how can i stop binge eating?

Jennifer

Jennifer

Full Member
hey , ive been avoiding coming on here for a while cos i just cant stop binge eating, can anyone give me any advise as to what i can do to put myself off? ive been doing slimming world for quite some time and although i never go up to my biggest weight over 19 stone i seem to rotate around 12- 14 and the last few months ive not been doing myself any favours,. i wake up everyday and say right thats it now i want to get to goal but then on a night it just happens again then i feel terrible and horrible and disgusting :(. its like i try just eating free foods but thats just not enough and i just want chocolate and anything i can find really and i dont stop til i am so full it hurts and i REALLY want to stop this cos its ridiculous, please does anyone have any tips or advise they could share? thank you :sigh:
 
Have just sent you a private message...... I'm interested as to what others will say.

Hang in there mate
 
Ive just managed to break a 5 day binge and the only way is will power. Sure, it's hard...but you you have a goal to work towards and every naughty thing you put in your mouth is causing you to take a step backwards. You dont want to be back where you started right? I found I was binging because I was bored. Nail painting helped if i'm honest, that way I couldnt get at naughty foods. having lots of water with NAS also helped as I could drink it and still have the taste of something nice...well...tasty. You can do it, get yourself back on plan tomorrow and plan your meals so they are something you look forward to and give you inspiration again.
 
Firstly you need to work out why you are binge eating in the first place. Sometimes it's the pure psychology that if you're on a diet you want what you think you can't have. In other cases it may be deeper routed than that. You need to understand why before you can begin to tackle the problem.

If it's because you are seeing it as a diet and therefore feel you will be deprived of the things you enjoy, change your mindset. SW is NOT a diet, it's a healthy eating plan that allows you so much freedom with your choices. Don't tell yourself you can't have something, if you fancy chocolate, have some. You're allowed 15 syns per day, you could have a curly wurly, quavers, and a couple of biscuits and be within your daily limit. It's just about moderation and portion control.

Which brings me onto my next thing. Everything we do in life is done through choices. Why do you want to lose weight? Is it because you feel you should as it's the right thing to do or is it because you really really want to lose weight for a specific reason? For me even though I only started with 2.5-3 st to lose, I wanted to stop hiding behind cardigans, I hadn't been on a night out for 3 years because that extra weight I had gained had caused me to lose my self confidence so I was constantly making excuses to hide behind rather than face the truth that it was because of my weight. I made the CHOICE in January that this time I really wanted to lose weight. Every day I choose what I eat and how much. When I fall off the wagon and believe me I do, the next day I remind myself why I am doing SW and how far I have come and I choose to go back on plan.

I really do believe in the fact that it's about choices but if you have an underlying problem that makes you want to binge, make the choice to sort that first.

I wish you all the luck in the world. X x
 
I'm no doctor but from what you say it sounds to me like its not just a problem with your will power but something more serious than that, hun. Not wanting to come across as preaching to you but I'd suggest you talk to your GP about seeing a counsellor regarding your worries. We've all had/still have issues surrounding our attitude towards food and the reasons we started overeating and maybe talking about it with a specialist will help you to deal with your cravings.

You say you stick to superfree foods for so long and then cave in to your cravings so you are obviously buying the right foods. Can you try not buying any of the foods that you're craving? I refused to buy any chocolate, crisps, biscuits etc for about 4 or 5 weeks when I first started dieting and (so far :rolleyes:) I've managed to keep a grip on my cravings, only having a small kitkat or penguin now whereas before I would eat 2, 3 or sometimes more chocolate items after every meal and usually between meals with a cuppa. I explained what I was doing to my OH & DS and they agreed to help me out with this until I felt I was able to eat sensibly.

I really hope you seek some support with this hun cos you have done so well with your weight loss up to now and I know you'd be devastated to spoil all your brilliant efforts and what you've already achieved.
 
If I have the wrong kinds of food around then I will eat them - no such thing as half a packet of biscuits in this house!!

So my solution is not to buy them. I find that will-power is easier in the shop than it is in the kitchen.
 
Could you be scared of losing weight? Have you always been overweight? Maybe you are sabotaging yourself out of fear?


Practical tips...get some essential oil you don't like (dilute if necessary) and rub into your fingertips once you've finished your last meal. (I discovered this when I had a dodgy nail and used Tea Tree oil, YUCK no way did I want that near my nose or mouth).
If you always sit in the same spot, try moving to another chair (break a lesser habit to disassociate the bigger habit), then position a mirror so you can see yourself eat....our eating habits get sloppy when alone!
Have strategies, so invite a mate round to watch the tv, phone a friend, take a bath every evening with a book/magazine. Drive to the shore and watch the sun go down.
You're breaking a habit, although food is emotive so keep a diary, go to Paperchase and buy a really pretty book with a contrasting pen (spoil yourself), write down how you feel, what's happened that day, you may see a pattern.

