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Original poster

Binge eating, can't stop

133 replies

Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 21:26

Please help. I just can't stop binge eating, it's absolutely ridiculous and I don't know why I do it. It's like an addiction, I've had therapy and BWRT and for months I was doing really well but this past week I've just stiffed chocolate, chips, crackers, cheese and I cannot stop.
What can I do?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 21:27

Stuffed not stiffed!

OP posts:
AugustSeptemberOctober · 04/03/2022 21:31

No help I'm afraid, but I am exactly the same... I had hypnotherapy last year and that didn't work for me. I find the best thing is not to buy junk food at all, if it's not in the house then I can't eat it. I would love to be the sort of person who can have a biscuit with their cup of tea and put the rest of the packet away! But I just can't stop, it's like a compulsion. If I bought a 6 pack of crisps to last a week, I'd eat them all the day I bought them. It's absurd and I don't know why I'm like it.

2021s · 04/03/2022 21:35

Make yourself drinks pints of water

Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 21:36

I would be ashamed to say what I've eaten past few days and now all I'm thinking about is what I can secretly eat tomorrow. Its always done in secret as well.

OP posts:
merrymelodies · 04/03/2022 21:40

I used to binge occasionally when I was in my 20s and 30s and would purge afterwards. I was so ashamed and miserable! I taught myself to stop binging by reminding myself of how terrible I would feel afterwards. It took time and lots of self-discipline but I overcame it. Even now, I rarely buy any sweet or fatty foods, like crisps or ice-cream or chocolate because it's still a temptation, especially if I'm tired or depressed. I guess it's a bit like the food version of alcoholism.

Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 21:43

I think it is like alcoholism.
I taught myself the same and I'd been doing so well. I'm just really struggling to pull myself out of it this time.

OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 04/03/2022 21:49

Is there anything in particular that set you off this past week? As you say you've managed to stay on the wagon for months so could you perhaps reframe this and see it as you've currently fallen off the wagon but you absolutely can and manage to get back on?

SparklingLime · 04/03/2022 21:50

It’s absolutely miserable, OP. I feel for you.
Have you used this book? I’ve seen it recommended so many times:

www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Binge-Eating-Second-Program/dp/1572305614?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 21:55

@VladmirsPoutine

Is there anything in particular that set you off this past week? As you say you've managed to stay on the wagon for months so could you perhaps reframe this and see it as you've currently fallen off the wagon but you absolutely can and manage to get back on?
We went away in half term so it was much harder to stick to the food I'd been eating previously and it's just spiralled down from there.
OP posts:
Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 21:55

@SparklingLime

It’s absolutely miserable, OP. I feel for you. Have you used this book? I’ve seen it recommended so many times:

]]

Thank you no I've not read that.
OP posts:
redrobinswelcome · 04/03/2022 22:01

The overcoming binge eating book is great- definitely worth a try and if talks you through how to get better step by step.

The key though is weirdly to just eat regularly so that you never ever get hungry. And don't do anything silly like trying to cut out carbs or fat. Aim to eat a diet that will maintain your weight (even if it's a weight you're not happy with) which allows you to eat v regularly. The reason why people often fail at stopping binges is because they try to diet as well as stopping the binges. Classic cycle of restriction leading to bingeing leading back to restriction.

FatCatThinCat · 04/03/2022 22:02

I have found 3 physical triggers for my binge eating. Uncontrolled sleep apnea, uncontrolled allergies, and certain blood pressure medicines. Could any of those be a problem for you?

Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 22:08

@FatCatThinCat

I have found 3 physical triggers for my binge eating. Uncontrolled sleep apnea, uncontrolled allergies, and certain blood pressure medicines. Could any of those be a problem for you?
No none of those, my trigger is probably feeing low and getting comfort from food.
OP posts:
Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 22:08

@redrobinswelcome

The overcoming binge eating book is great- definitely worth a try and if talks you through how to get better step by step.

The key though is weirdly to just eat regularly so that you never ever get hungry. And don't do anything silly like trying to cut out carbs or fat. Aim to eat a diet that will maintain your weight (even if it's a weight you're not happy with) which allows you to eat v regularly. The reason why people often fail at stopping binges is because they try to diet as well as stopping the binges. Classic cycle of restriction leading to bingeing leading back to restriction.

Thank you that's really helpful and interesting.
OP posts:
PeggyGa · 04/03/2022 22:13

Have you tried Overeaters anonymous?

Letsgoforaskip · 04/03/2022 22:16

Brain Over Binge is meant to be really good. There is a book or podcasts. I think the author thought she’d never be able to beat the cycle but obviously found a way that worked for her.
I agree with previous posters who say that you need to be kind to yourself and try not to go from one extreme to the other.
Tomorrow is a new day!

hihellohihello · 04/03/2022 22:18

Can you go out - for a good while, somewhere with no food? Bike ride, long walk, swimming. Don't take food, only water.

Build up distracting activity. Stuff that you cannot do and eat at the same time. The more you do, the less opportunity to eat.

hihellohihello · 04/03/2022 22:19

From there you'll get more used to going without food for longer.

DSGR · 04/03/2022 22:24

Things that helped me: You have to talk yourself out of it every time you are reaching for more biscuits. Tell yourself how awful you will feel afterwards. Another thing that helps is allowing yourself some small amounts of crisps or chocolate but then absolutely forcing yourself to stop. So your brain and body gets the message you CAN eat these foods in normal portion sizes.. and you can have the same portion tomorrow if you want to. Tell yourself things are NOT ruined because you had one bag of crisps (often a reason why people carry on eating, because they’ve had one packet and ruined it so they might as well carry on). These things helped me anyway

Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 22:31

Thank you, yes I will eat a bit of a large bar of chocolate then think I might as well eat it all even though its making me feel sick.

OP posts:
PeggyGa · 04/03/2022 22:34

All people saying try to distract yourself. For me I was like an addict with an uncontrollable urge

Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 22:37

I think another cause is my husband is vegetarian and I often end up eating meals I don't enjoy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 22:38

@PeggyGa

All people saying try to distract yourself. For me I was like an addict with an uncontrollable urge
Yup exactly and it's not just for sugar. I've eaten an entire box of ritz crackers in 2 days as well as all the sweet stuff. I was pre diabetic so I am meant to avoid sugar and carbs. There is often an element of boredom, thinking I deserve a nice treat.
OP posts:
Original poster
Ineedastyleicon · 04/03/2022 22:38

@PeggyGa

All people saying try to distract yourself. For me I was like an addict with an uncontrollable urge
How did you overcome it?
OP posts:
hihellohihello · 04/03/2022 22:45

There is often an element of boredom, thinking I deserve a nice treat

So what things do you like which don't involve eating? If you went into a cinema and didn't buy food would you want to eat enough to get up during the film? Would you be able to be at work without constantly eating? Can you have a long bath without eating?

If you don't have bingeable food in the house is the urge strong enough to go out and buy some?