Why do I binge? I sit in bed late at night and ALL i can think about is food - there is NO reason to consume 1000+ calories just moments before bed, but I can't help myself sometimes.. I binge and then I get down on myself and then I feel sorry for myself and I mess up my whole routine.. I desperately need some motivation to get back on track and reach my goal and stop binging, all it does is upset me. About 4 months ago i was 230lbs and today I'm 185lbs.. but I've been stuck at this weight for almost a month now and its 100% bc of my binging.. thats what is holding me back from further success.. does anyone have helpful tips that have helped them overcome this?

Well, first, give yourself credit for how far you've come! You're 8 lbs from your halfway mark. You did *something* right! Now work on that 8 pounds. I don't have any magic words or method for doing this, but I came to a realization in the past few days that when I am hungry at night (which is usually) and I don't eat, (which is also usually) I have a real feeling of satisfaction. It's strange, but I seem to be viewing those little hunger pangs as "success" pangs. So much so, that they actually make me feel good. Every time I feel them at night, I resist, and it brings a feeling of success and pride. I don't know if changing the way you think of them would help you or not, but this is what works for me. If nothing else, is there someone you could call who could give you a pep talk to get through it? Think success! You can do this! By the end of May, you can be halfway to your goal!

What do you tend to binge on? If you have go-to junk foods, try to avoid buying them. Or if you snack on leftovers, maybe throw them out after dinner, as wasteful as that sounds. =/

I also like that the other posts have mini goals. I like the stick with focusing on those last 8 pounds. Just keep thinking, only 8lbs. Then give yourself a reward. Like fat free frozen yogurt. Summer time is coming, being half way would feel so satisfying. I just started so I have a ways to go, look back and see how far you have come and know that if I can loose that, I can loose this last 8 and get it half way done!

Make a decision every singe morning to commit to your plan. It may require some tweaking. Some days, when I feel that I am at risk for binging, I"ll write a list of every item I can eat and I stick to it like glue. I might have to white knuckle it but I remind myself of how good I'll feel in the morning, knowing that I stuck to my program. I also do IF (Intermittent Fasting) which has so far been the single best thing I have ever done to control the binge eating. I won't let it not work because honestly, I think it's my last hope! I stop eating right around 8pm and then I don't start eating until around noon the next day. It gives me a shorter window in which to eat so I feel much more in control and satisfied. It's not something you set out to do cold turkey...you build up to it. I noticed my breakfasts were smaller and smaller with very little effort, until I was able to delay my morning meal till lunch. It's not for everyone....but neither is breakfast. I thought breakfast was the most important meal of the day but now I've found that the most important thing is for me to see what works for me and not for the vast majority of people. We're all different.

Find what works for you. Maybe you need to increase your water intake? Maybe you could chew gum, or drink hot tea when you get that urge to binge. How about working out? Sometimes that can help....a walk or a jog. Or, say you wanna binge, you tell yourself that you can have a certain item but you have to wait until say Saturday. Then, when that day comes around you get to either have it or decline, and usually that urge will have passed.

I'm sorry if none of this is making sense. I'm super tired tonight! I hope you figure it out because you're doing so great!

[QUOTE=luckymommy;4307199]Or, say you wanna binge, you tell yourself that you can have a certain item but you have to wait until say Saturday. Then, when that day comes around you get to either have it or decline, and usually that urge will have passed.

[QUOTE]

That's a great idea. I am going to try that one next time I have a craving.

Sunshauna - THANK YOU SO MUCH! - your post really helped me think about this in a new way.. every time I resist, I win a small battle in this LONG war! good luck to you on this journey as well!!

"Think success! You can do this! By the end of May, you can be halfway to your goal!" - that will be my mantra for the next few weeks!

luckymommy - your advice is invaluable!! i think I'm going to try that IF thing - it will restrict me from eating in hours that i shouldn't. I'm glad its been working for you & i hope it proves to work for me as well

Yes, I was there before. Numerous times.
Don't restrict yourself - restriction has lead me to have more binge episodes.
I've been focusing on eating whole foods, no additives, no disgusting things in the products that are only there to make you keep eating. Focus on eating whole foods, raw foods, and dont worry so much... it seems that when I eat REAL food, I don't want to binge - I stop when I'm full. It all tastes care of itself. The enemy are ADDITIVES.

I so feel you. I binged today--big time. I've been doing pretty well but today I just lost it. I'm fighting the urge to purge right now. I know tomorrow is a new day and I keep telling myself that. It's just so hard. I am so disgustingly fat and now I've eaten pizza, cookies, cinapie, and cheese crackers. I can barely stand myself.