Binge Eating Disorder

[gettingwell]

I am in a terrible "space" with my bingeing. I have been trying to do ZC and have been failing miserably at it. A few months ago, I was severely underweight. Now, I am overweight. I have binged and binged and gained so rapidly. I am embarrassed to be seen by people that I know. I feel horrible and I am not "there" for my family, because I am "in" the food. I had to do a 3-day carb up for a glucose tolerance test that I am having tomorrow...after the test, I will go back to lc...I don't know if I can do zc or not. I am so confused about what to do...all I know is that I need to stop eating all the time--I don't eat 3 meals a day--I eat 20 meals a day! My goal tomorrow is to be binge-free and to eat 3 meals and 1 snack. thanks for being there...all of you are so understanding. it is hard to admit to this disorder--

[Mogget]

[quote=StarrXdLvr;12045480]Hi everyone,

My problem is that I have an addictive personality and have a tendency to replace one addiction with another: if it's not food it's alcohol, cigarettes, or relationships...I eat to feel numb, when I'm bored, lonely, upset, anxious, etc. I will eat and eat and eat until I'm full to bursting or until I get sick.
quote]


Ahhh I really relate to the serial addictions - one by one I have overcome them all only to have another one crop up.

Well no more - I have kicked all the bad habits at this point (having finally shed the last vestiges of smoking and coffee). I haven't taken up any new addictive behaviours but I am enjoying (a lot) some new activities like exercise which are actually beneficial for me!

Good on you for recognising this pattern in yourself, it WILL help you to overcome it. For me it took a lot of work on and with myself to resolve the underlying issues causinng the addictive behaviours but I am finally able to truly enjoy life free of odd compulsions and addictions. So chin up, it can be done

[CindyCRNA]

Hey, all. I haven't posted here in a while but I'm doing something starnge and want to know if anyone else does this.

I was making something, I don't remember what it was, but I wanted a taste of it. So I took a bite and thought, this is good, but then went, Cindy, put this down, you know what will happen! So I spit it out. Then I took another bite, chewed it, savored it, and spit it out. I did this to the rest of the item. It may have been pizza, I don't remember. Here is the weird part. All of my cravings left! I was a little hungry to start and when I was done, I was still a little hungry but totally satisfied. It seems that cravings are more in the mouth than the stomach.

This is now a nightly ritual. Sometimes it's 2 slices of toast, one night it was 3 slices of pizza. All chewing, no swallowing. The pizza is very satisfying as you get to really have a lot of flavor and chewing. It seems to satisfy the need to TASTE and CHEW. I have actually started losing weight on this because I no longer have cravings. This is crazy.
It isn't harmful but it does seem gross so I can't tell anyone. Does anyone else do this or has anyone heard of this?

[Mogget]

Hey Cindy - I have heard of this before and it isn't just gross it also isn't good for you - it actually qualifies as its own eating disorder if severe and is very often symptomatic of other ED's (and as you know you have an issue with Bingeing this is no surprise).

have a look here: link

I know it seems like a nice compromise right now but disordered eating cannot be "managed" by just substituting a new disorder... right now you still have a choice about Chewing and Spitting (though you have already made it a nightly ritual)... I would seriously try to stop before it becomes another copmpulsion that feels impossible to resist.

[CindyCRNA]

Mogget, thanks for the link. I thought I had invented this! I have recently switched to organic as possible, grass fed as possible (I just ordered 1/4 of an organic grass fed cow) and actually eat very healthy. I think this cropped up as a result of the recent dietary change. Kinda "have your cake and eat it too" mentality. In my mind I "eat" healthy but can have pizza and all the bad stuff as long as you don't swallow it. I was surprised to read in that link that this is pretty common.

[bwylde]

I've done the chew and spit thing before. Hated it personally because it seemed like such a waste.

I totally get the addictive personality bit. I get addicted to anything; food, alcohol, games, computer, reading, anything has the potential to be addictive to me. Most things I can give up cold turkey but I cannot give up food.

I've been having problems again. It's just so hard sometimes! It's so hard to make treats for the family (I have a 4 and a 7 year old), to have food around that I can't have and to watch DH scarf down tons of things that I can't have. I try making healthier things for the kids (like chocolate chip cookies with chickpeas and less sugar or variations of food with healthier twists) but like yesterday, MIL took them shopping and they came home with bags of candy. I need to talk to her as my 7yo is really affected badly by sugar and does so much better without it. I try making healthier low carb treats for me (like Laurens goodies) but I end up eating the whole thing in a couple of days.

