. I MUST stop this cycle. I can't continue to binge every weekend--it's disturbing!! And just as I type that, I am thinking about the plans I have for this coming weekend--a wedding, a cookout, and an ice cream social--REALLY????

Back in the game! This time I am really committed to stopping this terrible habit once and for all. this is day 2 for me!

Jenfett- You hit it right on the head!! I am going through that right now!! I think times like that are the MOST important during any weight loss journey.

I have to keep telling myself that people who successfully reach their goal DO NOT stop, no matter what. I saw Jennifer Hudson on one of the morning news shows, and someone asked her how she got through plateaus, and she simply said to just keep on doing what you are doing. Because it is obviously working, and will continue to if you stick with it.

So, I am trying to remember that all the time, LOL.

And you are right, those feelings of discouragement lead RIGHT to binging feelings. It's such an evil cycle!!

We can all do it though, we WILL beat this and win!!

Been a little MIA, but still binge free - Day 22 (I think). Been overeating since Wednesday, but REFUSING to feel any guilt. Between rebellion against the restriction, being out of town, TOM on the horizon and today being my birthday it is what it is. I know I will bounce back and I know I will prevail!

Hang in there everyone who is struggling. I'm learning that, especially for women, this is a journey of ups and downs and in-betweens and we just have to roll with it.

I'm really hoping that the office forgets my birthday today. I SO have no desire for cake today, I'm craving healthy clean food. Sometimes just taking a good break makes me gravitate hard back to my healthy lifestyle and that is so reassuring that this life is for real and my current gain is temporary.

Have a good day everyone!

I knew I was over eating last night but i went a bit too far.... Earning day 1 today.

Ncuneo
:bday2you:

Hope you have a WONDERFUL day!!

Beginning Day 5. I still want those donuts, but I just got on the scale and I'm down 3.6 pounds from being on-plan the past 4 days. That's insane. Clearly I've been carrying around a good amount of water weight. I really hope it continues to go down. I know it won't keep this pace, but downward movement in general is all I need to stay motivated.

Thank you K9!

The office didn't forget my birthday and asked me what kind of cake I wanted. I said - you know I'm a little fooded out, can we maybe do it later in the week? And no one caused a scene. So glad! Hopefully they forget about later:)

Oh good, ncuneo!!!! At least you don't have to worry about that today then!!! Hope you are enjoying your day!!!!!!

:balloons:

Krampus--Sorry to hear about your father. That was sad to read. Does any childhood memories about your father cause you to binge? Maybe it was from some sort of learned behavior. I hope that you can make it through this week binge free. I have a hard time making it past 10 days without overeating/binging...let's both keep each other on track! Glad you are losing the weight though, and that you are running!

Jramos--Welcome here! You and your husband should help each other, you practically read each other's minds. Maybe you make the first step and instead of being silent, say something, like honey, please tell me to stop if you think I'm going overboard with eating. Like after dinners you can help each other and encourage in a positive way to stop eating after certain hours, or help each other order good foods at restaurants. It's not a race/competition, so just help each other out. What type of affirmations do you read? I would like to try doing something like that!

SpringGirl19--10 days is also a time when I start to cave and feel week. Hmmm...when it gets to 10 days again, I'll keep that in mind.

NicoleB37--Welcome here!
---this is EXACTLY what happened to me on Monday. I don't understand it, other than feeling like "this will be the binges to end all binges"...no logic whatsoever. Let us know when you get back to your low weight again, and keep posting so we'll get through this and not binge at our low weight again!

DesiresDestiny--Yeah, that's my problem too, I binge or overeat or cheat at a low weight. I will be super conscious of this problem next time.

Paris--Wow! You are doing so well! Thanks for keeping us motivated with your high numbers!

happytobeamomof2--Welcome here! You did awesome not eating too much of the pie you made. I would have eaten way too much of it if there was leftovers. Good luck with your running goal!

Scoot--You said something that I found to work well for me late at night: "Well, the day is almost over, no use ruining it now." I try to stop eating after 9pm, and then think about all the great things I did that day for myself, like the good food choices I made and the cals that I had and staying at or near my calorie goal, and the good exercise I made. Let's keep think this late at night when the day is almost over! As for your donut dodging...I'm so glad you didn't! I've done something similar in the past, waited in line, then changed my mind and went some place else for something healthier. McDonald's soft serve is a better option, but if you have soft serve frozen yogurt places, they are the best. They have fewer cals per cup. Please stop it with your donut thoughts. It's not worth it. When was it ever worth it? If you can tell me, please do. You are doing so well, down 3.6 lbs, would you want to ruin it with a donut? You see, you are losing weight without eating donuts. One donut may turn into 2 donuts, then more cheats, then binging.

lili8184 --Welcome here! Sounds like your weekend was bad. The holidays and eating out are to blame I would say. Until you can trust yourself enough to make better food choices, I would try to keep triggers like that away. If you must go out though, try each time you are going out to eat to find ways to deal with the bad eating habits. Let more people know about your food choices, your diet, and let them hold you accountable to what you really want to eat...ie) I can't have the cornbread, but I can go and order the grilled chicken salad. Understanding the binges takes some time and some realizations about yourself and habits, your triggers and your way of living. Try to be more proactive and more aware of what's happening around you and inside you emotionally.

