I was pretty upset when I slipped up this past weekend after being binge free for the most part of a few weeks. I ate roughly a weeks worth of calories in a day or two.

But you know what I've realized? I'm messed up, but I AM improving!

Things I don't do anymore:

~Eat in secret.
~Graze
~Eat until my nose starts running and I start sweating.
~Buy something with the sole purpose of binging on it later.
~Obsessive, unrealistic food restriction...which always led to huge binges.
~Go to a chinese buffet and get two takeout boxes, fill them to bursting, and eat both of them in one sitting. I used to do this regularly.
~Cook a big pot of pasta covered with sauce and tons of cheese, just for myself...and eating it ALL.
~Eating double meals. Like I would have my dinner, and then an hour later I'd have another dinner because something else sounded good too. (Huge portions on both.)

I hope to add more things to this list in the future...such as

~Serve myself mammoth portions and feel like I have to clean my plate.
~Beating myself up when I slip up a little.
~Planning or daydreaming about binges.
~As my husband if he's hungry so that i have an excuse to eat.
~Putting my binge foods in the cart at the store, and then putting them back, and then grabbing them again...I can't wait until I can just walk by them and say "Not for me." and move on.
~Obsessing over something that's in the kitchen that I'd like to eat, but does not fit into my meal plan for the day.

First of all, congrats on moving forward and not letting a setback derail all of your efforts!

It's so surreal for me to read the things that you no longer do and are working on because it's weird to think that I'm not the only person who struggles with the SAME things.

Congrats on Improving!

It helps me to know that other people struggle with these things too...and I think the key word there is struggle. What's helping me to move on is to know that its okay that I'm struggling, and I don't have to give in.

Wow, reading your post made me open my eyes big time! I have always known that I would eat too much sometimes but I never really considered myself a binger, but I see many things in your post that I have done in the past.
There have been times that I've ordered enough food for 4 people, and felt excitement knowing it would be delivered to me soon. I would even throw in a few extra oddities such as different condiments so it would seem as though it was certainly meant to feed several people.
I have also gone on some ridiculous restrictive diets only to eat myself silly later on.
I live alone so I don't have to worry about being "caught" doing anything.
Even at the grocery store, I will find myself with $200 worth of groceries for just me. It's like I think there won't be enough, and I won't get "full".
The reality is that it doesn't take all that much to fill me up, but I also know these behaviors don't really have anything to do with actual physical hunger.
Big congrats to you for conquering these behaviors, it's not easy, and it's something you should be very proud of!

"~Ask my husband if he's hungry so that i have an excuse to eat."

I love this one! I had to unlearn this behavior too! The other day I sat with my boyfriend in a nice restaurant for lunch. He had braised duck and potatoes.

I didn't know he would wake up and want to eat out, so I had already had some cottage cheese, an apple, and a tsp of peanut butter. I seriously didn't even have the slightest hunger pang.

They even had this beautiful dessert menu! But, I just sat there with a coffee. It didn't bother anyone.... and it saved us money.

In the past, I totally would have found something to eat, just to play by the "social" rules of eating.

Its funny the excuses I've used to eat without even thinking about it!

Somebody else is eating, social rules (party, restaurant, ect.), I'm "hungry," something good is on TV...

I like this thread. I like it a lot. Thank you for posting that list!

A comment was made about saving money with groceries, I bought 30.00 in fresh produce and feel like it is a lot. I'm huge on eating salads at work because you can put a little bit of everything in them (no dressing, I do oil/vinegar instead) and have fun with them. Produce doesn't last too long either and I prefer fresh if possible. Do you guys have any suggestions for how to maybe space out my shopping? Or perhaps any ideas for small snacks that you found have been helpful in stretching out intervals of eating?

I too am guilty of eating for easily four people. When I start to sweat or just feel downright miserable I suddenly get gloomy because food is meant to be enjoyed, not to make me miserable. The past few days I've cut back a lot and have been feeling better. I know my stomach doesn't literally shrink but I'm more okay with eating less (in terms of portion) and am okay with waiting to space out smaller meals throughout the day.

Social eating! One of the more difficult obstacles for me to tackle. I did achieve this last night. It was my birthday dinner and we went out to Red Lobster. I did the Caesar Salad with dressing on the side (and their greens are very fresh and crispy, I loved it) and found it to be filling but light at the same time. I'm glad I did that but it was hard when looking at the other items on the menu. Social eating is very tricky indeed so don't beat yourself up if this is something you struggle with. I find it easier to know the menu in advance and determine what you are going to order (when this is possible, sometimes menus are online as well for review).

Thank you again for posting that list!

Congratulations ArtyKay! Stellar improvement!
I've too made some improvements. I used to go down to Mickey D's and hope the cashier wouldn't think it was all for me but it really was. One time, I was waiting around to buy my protein shakes but got so hungry went to..you guessed it, McDonalds. I used to not be satisfied unless I was eating big portions (mashed potatoes, chicken tenders) but I'm learning how to just take what I need and enjoy it.
Good luck with the rest of your journey Kat!

ArtyKay, this post definitely made me take my passing thoughts about my own struggles with food seriously. I pondered it for a day and talked to another friend of mine struggling with her weight. We both openly talked about some of the things you mentioned and more!

I have a hard time with feeling like I'm supposed to eat. It's my lunch break, I'm supposed to eat! It's... any occasion/reason... I should eat! I secretly eat, have food obsessions that keep me from saving money I shouldn't be spending and find it hard to abstain from bad choices when my fiance wants to go to Five Guys or a mexican restaurant. I get worried that my portions won't be big enough wherever I go.

It's sad and I don't want to live that way anymore.

I love this list! It shows how getting healthy is not just the numbers on the scale, but making changes in your lifestyle also. People always want to focus on how much weight lost, but victories like this go ignored. Good for you for making those changes and for seeing them for the victories they are!

It's amazing, your list could almost be my list. Although, I had stopped a nearly all of that and more... only to go back to it and gain 40 pounds back. *sigh* Working on getting back there. Thank you for reminding me of some things I need to work on.