I think part of my problem is I am all out of dark chocolate. It was something I could have every day, have that craving to eat all the time taken care of since nibbles were satisfying and I lost well while eating some dark chocolate every day. I was able for a time to get it at the dollar store for a dollar a 100g bar but now it's all gone and I can't afford $3 for a bar of chocolate. Yesterday it started when I found part of a Belgium chocolate bunny in the cupboard. I was craving chocolate so bad so I shared it with the kids. Then it went downhill from there. Actually what I ate would probably not be considered that bad (like an apple, some plain all natural tortilla chips, a few chickpea cookies, a revello and a ham sandwich over the course of the day). It's just the way I felt about the food and how I felt about myself eating it.

I just feel so empty and sometimes it feels like I'm trying to fill the void with food but it doesn't work. I don't ever feel satisfied or full unless I'm eating junk, then I just feel gross which is worse.

We're going on a week long vacation next week and I really want to stick to low carb for the most part. I plan to keep busy but there will still be lots of temptation.

[CindyCRNA]

BWYLDE, I was reading a bit of your journal and see you have knee pain. I used to have knee pain and I asked one of our orthopedic surgeons about it and he said lunges and squats are the worst thing for your knees so I stopped and pain went away. Brisk walking or doing hills may be a better choice. JMO.

I also have to watch "healthy" treats as I eat way too many. I made the black bean brownies and they were good but I kept taking slices off. I don't have children so I don't have to keep treats around but do have a non-LC BF that loves sugar and I have been trying to make him some healthier choices but I do have trouble staying out of them.

[alliejon]

Hi all,

This discussion area caught my eye because I didn't know there was a disorder named after what I had been doing for years.

Anyway - I just recently started trying to follow the carbohydrate addict's diet (CAD), and it is amazingly helping me to stop with the binging behavior. It almost seems like a miracle to me.

I started Tuesday after Memorial day, and I'm down 8 pounds. I have not been able to stick to any program in the past (due to my emotional eating/binging) for longer than 2 1/2 days.

If this sounds appealing - check out our carbohydrate addicts 2009 hangout. It might be worth a try...

Allison

[sskennedy]

had a total binge sat!! cookies, ice cream, chips potatoes, mcdonalds milk shake. all in lik an hr!
i was so sick i had to pull off the road and throw up!

why do i do this to myself?

i cant even have veggie or hwc and i get cravings.

[A_New_Life]

Is it okay if i join? I have HUGE binging issues.

[sskennedy]

hello new life? are u are more than welcome

[CindyCRNA]

I am getting ready to try Metformin. I am not diabetic but it has been used successfully in those with carb cravings to the point where they are a health risk. I think a lot of us qualify here. I just want to feel normal about food. You know, not obsessing all the time. I don't care how LC or healthy I eat, I'm obsessed. It is only massive self control that I don't weigh any more but I am miserable. I can eat a slice of pizza or really one of anything so I'm best not even having a bite. These cravings for me are very physical. What a pain in the bu**! Oh, and yes, welcome New Life. Please post away. You'll note we don't hold back here!

[sskennedy]

what is metformin

[paperthin]

Originally Posted by sskennedy

what is metformin

Metformin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[CindyCRNA]

Metformin - Yahoo! Health

[Oriane]

Hi and thanks for starting and continuing this thread. I am a binge eater and have been this way since I was a teen. Food is my relaxation, stress reliever, soother, and constant companion. I too have done the drive-around-town, stop at multiple places for food in the car thing. I have sat through meetings, family gatherings, classes, funerals (!) with only one thought in my head: when can I get away so i can have time to myself to eat as much as I want.

I have always been overweight and have made a good life in spite of it. I was never one to be miserable because I was fat. I have lived my life with all the fun, love and enjoyment that my skinny friends have. But the thing that really bothers me is the binge eating and the TREMENDOUS shame over the binge-eating.

I have been low-carbing for a bit over a month now and I have had the closest thing to a binge-free period I have had in my entire life. Somehow the binge urge seems to be greatly reduced when I eat this way, and I don't fully understand why. I suspect it's something chemical---not starting in the first place is easier than stopping for me, and eating LC removes many of my "trigger" foods, so there is less chance the sick part of my brain that wants to binge will be "switched on". I am no scientist so I can only guess. But this month has been a relief, a tremendous relief, from a shameful activity.

