Pink,
I know how you're feeling. I've been there too. You said that you've tried a lot of diets and books seeking help. Have you ever tried Overeaters Anonymous? I've been going for two months, and I've found the tools, the support, and the strength to not eat my trigger/binge foods for 30 days. It's a miracle. You may find what you're looking for through the Overaters program. It's full of people who feel the same as you and are struggling just like you.

SARA-IGOT KRISTIN'S BOOK!!!

I feel so positive right now. The things that I read made sense to me. Like finally made some sense out of this mess i am in. I cried at some parts - Can i ask what part of it you found helpful? i really like the part about all of the things to start doing and how we can change things. i just feel like screaming this to everyone i know, except no one knows that i eat too much. if anyone is reading this, you should look at this girl's site. i am blown away and haven't really binged today. i just can't believe it. thank you so much for telling me about this./ Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Hi Marni,

I'm sorry that i didn't include you in my post... I didn't even see that you posted.

No, I have not tried OA. I did think about it, but don't know what I think. I am going to try this other thing out and see how it works for me. I'm really excited about starting it.

thank you for the sugestion though.

Hi Pink! Hey, we ALL go through times when we feel as if there is just no hope. In fact, sometimes it TAKES that for us to get to the place where we are determined to do something about it... we come to the place where the pain of staying where we are is worse than the hurt of making the change.

So glad you have God in your life! Yah I need reminders of that too sometimes. We are all human, and that is why we need each other too! I am going to PM you with a link to some great messages which have been such a tremendous help to me and which you might find encouraging!

Hang in there... I am praying for you!

Way to go Pink!

I'm so happy for you! Take today as the first day of your recovery and celebrate! You didn't binge today! Write down how good you feel in a journal. Write about everything! You may need to go back and relive this day if you are thinking about binging down the road.

My favorite part about Kristin's book was how she talked about creating your perfect day. I've written over 30 pages so far and spend time on that and writing in my journal every day.

Recently, I had been going through some tough times and really wanted to binge. I almost lost contol several times but I took out my perfect day and read it. It's helped me so much.

I also suggest that you e-mail kristin after you are finished reading the ebook. She's been so helpful to me! Is she on this forum? I'm going to e-mail her and invite her on.

And Hey Misti! You are everywhere girl! If you don't mind me asking, what did you send Pink? Is it something that you could share with me?

By the way... I have great news!

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. It's like one day I'm so down and it seems like there is no one to talk to, etc. and then I join this and this is really the only post i've posted on... anyways, I feel like I've made a couple of friends. it just feels so nice to know that people are wondering about how i am doing and that i have someone praying for me. Thank you girls so much. I really feel like there is hope now. just thanks thanks thanks!!

Berry (can i call you that? ha ha), what is your great news?

i'm going to bed. will check this post first thing in the morning, as I just feel so addicted to checking it... but it's fun. good night.

LOL yah I get around! A PM is on the way to you soon! I think I know your great news; saw it on another thread LOL.

And Pink... SO glad you are feeling better!!! Yay! Hang in there!

What helped me was deciding that I was no longer a victim of binge eating but a survivor. The change in mindset really helped me. If you see yourself as a survivor then you know you can get through it. If you see yourself as a victim them you'll always feel helpless. Do you understand what i mean?

Grace, how did I miss this entire thread?
I'm so glad you're finding strength and encouragement here. These ladies are wonderful.

Ah, the number one asked question.
And the only real answer is... we can only do it for ourselves!
I think we're all (myself included) hoping for some magical cure for our "additions" to food and our dislike of exercise. It isn't going to happen. I've learned that the hard way. It's not easy to accept. Only last night I was thinking, "I'm going to tell my husband to say "no" when I ask him to get take-out next time."
And then I thought, "Umm, hellooooo, Ellis! If you don't want take-out, then it's YOUR responsibility not to ask for it!"

It's almost as though we haven't grown up where caring for our bodies is concerned. We're responsible in other areas of our lives... our work, caring for our families/friends, looking after our homes, etc. So why can't we say to ourselves, "I'm going to look after myself. My body is in need of some good food and some exercise today."?

Coley hit it bang on. See yourself as a survivor, not a victim. If you make one good choice today, you can feel good about it. Empower yourself with every good decision you make.
I try to picture the good stuff in my life up around my heart where I can "see it". And I picture the bad stuff on the floor. I hold the good stuff to my heart, step on the bad, and move forward.

Sending you big hugs, sweetie... ... we can all do this together.

Y'all are just all so nice and supportive. I know that i've said it before, but I am really happy that I finally posted on here. Y'all are just so awesome and make me feel like I want to do whatever it takes to get "there". I guess all it takes it just to do it - post on here and see what advice graces my life. I can now understand why people say that coming here has provided so much support and motivation for them. I finally understand that.