FireBirdGirl--You're doing good! Stay strong this week, and keep working hard as you have been at the gym! It will ALL payoff on weigh in this week!

Mayness--Thanks for the hugs! I feel like A LOT of us share the same feelings and thoughts when it comes to binges. So glad this forum exists, and that i can relate to others. The only good things that I can think of which helped me stay on plan on Thurs-Sat last week, are that I would wake up, have a healthy breakfast, drink lots of water that day (8 glasses), and exercise. I was starting to get upset with my roommate and also was upset with my car scratches on the day and the day after when I binged, so those upsets could be blamed for my binging. I just have to learn to deal with my emotions better.

Mamato2boys--Nice job avoiding the nutella jar! Good job so far staying binge free!

JennFett--I'm sure everyone in your home appreciates your hard work at cleaning and making things nice in the house, but if they do not recipricate it back by behaving, keeping orderly or doing chores, they need to be reminded. Have a nice positive talk during dinner with them and let them know how hard you have been working and especially let your husband know how unappreciated you feel and that you would like more words of appreciation or affection from him, because it's making you feel bad. I'm sure he will do these things, it's effortless for him to say "thank you", yet for you, it's so much effort to do the house work.

K9Owner--Goodluck avoiding the temptations at your upcoming events. Maybe go into it being strong in your mind, and only telling yourself that you can just have some tastes, but that's it. No eating, just tasting. Like grazing. Leave food on your plate at the wedding, and let them take it away. Taste the ice cream, but do more socializing, let it melt and get gross so you won't eat it. As for the cookout, bring your own favorite healthy dish, and load your plate with it 2/3 full, and then for the 1/3 fill it with just bits of other people's food. Come up with more strategies to fight eating badly. You can turn this weekend into a bad one, or you can make it a good one.

Ncuneo--Happy Birthday! Don't feel bad if there is cake and they force you to take a slice, just have a bite and throw the rest away, or secretly take the slice and throw the whole slice away when no one is looking. It IS your bday cake, but I understand if you don't want it due to wanting to eat healthy today. There is NO reason in the world someone must eat something unhealthy even if they don't want to. You're doing so good! Keep at it and motivating us all here!

Day 1.

Healthy breakfast, healthy lunch. Now gotta put in the exercise. I'm going to be good today and workout hard.

I am running out of food, and will have to wait until Thursday to buy more, so I guess that's a good thing.

Beila- you'll get back on track, I know you will!

ncuneo- Happy B-Day! I don't blame you for not wanting cake, I get the same way after overeating for a few days. I look forward to getting back to healthy food, i usually can't wait for the next day to come so I can start fresh, I love the healthy food I eat.

Day 7- Can't believe I made it to a week. Having nothing here to binge on is what works for me. I did bake a banana cake today, made it healthier w/ substitutions, it didn't taste as good, had 1 serving. Hubby took it with him to work so it would be out of the house. Later I have to make frosting for it, that's what I am worried about. Once the frosting is on the cake, I might be in trouble. I love to cook & bake, I stopped for a while cause of binging. I don't want to give up something I like to do because I can't control myself. I wish I was a normal person.

FruitLady--Did you hubby take it to work to eat or just to take it away from your house while you are there? I was thinking, wow, what a nice hubby for doing that and helping you out!

For baking substitutes, use mashed bananas or apple sauce for 1/2 of the butter you use. For sugar, use stevia or agave nectar. For flour, try garbanzo bean flour, rice flour or barley flour.

Look up vegan recipes and see what they use in their ingredients. These substitutions will make you not want the food as much. They taste a little different and will make you just want one.

It's the butter, the flour and sugar that makes baked goods irresistable, but if you've ever eaten a vegan cupcake, you'll be just satisfied with one. Trust me they are "good" but not worthy to binge on. Plus they are healthy, so you and your hubby can eat better!

You WILL be normal again, and never binge again. Just take one day at a time. :)

Beila- Thanks, I've been researching substitutions and experimenting for 2 yrs. I use unsweetend applesauce for butter. I cut the baking powder & soda, in half & replace sugar with stevia. Also I like to use plain Fat Free greek yogurt for sour cream. I usually use 100% whole wheat flour, never tried the ones you mentioned, but they sound great! I rather make my own stuff than buy it, who knows what they put in it!

Fruitlady--It's garbanzo fava bean flour by Bob's Red Mill. it's gluten free. You can make cakes with it. It's got a beany flavor, but after you bake it goes away. You have to combine it with other flours, like arrowroot. I saw this last night on DC Cupcakes on TLC channel. The owners of the cupcake company said it's the best gluten free cupcake recipe they've come across. Use cocoa also powder. I personally never buy white flour again, and have opted to start a collection of gluten free flours, like the barley flour, makes great pancakes, and of course you need to always add some baking powder. Blue corn flour also makes good muffins with appricots and cranberries. I miss baking.