Ask yourself if you're ready to lose the extra weight, there's no shame in not being ready.

Finally, go easy on yourself xxx
 
hey everyone thanks so much for the supportive words i feel abit like an idiot now for even posting about it i do really want to lose weight im feeling more horrible everyday, i feel with all ur suggestions i can really try today ill read them all again tonight when the problems start, thank you :)
 
I have been like yourself, I've been avoiding this site for about a month, too scared to weigh myself properly as I knew I had been binging again. So yesterday was my 'crunch day' and decided to go 100% again. Got through most of the day ok, went over my syns by 3 but wasn't too upset by that. Then I found the tub of icing I had left over from doing cupcakes last week and started breaking bits off and eating it. I was saying to myself "stop - this is pure sugar!!" but I just couldn't help it. Then something clicked, I put down the icing (unfortunately need it for another cake I am making this week otherwise it would have gone in the bin!) and I went and had a shower, washed my hair and bruched my teeth. By the time I did all that it was time for bed and I didn't have anything else to eat.

I know you cant always go and have a shower each time you want to eat - but for me its distracting myself, doing something different, paint your nails, keep your hands busy. Or brushing my teeth, I dont crave chocolate once my mouth is all minty and clean!

x
 
Ah there are some lovely words of advice there for you. I'm not in a position to offer any help with binging as it's not something I've done.

My only suggestion was to have in some low syn choc treats & maybe put them in a tin with the syn value on each. Also keeping a running total of the amount of syns you are having each day/week may help.

Remember even though you are trying to lose weight you are not on a diet you are healthy eating which you will do for the rest of your life. It's a long term plan and it will take time to get to grips with the changes.
 
Hi Mate

I just wanted to add my bit to the excellent advice already here.
Based on what you said you seem to be able to stick to it fine but it is the evenings that are the problem?

I used to be exactly the same (and still am now occasionally, if honest) and what helped me immensely was 3 things (although, like I say, I am still not 'cured'- just able to control it more)

1. I stopped eating refined carbs for my tea- these lead to a massive sugar dip afterwards, even if I was stuffed I still craved sweet things. I cut out white pasta, normal rice and noodles and replaced them with wholemeal pasta and basmati/brown rice. These have a much lower 'GI' which means you don't get that sugar dip afterwards- I know SW is not the GI plan, but it may be worth seeing if this is a possible link to the binges and if so, cutting back

2. I broke the habit. Sometimes when we have always done something at a certain time/situation we automatically want to do it again. E.g. if you are used to sitting down to watch TV at night with a cup of tea and a biscuit then break the habit of the TV/Tea in order to not crave the biscuit. Try something different in the evening- gardening/walking/sewing/reading or try switching your cuppa to one that doesn't go so well with a biscuit fruit tea/green tea/cordial. Try and break the 'ritual' that happens at the start of the binge and you may find you don't get the craving

3. Know the difference between hunger and a craving. The true fire way is if you are really hungry then free food will satisfy you. If you don't want free food, you aren't really hungry!

Really hope this helps a tiny bit- if for no other reason than to know that you are not alone and you CAN still do this

xxxx
 
Thank you for being so brave and posting this. I have been the same recently and some of the words here have helped me. I have also started my food diary again which helped last time as I was too mortified to eat loads and have to 'confess' on here. I also went shopping today and filled my fridge with fruit, veg, yoghurts, etc... all ready for tomorrow's restart.
 
I wish i had some profound magical solution but unfortunately im sure we would all be stocking up on it if there were :(
Im a food addict i could sit at home and eat all day everyday all the crappy foods under the sun im sure.
But its through bordom, and believing thats what i want. Its psychological!! Ive tried this new 'self hypnosis' thing - andrew johnson lose weight - it cost £1.79 for an iphone app, and psychologically it appears to be working, i seem to have better control over my eating and better losses. I am not saying its a cure but for me personally it helps me get 'my head in the game' as such.
xx
 
Shirleen said:
Could you be scared of losing weight? Have you always been overweight? Maybe you are sabotaging yourself out of fear?

