Page 3 | To beg you for help on stopping binging

Reallyfatandmiserable · 2023-09-28T10:43:23+00:00

I’ve tried it all. Dieting, not dieting, hypnotherapy, not having food in the house, eating well. Last night after I ate FOUR cadburys chocolate yoghurts in a row I wondered if I could burn off the sweet taste buds in my tongue so that I just fucking stop. I’m addicted to sugar. It’s disgusting. I eat an obscene amount of it every day, I waste money on it, I’m ashamed every time I go into one of my local shops and wonder what they think of me. I have had blood tests and all of fine. I take magnesium tablets and it doesn’t change. I try adding cinnamon and it doesn’t work. I have a good diet most of the time, but I binge on chocolate every single day. I have told my GP and nothing. I contacted BEAT and they were useless. I told my counsellor and she mostly dismisses it. I can’t do this any more. It’s ruining my life. I have ADHD and I presume this might be a response to that. I’ve been doing it since I was a child but it is out of control. And PLEASE don’t just say things like ‘yo just stop eating it’. If you’ve never had a severe addiction then you don’t understand. And this is like an addiction. Smokers don’t quit smoking after being told to just stop, it doesn’t work like that, I wish to god it did. It’s an eating disorder I guess. I can’t cope. Please, if you quit sugar, how did you do it? I can’t carry on like this.

MsRosley · 28/09/2023 13:49

One small step at a time, OP, eg replace one of your favourite binge items with something nice but less unhealthy. (I like those sugar free boiled sweets. You get a prolonged hit of sweetness that satisfies the sugar cravings.) Self control takes time to develop. Changing your habits in tiny increments, allowing each change to 'bed in' before you move on to the next, stops that cycle of trying to do it one go then failing.

Crimblecrumble1990 · 28/09/2023 13:48

I could have written your post. Although to be honest the 4 chocolate yoghurts wouldn't have touched the sides. :)

Im ashamed to admit to anyone how much sugar I consume, it's quite unbelievable. People think they know sugar addiction 'oh I finished off a whole family bar of chocolate'. But to me thats just a normal persons behaviour who has a bit of a sweet tooth.

I can't see anything on this thread that would stop me eating. At the moment (from literally today), I have removed Apple Pay off my phone so I have no access to money. I remove my make up and put on my dressing gown as soon as I get home so I can't go back out again to the shop. And most ridiculously I am stopping my 3 year olds naps so I don't have that luxurious hour to binge eat. I also drink a lot of Diet Coke too like a previous poster.

Best of luck OP, if you crack it, please come back and let me know :)

FinallyHere · 28/09/2023 13:36

I do feel your pain. What you describe I absolutely recognise from my own life.

Have you come across Gillian Riley's approach ? I'd really encourage you to have a look at her free ted talk.

https://eatingless.com

Nowadays, when ever am deciding (or rather choosing) what to eat, I consider how it will make me feel after I've eaten it. If I will feel good, I'll eat it. If I will feet sluggish, lethargic and guilty, I'll probably not bother.

The message is very, very simple but certainly not easy. It took me several 'goes' and completely eliminating sugar from my diet in order to really get to grips with her approach.

Getting the sugar out of my life really, really helps me to feel I'm in control of what I eat. Many of us find that there are chemical reactions in our brains when we eat sugar that set us up on. Blood sugar rollercoaster. None needs that in their lives.

I'm very glad I did. It's changed my life in so many ways that I could not have expected.

Hope you find what works for you.

Darkmode2 · 28/09/2023 13:26

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:13

Really good! I eat a big range of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fibres, lots of protein. I take multivitamins and extra magnesium and b vitamins. I’ve had blood tests and they say everything is perfectly healthy. This has to be a mental thing, I just don’t know how to break it. It’s so out of control it’s taking over my life.

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I wish I could offer advice op

I have a problem with sugar but nowhere near as extreme as yours. I find if I really fill myself up on healthy filling foods I either feel too full for sugary food or the craving edges off slightly. I've tried eating salty snacks when I'm really craving sugar and that has worked somewhat in the past. Also just like a big lump of cheddar. It doesn't cure the underlying issue though.

