[little thoughts]

Originally Posted by Doughnut

I agree there's a difference but I think I qualify. The last binge I had (on top of my day's calorie allowance)

15 flapjacks (147 cals each)
6 chocolate puddings (160 each)
2 packets of cookies (40 cookies @ 80 each)
8 yoghurts (75 each)
4 bars of chocolate (300 each).
1/2 loaf of toast (?????)

That's not just over indulgence that's bingeing. If I'm being really bad I can add a whole box of cereal and 3 tubs of Ben and Jerrys to that list. The above was one of my better ones. My only point is that I am not eating because of an emotional reaction to some deep seated pain or even a bad day. When I do the above I do it because I have a sugar craving and I can't stop. It's the same as "needing" a cigarette when I used to smoke. I can't believe I'm the only person who doesn't have a "reason" to eat but does it all the same.

you aren't the only one, seriously
i can't think of a genuine reason why ive ever done it, my binges started way before any real problems came my way and it was honestly becaue i love food so much. binges for me arent always triggered by anything in particular, just a huge craving for something that i really cant seem to ignore which leads to another thing and another until im satisfied (well not exactly satisfied just too full for anything else)

im getting a handle on it though

[Doughnut]

Originally Posted by little thoughts

you aren't the only one, seriously
i can't think of a genuine reason why ive ever done it, my binges started way before any real problems came my way and it was honestly becaue i love food so much. binges for me arent always triggered by anything in particular, just a huge craving for something that i really cant seem to ignore which leads to another thing and another until im satisfied (well not exactly satisfied just too full for anything else)

im getting a handle on it though

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm fed up of examining myself trying to figure out "why" from a psychological point of view. I'm simply a greedy sugar/carb addict who needs to learn some control.

[Jman1]

Originally Posted by Doughnut

My only point is that I am not eating because of an emotional reaction to some deep seated pain or even a bad day. When I do the above I do it because I have a sugar craving and I can't stop. It's the same as "needing" a cigarette when I used to smoke. I can't believe I'm the only person who doesn't have a "reason" to eat but does it all the same.

I'm the same way! I'm sure some people eat to cover emotions or whatnot, but I think that whole thing is overstated by the Oprahs of the world. Modern psychology is finding out that our discovering the original causes of our problem behaviors is not very helpful, but that we can change our current patterns without even worrying about that stuff. (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy has been gaining lots of ground among psychologists over the last few decades and it deals solely with changing thoughts and behavior rather than worrying about what your mom said to you when you were six or whatever.)

Personally, I think we inherit a tendency towards addictive behaviors, including binge eating. I grew up with a binge eating mom and a dad and a sister who would never in a million years eat more than one regular-sized candy bar in a single sitting. It's not a feat of willpower for them; it's just natural. They have no desire to sit down and eat a whole pizza or polish off a six-pack by themselves in front of the t.v.

That we have a tendency towards it doesn't mean we can't overcome binge eating, though. We need to install habits and behaviors that prevent us from giving in to our tendencies. So far I've learned that willpower alone only goes so far. I need to help it with various tools, including keeping junk out of my house, tracking my eating with fitday, and trying in general to set up my life so that I only need willpower every now and then, just for a few minutes. (For example, I can usually go to a restaurant and exert willpower for 5 minutes to order a healthy dinner, but it's a lot harder to sit in front of a bowl of chips for 45 minutes and not indulge.)

Anyway, sorry for the novel. Just wanted to say you're definitely not alone.

[want2hike]

I don't think that binge eating is a reaction only to "deep seated" pain. I think it is any eating that we do in that zoned-out, compulsive way that many of us are familiar with. Whether we are bingeing from boredom, habit, pain, joy, or because we have set up a craving in ourselves by constantly eating foods that cause cravings, the fact is we are shoving the food into ourselves. If it is something we "wake up" from, and feel bad/shameful/out of control about, I think it qualifies as a binge.

For me, making a commitment NOT to binge helps. Of course, when I want to turn to food and I don't, I am left with the feelings that come up. Sometimes I learn surprising things about myself. It is interesting to turn to writing when you want to binge but choose not to.