Practical tips...get some essential oil you don't like (dilute if necessary) and rub into your fingertips once you've finished your last meal. (I discovered this when I had a dodgy nail and used Tea Tree oil, YUCK no way did I want that near my nose or mouth).
If you always sit in the same spot, try moving to another chair (break a lesser habit to disassociate the bigger habit), then position a mirror so you can see yourself eat....our eating habits get sloppy when alone!
Have strategies, so invite a mate round to watch the tv, phone a friend, take a bath every evening with a book/magazine. Drive to the shore and watch the sun go down.
You're breaking a habit, although food is emotive so keep a diary, go to Paperchase and buy a really pretty book with a contrasting pen (spoil yourself), write down how you feel, what's happened that day, you may see a pattern.

Ask yourself if you're ready to lose the extra weight, there's no shame in not being ready.

Finally, go easy on yourself xxx
Click to expand...

Very interesting point about always being overweight and being scared to be slim. I think that might be the case for me when I get to the weight I am at the moment ie. Not slim, but also not big (size 14-16) p.s that's my personal view of myself, not of anyone else. Why would we do that to ourselves?
Also don't feel silly for posting your feelings, it looks like you've struck a chord with a lot of people. I can certainly relate to how you're feeling. :)
 
Jennifer said:
hey everyone thanks so much for the supportive words i feel abit like an idiot now for even posting about it i do really want to lose weight im feeling more horrible everyday, i feel with all ur suggestions i can really try today ill read them all again tonight when the problems start, thank you :)
Click to expand...

You shouldn't feel like an idiot for posting such things. I am going through the same things as you at the moment. I just can't stop from eating all the stuff I shouldn't.

There is a need to identify the problem, break the habit and form a new one(s) in it's place.

If you are struggling this is a perfect place because of the all of the wonderful people on here. It's a great support mechanism.
 
Hey hun,

We all get those days where we just want to eat as much of the not so good stuff as we can possibly fit in - so dont feel bad about that!!

I try to keep myself busy when this happens...if Im at home Ill take a hot bath and spend ages exfoliating, wearing a face mask, moisturising etc - by the time I'm done I'm shattered and its bed time.

If for some reason or another you cant take a bath then try something else - theres always some housework or something to keep you busy - and maybe reward yourself with something like a yoghurt or a alpen light when youve finished? Or even a chocolate bar if within your syns...? But make sure its just one and remind yourself that its your treat for doing something!

Another option may be to go for a long walk when you feel that binge feeling coming on? When you get home the last thing youll be thinking about is food...youll be wanting a nice cold drink and then to crash out on th sofa.

Hope theres something you'll find useful there!!

k xxx
 
I certainly won't be as helpful as everybody else because I'm so tired that my eye just started to twitch, but I will do my best!

First off, there is some truth in the idea that some people sabotage themselves because deep down they are afraid of loosing weight. I'm 18, and I've been overweight since puberty, that's a huge portion of my life! I'm deeply invested in the image of myself as being fat. dieting means changing the habits of a lifetime and admiting something I hate about myself is all my fault. When I step out of this fat suit as a svelte size 8, I'll be a different person... I don't know about you, but that sounds scary!

As for how to stop binges? The best way I have found is to find a book, TV show or video game that you like and read/watch/play it for a bit while sipping a drink. You'll have killed a couple of hours without breaking your diet.
 
hey evryone wow again thanks so much, yesterday i tried doing things backwards way around to try breaking habbits as suggested so instead of feeling bad and having a small breakfast and lunch i ate lots of free foods fruit mostly and by the night i was ok just eating free foods and i didnt do anything bad! today i did a similar thing but i felt myself flagging abit i ate a custard cream and i really wanted to start eating lots of bad things again but i thought im gonna go on here and read the posts again. when i found there were lots more too that rally helped and now i feel much stronger! thank you everyone i really appreciate it!

Just a quick question from an earlier comment is brown rice and wholemeal pasta free on green days? thanks :)
 
Just a quick question from an earlier comment is brown rice and wholemeal pasta free on green days? thanks

All rice is free on green days as is dried pasta. Chilled pasta (fresh) contains syns I think. But your basic dried wholemeal pasta is free.

Enjoy!

Judith & Pickle
 
hi jennifer
you could of wrote this for me this past week and a half . . . all ive done is pig out on choc,crisps n rubbish . . . n even while i was eating it i was saying "wat r u doin" but still kept stuffin it in my face . . i think ive only been half hearted with the plan to b honested cause im off school with the kids n theres sooooo much choc about from easter(why when ur on a "diet" do the kids not want to eat all the choc but leave it to tempt u) so from tomoz im back on it and give it a proper go . . .so will let u all know how i get on . . . .fingers crossed oh and mouth wired shut lol xx
 
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