How do you stop the cravings to binge? I've still haven't quite gotten a handle on this one. I'm doing great through the week and then semi-bingeing on the weekend. I'd like to hear what the rest of you do to avoid this. Thanks and continued good luck to all of you.

I probably won't suggest anything you haven't heard before, but I have done several things to end my binge-fests.

1. I eat *something* every two or three hours. It's amazing how much food you can eat without taking in too many calories. I get made fun of at work, because I eat several meals throughout the work-day (ex. grilled chicken, rice & vegetables; lean-pocket; etc.)

2. When I really want a particular food, I eat it. If I'm craving a donut, I go to the store and get one. I don't eat everything in my cupboards in an attempt to ward off my donut craving. One donut won't do me as much damage as the handful of chips, pile of cookies, and whatever else I may grab in my attempts to fight the craving. Also, eating what I really want when I really want it makes this whole "new way of life" concept really work. I've managed to work my favorite foods into my diet, and successfully lose weight.

3. For those times when I just want to "eat," I keep "volume" food in the pantry. (ex. microwave popcorn sprayed with I Can't Believe its not Butter). I can eat a whole bag for relatively few calories/fat. Let's face it, as much as we talk about discovering our reasons for overeating, and wanting to "eat to live, not live to eat," there are still days when I just have the munchies!

Just a few thoughts!

Colleen
263/220/170 (?) Bodyfat%:23

I've been a lifetimer twice now and have discovered that when I crave a certain thing it's best to carefully give into it, in a limited portion way.

However as Colleen said, I too try to have food items around that help divert the cravings. I'll take 94% fat free popcorn (3 pts the whole bag) to the movies, I'll eat a whole Pirates Booty bag (8 points) if need be, while reading a book and have some grilled veggies on the side. I'll keep rice cakes in the cabinet (2 large = 1 pt and 6 mini cakes = 1 pt)

I stock my freezer with Hagen Daz chocolate sorbet pops 1 pt ea, Hagen Daz frozen rasberry yogurt pops 2 pts ea, or, skinny cow icecream sandwiches 2 pts ea for dessert. Because, I like having a dessert (or two) after dinner. I'll keep in my car and at the office a box of Weight Watchers 2 point chocolate bars. for a snack. Because, usually around 3 or 4 pm I get "hungry". etc. I make sure I have these things in stock and within reaching distance so I don't have to consider an alternative that's off program.

On the weekend, I'll make a fruit salad with 2 fruits, a teaspoon of honey and a bit of lemon juice and have a really satisfying dessert for 3 points.

This helps get me through a lot of rough periods, which don't just go away overnight. I still struggle with urges to binge after 3 years at goal... but my binges are a lot smaller and manageable.

I love the way I now look, and really don't want to go back to that old miserable self who was always saying I "couldn't help it".

Hope some of this helps.

Thanks wcolleen and patch30 for the advice. I will try it. I think part of my problem has been not eating enough through the week, and on the weekends it all catches up. I changed my lifestyle a little more than a year and a half ago, so it's more than likely going to take a little more time to overcome 38 yrs. of bad eating habits. This is the first time in my life I've been able to lose any amount of weight and keep it off. I come from a heavy family with bad eating habits, although my mom has changed her ways. She has lost 45 lbs. and eats extremely healthy. Thanks again for the advice and I wish everyone continued good luck.

Hi Ray,

I have only been OP for the last three weeks, but the things that have been helping me are:

Everyday, packing a litre of water and a medium-sized container of raw baby carrots and a piece of fruit. Sometimes I subsitute the fruit for a boiled egg. I used to think there was something wrong with me, because I got hungry while at work. Now I know that it is ok to be hungry, and that I shouldn't ignore it. I used to eat 2 candy bars, and about 6 Mountain Dews per day. Yikes!

I consider myself to have a sugar addiction, so I have stopped cold-turkey on REAL/processed sugar. But I take care of sugar cravings through fruit and diet soda. (I know diet soda is bad, but I don't want to cut out everything at once). I would love to have some low-cal icecreams in the freezer, but I can never seem to purchase that stuff in single servings. I know if I have a full container, I will be tempted to eat it every day.

Anyway, I think the suggestions posted above are good ones. I really like raw fruit and veggies when I get the munchies because it has fiber and helps me meet my fruits and vegetable requirements for the day. I believe on WW fruits and veggies are free, but that may be on the old plan.

Good luck!

- Kim

Hi Kim,

I consider myself a sugar addict too. Before I started this diet, I would eat at least 2-3 candy bars AND 2-3 bars of chocolate per day. I'd get terrible cravings for soemthing sweet if I don't...

To control it now, I eat fruits throughout the day (whenever I get a craving for somehting sweet). Also, my diet plan allows for one (small) sweet per day at 5 PM - so I look forwrad to it all day and I don't feel deprived.

I think the secret is portions. If you want chocolate - take just one piece not a whole bar (although it's easier said than done).

Chao,
Day

Hey Ray ~

I have been on my fitness plan (don't use the word diet) since March... I have had an eating disorder since I was 15-16 years old and when ever I tried to diet the right way I would obsess with food..... it wasn't craving it was a complete obsession of what I wasn't allowed to have was on my mind constantly....

