I can't stop eating...

[Crystal89]

Hi Guys,

So as my title suggests, I have a big problem with over eating. I have done for many years and it saw my size go from a nice UK size 10 to a 16. Ive managed to lose the weight and have been sat comfortably at a size 10 for a while. But it is a constant battle not to over eat or binge. And when I do over eat, my ibs really suffers for it. I'm sat on my sofa, curled up with a hot water bottle after being woken by my ibs. And I know I can't continue to do this to myself. But sometimes it's easier to give in to the need to eat too much and deal with the ibs, than it is to fight against it. Can anyone relate, have any tips?

Thank you. ~x~

[HeyItGeg]

Try eating stuff like oatmeal, I can barely finish meals after eating two servings. And if you hit your bodyweight in grams of protein (only from chicken, meat, pork, fish, eggs) you might not have the appetite to even reach a calorie surplus. I am hungry enough to eat over 3000 calories if I eat too little protein and it's a shot to the foot if you want to gain muscle or lose fat because neither are going to happen

[Crystal89 in reply to HeyItGeg]

Hey! Thank you for your reply. I have a gym membership and I *was* attending maybe, 3-4 times a week, along side a 500 calorie deficit and I was doing really well with it. I was bulking and toning up in all the right places and I enjoyed making sure I fullfied my macronutrients for each day. And then I got a new job which meant I couldn't work out as much (I'm lucky if I get 1 evening a week at the gym!) and I swapped my good foods for foods that were bad for the body but great for my mental health. And it's stayed like that for the last 3 months. However reading your message, reminded me that I actually did enjoy being in a deficit because I was controlling how my body looked and felt! So thank you!

[Earthflower]

If you feel you can't stop yourself from over indulging then at least over indulge on foods that are less likely to cause IBS discomfort. Have a look at the Low FODMAP diet. Also, yes I do understand how it feels to think sod it, I'm in an eating mood. I fluctuate between size 10 and 12 UK but I'm small boned, 5, 5 in height. At the moment I'm more 12 and feeling skinny fat. When I go on a healthy diet (always low fodmap now) my IBS usually improves. Portion sizes also make a difference.

[Crystal89 in reply to Earthflower]

Hello Earth flower,

Thank you for replying!!

My eating habits are definitely linked to my emotions. If I've had a tough week, at the weekend I'll be like sod it. I deserve it. But on the same hand, if I've had a great week, at the weekend I'll still binge because I've "earned a treat". But there is never a middle ground with it. I won't buy a small pack of chocolate for my treat or pick me up.. Instead I'll buy the biggest. And then binge throughout the weekend on other things too.

What is the Fodmap diet? I've seen the word around this site a few times. If I could help me break my cycle with food, I'll happily try it!

[Margie71]

It sounds like you may have Binge Eating Disorder. I think you need to be evaluated by a therapist who works with these disorders or even go to an Eating Disorder Center where they have many types of treatments that could help.

[Crystal89 in reply to Margie71]

Hi Margie,

Thank you for your reply. Whilst I appreciate your view, I absolutely do not have an eating disorder. Certainly not one that would warrent a trip to a treatment centre anyhow.

My eating is linked to my emotions, if I feel happy I over eat and the same for if I feel sad. I am fully aware of it and I manage it. I partake in CBT anyway for a separate issue and I am able to apply those techniques for my over eating. What my problem is mostly with the over eating, is how it affects my ibs. And when I'm suffering with it, all I can think is why can I not just stop over eating. Which is why I posted here, in hope that I may find others who have experienced the same and what methods they used to over come.

I'm eager to look in to the Fodmap diet, suggested by earth flower and heyitgreg reminded me of my macronutrients which I learnt from the gym. So already I'm feeling more positive 😊 now to apply this when I'm having a bad week.... Or a good one!

[Marathoner in reply to Crystal89]

FODMAP did not work for me, although maybe for some it will. Just as it is with IBS, the reaction you get from a diet as such will be symptomatic to each person differently. I have found some foods that I prefer since trying out the diet, but it's too expensive for not good enough results for my liking.

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[Marathoner]

I think I get where you're coming from. I loooove to eat as well. Took me a while to find the link between eating too much and IBS getting so much worse after, but I think I got it now. I have somehow managed to stay at a US size 8 for a few years now, but I attribute that to my IBS, oddly enough. Before I was diagnosed, I would eat dinner, have several bathroom runs, and then eat again thinking I'd be ok because I just lost everything I ate. Lol. WOW, was I wrong....didn't take long to see a few extra lbs. Still, sigh, it really doesn't matter how much I eat, generally the same result (just maybe later in the day instead of immediate uncomfortableness). I try to stop eating when I'm comfortable now, don't gotta stop at one cracker, but definitely don't need that second serving. It also helps that I get full fast on less food, but after a restroom break, I'm good for a small snack or some coffee. Good luck to you. Sooner or later you will find that being miserable after some food is not worth it and you'll cut back. It will become a natural thing for you to do. One day at a time.