Cannot stop binge eating

[crazykoo124]

Hello

Sorry posted on her for traffic.
I’m quite overweight (76kg 5’4). I was about 80kg a month ago, have been going to the gym 4-5+ times a week and very proud of my efforts as it wasn’t easy.
I’ve lost 4kg.

However, I could have lost more as I have been uncontrollably binge eating McDonald’s and other junk food I’m so embarrassed. I’m currently living away from my family so nobody is watching. Every day I have the most awful urge to binge eat even if it’s before or after gym. I feel awful guilty after but the cycle repeats itself.
I have tried to prepare nutritious filling meals but they don’t seem to satisfy the urge.

I know it’s all my fault but wondering if anyone has been through anything similar? I hate to see my efforts going down the drain simply because I can’t resist food (and fries)

It’s a horrible situation to be in, OP.

This book is really helpful:
www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Binge-Eating-Second-Program/dp/1572305614?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@tempusfudgeit

Not sure why that's relevant as clearly this post is about op who is trying to lose weight.

I am literally in the same situation right now and the same weight and height (although mine fluctuates daily from 12st to 11st 12). This is fairly overweight for 5 ft 4, I can grab handfuls of my stomach fat and thigh fat and am more a size 14 now. I have rolls of fat wearing my jeans and have to wear tops to hide it, it's awful.
My nurse also said I needed to lose weight as I am on the pill so please don't try to advocate this as healthy.
Op my advice is have a treat night every week (can be food from the shop like curries etc) maybe make takeaway a monthly thing so yaiu don't feel deprived.
I've had some success with this the past couple weeks as I also normally eat takeaway (every week), I've been having 2 meals a day pasta etc but a small lunch and dinner that fills me but doesn't make me feel stuffed.
It is hard, really hard but I am more concerned about my health now.
This seems to be working so far, also keeping crap out of the house.

OP what worked for quite a few of my clients (I'm a PT) is chocolate protein powder, a couple of choices of flavour. Then you get a choc hit but it's going to give you protein not loads of fat, sugar and carbs.

There's loads of things you can do, like a milkshake, thick protein shake with banana etc blended in, choc protein pancakes, with banana and honey and nuts on top, etc etc. Or a favourite of mine, protein pancakes with cinnamon and apple sauce, that's also good.

You can get the big plate, hearty food, chocolate feeling without the diet disaster. Also the benefit, if you can call it that, of too much protein is that it gives you, shall we say, unsociable digestion - so its easier to stop eating it after a certain point.

Hi op.I found Brain Over Binge by Kathryn Hanson a really helpful book to read and I haven't really binged since after 35 years of struggling with food.Its co-incided with taking sertraline for anxiety mind you so that might have helped too.Remember exercise makes you hungry too.Read 'Why We Get Fat 'which was also a helpful book for me.

@crazykoo124 just found your thread and wondered how youre getting on? I totally relate to your posts - in fact ive just reached rock bottom and spoken to a counsellor (altho they werent much help). Have you found / learned anything that is helping you ?

Lots of us have binge eating problems.

Professional help is pretty much unavailable on the NHS and is v v expensive, so its worth trying self help books/podcasts. Christopher Fairburn book, for example. Or ‘Brain Over Binge’.

I’ve made SOME progress through self help.