How do you stop eating?
 

How do you stop yourself from eating when you are overeating and can't seem to stop?

Excellent question, been munching all day, at about 1200 calories, which isn't horrible, but I'm not supposed to be counting calories cause I'm trying intuitive eating - but I'm scared it's a bingy kind of day -

The little tricks i have learned over the years are
1. when I get the munchies I drink a glass or more of water. Sometimes your body will say it is hungry when really you are thirsty
2. Brush my teeth, I hate eating after i brushed my teeth.
3. Chew minty gum ( or any flavor) Sometimes the act of chewing will calm my munchies plus the strong mint flavor reminds me of toothpaste so i won't want to eat even after I spit it out.
4. I suck on a ice cube/frozen grape(s)/strawberries. the cold always seem to kill my hunger, and if it's frozen fruit I give myself a little treat that is also healthy.

If you're able to I'd come and read the posts on here - that's what I've been doing the last few evenings, it works in 2 ways in that it keeps your fingers and mind busy but also it seems to inspire me to keep going so that I don't then eat. Got to admit that this only works if there's a computer to use nearby - apart from that I'd go with the suggestions that Sakai has wrote ... or try looking at a photograph of how you'd like to look?

Katie

I find I binge less if I get some exercise in during the day. Right now I'm just doing 20 minute walks, about a mile, but it does seem to help regulate my appetite.

I swear, though, the next time I feel like binging, I'm going to go shopping. Maybe I can become a shopaholic. :)

I used to never be able to stop eating but now i have found a few ways to stop:

go outside and do anything (play with dogs ect. just get away from kitchen)
i have dropped food and just ran away
i also find it inspiring to look in a fashion magazine

most of my 'binge stoppers' are exercise. I'm really wanted to binge so i might go to the gym right now and hop on the elliptical!

The teeth brushing thing works well for me. The other thing is reading fitness magazines, coming here or watching something like Biggest Loser. Seeing everyone else in a "get healthy" mindset discourages my unhealthy mindset. I feel for you though, it is such a struggle sometimes. :hug:

Yeah,I usually get a big bottle of water, and sit down with something fun to do. Read, artwork, call a friend and chat, whatever. Anything to distract myself until the feeling passes.

I made my kids homemade pizza the other night and since they are thankfully nothing like their mother there were plenty of leftovers, so naturally I took a bite and then another bite and knew I would eventually wind up eating the whole thing - so I turned on the faucet and ran it under the water rendering it inedible. I've done it on several occasions.

I like to add a lemon slice to a glass of water. It makes it "fancy" and a special treat as I dont do it very often.

I'm the type that likes to binge on a variety of foods. Sometimes, a binge just can't be avoided and can be delayed for only so long. I just try to start with really low calorie foods (apples, broth, salad, etc.) I don't necessarily deprive myself of the more "snacky" foods, but by the time I get to it, I'm pretty full from the healthy stuff and I learn to content myself with a smaller portion of the bad food. I might still binge, but the guilt is eased when I realize that I can keep it under 1,000 calories, since it could always be so much worse.

I don't know if that helps. There are all kinds of bingers and you just have to guess and check what techniques work best for you.

Edit: I should also mention that you can switch up food types in mid-binge mode (it's hard to plan ahead). It works especially when I'm binging on cheese (my favorite). I'll realize that I've just eaten 6 servings of cheese and that I want more. I can leave the cheese where it is, go make and eat a salad, and then return to the cheese, but I'll eat less cheese than if I hadn't had the salad.

For me, it's not about stopping a binge, but curbing the damage I can do.

I would say drinking a glass of water certainly helps. Or try a glass of milk. Wait 30 mins and see if you are still hungry, if you are then make a meal. Its all about moderation. If you are hungry you should eat but really try not to eat because you are bored or just want to snack.

sugar menthol cough drops

One thing I had to stop doing was going in to the kitchen and standing with the fridge open thinking that I was starving and grabbing anything that jumped out at me!!!! NOW I TRY and decide what I want before entering the kitchen and before even opening up the fridge!! I also try and keep like fruits and vegetables out front so thats the first thing I see, OH AND SUGAR FREE JELLO...MMMMM!