Whenever you decide to binge, sit down and write in a journal for 20 minutes what you are feeling. By then you should be able to talk yourself out of it. Most cravings go away after a few minutes. If that doesn't work. Talk yourself out of it, OUTLOUD, it works for me!!! There is nothing like someone telling you, "WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?"!!! Be your own food police!!!

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[This message has been edited by Jennalynn (edited 01-26-2001).]

I have been having some trouble with the binging lately. So I will give this a try. Thanks.

Bekka

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Bekka, What stopped my bingeing was to stop denying myself certain foods. I have a single serving size (or smaller) of whatever it is I'm hungry for or craving and that's it. Since I took the words "fobidden foods" and "bad foods" out of my way of eating, my bingeing has totally stopped. And that takes a load of pressure off of me that I don't have to feel guilty when I eat something that everyone else thinks I shouldn't be! *grin*

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Here's to healthy and happy!

Dj

Keep single servings onhand, or put them in individual baggies so you're not tempted to eat the whole box of whatever. Bingeing is hard not to do because it hits you fast, and in no time you can consume a whole lotta calories. Also, if you want your goodies and don't want to feel totally denied keep a goodies box for yourself and only eat a little at a time. This box will be for you only. You may not feel you have to binge knowing its waiting for you. You can have it. But you don't have to have the whole thing all at once.

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[This message has been edited by Jennalynn (edited 01-26-2001).]

Hello,
I am a closet binger needing help. I actually only need to lose about ten pounds, but I am short and every extra pound makes me look chubby. I am using the RS foodmover. It is helping because I have to be accountable. I am a teacher and unfortunately some days I can handle the pressure and some days I can't. http://www.diettalk.com/uub//frown.gif It is weird Ido well all day and then bang I will start digging in the snack basket at school and go binging from there. Then I will starve myself the rest of the day because I don't want to gain weight. I know it sounds so horrible, but I need help and I am so happy that you posted some tips to help. Thank you GG :)

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We can achieve !

Starving yourself is bad. It slows your metabolism and you lose weight at a slower pace, if at all. If you have ever gone camping you know you have to add leaves, brushes, logs,etc. to the fire to keep it going, think of it that way. Keep a lunch box with healthy snacks, to snack on so that you are not as tempted by the junk at school. Have a plan of action. Think about it, you probably overeat when frustrated, anxious, bored, etc. (an emotional eater, like alot of us, including me). What will be your plan of action the next time it happens? If you are bored, make a list of things to do and do at least one before you eat whatever. If you are frustrated, call a friend, take a walk, go for a drive. If you are anxious, calm yourself with a warm bubblebath, candles, soothing music, or maybe time alone, exercise, meditate. Take an emotional inventory, write a letter to the person that is bothering you, you don't have to send it. Stress is hard to deal with and binge eaters find comfort in food. Know your triggers, what makes you overeat. Have a PLAN OF ACTION ready for the next time it happens.
Challenge the power of food. If I eat this, will I still be lonely? Do whatever it is you have to do, and make it work for you.

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Visual reminders can be helpful. Make a STOP sign for your refrigerator, with a list of tips (such as, drink a glass of water), and a list of questions (Are you really hungry?). Be as creative with your two lists as possible. If anyone has any ideas, please post them here. Put up two pictures, one of you now and one at your last weight that you were happy or comfortable with. Write your weight at the bottom of each. Keeping these of the frig is up to you. I have a calendar that I put a smiley face on for each day that I stick to my plan, and a frowning face for each day that I don't. If anyone has any ideas to add, please do so.

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Do you have any reminders for when you are out and about? I don't have any problems with eating wrong foods at home, I never buy anything bad! I don't even feel the need or urge to break my eating habits while I am at home. BUT as soon as I get in the car, my goodness! It is like I am possessed by the food monster, I want to go here and there, lol... any ideas?

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~Keep trying! Keep losing!~
Massie

Whenever you find yourself bingeing or thinking of it just picture maggots crawling all over your food. That will change your mind..

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bougiej@hotmail.com

I will set a "cheat day," usually a week or a month ahead of time. Then when I crave something, I write it down on a list as something I may choose to eat on that day. It helps me because when I drive past a fast food place and I crave something bad, I say to myself "No, if I eat there then I can't have X type of food on Feb 26th." I feel less like I'm depriving myself, and more like I'm choosing one type of food over another.

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Just want to commend you on an EXCELLENT post! I fully believe I needed to change my MIND and how I think about and deal with food before I could budge 100+ lbs. from my body!

One more tip: cut out pictures of healthy, athletic women and phrases that really speak to you and make a collage for your fridge or for somewhere more private if you don't want the whole family to see it.

Mine is in the bathroom! I have it in a magazine rack, and make a point to look at it every time I go in there. I have several pages of pictures and phrases that inspire me. It works!

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Never give up, Never give in! Stay the course day by day, You're sure to win!

Massielita keep a lunch box with you full of healthy snacks. Fresh fruit bananas, apples, raisins, pretzels, crackers, air popped popcorn, a sandwich full of veggies on wheat or rye with chicken, turkey, or lean roast beef. If you get one that is for hot and cold foods, you can bring soup, fatfree yogurt, fresh veggies with a ranch dip, etc. Don't forget a bottle of water. If you don't like water add lemon, lime, or orange slices. Good alternatives to plain water are herbal teas and carbonated water, or mix 1/3 fruit juice with 2/3 water. That way you won't be tempted to buy junk food and fast food. Think of the money you'll save. Knowing what to eat is half the battle. Be create and try new recipes. I have lost 5 pounds this month.
145/140/115

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Total Commitment. Eat smart. Drink water. Get moving. