Thought I had more control
 

Okay, so basically I have been chatting with a counselor for the past few months to try any overcome my binging. They were becoming more infrequent and less severe. Last week I ended up doing a two day stint of eating mass quantities (3600 last Thursday and then I missed a friends graduation because I had 4300 Saturday and I was super embarrassed and felt super fat and didn't want anyone to see me). Anyway, I feel like crying now because I just ate a ton more today, and barely exercised at all. I don't really know what I am looking for posting this but, it is keeping me away from the kitchen. It will be another week before I see my food counselor again so I am really dreading this week and feel like any control I was gaining has just somehow completely evaporated! :(

I'm new here but definitely not new to dieting! You're sooooo close to your weight loss goal! You should be proud! I know how hard it is trust me, but tomorrow is a new day! I try to look forward instead of back. Good luck!!!

I've struggled with binging even before I knew it was binging. Just remember that it's going to be a every day thing.. and that each day is a new day.

I'm goign to try something new.. Every time I get the urge to binge.. I'm going to snack on fresh fruits and veggies.. A while carton of Strawberries are better then a whole bag of chips dont ya think. LOL

Hi Friend ;)

Firstly let me tell you, you're beautifull!!! Just by looking at your stats I know this. Do you know why you binge? Any spesific reasons? Triggers?

One thing that works for me when I want to eat too much is saying to myself that I can have as much tea/coffee/SF hot chocolate as I can hold. The act of boiling the water, holding the hot cup, drinking slowly...all calm me down. I just keep that tea pot going all day.

hey, you know what i recently learnt? when you physically prevent yourself from getting to a goal - ex. I hit my 100 lb mark, and then ate enough to gain 10 lbs in 2 weeks. It means there might be a skeleton in your closet.

The harsh reality is, you don't want to gain enough to have to REALLY relose, if you're binging- i suggest you up your intake to maintenance for a couple of days- this will slowly make the damage from binging go away, and you won't be stressed out from "feeling deprived". also, continue being active. please- if you eat a lot- go for a walk around the block! the endorphins will make you feel better! you're so close, you can do it!!

I think i will try this next time! I never binge DRINK, i only binge EAT, so i can't see myself downing 2000 calories worth of hot chocolate. Yet it will satisfy the sweet tooth and keep my mouth occupied. I know it certainly won't satisfy the binge urge completely, but maybe it will help me un-learn that behavior. Kinda like the Nicorette gum for smokers--it's like a crutch and not a very good substitute, but i think it works sometimes.

Hey there! Don't beat yourself up over it! I've definitely learned that this is SO much more common than I would have thought, so you are not alone in this at all.

For a lot of us, figuring out what CAUSES the binge is a huge part in stopping it. What was it that you think caused you to go so far off plan the past few days?

I agree with the drink idea. I have made it a rule that if I want a goodie, it must be consumed with tea, and a full pot if I have to, but only 1 serving.

You are doing so well, but I know binging can make you feel like a failure.

I also need to add, 136 might be too low for you height and frame, and your body's starvation signals might be sabotaging you. I know I look pretty lean at 135 and I am only 5'4". I agree try maintenance for a couple of weeks, and see how you feel. You will have to find your own maintenace number though.

I would say in your case the binges might be related to the desperation to get to goal ("I'm so close," "it's a healthy BMI" etc) and the strict calorie counting. Did you have a problem with binging before you were in weight loss mode, or did it develop as a symptom of dieting? It's hard to tell the cause of a binge and sometimes thinking about it too much doesn't help. I am still not sure why I developed a binging problem in early 2011 and I am not sure how I managed to stop.

I am getting near the point weight-wise at which I lost control and binged 5-10 pounds back a year and a half ago. I find I cannot think too hard about calories, or I suddenly want to eat everything in sight. I think I'm eating 1500-1800 a day on average, and exercising 5 days a week (not terribly hard workouts).

I understand how bingeing can bring you down to the point where you feel like isolating yourself from the world. I just want to say, you've done such an amazing job so far, your progress is really inspirational, so try and keep that in mind whenever you feel you lack control.

What happened the past week that caused you to binge? It's great that you're seeing a food counselor, you're definitely on the right track.