[rose17]

Hi everyone! I'm new here. I also posted this in the "chicks in control" forum, so sorry if you already read this!

Basically, I used to read all these forums a lot, but today I realized I really need help. I need to talk to others who understand what I'm going through.

I'll suppose I should say a little bit about myself. I'm a college student, and this summer I'm interning at a law firm and living with two friends. No one knows I struggle with food issues, and it would be so hard to tell from looking at me. I'm not really overweight, but I have terrible binge eating problems that for the past few months have been getting worse and worse, so I have gained a few pounds. I always am terrified of gaining weight, so I restrict but then binge later on. I tend to drop then regain the same 10lbs over and over. I just need to form a healthier relationship with food.

I have always strugged with food issues. I was a ballet dancer for years, and it ruined my body image for life haha. Basically, I look like the stereotypical pretty outgoing sorority girl but inside I see myself as ugly, fat and absolutely out of control with my eating. I'm kind of an a-list type and my struggle to be perfect in everything is what I think got me into this mess. I binge to ease the anxiety, stress and loneliness that I feel I can't admit to. My binges also tend to go hand in hand with my pretty heavy drinking. I want to be social and go out and have fun, but when I drink I tend to end up in my room later eating entire boxes of cereal, loaves of bread, jars of peanut butter etc. etc.

This summer is the first time I'm living on my own, not eating at a cafeteria and so having food around me all the time is been hard. I also am in a new city and so I know stress and missing my family plays heavily into my overeating. It's just wearing me down inside. I can't afford a gym either, which is basically how I've kept my weight in check in the past. So the whole freaking-out about gaining weight thing is causing me to binge even more. Soo I want to lose the few pounds I've gained from bingeing, but more importantly I need to figure out a healthier way to live.

I really admire you all in your efforts to be healthy, and I'm so happy to find others who understand what I'm going through!

[ruby5839]

Hi Rose17! Welcome!

I think a lot of us can relate to you with the binge eating. I know after a night out drinking I just HAVE to have a slice of pizza. I don't think I can offer you any new advice that isn't already posted on the board on binging, especially since I'm still struggling with it myself.

My suggestion for working out on a budget--get a resistance band. They don't take up a lot of room, they're usually under $10 and they offer practically the same workout as free weights. Sparkpeople.com has some good, free workout videos on their website and youtube with resistance band exercises.

I think you're on the right track if you've recognized you have issues and have the will to fix them, but you might want to seek counseling (maybe your school offers one?) to help you get to the root of your anxiety/body image issues. It might really help you. Or maybe if you just continue to go through the posts in the forums you'll find some good tips, too.

Good luck!

[Iconised Ghost]

Welcome and good luck! Good that you posted in the Chicks in Control forum, they will have heaps of hints, and of course we are all here for you too

[miss michelle]

Welcome! I feel the exact same way sometimes, so don't worry - you're not alone! We are here to support you. There's a thread that someone just posted about midnight bingeing - there are some good tips in there. Do you run? That's a great low-cost way to lose weight =)