When I read the threads in this forum I generally assume that everyone here is a dieter, actively losing weight. Obviously, the binges will sidetrack that to some extent and slow things down, but ultimately, you're making progress, even if it's slow.

As for me, personally, I feel like I can't even be considered a "dieter" because even though my latest binges aren't usually HUGE binges, they put me far enough over my caloric needs that I'm slowly gaining weight. Yes, it's fairly slow, but the needle on the scale is definitely moving in the wrong direction.

For about the past month, I've been bingeing, and then trying to make up for it by spending intense time on the treadmill, burning off the same amount of (excess) calories I consumed. This is grueling and frustrating, but for awhile, I was mostly maintaining my weight.

Now, just recently, I don't seem to have the endurance anymore to burn off all the extra calories I'm consuming (which makes sense, because I'm really not physically fit enough to be doing THAT much exercise on a regular basis with no break). So while I'm still hitting the treadmill pretty hard and doing the free weights, it's not enough to make up for the overeating. Also, I'm not even getting the usual benefits of exercising, my body shape/size doesn't seem to have changed at all (and I do try to get decent nutrition in addition to the extra stuff I don't need).

The most frustrating part of all is that over the holidays, I faithfully stuck to a VERY STRICT low carb diet, did really intense exercise and managed to lose ten pounds. Now, instead of being able to start from there and lose even more, I see all of that progress slipping away, and it makes me want to scream.

So: how about everyone else? Are you losing, gaining, staying the same? How does one successfully LOSE weight when they have the tendency to binge?

Boy, if someone can answer THIS question, they would really help me out. I feel like I"m always in one of two modes. Either I'm binging or I'm maniacal about whatever I eat + workouts. However, I can't seem to get back on the maniacal track anymore, I'm just too tired, disgusted, etc.

It was only until recently that I made big changes but bingeing was the reason for all my weight gain. I work out very regularly but still was moving the scale the wrong direction. People who didnt know about my bingeing and there were very few who did were very surprised and confused about my weight gain. I eventually got sick of working out every single day and figured unless I wanted to spend every second of my free time at the gym, I better start eating properly. Eventually I realized I'm saving tonnes of money not bingeing and feeling like I can actually take my free time to relax rather than feel guilty for not being in the gym.
Recently though I reached an inner peace where I am able to appreciate the body I have and the health I have and to believe in my ability to stop bingeing. It was a long process of looking inside myself but I feel like I'm finally free. I have tried for years and years to get "control" of my eating whether it's with not eating enough or eating too much but it all came down to my mind that was the issue. I read a lot of books about overeating and about spirituality and finally feel like I am comfortable in my skin. I also have regained that sense of pride in myself and my abilities.
I only tell you this because for me, this was the only way to end it all for good. I feel really great now and its all because I spent the time to get to the root of the problem. I found this site to help a lot as well to know there are other people struggling with the same issues.
I think it would be very difficult to lose weight or even maintain while bingeing. The constant guilt over yesterday's binge is a huge inhibitor.

I wish you luck in your goals. You are a strong and valuable person.
Believe in yourself.

Hi bikini dreader,

I just wanted to thank you for sharing your insights.

This quote of yours especially struck a chord with me: "... I reached an inner peace where I am able to appreciate the body I have and the health I have and to believe in my ability to stop bingeing."

Appreciating the body I have is very hard for me, but accepting myself as I am NOW is probably a big key to improving it -- after all, if I accept and appreciate myself as I am, I'll be more motivated to take the best care of myself that I can. Thanks for the good wishes, and ditto!

Hi lilith9,

Your post really hit home with me - I could have wrote this post myself. I don't have any advice to offer, but I just wanted to let you know you're not alone in feeling this way. ((HUGS))

What a question. I think we're all asking ourselves that every time we binge.

I think bikini dreader hit it on the button in her post. It's true, what she says about appreciating herself and her abilities.

I also think it's important to stop the rollercoaster, the cycle of binging. You said you would binge, then workout to burn it off, then binge again... And it kept going right? I too know the feeling where it just keeps going, the guilt the shame pushes you to try and "pruge" (Not always vomiting) your binge.