This is my first attempt at losing weight since 1999 and it is the first successful weight loss I have ever had. (no joke) I have lost almost 40 pounds from 184 to 147 and I have 17 more pounds to go to reach goal... I contribute my success to a couple of things... Will power not being one of them~!

When I started my program I realized how little I was actually eating during the course of the day.... I wasn't eating enough or at the right times of the day... Make sure you are conscious of how much you eat.... (meaning make sure you eat enough) that helps with cravings... make sure you are taking vitamins (not diet supplements) once I started on a multi-vitamin make sugar cravings completely stopped.... and make sure you drink enough water keep a cold bottle with you all of the time. I drink water all day more than a gallon some days. The more water I drink the less food I eat ... Hope that helps !

Amy
176/147/130

I wish I could figure out what prompted sugar cravings and sugar binges. Two weeks ago was crazy. I'd eat one cookie, and go through the whole bag in the course of a night. Or I'd nibble on candy at the office the entire afternoon, probably eating a pack (or three) worth of M&Ms just in an endless series of '10 here and 10 there'. But I just couldn't seem to stop. I'm not sure if it was psychological or physiological or what.

Then this week I've been pretty okay on cravings and binges. I went to the mall yesterday and walked through the candy store (my favorite source of bulk jelly beans) and wasn't in the mood for them. Didn't feel like sugary stuff that day. I've eaten sugary stuff (of the candy/cookie variety) three times in the past week, but no binge threats, not really. I had a Haagen Dazs ice cream bar worked into my day last week. No urge to continue eating sugar, I was satisfied. Then I ate some cookies one night -- just a serving's worth. Wasn't hungry for more. Today, I caved and had two pieces of chocolate. I was sure that'd trigger a binge, since the candy bowl is right outside my office, but I'm satisfied with the two pieces and I don't think that will happen.

The question is, why? I mean, it was so easy last week to stop. But it was so hard the week before. Why?

I'm in the process of trying to figure that out. I think it either has to be related to: a) hormones; b) emotional state of mind; or, c) what I've eaten already that day. For the latter, I'm consulting a registered dietician. She's suggested playing around with the percentage of carbs/fats/proteins I eat, and I just started last week on that. Less carbs (though still 55-60%), more fat, more protein. For the emotional state of mind I bought a book and workbook by Geneen... uh, forget the last name. It's about compulsive eating, though, and really analyzing why you do it, emotionally speaking. I haven't started the workbook yet but I've been reading the main book. For the hormones, I'm clueless. I think I'm just always going to be extra hungry before that time of the month.

Hi Everyone and thanks for the advice. Amyjo your doing great, you should be very proud. I haven't been taking any vitamins, I think that will be my next step. It's been so easy for me to slip back into my old and very bad eating habits. So far I've always been able to get back on track. I gave away all of my old clothes for an added incentive. It's really great to hear how well all of you are doing. I thought I would be happy when I got to this weight, but now I'm starting to think maybe 18 more. I would be back to my high school, I'm just not sure I can go that far and maintain it. I truly appreiciate all the support and advice I've gotten from all of you. I understand the struggles, because I've gone through most of them. I've lost, I've gained, I binged and I starved. All making me gain more weight in the end. This whole new lifestyle change has been the only thing that has ever worked for me. Along the way I tried the Diet Center, Atkins, and hypnosis. Now I'm just doing it on my own. Thanks again and I wish all of you continued success. [email protected]

A couple more thoughts came to mind. I not sure if it really matters what your lifestyle change is as long as it's something you can live with. I lost weight at the Diet Center, but for me it wasn't something I could totally live with. I only tried Atkins for a short time, but I saw some of my friends have very good luck with it. Hypnosis for me was a very short term fix. For four months I was in total control, without any cravings. This slowly went away and when I listened to my tape again, it didn't have the same effect. I went to the hypnosis class with a friend of mine from work. It didn't have any effect on her at all. For now and hopefully for a long time, I just try to eat 3 to 4 smaller, healthier meals a day. I eat alot of fruit some vegtables and lean meat, mainly chicken. Then I try not to blow it on the weekend. I'm going to try your suggestions for bingeing, this is still my worst problem. If I didn't mention it I've lost 57 lbs. since Jan. 15, 2000. Thanks again.

Ray,

I know that you're on WW and not Atkins, but if you are craving something chocolatey, you might want to check out Low Carb chocolate bars. While they don't taste like a Snickers, they are very good. I wouldn't recommend the Atkins bar, but they have so many bars out there that you could try.

I have the same problem with binge eating and emotional eating. It's been a problem since I was a kid and will continue to be some sort of issue. Well, I keep bars in the house and when I have a craving for something sweet, I'll eat one. Of course there are times where I'll eat something"illegal", like a Snickers bar, cake, or cookies, but I limit the "illegal" by eating something "legal".

Hope that somewhat helps....

April Marie

Try Nutz over Chocolate by Luna. I find that I actually prefer it to a chocolate bar and it's under 4 points per bar (180 calories). Sounds like a little more than some of the alternatives, but it gives you energy for a good while too.

Hope this helps...

- delgada