Starting to binge. Afraid.
 

Hi All, I'm new to this forum, but I'm definitely a binge eater. I got my binge eating under control for several years, but about a eighteen months ago, I got derailed by stress and started binge eating again.

I'm trying to lose the weight that I put back on after my six-month binge spree.

I was doing great, and dropped 16 lbs, following the same plan that I followed last time I lost the weight. Then, I had to take a trip to Europe, where I was being hosted by some people, didn't speak the language, and really didn't have any food choices. Ate a lot of stuff that wasn't strictly on my plan, but no binging, and managed to maintain my weight.

When I got back, I had trouble getting back on track with my eating plan, but still no binging.

But for the past two days I started to binge. I think it is stress-related. There are a lot of family transitions going on right now. A lot of times I don't exactly realize that I'm stressed, but I guess binging is the signal that I'm more stressed than I realize.

What I call binging is basically when I eat very high calorie foods in secret--so far I've eaten a whole bunch of chocolate, half a container of creme fraiche, and a huge chocolate eclair that I purchased at the store and ate in the parking lot before I went home.

I am terrified and want to break this binge cycle before it completely derails me.

Any help or advice is welcome.

Oh Ubergirl... I am so sorry that you are having such a stressful time!! I send you a big :hug: and another :hug:...

Gosh all I can say is make a contract with yourself. Right down what you want yourself to do (eating wise) and sign it? maybe that might help. When things get tough... go do something FUN that will release your happy endorphins! Or write what you are feeling and if the food is still calling you after that... Hmm maybe try a walk? Or put HAPPY FUN and Rythmic music on... Anything to distract you.... YOU ARE AWESOME and have done so well.... Don't let stress from others situations deter you! YOU CAN AND WILL DO IT!

Know you are not alone! I would get so lonely and ashamed when I binged but I really encourage you to reach out! Also start uncovering why you are bingeing. What is going on? What are you using the food to fill? What has been different these past few days than before when you weren't binging?

Ah the secrecy, I know all about it. That's when it gets bad. Secrecy usually comes associated with a lot of guilt that might stem from other areas of your life. Are you feeling unusually guilty about something? Hiding away and eating in secret and then getting rid of the evidence is something I'm very familiar with. For me it was the only time I've felt like I could take for myself. There were so many people I had to be strong for that I had to be there for and it seemed like the only time I could take for myself was to eat in secret. Like I didn't want anyone to know that I needed some time to myself. It's usually brought on by stress.

Remember that binge eating is just a symptom. Tackle the areas of stress and guilt and really spend time doing things for yourself that make you feel good. Go out with friends, get a massage, buy yourself something nice, have a few mantras and say positive things to yourself. These tactics help me out a lot.

PS - how can you be new to the forum with over 3,000 posts?