Binge Eating Disorder

[sourpeach]

Originally Posted by 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

Hi Shannon! Good to hear.. How are you doing?

[sourpeach]

Hi ladies! How is everyone?

I think this is an important thread we need to keep active for eachother if nothing else... I do not binge when I am LC'ing that's the only time I am actually in control of what I eat.. So here I am. And I am very happy to be here with you all!!

Have a great Saturday, and hope to hear from you soon!

[Doug K]

non-lady-type-person checking in. I'm going to my first OA meeting in a few weeks today.

[sourpeach]

Originally Posted by Doug K

non-lady-type-person checking in. I'm going to my first OA meeting in a few weeks today.

Haha! You know when I was posting I was thinking.. should I reword that??

Sorry..

Hi Doug!

[Doug K]

Don't worry about it. Lots of men have the problem, but not so many are doing anything about it.

I'm grateful for a binge-free day.

[CindyCRNA]

Callie, in all honesty, I would binge on a diet of oatmeal, salad and yogurt. Low carb helps tremendously with cravings. There are many differant plans here. Personally, I like 30% fat, 30% carbs and 40% protein and I track it on Fitday.com. Let us know what your plans are. We are here to help.

[amidala64]

I'm recovering from a severe binge eating disorder. I had to take a multi-fold approach.
I had to fix the underlying biological causes of the food addictions and brain chemical imbalances.
I had to fix my emotional instability (still very much related to nourishing, traditional nutrition).
I had to decide there was something worth living for.

You're not alone!!
And you can recover.

You can be calm and whole, I know it!

[gettingwell]

I am someone who is always starting over...well, since it is September 1, I figured it is a good day to start again. I had a horrible day yesterday. I ate so much food, it was obscene...I won't go into the details. Today, I have a pounding headache and I am sick to my stomach. I am committed to a new plan, however, and am posting here to be accountable. One of my problems is convincing myself that I "NEED" a snack in between meals...even when my meal has had sufficient calories for my short body. I cannot snack anymore...it leads me to trouble. I will eat 3 meals and that is all and I will plan out my meals to make sure that they are in 'compliance' with the food plan that I have chosen. I know this sounds simple to the average person, but I know that anyone looking at this thread knows it isn't easy for someone like me! I just need to get a handle on this--it is wrecking my life.

A few months ago, I was underweight...then I started bingeing. I go from underweight to overweight...now, I don't have anything I can put on. My clothes are extremely tight--I have gained SO much weight...a month ago I was about 118 and I'm guessing that if I were to step on the scale today (which I won't) I would be 130 pounds. I just can't keep going with this cycle.

I'm sorry this is so long...I just need to be honest SOMEWHERE. My family has no idea what I'm really doing with food--they see me eat small portions and think I'm doing okay. I have a husband and 2 kids and I want to be mentally healthy for them--not the way I am right now. I am getting "help" from an ED clinic, but to be honest, I've cancelled my last several appointments because I didn't want them to see how much weight I've gained. Now, isn't that the stupidest thing you've ever heard???? I'm going in again on the 10th of this month. I WILL tell them on that date that I have had 10 days of no bingeing, because this time, I WILL SUCCEED.

Thanks for a place to unload. I wish all of you a day of peace with food.

[Kimad]

Gettingwell-You and I as we said before are a lot a like in our stats and patterns. I was doing well and then I put on a pair of shorts that were tight and threw in the towel. I had a horrible binge on Mon. Then tom showed up and i am like why did do that?

Last year at this time I was 10 pounds thinner and felt fat even then-at 123. I workout about 4 times a week so I have muscle but now it feels like muscle and a layer of fat. I have felt fat my whole life-even at 109. It is never about the food it is always what is in my head. Like you I am at a point where I don't even want to see what the scale says. I hide from family and friends because I hate my body. I just got back from a weekend at the shore and instead of enjoying a weekend away from the kids all I could think about was what to eat and how bad I look. I stress about how bad I look and then I binge because I feel fat-vicous circle.
I have been on every diet on earth-well almost! I was thinking of Atkins because so many people say it helps with the binges. I am a calorie/points girl so it would take a huge shift in thinking to do Atkins-any advice-anyone???

