I don't know what is wrong with me. Something inside of me is broken and needs to be fixed. I have no idea how to go about fixing it, except to shove food down into that empty whole inside of me. I made it a whole week without bingeing earlier this month and lost 5 pounds! I have now regained 8 in just a week . I feel like such a failure in that I cannot even go ONE WEEK without bingeing. How do you ladies do it? I always go to bed ashamed and start the next day optimistically, but I always find myself a slave to food. I don't know how to get rid of this. Please help!

there's no quick fix. you have to tell yourself that you have yourself that you have control. i leave the house. without money so i can't buy food. i also smoke cigs. i call everyone i know and try to distract myself. i write.
i'm sorry hun. i know its hard. but tell yourself that you can do this. and reach out for support. if your in school, see if you can find a group on campus maybe? when i was in college, i went to a mindful meditation group that that was for women with eating disorders. some where bingers, some bulimics, others had body dysmorphia + an eating disorder. gaining insight always helps.
hugs to you...you can get through it. take it one day at a time.

When i first tried to change, i couldnt go ONE DAY without binging! and i still struggle to go one week, so i actually think your doing remarkably well! Celebrate and pat yourself on the back for every day you stay in control. Build a sense of self worth and self control by remembering how good you feel! And when you do binge, look back at the days youve managed to put it off, think positive youll manage longer next time, and put it behind you. Carry on with your plan the very next minute. Slowly, the length between binges will get longer and longer, and the control you have will get stronger and stronger. Trust me as someone who has been there for years! You can do this! Slip ups only make you a faliure if you give in, just keep going! It will get better.

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling! I think that we have all been there. The ONLY thing that works for me is to plan all of my meals in advance, either the morning of or the night before. I eat 5-6 mini-meals a day, and it ensures that I never get too hungry. And having the plan in place keeps from me from getting too hungry or panicky about being hungry, if that makes sense. And when I do feel the desire to binge, I remove myself from the physical situation (sometimes I just walk into another room) and take a few deep breaths.

You will get past this! We all hit rough patches.

The only solution I've found that works is just making sure there is no trigger-y food to binge on. This means I can't keep bread, snacks, cereal, peanut butter, dessert of any kind...basically the only food I can trust myself around at home is raw vegetables, uncooked pasta, and tofu.

I understand your despair and that terrible feeling like you're defective somehow. I see people who have gone months without binging and I just can't fathom it.

One day at a time works. I binged yesterday, but today I didn't. I think this habit/addiction is one that has to be slowly and painfully dealt with and there is no "ripping off a Band-Aid" solution - but if you find a quick answer please let me know.

*hugs*

It is very hard!! I just recently tried getting back on the wagon after a 5 or 6 month break from dieting...and it's hard! It's been about a week or two, and I haven't had more than one day at a time binge free. But its slowly getting under control.

Don't be too hard on yourself, just realize that it happens, and that it'll probably happen again. But also that there is something you can do about it, and you can keep pushing and trying harder until you get on the wagon and stay on.

Thanks for all the words of support; it means a lot to me!. This may sound bad, but it's nice to know I am not the only one who struggles with this and that others have felt desperate, but pulled themselves out of it (not that I like anyone's struggles). I made an appointment to see a therapist and I hope that I can go and not feel ashamed about eating too much. My plan right now is just to focus on today: not tomorrow, not yesterday, not five years from now, just today. I can do today, right?

We can get through this!

That sounds like a really good plan. Focusing on the past very often leads to feelings of guilt. Focusing on the future can make us feel overwhelmed and anxious.

Today is a fresh new day!!

so many people go through it, and it is comforting to know that there are others out there who know what its like to have to deal with it. therapy has definitely helped me, and i think its great that you're taking that step.

and you're right- we can (and will) get through it- one day at a time
xoxo

I'm sorry you feel so bad about it---but there are so many of us who go through it too. I think you have to figure out why you have a 'hole' in yourself like you say. I turn to food when I'm stressed or angry because that is how I deal with the emotion of it. But if you feel like you have a hole, or something is missing, you have to find a way to fill up that hole without using food. Maybe you already know what that hole is, or maybe not. I found going to a therapist even just a couple times really helped me clarify why I turn to food. Hang in there!