Normally I'm pretty positive and can really just get back on track and pick myself up. Lately, tjough, I'm totally hopeless ... I get through the day wonderfully, eating healthy choices, tracking, with great intentions for the evening ... Then I get home and a nice healthy dinner turns into a bag of chips, 3 slices of warm bread with butter, crackers and cheese ( all in.excessive amounts). Why???? It's honestly like I can't control myself. There's no unusual stress,etc. And this has been about a month. It's like I've hit my all time high weight and given up. I don't know anymore. I just feel hopeless, desperate, etc. Do I even attempt to eat healthily and in control if I'm just going to blow it hours later? I've tried keeping myself busy but somehow I always manage to fit in food.I've been journaling, but once the binge starts, I stop.

are you getting enough nutrients and healthy fats during the day? what are you eating?

I also find that removing certain foods from the house helps. And if you (or your family) say "But other people eat those it wouldn't be fair" remind them (and yourself) that if someone in your house was an alcoholic you wouldn't keep liquor in the house just to be fair to everyone else.

Are you bored at night? What are you doing while you binge? Why not choose that time for your exercise either at a gym, outside or in the house? Take up knitting, join a book club, keep yourself occupied during those hours.

Thanks seagirl ... I am getting enough nutrients and do eat enough healthy fats, but I think you're right about simply removing my triggers from the house. It's not posdible right niw to only have a bite of something. Thank you

ARRG. I just lost everything I typed; don't know if any of it made it through or is lost forever! Anyhow, I will try again I don't have any answers but I totally get what you are saying. I feel like you described almost every day. I know what to do but I can't seem to do it. I'm completely on board with eating healthy, exercising, controlling my environment~I know all of these things work, but the compulsion to binge is simply stronger than anything I can throw back at it. It's such a struggle and consumes my life. I'm so tired of it and hoping to find some answers here. I guess I just wanted you to know that you're not alone.

I agree, I know exactly what to do to stop the binging (just don't do it, get a hobby...) but it still happens.... I also wanted to let you know that you're not alone. This pretty much happens every night at my house. Wish I could give you an answer....

I agree that the best thing to do is not start on those snacks, if you find you can't stop once you start ... this happens to me sometimes as well. I second the notion of removing them from your environment.

If you can't get them out of the house entirely, because you share your space with other people, then declare them off-limits - someone else's food. Maybe you can store them in a separate cabinet that you never open. (I have my partner hide certain snacks from me that I have trouble controlling myself with.) If you kept special snacks for yourself, you wouldn't want other members of your household eating them - so try to establish a mindset where even if there are chips or crackers, they belong to someone else and you therefore do not dip into them.

Then, try to address the state of mind that drives you to start snacking in the first place. If it's not hunger, what is it? Maybe you can address that behavioral condition to reduce the temptation. For me, I found that if I went into the kitchen late at night, my resolve wavered and tasty things started calling out to me. I discovered that instead of putting off doing the dishes until last thing before I went to bed, I should do them right after dinner, when my self-control was stronger. That way I had no reason to even go into the kitchen later in the evening. It made a big difference in resisting the snacking.

Finally, something else people suggest is to brush your teeth when you feel the urge to dip into snacks in the evening.

Thanks so much. I plan on using the advice of staying OUT of the kitchen and just bring done with dishes, cleaning, making tomorrows lunch, etc. As for you who felt like you could understand and go through it as often as myself, I feel for you too. Thank you for the support & proving to me that I'm not alone in this even though it makes me feel that way. Let's really try to get through tonight ... One night ... Without binging. Together we can try to stay strong. Tonight I plan on starting a "binge free bracelet" and I'll give myself one bead if I make it the entire night without binging. And once my calories are used up, I'm reaaallly going to try to just stop. Drink tea, then brush my teeth! Thanks again everyone. I really needed this support today.

I have a semi answer for you. Off set those extra calories with an exercise session Exetcise not only distracts you from the dreaded cupboards but it lifts your spirits, gets the endorphins pumping and aids general health. I am currently munching on half a packet of biscuits oops! but I spent 1hr 30 in the gym this evening so I can afford to not be that fussed .
As you continue to exercise and get fitter, you will naturally gravitate away from the feelings of wanting to chow down on not so healthy stuff

Thanks I plan on getting some exercise in tomorrow!! I'll do it at night to keep me busy.
Tonight I feel amazing. Ive done it ... And I feel wonderful. I know I can get through the last few hours before bed. I have tea and don't even feel tempted to binge. There's hope!! One bead tonight !!!!

I also find that drinking tea keeps me from binging. Especially if I drink tea right after dinner.

congrats!!!! I also had my first 'no eating after dinner' victory last night. Let's keep this going

Holly- awesome:-) such a wonderful feeling!!! Keep it up! Last night waa night two for me and now with the weekend it'll be tricky but I'm determined to stay strong!

Yay to you for your second good night!! today is not over yet...but I stuck to my plan and did not have my usual bad things at work..had a sensible dinner...and now hope to have MY second good night! I hope your strength and resolve stay strong with the weekend