I may also go back to OA when the kids get back to school. I lost weight with OA but never got peace around food. So..... Thanks-Kim

[gettingwell]

Hi Kim...I was wondering how you were doing. Well, you and I were on the same horrible path on Monday. I ate the house down. It was incredible how much I ate and ate and ate. I won't even tell you how many calories--probably a weeks' worth, to be quite honest. Yesterday, I was sick as a dog. In fact, I lied to my family and basically said I had a "bug"...probably a migraine or some type of stomach bug. I certainly hope and pray it is the last time that I ever have to do that. I have done it before. In fact, to be honest, my husband remarked that I have been feeling "sick" quite a lot these days. Well, DUH. I've been bingeing like crazy! We all know how it feels when you've ingested crap all day.

I feel for you and I understand exactly what you are going through. I know we "met" through the MM board--but I don't think that plan is going to work for me. I know it is a great plan for a lot of people--I look at that thread and I am SO impressed with how well everyone is doing...and I envy them. But for me, I don't think it will work, and I think I know why...I think I need to eliminate more foods. I know that wheat/bread is a trigger for me and I know that sweet foods are a trigger for me. Anything bread-like is a trigger, and I will eat more of it than I should. On Monday morning, for example, I made a batch of "biscuits" from almond meal--they had no sweetener in them at all--the were low carb, made with almond meal, cream, and butter--and I ate the entire batch of them. They were almost pure fat, but they were "bread like" and to me that is binge food. I just go overboard. The people on the MM plan are able to cope with 1/2 a tortilla--well, I will eventually go to the tortilla package and eat all of it! I know myself because I've done it a million times. I didn't do it the year I was restricting, but eventually, I stop restricting and BINGE for months/years at a time...I'm done with that. I just want to normalize my eating. For me, normalizing may mean that I cannot tolerate certain foods. I know that some people disagree with the concept of eliminating foods (and some of the time I do, too--my mind is still up in the air on this concept) but it may be what I need to do to be sane. I don't mean to starve myself--I just mean to eat a healthy balance of OTHER foods. Does that make sense? MM is too slippery a slope for me, I think--I think I will continue to fail on it. The board is full of ideas for sweet concoctions and such--and while that is really appealing to me, I know that for right now, it isn't where I should "go". I'm NOT trying to be critical of the plan at all--like I said, I think it is great--I bought the book and I may try it again...but for today, it isn't what is going to work for me.

I also just ordered Natural Health and Wellness (I think that is what it is called! i can't remember exactly) by Barry Groves. This is actually what I am going to try...I flit from plan to plan like a butterfly...sometimes, I'll change my mind about plans on an hourly basis, lol. Really...I'm completely obsessed right now, and I need to make a commitment to a plan for a month and then re-evaluate. This is basically the EFGT plan--so it is low carb and I can focus it on very natural food and see if that works for me. Obviously the MM plan can be done the same way--and in fact, they are probably similar in many respects. I guess I'm just helping the economy along by spending lots of money on diet books...

I am also a calorie counter, so I "hear" you on that point as well...and I hear you about always feeling fat. I have gained a lot of weight in a short period of time and it is horrible. I don't want to even go to my kids' school orientation meetings--they are next week. The last time I saw most of the parents (my kids go to a VERY small school) I probably weighted 30-40 pounds LESS than I do right now! And that was only 3 months ago!! Granted, I was underweight, but I just don't want to deal with the looks and the behind-the-scenes comments...

Like you, I am constantly thinking about how bad I look...how bad my clothes look...etc., etc., etc. I wish I had an answer for you....all I can say is that I understand exactly what you are going through. I don't know how tall you are, but looking at your stats I can only say that it is probably mainly in your HEAD. I doubt your are really as heavy as you think you are and you are probably much, much harder on yourself than anyone else is.

Hang in there, Kim. I am the QUEEN of diet failures. In fact, I have NEVER been on a diet, never been able to follow one. When I have lost weight before, it has been through very rigid calorie counting....I don't really want to do that--I want to learn to eat reasonable amounts of healthy food and not obsess, but I don't know if that is feasible for me. I guess I'm sort of up in the air about what to do and where to turn as well. I'm sort of all over the place in this post. Right now, I'm focusing on not bingeing. yesterday, I made it through the day--3 planned meals--they were big ones--not really designed for weight loss--just designed to keep me from bingeing, and i did it. That is my goal for today as well--make it through with 3 meals, no snacks, no binges. I can only take baby steps right now and work from there.