When I've gone a little overboard a couple of times in response to stress, I've done it with LC foods and the urge seems to go away quickly. An half-pound package of deli roast beef is bad, but when it's gone, I'm done. My LC mini-binges are nowhere near the three hour, uncontrollable fast food and sweet food binges I used to fall into. I seem to lose interest on LC, which is amazing to me. I can honestly say that this is the first month food has felt normal for years and years and years.

The weight loss is important, but for me this month has been crucial for regaining some control. it feels good....soooooo good....not to fear I'll binge.

I think to myself a lot: Just deal with now.

That's all we can do.

Stay connected.

Kim

[Sweetalicious]

I dont know if this is the same thing but before starting low carb about a month ago I would binge non stop on the weekends then totally deprive myself during the week. I would fast for days at a time and only allow one or two meals per day on the days I wasnt fasting. I would get really high anxiety and panic attacks and awful hearburn.

I used to be alot worse a couple years ago for as long as I could remember. I am alot better now, even though I have my relapses (which I have learned to allow once a week and I am able to choose 3 bad things to eat that day only. 3 is alot better then 30 though lol) which are allowed. I guess when you allow yourself to do it you feel less guilty and no anxiety or panic attacks from doing something you arent supposed to do.

There is a total opposite problem I face now though. Not a real big one though. I feel I can def control it but I tend to feel a bit guilty when portion size is a bit more then I should be having. I will ask my cousin or friend if they think my portions are ok and they always tell me yes. If I feel too full I get very guilty and not want to eat anything else for the day except maybe broccoli or handful of blueberries. I do however realize this is an issue and will force proteins such as eggs and cheese down for dinner and deal with the guilt, which is way lower then when I binged on the sugar stuff. It is much better then the way i used to feel and I would rather feel this way then go back to how i used to feel. Hopefully I will continue to overcome this as I grow. Also I noticed getting out more with friends and keeping yourself busy works as a semi quick fix as well. Distraction and surrounding yourself with good people is key. Coming here is a nice step too because once you tell someone it is no longer a secret/ burden .

[NutritionIsMyJob]

I too am bulimic. Staying low carb is a tremendous boost for me. I have a horrible sweet tooth and fast food has always been the ULTIMATE NO NO food; so of course that what my binges consist of---sweets and fast foods. I always binge in private, usually with my door locked and I take care of the the entire binge and purge session before my husband gets home from work. It's horrible and I despise being in this trap. I've been living in this cage since I was 19 years old (I'm 41 now). So sticking to plan is really important for my disease control and my sense of well-being. Additionally, I tend to be a binge drinker so I also had to put strict limits on what and when I drink in order to keep that disorder from spiraling out of control. On thing I know for certain, being able to post here with other people who have the same difficulties is a real revelation for me and I no longer feel like I'm in this all alone. Thank God!

[NutritionIsMyJob]

So far, I've had over a week with no reoccurance of b/p. I know that doesn't sound like a very long time, but when I can count a SINGLE DAY without b/p cycle I'm thrilled. I'm just hanging on by my fingernails and saying a lot of prayers. This help-line has made me feel so much stronger.

[Oriane]

That's wonderful NutritionIsMyJob.....I haven't purged for years (I did it for a while in my 20s to try to control the inevitable results of my binges) but I remember the shame/other feelings. Congratulations to you for having a whole week! It's NOT easy and you DID IT!

I'm also feeling good. I won't say I had NO moments of compulsive eating, but I haven't had any real binges and I haven't touched any off-plan food this week (the one exception being a fruit smoothie that was gifted to me by a unaware co-worker, thinking I would love it being on a diet and all.... I had about half, decided it wasn't worth going off plan, and discreetly threw the rest away.)

I've had moments this week where I ate too much LC food because I was stressed, and that wasn't good, but I didn't binge. And that feels great.

[sskennedy]

im a mess. been binging for 8 day, yuck!!!!!

tomorrow is a new day. i think if i exercised, id stay on plan. i have nooooo
motivation for that. i need a good kick in the a$$

[CindyCRNA]

Lacey Leigh, I love your siggy!!

[fmtblake]

I understand fully, I have been a binger for over 30 years if not longer.

