Binging (not on tv)

[firelight1210]

How do you keep yourself from doing this? Or how do you figure out the reason you're doing it?

I was doing SO WELL for a month of clean eating, and then my husband goes out if town and I go to town eating all the things. And this always happens.

I think I've had this issue for a loooong time (my roommate used to know to leave me alone when I locked myself in my room with junk food- she called them my "moods"), and every tinge my h is out of town I do this.

I honestly don't know why, and it's killing me, because I was on such a good streak.

What do you all do to combat this? I've talked to my therapist about it, but she hasn't really helped me figure anything out.

I hate it.

[TR]

I just can't buy things. And even then that doesn't always work, I can't stop myself buying it at the store. Sometimes I have to avoid whole aisles.

[whitemerlot]

I try to stop and use the HALT technique. Asking myself if I'm Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. I'm not sure if this relates to your situation because I'm thinking more of just eating too much or eating needlessly.

[BaliHai]

Agree with PP - I basically cannot keep any food in the house that I know I'd go to town on if given the chance. I don't binge often, but I have and do on occasion, and when I am feeling that urge the last thing I want to shove in my mouth is fruit and veggies. It always happens to me at night, too, so I have started drinking a glass of water and going to bed.

[TR]

May 31, 2016 10:21:12 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

I try to stop and use the HALT technique. Asking myself if I'm Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. I'm not sure if this relates to your situation because I'm thinking more of just eating too much or eating needlessly.

I like this idea, but most of the time I know I'm not hungry, but I struggle with alternate coping mechanisms. Should probably work on that, lol.

[spedrunner]

May 31, 2016 9:54:14 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

How do you keep yourself from doing this? Or how do you figure out the reason you're doing it?

I was doing SO WELL for a month of clean eating, and then my husband goes out if town and I go to town eating all the things. And this always happens.

I think I've had this issue for a loooong time (my roommate used to know to leave me alone when I locked myself in my room with junk food- she called them my "moods"), and every tinge my h is out of town I do this.

I honestly don't know why, and it's killing me, because I was on such a good streak.

What do you all do to combat this? I've talked to my therapist about it, but she hasn't really helped me figure anything out.

I hate it.

It's a coping mechanism. Therapy for sure. Your therapist should work with you to help you get to the root of things

What are you afraid of? What are you avoiding in your life!? What's your fear?

[mrsukyankee]

Find a new therapist who knows how to deal with emotional/binge eating (it's really a specialised field). The other thing to think about is - are you getting enough calories. Sometimes binge eating is driven also by not eating enough (which can happen with the restrictive eating).

I can recommend a good book in the meantime: Overcoming Binge Eating by Dr. Fairburn

[firelight1210]

May 31, 2016 10:46:37 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Find a new therapist who knows how to deal with emotional/binge eating (it's really a specialised field). The other thing to think about is - are you getting enough calories. Sometimes binge eating is driven also by not eating enough (which can happen with the restrictive eating).

I can recommend a good book in the meantime: Overcoming Binge Eating by Dr. Fairburn

I'm seeing her mostly for depression, which may be part of this.

I definitely think that I'm eating enough - 2200 calories (I'm 6ft), and it's not restrictive other than nothing processed. Mostly fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean meat. I will definitely check out that book, though! Thank you!

[firelight1210]

Also, I haven't bought things - when I was being good. However, I had a stressful day at work on Saturday, and stopped at the grocery store on my way home and bought all my favorite shit.

I will say that I didn't eat even half of all that I bought, which is an improvement over the past. However, I just don't want to do it.

[mcmel]

I could have written your exact post so I don't have any advice, just hugs.

[sunnysally]

May 31, 2016 10:46:37 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Find a new therapist who knows how to deal with emotional/binge eating (it's really a specialised field). The other thing to think about is - are you getting enough calories. Sometimes binge eating is driven also by not eating enough (which can happen with the restrictive eating).

I can recommend a good book in the meantime: Overcoming Binge Eating by Dr. Fairburn

I read this book after mrsukyankee suggested it and I found it very helpful. I started keeping track of when I wanted to binge and identified patterns. If I know I'm going to be in a situation that leads to binging I try to plan alternate activities. It is hard but worth it.

[fangoriagurkel]

I struggle on the Ana size of things, but I binge too so unfortunately, I get you.

As others have said, HALT and a specialized therapist do help. I also attend overeaters anon and a food addict support group and both have helped me. Meeting listings are online and mostly nationwide. Good luck in your journey.

[scottyderp]

Are you depressed?

[AJL]

I was going to ask if you're having any issues with anxiety. Before I had a handle on my anxiety, I used to binge to cope. I would get sort of a high from all the sugar and carbs (I love, love, love sweets) and then I would eat to the point of pain. It would quiet my anxiety for a little while but of course it didn't last long.

I finally started seeing a therapist who helped me find other ways to cope. I use the HALT method in addition to other things (I currently take regular medication for anxiety.) I also realized that I need to be sure I was eating regular meals so I didn't get too hungry, especially around the time I would usually binge.

[firelight1210]

May 31, 2016 14:00:40 GMT -5 scottyderp said:

Are you depressed?

I'm on anti-depressants which have been helping - I don't currently feel depressed like I did before going on them.

It almost feels automatic for me. Like, whelp, h is out of town, time to eat.

I do like the idea of planning things to keep me busy, and distracted. I've kind of slacked off on my knitting lately (hello, 90 degree weather), but I'm going to try and pick that up again. It will keep my hands busy, and my mind distracted. The next time he's out of town is in August, so I will have that as a back up.

AJL, I don't know that I have anxiety, at least about that. The way I normally experience anxiety is difficulty breathing or getting a full breath, and pressure on my chest, which I don't normally feel when eating.

[SallyJ]

I find that if I have insufficient fat in my diet, I'm more prone to binging on sweets especially, but also carbs.

I got a lot out of the book How to Eat What You Love, and Love What You Eat in terms of stopping the cycle of emotional and boredom eating.

[puppyluv]

I have to keep myself busy to avoid this. My binging is usually tied to boredom when H isnt home. If I am sitting on the couch watching TV, I tend to snack all night long. If I start a puzzle or something else that keeps me thinking I can usually avoid it.