Take care...don't be hard on yourself and I'm so glad that you posted here.

M

[Doug K]

Originally Posted by gettingwell

.I made a batch of "biscuits" from almond meal--they had no sweetener in them at all--the were low carb, made with almond meal, cream, and butter--and I ate the entire batch of them. They were almost pure fat, but they were "bread like" and to me that is binge food.

That's what I'm like. I use artificial sweetener, but I know if I had junk "analogs" in the house, I'd binge on them like the real thing. I have to avoid some of the recipe threads here.

Originally Posted by gettingwell

yesterday, I made it through the day--3 planned meals--they were big ones--not really designed for weight loss--just designed to keep me from bingeing, and i did it.

Congratulations! Just getting in the habit of planning meals is a big step.

[Kimad]

Gettingwell-Congrats on the not binge eating! I have not binged in two days and I feel better but am always waiting. I agree w/ the MM plan -something did not feel right for me yet w/ all the success on those boards I so wanted it to work for me. I felt like all I did was eat and things were getting tighter. I think it is great and I am so happy for those who are doing well. I also have a problem w/ the lo-carb wraps they make me want to eat like crazy. I often think I am gluten intolerant but when I was in OA I ate whole wheat and was fine. Calories in-calories out-yes it worked!

I may also look into the Graves book next week when my kids start school. I believe the answer is out there!!! The good news is that I have been running a lot this summer and that has helped keep some weight off. Still chubby in my eyes!

We are off to the beach this weekend and I will try to enjoy the last weekend of summer. Stay well everyone! Remember progress NOT perfection!

[CallielovesJesus]

Hey Cindy! Thank you so much. Right now I'm putting a smoothie a day into my diet where I make my own yummy smoothie without sugar. It helps the craving go away when I have one for lunch!

[Meownica]

Hello all, I am so "happy" I found this part of the LCF message board. I am 3 days binge free. Sad! But true. I'm not sure how I got to such a point in my life where handling stress with food was acceptable (to me anyway).

I have kept Bulimia and binge eating in control since April of this year until 2 weeks ago. I recently moved from a very large metropolitan city, (which I've lived in for most of my life), to a very small town. I have been unable to find work because I can only work very restricted hours as I have to be home by afterschool time, for my children. So I think the move and the bouts of loneliness did me in...I feel so pathetic for being so weak...sigh. Reading this thread and this forum these last few days has kept me somewhat sane and I have drawn strength from alot of you.

I hope everyone is strong and does well today.

[sskennedy]

hey all!!!! i dont have time to read posts, but wanted to say hi and hope all is well!!!

not doing that well, maarriage on the rocks!!!!! lost it this weekend!!!

why cant i be one of those people who dont eat when they are stressed!!!!

[djalomo]

I'm marking my spot for now but I'm gonna go back and read the whole thread. I'm so sick of dealing with this - and I'm not even sure what it is. I don't go on binges that fit the definitions that I'm seeing online, but I most DEFINITELY restrict. I'm constantly thinking about calories and it rules my life. I'm so tired of it. My BMI never drops below a healthy level and I'm on the high-end of my healthy weight range and it's so hard for me to think sometimes about how much I obsess about it and the weight is_still_there. I seriously feel like I've tried everything - I try really hard right now to do the whole "eat exactly what you want, eat until you're full, stop when you're satisfied," etc. and I might be able to maintain that way, but I can't lose unless I restrict. I'm sooo tired of feeling this way. Argh. I know logically it shouldn't be a huge deal but I skip out on social obligations and professional comittments occasioanlly just out of sheer embarassment. I have an anxiety disorder and am being treated for bipolar disorder, and boht of those right now are by far the most managed I've felt in my life, I guess this is just the last piece I need to work on.

Essentially, the past 2 months or so I've come to the realization that I'm afraid to eat. I can't decide which will make me the least fat if I eat it. This is an extremely sobering and eerie observation I've finally had.

[Meownica]

Just stopping by to offer to everyone.

[sarbear]

I am posting this in hopes it will help:

Are you a food addict?
To answer this question, ask yourself the following questions and answer them as honestly as you can.

