to ask how to stop bingeing

OP as you continue through this and start gradually making healthier meal choices, I wonder if a more regimented meal plan for each week might help you, especially if you're leaning towards struggling to want to eat. That way there are no food decisions to be made on a daily basis (maybe even no food prep if you made batches in advance). You could have optional extras like fruit built into the plan for more hungry days. It might also be a good way to eventually bring in treat foods because if they aren't on the schedule they don't get eaten!

All the best, you're doing a great thing for yourself in tackling this beast.

Thank you both for replying.
Im not too good, but thats migraine and meds withdrawal, not eating.

I think you’re doing brilliantly OP and should be so proud of yourself!
It has been many months, but I can now have a bit of unhealthy food without bingeing. The weird thing is that it really doesn’t taste as good as you remember it!

Hows the colouring going?
I’ve started doing lots of walking lately (I use an app to track and it really motivates me) and it’s making me want to eat healthier because I can feel the difference in my body (sluggish walking) when I’m not!

Maybe a great time to take up a new hobby? Think of the money you’ve saved by not bingeing!

😊

That's great. I think something that keeps your hands busy and your mind elsewhere is really useful.

What do you do for hobbies, OP? If I 'binge' it's usually because I'm looking for some sort of sensory input. If I keep my hands busy with something crafty - and drink a lot of water - that makes a massive difference for me (along with all of the other stuff people are saying about noticing habits that lead to blood sugar spikes and troughs etc). This isn't meant to come across as facile - it's genuinely what has helped me.

Thank you both for replying.
Im not too good, but thats migraine and meds withdrawal, not eating.

Hope everyone is doing okay today.
Im just wondering, how many of you who gave up sugar, gave up artificial sweeteners, honey etc also? And do you allow yourselves fruit?

You’re doing amazing. I found listening to podcasts on recovery really helpful, light at the end of the tunnel. Over eaters recovery stories on YouTube. You’ll realise you’re not alone, you’re part of a group of people who help each other and understand the triggers.

Unfortunately, there are always people who’ll bang on about “everything in moderation”, or “just one won’t hurt”, and I simply don’t discuss anything with them.

@GallstoneGertie
I agree. In my experience (teenage anorexia followed by binge eating disorder, a few decades of more or less respite then recent resurgence of severe binge eating) such people know nothing of eating disorders and, probably unintentionally, adopt a very patronising tone when saying such things.

I'm also an all-or-nothing personality. That said, until the return of bingeing a couple of years ago, I could have a little very dark chocolate each day, and occasionally something very sugary, without it triggering weeks of full-on bingeing, but I seem to have lost that ability. I'm hoping the dark chocolate habit may become possible again at some point, but who knows.

You’re doing really well @WaterandSandy

As another all-or-nothing person, my experience is not to check whether I can risk a small quantity of binge food. I know if I risk it, that the food noise will ramp up exponentially until I give in to it. That’s my own personal experience. I’ve also found that sweeteners can trigger a binge.

Unfortunately, there are always people who’ll bang on about “everything in moderation”, or “just one won’t hurt”, and I simply don’t discuss anything with them.

I can’t remember ever not being like this. The food noise almost entirely disappears after about seven to ten days of cutting out junk and sweet stuff.

Last night I had my wrap with shredded lettuce and tiny pieces of chicken. Felt calm and relaxed, got a few things done.

edited for clarity

Think of it as an addiction. If you were recovering from heroin addiction or alcohol addiction, you couldn’t have a small but just to check or treat yourself as within a few days you’ll be strung out again.
Treat it like an addiction.
My Dsis has a book of sweet treat recommendations made with honey, vanilla extract etc, they’re really nice x she bakes her own crisp too, she has an under active thyroid so finds it better to have no sugar.
If you give in to the internal monster sweet treats, the beast that you’re suffocating, it’ll be back with vengeance.

Hi there. Well done!
Would you be happy to never eat anything sweet again? Or do you think you will want to at some point?
I've not binged sgain but ate mainly protein yoghurts and protein bars yesterday as I was stressed and having a migraine. So not the healthiest, but could have been a lot worse. I ate a stick of celery and some.beetroot in the evening lol so I could tell myself I had vegetables.