I've found that lately, trying to not feel shame and guilt for my binges has helped me to start over coming them. Sure every once in a while I eat far too much. Every once in a while it's for reasons like boredom/loneliness/sadness/anger... But lately by not going "well I ate so much today tomorrow I have to only eat blah blah blah" I've begun to stop the cycle. Most of the time now my eating is pretty steady. Sure I've had slips. But for the first time in a few years I feel like I'm friends with my body and with food. (for the most part )
Sorry this post ended up being a kind of rant/confession thing, and I totally just meant to write a couple lines. Oh well.

Cats tongue, I'm glad you shared your thoughts with us. I'm a big fan of ranting , so you'll never hear any complaints from me.

Thanks for the kind words, Berlin, it's always nice to know we're not alone in this!

Every day of my life I have a binge attach and have no clue on how to end them.

For me the pressure of bingeing makes me want to binge more. Give yourself credit for at least trying! You are being proactive, and that's what counts...I try to pick myself off, brush of the doughnut crumbs, and move on :

A binge is a message. It means you have something deep inside that is hurting, but it is too hard to deal with the pain. So you try to comfort yourself with your old friend, food. If I find myself entering binge-mode, I try to link up with someone who understands the syndrome, and who will listen as I try to figure out what is really bothering me. Once I am able to delve deep, touch the painful place inside, and share it with some one else, I find my binge urges start to fade away. It is an awesome process.

I was eight pounds lighter 3 months ago. Then my brother had a heart attack and I was terrified he would die (he is recovering nicely, thank God). I gradually shifted into binge mode and began eating all the things that I used for emotional eating as a child -- chocolate, white bread with butter, fried food. It wasn't until I realized that I was in the midst of post-traumatic stress over fear of losing my brother that I got myself back under control.

Every day is a struggle to stay conscious. Sometimes it gets away from me. But I keep trying. Consciousness keeps me on track! Hope this helps.

I read this a lot, in varying forms, but is anyone else like me? I mean I've honestly led a pretty charmed life. Nothing really bad has every happened to me and I certainly have no pain to cover up. I just like food - especially sweet food and I binge because I want it, loads of it, and now.

We may be using slightly different definitions for the term "binge". What you're describing sounds more like overindulgence (another favorite hobby of mine! lol). In my opinion there is a big difference between overeating, and outright bingeing.

That said, I think there are probably a lot of people who binge/overeat for reasons other than emotional ones. When I was growing up, food was a central part of almost everything we did -- when we were celebrating, we'd eat. If we were stressed out (not as in huge trauma, but just the daily grind and whatnot), we'd eat to relax. If we were bored, we'd eat. etc etc.

So, while there IS an emotional/psychological component for me, I also do it out of habit, simply because I like eating. And I'll still have that habit to break, even after the other stuff is resolved.

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.

I've been a binge eater for as long as I can remember. I can remember sneaking handfuls of cookies or crackers, and buying extra ice cream from the ice cream truck when I was as young as 8, and eating them privately. It's such an ingrained behavior I don't know if I will ever conquer it. While I maintained my weight fairly well through my teens, I have been all over the map as an adult.

I binged my way up to 255 pounds over the last few years. Last year I managed to lose about 85 of them, only to lose control again after Halloween and gain 35 (give or take) back. I am now mostly in control and have lost about 7 or 8 of those. But I have had a couple of days of little binges that I know are slowing me down. I just have to take it one day at a time.

I was stressing out over housework yesterday and felt a binge coming on. I mentioned it to my daughter, who thoughtfully dished out a small portion of cereal. Somehow this worked and I didn't even eat all of it, and then I was back in control. So I guess for me, I have to tell someone and it helps. Finding this forum has been a blessing and a curse. I cannot read the confessions or that will set me off on a food hunt. But I have now at least found people like me, and maybe that in itself will help me.

wow, that does indeed sound like a binge!

and i agree, i'm sure you're not the only person who doesn't have some deep seated emotional reason to binge-- even for me, i would probably *still* be doing it out of habit even if there was no emotional component. i would guess that in your case, a good strategy might be to find something else, or several things, that you like as much as eating, and replace some of the time spent eating doing those other things instead. of course, that leaves us wth the task of finding something else that's as enjoyable as eating...