[sourpeach]

Originally Posted by Oriane

Hi and thanks for starting and continuing this thread. I am a binge eater and have been this way since I was a teen. Food is my relaxation, stress reliever, soother, and constant companion. I too have done the drive-around-town, stop at multiple places for food in the car thing. I have sat through meetings, family gatherings, classes, funerals (!) with only one thought in my head: when can I get away so i can have time to myself to eat as much as I want.

I have always been overweight and have made a good life in spite of it. I was never one to be miserable because I was fat. I have lived my life with all the fun, love and enjoyment that my skinny friends have. But the thing that really bothers me is the binge eating and the TREMENDOUS shame over the binge-eating.

I have been low-carbing for a bit over a month now and I have had the closest thing to a binge-free period I have had in my entire life. Somehow the binge urge seems to be greatly reduced when I eat this way, and I don't fully understand why. I suspect it's something chemical---not starting in the first place is easier than stopping for me, and eating LC removes many of my "trigger" foods, so there is less chance the sick part of my brain that wants to binge will be "switched on". I am no scientist so I can only guess. But this month has been a relief, a tremendous relief, from a shameful activity.

When I've gone a little overboard a couple of times in response to stress, I've done it with LC foods and the urge seems to go away quickly. An half-pound package of deli roast beef is bad, but when it's gone, I'm done. My LC mini-binges are nowhere near the three hour, uncontrollable fast food and sweet food binges I used to fall into. I seem to lose interest on LC, which is amazing to me. I can honestly say that this is the first month food has felt normal for years and years and years.

The weight loss is important, but for me this month has been crucial for regaining some control. it feels good....soooooo good....not to fear I'll binge.

I think to myself a lot: Just deal with now.

That's all we can do.

Stay connected.

Kim

Hi Kim! I feel exactly the way you do! I have been a binge eater for years and never felt in control of my eating until I found this way of life!!

Keep up the good work!!

-ammie

[sourpeach]

Originally Posted by sskennedy

im a mess. been binging for 8 day, yuck!!!!!

tomorrow is a new day. i think if i exercised, id stay on plan. i have nooooo
motivation for that. i need a good kick in the a$$

Hi there! How are you? Have you gotten back on plan? If not I am here to offer that kick in the A$$ with love and support of course!!

[fmtblake]

Have a great week everyone

[fmtblake]

Binging has been a source of great shame for me for sometime. I tried to explain what it feels like to be in a feeding frenzy to my daughter. I know she doesn't get it - the good news is I had enough courage to tell her how it effects me. I feel strong and I feel good about being binge free for just about a week now. The encourgement that I have gotten from all of you has helped so much.

Thank you

[CindyCRNA]

I have been on Metformin now 2 months and it does help. You are fuller longer, when you do get hungry, it's normal hunger that comes on slowly, not ravenous hunger. I take it twice a day with the 2 largest carb meals so a total of 1000mg a day. I am not diabetic. This is just to help normalize my hunger.

[CallielovesJesus]

Hi everyone, I am a binge eater too and I was suppose to go to a overeater's anoymous meeting with my mom and brother this friday but they were busy so I have been looking for support and stuff and this looks like a great website!

My name is Callie and I'm 20 years old. I have always been fighting with diets my whole life, and it's hard to stay on one even today with going to therapy and a nutrionist, but I am trying my best. Right now what works for me is saying to myself that I don't wanna be this way anymore (I'm a size 22) and my goal is to lose 50 pounds by Christmastime cause I did the math and I know I can do it.

Nobody has diagnosed me with binge eating disorder but I know I have it, and I think my brother does too. When I diet I do really good with walking everyday and eating oatmeal and yogurt and salads and stuff like that, and I've tried having like if I wanted some pizza for a splurge day that would be fine, but I always end up eating more than I should lol. When I binge, I can eat 5-7 pieces of pizza, a gallon of icecream, and I just mix a lot of food that isn't good for you you know like I crave candybars, icecream, burgers, pizza all that stuff. And I'm trying to stop and make it to like a spluge day once a month instead of once a week cause it's been once a week for awhile and I don't lose anything =( And I can't just eat a small portion of something when I splurge, I always mess up. But I can stick to the plan of just like once or twice a month splurge days, and do great on my diet! That's the funny part lol. But when I binge, I eat so much! Well thank you so much for listening to me ramble lol and was wondering if anyone could help me and be my penpal through email cause they know what it's like. Thanks and God bless!!

Your friend, Callie

[sskennedy]

you all can do it. ives been binge free since the last one, i think it was a month ago. hopefully i can stay this way.

how is everyone doing