1 Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't?
2 Do you think about food or your weight constantly?
3 Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success?
4 Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging?
5 Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people?
6 Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight?
7 Do you eat large quantities of food at one time (binge)?
8 Is your weight problem due to your "nibbling" all day long?
9 Do you eat to escape from your feelings?
10 Do you eat when you're not hungry?
11 Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve and eat it later?
12 Do you eat in secret?
13 Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake?
14 Have you ever stolen other people's food?
15 Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have "enough?"
16 Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight?
17 Do you obsessively calculate the calories you've burned against the calories you've eaten?
18 Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you've eaten?
19 Are you waiting for your life to begin "when you lose the weight?"
20 Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then you may be a food addict. You are not alone. FA offers hope through a real solution to food addiction.

Copyright © 2000-2003 Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous

To me, the joy of FA living means…

· Being free from food obsession
· Knowing that my meal was enough – not too much and not too little
· Being sure my clothes from last winter will fit this winter
· Not being afraid to put on a bathing suit every summer and show up at the pool
· Being able to show up for my family every evening instead of hiding in the kitchen “cleaning up” the xleftovers
· Being able to help others in FA because I am beginning to come out of my self-centeredness
· Feeling good about how I look for the first time in my life
· Feeling good about my actions and behaviors, being able to show up for life



Website: Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous: Home

[amidala64]

I would like to come out of my self-centeredness and enjoy being with people more.
How did FA help you learn that?

[sandyn]

Hi- have not posted in awhile. I went thru a really bad summer with family issues and was bingeing like crazy.

Happy to say that I am 32 days binge free today. I am also down 20#

These 2 things have helped ME(not saying they are THE answer)

VLC/ZC and LOA(laws of attraction)

as far as LOA, I see many posts here(my own past ones included) saying "I am a binger, I am fat, I dont have any control, etc"

With LOA, you kind of turn that around and say these kinds of things to yourself "I am fit, I am trim, I am strong, I am kind, I am active, I am attractive, I am healthy", or whatever YOU want to be.

Think the good things!

[gettingwell]

Congratulations, Sandyn! that is quite an accomplishment to go so long w/o bingeing.

[DENMW]

Hi everyone,
I am also a binge eater and lostt over 100 lb. following Greysheet (a former foodplan of OA no longer endorsed by OA and now GS is on their own but still a 12 step program). I have been off GS for about 4 years now and did well maintaining on my own for a while but slowly started creeping back up until now I've gained back almost 40 lb. I decided that although I want to eat "my way", my way has done nothing for me except get me back into the food. It's a tough decision because GS allows you only 3 meals a day with nothing in between but water, bl. coffee, tea or diet soda. You weigh and measure every meal even in restaurants and NEVER are allowed food off the GS even in maintenance. So, I've been fighting it until my boyfriend who has seen it work for me and has also seen me struggle for the past 4 years is finally buying into the fact that this is not a diet. The food plan is a small part of the program. It is the community of support, phone meetings and calling a sponsor daily that is what makes the program successful. I must get some sanity around food again and planning my menu ahead, calling it to a food sponsor, writing it down and forgetting about it until it's time to eat is what helps me do that. I pray that I can surrender and stick to it again. I seriously have a lot to lose if I do not.

[sandyn]

good luck Linda!

[gogetter]

Hi Everyone,
Alot of great quotes and support.
I'm new to the site but have been lurking around for a while. I'm in a desperate place. I'm getting myself in a tough position. I recently accepted a position as a healthcoach. My weight has been creeping up, if I don't get a handle on it I'll look like a complete hypocrit and jeopardize a job that I love. So well put above, stop trading what I want most for what I want now

[E.W.]

I am a type 2 diabetic. I find that if my blood suger is BELOW 120 I seldom feel like
binging. Say if my BG is 130 and I realy feal like binging but take a long walk or wait
an hour or two till my BG is around 90 the desire to binge goes away.

My major over eating hapens when I eat when reading, driving ,watching tv
or being on the computer. For me the combination of reading in bed and eating is
especialy bad and some how tied together. Here is an example: I feel like reading
and having a 1/2 gallon of ice cream if I give in the at least 2/3 of that 1/2
gallon of ice cream will be history in a half hour. Now instead of eating in bed
if I sit down at the table a cup or 2 of ice cream will be all I want 9 out of 10
times. I haven't given up eating in bed yet but I an now back to low carbing and
that helps a whole lot.

[Linda6262]

I completely related and understand.