I'm not even sure how to start this. I have done this weight loss roller coaster so many times. I lose and gain the same 20-30 pounds over and over again. One of the reasons I seem to not have consistent success is my constant urge to binge. I eat when I'm tired, bored, lonely, happy, celebrating. You name it. I have developed a really bad habit of eating candy while I am grading (I only do this when I have candy I am giving out to my students in their prize box, which, unfortunately, is a lot of the time). I have totally stalled my weight loss because I can't seem to control the binges.
I guess what I am wondering is whether anyone here has any experience with binge eating disorder that they would be willing to share? The weird thing is, when I'm not "dieting," I don't binge. I never eat out of control when I am not "supposed" to be watching what I eat. I know that I want to get my weight back to a place where I am comfortable, I know that binging is not the way to do this, yet I can't seem to make that connection in my brain.
I have a real bad problem with Binge eating too. But what has worked for me is, when I do get off track, I immediately go back to the way I should be eating. I try and forgive myself and move on. Don't dwell on it and feel guilty, it will just cause you to binge again!
I wouldn't call myself a binge eater, persay. I have never eaten large amounts of food until I have gotten sick or eaten a large amount of food with no control. However, I have noticed that if I am lonely I'll eat to have something to do. To stop that behavior if I am home by myself, and I have the urge to eat from being lonely, I will go outside and do some walking, call someone, exercise, or just anything to cure it. This website helps me a lot. If I am feeling lonely I will just get on here and read. Then I don't feel so lonely anymore or the need to cheat on my diet.
Hot4Teacher - are you sure it would be considered a binge? When I binge it's not because I "can't" have something and only the... it's emotionally triggered.
Maybe you just have to get over the "I want this because I can't have it" attitude which can be extremely hard in and of itself. Rather than telling yourself you CANNOT have it can you find a way to moderate it?
What kind of plan do you follow? If you count calories you can allot yourself x amount per day, when you're grading, etc.
Could you sub healthier treats? There are tons of low calorie, fat free and sugar free "sweet treats" you could keep on hand just in case.
Personally I would also suggest keeping sugar free gum on hand.
First thing is that it's GREAT that you've already figured this out for yourself. I think that the reason behind the binges is a HUGE thing. I, like you, only binge when I'm watching what I'm eating or label a food as "bad". For me, I'm learning to accept myself as I am, faults and all. I know that I will binge on bad food if I get sad/upset and feel like I can't change the circumstance. So my solution... I don't keep any poor choice foods in the house. It's easy for me to keep them out because it's just me and hubby at home and he's all for eating healthy so he doesn't mind at all. I'm also about to try doing something productive when the mood strikes, like take a walk or do a workout video. As for your grading papers, try bite size carrot pieces - you can eat like a ton and you'll still not have consumed many calories.
I am glad I don't have a prize box in my classroom because I would be having the same problem. It is hard to not dig into it, but I think if you have something else to snack on.. then you should be ok. Sugar free gum has saved me MANY times. Because once that minty taste is in your mouth nothing else will taste right.
I am binger for the same reasons you posted.. the worst is if I have had a bad day and I am in a "f" it mood. I teach middle school and some days are pretty wild.
Just find some alternatives and I think you will be ok!
Gum sounds like a really good backup plan. I like the idea of that feeling after you brush your teeth and don't want to mess it up by eating something. I have a little can of almonds in my desk drawer and a big water bottle. Whenever I'm fighting a craving I'll eat a few almonds and make it a goal in my mind to finish the whole bottle of water in front of me (24 oz) before I can eat anything else. That usually distracts me enough to avoid the candy disaster. Not to mention, I get a nice little walk to the restroom since I have the bladder of a 3 year old.
Binge Disaster
