In the past (and sometimes even now), I will plan A binge the day before. Sometimes I will write down what I want, while other times I have even shopped ahead of time for the offending foods.

When I am shopping, or thinking about the binge, I swear that I have a physiological response to it. I will be in bed and can't sleep because I am too excited about the next day. I can feel my blood pressure racing when I know I am about to get the foods I crave. And I absolutely inhale the food when I get it.

I am a slow eater, but the last time I had a binge, I absolutely wolfed down the food. I couldn't stop myself.

Do any of you go through the same thing?

I usually don't plan a binge to eat alone (that would be waaay too dangerous - my life before was just one continuous binge of eating alone). What I do is plan for events that are coming up, giving myself permission to eat whatever I want. For example, I was invited to a dessert buffet and I basically didn't eat the entire day and went hog wild at the buffet that night. I felt sick and bloated that night and the next day. Another time I was invited to a lunch buffet (buffets seem to be a theme here) and I gorged myself with plate after plate of food - to the point where I felt embarrassed about my eating in front of others (not sure if anyone noticed the massive quantities I was piling away). Both of these binges happened this summer - and there were more. It's like if the food is consumed away from home and for a finite period of time, it's ok. Also, I need to shovel in as much as I can before the "window" closes.

Oh goodness, I go through the same thing! The last time my husband went out of town I had my binge planned for days! I was SO excited. I went to the store the second he left, and bought tons of crap. I had 2 days of junk, and loved every second of it. It was pathetic!

I think this is an interesting question. Sometimes I have cravings but I wouldn't say I really plan my binge. I don't remember ever making a list. I do experience the urge every morning on the commute to work, though. I drive past several gas station convenience stores that are wall-to-wall with racks of candy and pastries. My impulse is to stop and get my preference binge food of the moment.

My binge foods seem to run courses. For a while it was those mini donuts coated in chocolate. I'd eat a couple packages of those a day. Large chocolate bars. Right now, I'm on a peanut M&M kick. If I manage to successfully drive past the stores, I immediately start thinking about the Tim Horton's that I need to pass and start obsessing about getting a large Ice Capped Supreme, two honey-dipped donuts, and a chocolate chip muffin. The order is always the same.

I was successful avoiding both triggers this month until yesterday when I stopped at a convenience store. I told myself that I was getting a sandwich for my lunch but, of course, I loaded up on sugar, too. Today, I start fresh. My goal is to be binge-free the rest of this week—straight through Labor Day weekend.