Can anyone share effective ways to stop binge eating?

[brightbelle]

Can anyone help please?

I had anorexia when I was a teen and though I sort of recovered for many years I've been struggling with relationship with food and body image etc. In the past two plus years I have been in terrible eating cycle - minimal food at weekdays and binge on weekends - managed to keep weight with low BMI. For a number of reasons my situation got worse in the last nine months, weight on and off in the range of 20 pounds for two times. Now I'm on the higher weight side. I really want to stop myself from craving for food over weekends. Can anyone help?

Many thanks!

[CapricornCalling]

YES. I had got myself into a cycle of binge eating - for a couple of months. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I didn't weigh, but I was overweight, I think close to obese. Last Sunday, 28th August, I decided it had to stop and started a very strict diet and exercise regime. A week on, I've stuck to it, again not weighed myself but I'm sure I've lost weight and feel a lot fitter.

Every one has their different motivations OP, but what motivated me was that in the job I work in, they are offering a more senior role - promotion, effectively. I BADLY need this promotion as it would enable us to move to a bigger house. When I am tempted with food - as I was in a café last Tuesday , I was surrounded by really tempting sweet and savoury food but I told myself, realistically, that I wanted this promotion MORE than I wanted food. This thought made me stick to the diet and resist the tasty food. So there you are - that's my basic psychology. I'm now off for a run!

[CapricornCalling]

Just to add to my above post - the reason I want to lose weight is to make myself presentable for promotion.

[sharond101]

It's about balance and deprivation during the week will put your body into a mode of starvation and your satiety levels will be all over the place. The only way to stop the bingeing is to up your food during the week and eat regularly every day. Easier said than done though.

[Cozytoesandtoast00]

Binge eating is a really complex issue.
Have you tried addressing the reasons for binge eating through counselling or hypnosis?
For me I find quitting sugar helps. Sugar sends you on a rollercoaster due to the rise and fall of your blood sugar levels, which also encourages you to eat more.
Try cutting out sugar and eating three meals a day. No snacking at all. These meals should contain good fats, high in protein with loads of veg. Make them tasty and enjoy your food. Use butter and olive oil. And don't diet. You will then feel satisfied and less likley to binge.
Diets set you up for failure. Just keep it simple.
Oh and many people who binge have issues with low mood. Commit to exercise.
Not to lose weight but to improve your mood. I"ve now found I love running (couch to 5k) Once your mood has improved you will be more likley to eat well.
Finally, consider meditation it will calm you and focus you to complete the above!

[Terrifiedandregretful]

I was also anorexic as a teen and have had periods of excessive bingeing alternating with dieting. I found Overeaters Anonymous really helpful for several years. Avoid absolutely all diets, they only lead to binges as sure as night follows day. I am currently finding the book 'Potatoes Not Prozac' very helpful, particularly making sure I get a decent amount of protein at each meal, which reduces cravings. I've also had a LOT of counselling and therapy. It's on ongoing struggle but I'm a lot better than I was. Look at the Binge eating support thread there's lots of advice on there.

[brightbelle]

Thanks very much all for your replies. It's really helpful to talk to people who have been through or understand this.

Capricorn I do know I should have wanted health or fitter body than food but I just find it difficult to stop. I haven't weighed myself but I am certain I've put on a lot in the past three months. However as I was underweight before and my face is normally the last part of my body to show fat I managed to hide this with loose and dark coloured clothes. I do hate I have to do this however.

Sharon yes I have become aware that I should not have starved myself over the week as it leads to binge. I have upped my food intake during the week but I still can't resist the urge to binge at weekends.

Cozy I think I was anorexic when I was a teen mainly because of self image but now it has become a more complex issue as there have been a few issues going on in my life that I struggle to cope with. I think that is the major reason why I'm back to terrible eating disorders, though my relationship with food hasn't been healthy since I had anorexia. I am trying to do HFLC diet over the week and don't normally feel hungry but I can still binge on weekends - I don't know if it's because I crave for carbs or because there are issues I want to escape from facing.

Terrified thanks for your recommendations and I will check them out. Where did you receive counselling if you don't mind me asking? In fact I have asked my GP to refer me for counselling (for other issues as well) but I have been waiting forever.

[qumquat]

Hi I'm terrified under a different name. I realise it's months later now but hopefully you'll see this! The only food specific counselling I've had was private at a place called The Centre for Eating Disorders in London. This was nearly 20 years ago now so not sure if it's still around. Otherwise various cbt type stuff on the NHS. My GP never took binge eating seriously. If I wasn't purging I was ok as far as they were concerned. I don't know if it's better now. I gave up talking about my eating with Drs.