I know exactly how you feel though, when the craving kicks in I'll do anything to get hold of sugar

lliij8 · 28/09/2023 13:23

@Reallyfatandmiserable He tackles the psychological aspect of it, and maybe that'll help you. Good luck.

SunRainStorm · 28/09/2023 13:22

SirenSays · 28/09/2023 12:10

A little trick that might work. When you're binging in the evening go and brush your teeth, it might dull the cravings for a while.

I do this. It works for me.

Also keeping chopped carrot sticks in the fridge at the front.

DietHelp · 28/09/2023 13:22

Hi OP, I’m sorry you’re struggling. I had bulimia but I have luckily managed to overcome it - though mine wasn’t as long standing as yours so that might be why.

You say you have a counsellor - it sounds to me like you need a therapist who specialises in EDs. Can you afford to pay privately? If so, that might be the way to go. If not, these are the NICE guidelines for treating EDs so it might be worth looking to see if you have been offered what you should be offered on the NHS.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng69/chapter/Recommendations#treating-binge-eating-disorder

Whatever you do in the meantime, don’t try and restrict yourself in any way with food…that is a guaranteed way to trigger binges.

Recommendations | Eating disorders: recognition and treatment | Guidance | NICE

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng69/chapter/Recommendations#treating-binge-eating-disorder

Splishsplashsplooshsplosh · 28/09/2023 13:21

Yep I used the smoking book too. It worked for me.

Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:21

lliij8 · 28/09/2023 13:19

OP, you mentioned smoking. Well, I quit by reading Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking.

He also wrote a book called Easy Weigh To Lose Weight. Now, I haven't read it, I have no idea if it works. But his stop smoking book has worked for a lot of people. You'll find a copy of this online for just a few quid, why not try it? It's something different.

I remember a friend using his smoking book. I’ll have a look at his weight loss book, thank you

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Splishsplashsplooshsplosh · 28/09/2023 13:21

Any chance you might have polycystic ovarian syndrome? I do. I used to crave chocolate. My GP put me on Metformin which is a diabetes drug for the PCOS symptoms (irregular periods, struggling to conceive, hairyness) and it helped with all those things but also I lost weight and pretty much lost interest in sweet stuff as well. I don't take it anymore, I stopped at some point in my pregnancy but even now I don't seem to crave sugary foods like before. I don't have diabetes so it was being used off label I think. But it's a pretty common use of the drug.

lliij8 · 28/09/2023 13:19

OP, you mentioned smoking. Well, I quit by reading Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking.

He also wrote a book called Easy Weigh To Lose Weight. Now, I haven't read it, I have no idea if it works. But his stop smoking book has worked for a lot of people. You'll find a copy of this online for just a few quid, why not try it? It's something different.

Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:18

ElFupacabra · 28/09/2023 13:16

I’d say this dopamine seeking caused by your ADHD. Is the setraline for depression? I’d ask for a med review and speak about proper adhd meds.

Yes definitely going to do this.‘I feel really let down by the GPS and their involvement, so I’m going to get an appointment

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Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:18

AuntieBadge · 28/09/2023 13:16

My sister was a binge eater and really overweight, it stopped when her DH died because he had been making her miserable for 30 odd years. I know a lot of disordered eating is linked to mood but even if you have tried tackling past issues possibly look to your current life set up. Partner you hate , neighbours from hell, job that makes you depressed.

She lost six stone and has kept it off for over six years.

Wow, your poor sister. Glad to hear she is doing better health-wise. The problem is this started when I was a child. I have lots of mementoes of stealing chocolate. I guess it must be childhood related but I don’t know of anything that triggered it. Unless it’s ADHD related.

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Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:17

Elevant · 28/09/2023 13:14

Following. I've had hypnotherapy too and have tried all the things you mention. Even if I'm full, I'm just compelled to go on huge binges. I do it about once per week, but struggle not to do it every day. My husband doesn't understand it at all and thinks it's disgusting. I'm mortified and really wish I could stop.

I’m so sorry, it’s so tough. I haven’t told anyone in my personal life because of the shame. People don’t seem to get it, they think you’re just eating too much out of greed, but it’s not that at all.

