Eating interesting foods is part of the pleasure of vacations, so I wouldn't eliminate this aspect entirely. I go on a lot of business trips that used to be my downfall, because there was great food at the meetings and I had free rein with restaurant expenses. What I now do is designate a couple of meals for sampling the local fare, and the rest of the time I follow my regular plan.

Re: eating out alone: I know it isn't for everybody, but I do it all the time and it's very liberating. It allows me to try any restaurant I choose when I'm on assignment. You can always bring a book or newspaper if it makes you feel more secure.

F.

I am a long time binger, which I believe is linked to how I was treated as a child. I would get yelled at for taking a 2nd helping. My brother would call me fat. My mom would never buy me name brand clothes because I was fat. I felt like I was constantly being punished for it. I was just a little kid... I didn't know I was any different than other kids.

As a kid, I started sneaking food, and progressively binge eating in secret any time I felt like I was being punished for being fat. My binge eating was soon linked to a trigger much like Pavlov's dogs would salivate at the ring of a bell. If I felt like I was being punished or felt guilty for eating too much, I would then go binge in secret.

This continued up until I started my current weight loss. I recognized why I was binging. I talked to others about it so that it wasn't just a secret anymore. And then I took control by completely changing the way I eat. I used to binge on cookies, cakes, candy, chocolate, graham crackers, pie, crackers, bread, cheese, fast food -- the list goes on. I removed all of that from my diet and I have no regrets about doing so.

I eat only healthy foods. Veggies, fruits, beans, nuts/seeds. If I have a craving, I grab a piece of fruit. I keep it readily available so that I am never tempted to go for anything else. I don't feel guilty when I eat two giant salads for lunch.

I had therapy as well, and it can help to an extent. But at some point you'll have to realize that you are in control. =)

How you doing aleigh3890?
I think some of us think we have to be perfect, just eat this and don't eat that! Life just isn't like that and we need to cut ourselves some slack! I am finding it a bit easier to stay op by eating something every couple of hours, with a little protein. Also straightforward counting calories so nothing is forbidden. My feelings of failure for a really insignificant lapse can open the floodgates so easily! Hope you find what you need.