I look both ways before I cross the street. I don't stick my fingers in electrical sockets. I don't jump out in front of moving cars. I don't leave the gas on. I don't leave candles burning unattended. I don't use any street drugs. I don't tailgate. I don't drink and drive. I don't do these things because they would be detrimental to my health or my life.

So why do I, as I did last night and many other nights before that, eat to the point where I feel like I might throw up? It's all high risk behavior, what's different?

Addictions make you do crazy things.... Whether it's food, drugs, alcohol, sex, etc....

What's different is an addictive pattern.

If someone kept running into the street, even after getting hurt, even after being told they were risking their life, we'd think something must be wrong with them, wouldn't we? Because it doesn't make sense. If someone kept having unprotected sex with strangers they meet in any old bar, we'd think something must be wrong with them, too. Because it doesn't make sense.

So the same thing is happening with binge eating. You get going, and all bets are off.

Sometimes counseling with someone who specializes in eating issues can be helpful in sorting this out. But as with any addictive pattern, the best short-term solution is, Don't Start.

Good luck!

Jay

Because we're not thinking of the consequences. We're not thinking of how we're going to feel AFTER we eat "like that". Food also seems to be the last hold out of maturity and responsibility, for some reason.

And that's something that's got to be worked on and dealt with. A change MUST occur. We've got to always think of the long term affects of overeating and making poor choices. Not that immediate gratification. It starts with COMMITTING to "do this" no matter what, then putting roadblocks in place until that will ensure that this lifestyle become natural, second nature and habitual - food journaliing, calorie monitoring, PRE-PLANNING one's food menu IN ADVANCE, self-talk, creating a safe home environment, , etc...

I am nowhere near as far on the journey as Rockin'Robin..... but I have been doing the binge challenge for a week (which is HUGE for me to make it through the weekend)...... but I have found what she has said to be helpful (I don't recommend you do it out loud), but while I am eating "X", I talk to myself.... for example. We went to Sam's Club and my DH wanted a pizza combo. While I could have eaten 2 combos or more by myself, he and I split one. Did I want more....yes..... but I talked myself out of it. And, after the golden 20 minutes of talking and waiting--- I was FULL and satisfied.

It does take some practice, and I am still a work in progress...... but you can do it!