Coley - What you said is so true. I did used to see myself as the victime and always would question "Why me???" I mentioned in an earlier post that I got a book that was recommended by another person on here, and I'm starting to see what you mean by survivor. I'm starting to realize that I do have choices here and I don't have to always wallow in the "why me's" of life. I guess stuff will always happen in our lives, but we have to be the survivors to get through it. (i just feel like im on my way to becoming a totally different person - in all of 3 days. it feel so nice)

Ellis - know exactly what you mean with the take-out situation. i've been there and told my husband to not let me have a bad snack or order something bad at a restaurant and then it's like this light goes off: IT'S COMPLETELY UP TO ME AND MY CHOICE. Food is very hard to overcome. W all need it, and I an envious of the people that don't struggle with this. I can't wait until I move in that category, and realisitically, i feel better than I have in a LONG time. It's also so true that I kind of put myself in the backburner when it comes to me. I feel available to everyone else and want to help my friends with whatever they need me for... but where is MY time? I need to get that part of me back.

I did make many good chioces yeserday and I didn't binge. I can't believe it. I feel like a different person and I feel so much more psoitive about my life. It's so cool

I know I say it a million times, BUT thanks again to everyone out there. The combination of this board and the advice i've received, especially reading the new book is just simply awaesome.

good for you pink!!! great job not binging yesterday!! just take it one little bit at a time! you should be so proud of yourself. i am so proud of you!!! it takes so much courage to say no to food sometimes!! stay strong! you can do this!!!

hi jodi - thnx so much for the encouraging words. congrats to you for losing so much weight - how in the world did you do it??? good job. thatmust mean that you have a resistance towards food and i'm sure that you are doing a good job fighting it. good job!!! best wishes to you on your continued success

PINK! Of course you can call me Berry! I never asked you if it was OK if I call you Pink.

OMG! I know exactly what you mean about Kristin's book. I got an email back from her and she said that she will join us. So exciting! If you don't mind, I also mentioned you and how you've been having a lot of trouble and how her book helpef you.

So tell me what you think about it! I've been dying to talk to someone about everything! Did you start your journal?

Oh! And my good news is................................ I BOUGHT A TREADMIL!

It will be here in about a week. Believe it or not, it will have to go in my kitchen because my apartment is so small, that's the only place where it will fit. *I think!*

i can't even imagine a treadmill in a kitchen - you'll have to post a pic of that on here, if you can. how will you cook? hopefull you have a large kitchen when you mentioned the great news - the last thing on my mind was a treadmill really. I hope that your eally enjoy it and use it a ton. you'll have to keep us posted on how that goes.

so, i am feeling better still about myself. do you ever have any 'ah ha' moments when you feel like a revealation hs been spoken to you? it just feels so right to do what is in that eBook. i wish i had $$ to send you flowers or something to show my appreciation. i'm glad that we will be able to talk about diff stuff that we want to know. it was just really neat to actually feel like i bought the right thing for me at the right time. too often i was looking for a quick fix, but nothing felt right. i was only looking for the 'cure' for the moemnt but didn't want to fix the problem, i guess. i just feel like i bought the right thing for me. so freaking cool.

i did start journaling and i fing it helpful and almost therapeutic. i haven't really done that in the past, so it is quite new and i'm fearful that someone iwll read it one day... that prob isn't going to happen and im just paranoid. i think that i'm really going to like doing that. i have looked forward to writing in it today because i felt good overall and didn't binge. i guess it will always be easiesr to write when you have a 'good' day.

by the way, i don't mind that you mentioned me in your email. i actually emailed her too. thanks for thinking of me

i don't know if i did the right thing, but i posted in the reading material section about her eBook. i just figure that maybe it could help someone else?? it is ding me good so far.

well i'm going to try to read right now and then go to sleep.

oh one more thing - do you exercise daily? i know you mentioned the gym, but i can't remember what you said. oops - sorry.

Hi Pink!

Well, I hate to admit, but my kitchen is small! When I have my parents over for dinner, we may have to use the treadmil for the kitchen table! OMG, I was so excited this morning because my sister said that she can tell that I am losing weight! I've always looked up to her and always thought that she had the *perfect* body. But now I know better to think that way and I'm happy that she noticed.

I've just started to work out. No, not going to the gym yet. I used that money to get the treadmill, so I may have to wait a couple of months.

Flowers! You don't have to do that! We're all about helping others here and the best way that you can say thank you to us is by not binging any more. I can tell that you are on the right track, keep it up girl!

OH! I have more exciting news!!!! I met my new neighbor and we talked for a couple of hours about binge eating. She is also having a problem and we will be working out together and keeping each other on track and motivated. I can't belive how fast things are happening for me.

Pink, keep up the great work - you are proof that anyone can stop binging and as you and I know, it all starts from within.

YOU GO GIRL!