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AuntieBadge · 28/09/2023 13:16

My sister was a binge eater and really overweight, it stopped when her DH died because he had been making her miserable for 30 odd years. I know a lot of disordered eating is linked to mood but even if you have tried tackling past issues possibly look to your current life set up. Partner you hate , neighbours from hell, job that makes you depressed.

She lost six stone and has kept it off for over six years.

ElFupacabra · 28/09/2023 13:16

I’d say this dopamine seeking caused by your ADHD. Is the setraline for depression? I’d ask for a med review and speak about proper adhd meds.

Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:16

Flickersy · 28/09/2023 13:14

Do you have anyone you could hand your finances over to so you're incapable of going out and getting chocolate when you feel like it? Or anyone you live with who could stop you going out in the evening for it?

I live on my own except for my toddler. I like the idea of forcing myself to go out without any money at all and trying to restrict myself further, I’m going to give that a try on top of some of the other suggestions here.

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Flickersy · 28/09/2023 13:14

Do you have anyone you could hand your finances over to so you're incapable of going out and getting chocolate when you feel like it? Or anyone you live with who could stop you going out in the evening for it?

Elevant · 28/09/2023 13:14

Following. I've had hypnotherapy too and have tried all the things you mention. Even if I'm full, I'm just compelled to go on huge binges. I do it about once per week, but struggle not to do it every day. My husband doesn't understand it at all and thinks it's disgusting. I'm mortified and really wish I could stop.

Bacarach · 28/09/2023 13:13

You need to find a hobby or something that you can do with your hands (keep it clean folks!) so that it distracts you. Can you substitute the chocolate bars for something a little less fat like Skinny Whips or low fat yoghurts instead?

Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:13

Darkmode2 · 28/09/2023 13:03

What is your overall diet like? Like day to day?

Really good! I eat a big range of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy fibres, lots of protein. I take multivitamins and extra magnesium and b vitamins. I’ve had blood tests and they say everything is perfectly healthy. This has to be a mental thing, I just don’t know how to break it. It’s so out of control it’s taking over my life.

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Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:11

Eyesopenwideawake · 28/09/2023 13:05

I see you’ve tried hypnotherapy, have you considered remedial hypnosis?

I haven’t heard of this, I’ll have a Google

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Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:11

Laurdo · 28/09/2023 13:00

There are therapists that specialise in disordered eating. Maybe worth a try?

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This might be an idea, maybe I need to find a local
person.

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Original poster

Reallyfatandmiserable · 28/09/2023 13:10

SalmonBelongInTheWater · 28/09/2023 12:59

Don't keep cash anywhere. Put your bank card in a block of ice. Unless you will then resort to shoplifting it's a physical barrier that will prevent you from buying junk to binge on. Just keep enough cash on you for your daily necessities.

No offence OP, but you've been doing this three decades, sought advice from literal professionals (GP, BEAT, counselling) and it hasn't changed, so you might be 'treatment resistant'. Maybe you have to stop fighting it as clearly you can't stop. And getting all 'I understand people are trying to be helpful but...' when you're the one who came here and asked if you were being unreasonable isn't cool at all. What on earth do you think a bunch of strangers on a forum will be able to offer you that the above professionals can't? It seems like no matter what anyone suggests, you'll insist it won't work. So why are you here?

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Having a go at me when I’m sitting here sobbing isn’t going to help. Of course I want help. The reason why I posted that is to try and make people understand that those sorts of suggestions don’t work. I’m trying to reiterate that I’ve done all this and it doesn’t work. I thanked that person for responding, I do appreciate it, but I’m trying to avoid reams of responses that say the same sort of thing and wasting peoples time.
thank you very much for taking the time to engage but I won’t be responding to you again, I don’t need to be made to feel worse than I already do.

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PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 28/09/2023 13:08

I have struggled with this for 30+ years too.
Some things that have helped

the Glucose Revolution book, then wearing a continuous glucose monitor to check how trying to manage blood sugar works in practice. Rice for instance sends my blood sugar sky high, so it's a sure fire bet that if I have sushi for lunch I'll binge on chocolate later when the car crash hits
the Dr Chris and Dr Xand podcasts on upf - really helps on seeing it as not desirable
the lessons I learned in giving up booze. Yes it is much easier to stop drinking than to manage a food addiction given we still have to eat, but some of the thought patterns help.