I had a binge last night and went over my calorie intake by 1515 calories. My binge was basically a 2000 calorie meal. When I'm in the middle of a binge I am out of control. I don't think about portions, calories, weight loss or anything remotely healthy.
I'm not going to give up but I feel bad and know it is behavior like this that put me at 325 pounds in the first place.
I really need some encouragement and advise in stopping my binges.
Is there a trigger that sets off your binges? I imagine there is. If you can figure out what it is, you can avoid the trigger. You can also have family/friends help you avoid the trigger and help you avoid the binging when they see you escalating. I'd also try to find something that could replace the binging.
*disclaimer - I've never been a binger. I am the parent to a special needs kiddo that will engage in self-destructive behavior though.
beautifulinside, I first want to send you some ! I know how heartbreaking binges feel....afterwards. But, let's keep in mind that the most you have gained is 1/2 a lb. from this binge since a lb. is about 3,000 calories. If you get on the scale and see more than that, it's very likely that anything else is just water. Also, you might end up with no gain at all, since you could have been due for a loss.
I read somewhere on here something about success. It's not about how many times you fall but how many times you get back up. I also struggle with binge eating so I understand! Please get yourself back up and dust yourself off. Be kind and understanding with your struggles and treat yourself like you would a very loved friend. You can do this. You can ask yourself what it was about that meal that made you lose control and what you could do next time, if faced with similar circumstances. Better yet, maybe you can learn to avoid those circumstances and recognize your triggers.
I agree with Bargoo, don't beat yourself up too bad over it. We make mistakes but use it to learn why and move forward.
I binge too and it is really difficult. I feel like I have no control at all. I know I am being self destructive but I still do it.
One thing that helps me is meditation, affirmations. Just being able to stop, regain my focus and not lose control. But it is a process and is still alot of effort.
One thing i like to do is come here and read the goal forum for inspiration too. or just read the forum to see that I am not alone, that others struggle too but that you can still do it.
Also I think a great help is to not let yourself be stuck with your binge food around. I mean I can binge on anything lol but I have my favorites and if I can make sure not to have them in the house it makes it slightly easier.
I hope this isn't bad advice, But do you all consider having a cheat day once a month? I do and I find it revs up my metabolism especially if I am at a stall. Plus, knowing a cheat day is preplanned keeps me on my diet the rest of the time because I know a cheat day is coming. My next cheat day is Thanksgiving. Thoughts on this?
I still run into issues with binge eating. It's very very difficult for me to not be terribly down on myself and just completely feel awful and disgusting. But the thing is, one binge (or 20 binges) doesn't mean failure!!! Life goes on, weight loss goes on. I definitely relate to that out of control feeling. As far as advice on how to stop it, ug, that's hard. I definitely would encourage you to visit the Chicks in Control Board here! I don't post in there a lot, but I lurk there a lot, and it does help me!
Binges suck. It really is like something changes in your brain. Once the food is in front of me, on a plate, I feel powerless to resist it. I just try not to let it get there in the first place.
Have you read the book "The End of Overeating"? The author really addresses this, in a realistic, fact-based way, and has some good tips.
That's in the past. Let it go. Make today better. Do not beat yourself up over this, you're human just like the rest of us.
We all binge from time to time. There is usually a trigger. Identify so maybe, just maybe you can avoid it next time. My binges are usually a result of great stress. Recently when my hubby was rushed to the hospital & had to spend 2 days in ICU...that's a trigger. But it doesn't even have to be that drastic. It could simply be a horrible day at work. When you feel those binge triggers rearing their ugly heads...drink more H2O, exercise a little more if you can & if you slip...get back on track as soon as you are able. One slip won't ruin your journey.
Most of all, forgive yourself. If you don't forgive yourself, you may do more harm than good. You feel bad & that may end up in more binging. Good luck & let it go. But look for what set this behavior off so hopefully you can learn from it. :-)
BEAUTIFUL-- heres the thing--> (and this is great news!)
You DIDNT really "binge".... you didnt do ANY DAMAGE -- maybe temporary water weight, but thats it!
you hit your MAINTENANCE cals! You didnt undo all the good from earlier in the week. You didnt go over enough to cause ANY fat gain. you hit MAINTENANCE. for ONE DAY.
I plugged your stats into a BMR calculator, and *assuming* moderately active your maintenance cals for one day are 3500 cals.
so youre good. forget about it. If youve been dieting for a while than its good for you anyway to occasionally eat at maintenance.
I can't say thank you enough to all of you. I needed this support so that I would not get started in a vicious binge cycle where I binge, feel bad about binging, then binge again. I love all the advise and mkroyer that information makes me feel so much better.
I have forgiven myself and had a better day. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@stars.i totally agre with having a binge day. hunny look forward. i binged yesterday and i have put it behind me....just dont beat urself over it. we all are here for ur support. i love 3fatchicks....lol.
I can't say thank you enough to all of you. I needed this support so that I would not get started in a vicious binge cycle where I binge, feel bad about binging, then binge again. I love all the advise and mkroyer that information makes me feel so much better.
I have forgiven myself and had a better day. Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good for you! I was going to add my comment to just put it behind you and move on! You can't change the past but you CAN change the future. I am guessing that the vast majority of us here have binged badly at some point, or we probably would not BE here.
Beautiful, it happens to us all. I can only say what works for me (though I am not always adherent). protein and carbs in balance can reduce the crave binges and I've attached a site helpful to me. It is kind of long , but watch it all for a guideline to what causes binge eating. This has been very useful for me. I am in a holding pattern right now after a nearly 16 months on this journey. It gets better and in reality is not a long time in the scheme of things. I have about 20lbs. to my original goal to go. I'll see from there if I can go further. SO Hang tough! http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=C...ion/index.html
Don't feel bad. It was just one day!! Put it behind you. Stop kicking yourself over it..... That will only do more damage.
From my exp. if i have one of those days or weekends even it seems to confuse my body and i will end up losing weight and getting back on track. Its like it gives my metabolism a kick in the rump and gets me over my plateau.