Did great yesterday. The weekend was a little harder than usual. But I made up for it by fasting yesterday. I am really proud of myself! I exercised by going for a long walk outside to make sure I got plenty of endorphins. So today I have a lot of things to do to keep my mind occupato, and I have my Zumba class tonight. I really look forward to that!

Here's to a great day!

Hi everyone,

Tyla, I agree the weekends are harder. Do you fast often?

MrsSnark, I will have to try garlic salt on SSPeas. I love them!

I can't believe it's already Sept 24! In a week I will be binge-free for the month. What a great feeling!

So close to a whole month 7lbs, that is AWESOME!

Tyla, I can't fast as a response to overreating -- that has always set me up for a terrible binge/restrict pattern that never quite ends up working out in my favor over the course of several days. But that's just me, and I had to learn that the hard way over lots of years. I hope the fast works for you and you feel refreshed and reinvigorated moving forward!

Just to let you all know, the one-day fast was something I wanted to try. I actually felt great doing it. The reason why I did it was to stop the cycle of allowing myself to overeat. I'm not making this a habit. I just wanted to prove to myself that I am stronger than I think. I feel great today, back to counting my calories and not tempted to overeat. No worries. Looks like we're going to make this a binge-free September!

Hi guys,
My zumba class last night was fantastic! I had so much fun. The good part was that the instructor told me that I was good, that I could keep up with all of her steps. That felt good, because I'm not much of an athlete. Not good at jogging, but love to dance.

This morning I have already done Pilates and walked a bit. Going to walk more this afternoon.

Hope everyone has a binge-free day.

Tyla, just to clarify -- I wasn't judging or challenging your decision to fast. I know that totally works for some people. For me, it is a very compelling way to re-establish control after an off-plan day; unfortunately, my attempts at IF have led to bingeing, though of course, nothing occurs in a vacuum and it could have been any number of things (or combo of things) that triggered me.

I just read this article the other day. I perceive Dr. Weil as someone who is level-headed and doesn't endorse trendy, risky, or extreme things, and he is positive on fasting.

I have never tried Zumba but can only imagine I would look really goofy doing it -- and I am pretty coordinated and athletic (except where golf is involved...)

Hope everyone's having a great day -- keep strong everyone!

Happy Thursday! Wow, the week went by fast! I'm feeling good today. Did Pilates this morning. Now that I don't mind doing, and I feel great afterwards! Pilates is great, because it strengthens my core and makes me feel slimmer.

7lbs., thanks for the article by Dr. Weil. I will read it right after I post this. I've always like him.

September is almost over. Can you believe it?! Let's continue to do well.
Best of luck to everyone!

7lbs, I've just read Dr. Weil's article, and I completely agree with him. I feel better sleeping, have more energy and am more in control. Thank you for this information!

Hello ladies, I have a quick question for you: How much food do you need to eat for it to be classified as a "binge"? I realized that there are nights where i snapped and ate a pizza, a bag of chocolate turtles and a bag of m&ms in one sitting and those are what I considered my "binging episode". But what are the boundaries between eating, indulging and binging?

Hi Luzitania!

To me, that's considered a binge. There is a difference between just overeating and a binge-eating. According to Psychology Today, binge-eating is eating excessive amounts of food. It is feeling a loss of control while eating. You keep eating, even if you're full. Usually this happens with some kind of loss. Any emotion can trigger binge-eating. Being sad, upset, angry (due to an argument or mishap,) financial problems, being alone, bored, rejected, relationship problems, a death, divorce, etc. And the list goes on and on. Even if you have dieted (restricted yourself) for a long period of time can cause a binge. There are so many reasons people binge, usually it's emotional.

Overeating is merely just that. An extra piece of cake, more calories than usual, etc. But then you stop.

Luz, it takes one day at a time to stop this behavior. Come join us here on this thread. We are all trying to stop this habit. (Really, that's what it actually is.) Check in with us and tell us how your doing.

Does anyone else want to chime in? I may have missed something. Thanks.

As for me, I'm meeting my girlfriends for lunch next week, and I'm making this get together a strong enough reason to stay in control. Sometimes I need a little goal to help me stay stronger.

Good luck to all of us over the weekend!

I pretty much agree with Tyla on what constitutes a binge. For me the line is when I feel out of control. I have had planned "over eating" in which I ate quite a lot -- much more than I do on a normal day, but I wasn't out of control.

On the other hand I've had binges where I ate uncooked linguine dipped in peanut butter (there were no crackers in the house) -- gross now, and gross then, but I was stuffing it down like there was no tomorrow . I couldn't stop.

I've been very sick this week and not eating much. I am starting to feel a bit better today and need to make sure I get enough healthy calories over the next few days so that I don't binge once my normal hunger catches up with me and the low calorie days I've been having due to being ill.

MrsSnark! I'm so glad to see you! I'm so sorry that you were ill. I am sending you good thoughts that you stay strong mentally during this time. Remember, you've achieved so much to start blowing it. Take it from one who has blown it. You really regret it, and it wasn't worth it.

As you know, it's Saturday. Sometimes weekends are tough for me. I'm really trying to be on my best behavior today. But it's hard. I'm going to listen to my own words, that I've come to0 far to ruin it. I will be strong!

Hello everyone,

I'd like to join this thread,
There are 2 days left of September and I am promising myself that I will eat healthy and stay away from the refined carbs. When I feel the need to binge, I am going to drink 2 large glasses of water.

I read somewhere else to have only one day a week as a designated treat day, what do you think about that?

Thank you ladies. I will definitely join you as it has, as you said tyla, developed into a habit that I need to get rid of. Hopefully, I can make October binge-free. If it wasn't for my "episodes", my weight loss journey would be going a lot better.

Welcome, Primalgirl. Glad you could join us. Did you buy yourself yellow flowers like I mentioned? They only cost about $4 or $5 at a Albertson's or Trader Joe's. I mentioned that Rutgers University has done studies that buying and giving flowers gives you endorphins, and the color yellow brings you joy. So when you get the urge to spluge, drink water and go do something nice for yourself - like buying yellow flowers. I bought yellow roses at Trader Joe's for $4.99. I love them!

As for the planned treat once a week, it depends on how strong you are. I used to do that, but I feel it only led to overeating, and then bingeing. But if it's a special occasion, I plan for that. For me, I'm trying to stay away from sugar and other trigger foods right now until I lose a few more lbs. Besides, I've learned that sugary foods are very bad for you. There is a list of reasons not to eat sugar, that I posted on this thread somewhere. I try to find non sugary treats, like almonds. I love almonds, and I count them in my calories for the day. Or I'll eat a frozen banana, when I want ice cream. I try to keep one ready in the refrigerator. Hope this helps.

Anyone else want to comment on this? Maybe eating a treat once a week helps someone else?

Luz, I'm so glad you're joining us. Come here often, and post how you are doing. We want you to succeed. Coming here helps you to read others successes. It gives you motivation to stay strong. Even if you mess up, post because we'll help you get back on track. We're here to help each other, too. We all get it.