Binge eating: Hey guys, My first time... - Weight Loss Support

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Binge eating

BrightAndBeautiful profile image

Hey guys,

My first time posting on here... but I’ve really been struggling with binge eating and just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to deal with that?

I am not very overweight or anything, but I have put some weight on recently after losing a good bit last year and I just don’t want to get bigger.

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BrightAndBeautiful profile image
BrightAndBeautiful
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13 Replies
Lytham profile image
Lytham3 stone

Well done for nipping things in the bud, would you like to make a start by joining our weigh in today? Here's the link, I hope to see you there :-) x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone

Hi and welcome, BrightAndBeautiful :)

These may help beateatingdisorders.org.uk/...

jeatdisord.biomedcentral.co...

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/weight-l... and we hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

If you haven't already taken it, here's a tour of the forum healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best :)

TheAwfulToad profile image
TheAwfulToadVisitor

A couple of things to look at:

1) Are you eating proper meals? "Eating less and moving more" tends to mess with your head. I mean really mess with your head. See here:

psychologytoday.com/us/blog...

Make sure that when you eat a meal, you eat until you're full. Don't tell yourself that you've had enough if you know you haven't.

Of course you do need to make sure that you're not eating things that make people fat (broadly speaking, that means anything made largely from sugar or starch, but things like sliced white bread, sweet drinks, cakes/biscuits, jam, breakfast cereals, packaged sauces/dressings, and many "low fat" products are bad news).

Fill up your plate with vegetables, and add meat/eggs/dairy to taste.

2) Are you eating enough dietary fat? If your diet is deficient, your brain will send you off on a crazed binge to find whatever-it-is that it's missing. More often than not, the thing that people are missing is dietary fat. Butter, cheese, Greek yoghurt, olive oil, eggs and meat are excellent sources of fat.

3) Avoid keeping junk food (eg., the aforementioned snacks and sweets) in the house. If they're not there you can't eat them.

In short, ensuring that you have a happy tummy will reduce the chances of an overwhelming desire to raid the cookie jar. Especially if you don't have a cookie jar. :)

Pink4eva profile image
Pink4eva

Hi BrightAndBeautiful Welcome to the forum. Just wanted to say you are not on your own, I have had a problem with binge eating for most of my adult life. You will get lots of help and support here. Good luck with your goals😊

Thank you guys, really kind of you to reply, thank you for the support.

I think it is emotional and so recognising that and addressing what I am actually looking for/meeting the real need is a good place to start from... thank you again! All the best with your journeys into greater health

Brawny77 profile image
Brawny77

I find that if I plan my menu for the day I do less unplanned eating. I stick to it better and don’t binge much. Once in a while I have a breakdown but I probably stick to my plan 95% of the time

BrightAndBeautiful profile image
BrightAndBeautiful in reply toBrawny77

That’s great advice! Yes I think I’d be less likely to binge then too, although I do enjoy spontaneity’s too!

Greendream123 profile image
Greendream123

I struggle with binge eating too, for me it's emotional/psychological and I eat well during the day so it isn't linked to poor diet.

I managed 4 months without binging as got into a routine of only having a healthy hot chocolate after dinner and then brushing my teeth. I even had sweets in the house and had them now and again whilst steadily losing weight (this goes against what people say but I think it actually helped to know they were there and I could have them all in one go, but chose not to as had learnt to treat myself better - so not that I "couldn't" or that my favourite foods were completely off limits). I lost 2 stone like that without really changing my daytime eating, which was already pretty healthy.

I took some time off over Christmas (2 days!!) and have struggled since but am still trying. I find it useful to post in the daily diary, on the good days and bad, so hope to see you there. Looking forward to learning what works for you. :)

BrightAndBeautiful profile image
BrightAndBeautiful in reply toGreendream123

Thank you for your honesty. Really appreciate it.

walkinthewoods profile image
walkinthewoods7lbs

Distraction works for me. When is your danger period? I find the evenings when I have eaten well and not hungry but want something nice. It hasnt been such a problem since I have been eating LCHF meals but I do sometimes slip into binge eating mode particularly if I am tired. For the last six months, I have picked up knitting needles and crochet. Worked for me. Is there something you enjoy that could distract you from binge eating?

BrightAndBeautiful profile image
BrightAndBeautiful in reply towalkinthewoods

Yes I like to crochet too. That’s a good idea. It’s the evenings after dinner. I could eat really well all day (which I most often do) but could hit half 7/8 and I just want food! Probably a mixture of tiredness and emotional stuff I think. But these ideas are good. Thanks

BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator2 stone in reply toBrightAndBeautiful

It may be as you say, but it could be that you're just plain hungry. You say you "eat really well all day": you may be right but I'm wondering if that means you restrict your food and eat not very much. Maybe I'm wrong but do give it some thought.

And what did you think of the links moreless gave you, and the ideas from TheAwfulToad? That's what "eating really well" looks like :)

mizzou7016 profile image
mizzou7016Visitor

best results to me are eating smaller meals more often(some type of protein to make me feel full)(every 2-3 hours) and then not eating after a certain period of time....struggling with this part right now as I am working 12 hour days and usually hungry after work...also make sure as to why you are eating.....have a very bad habit here of eating my feelings

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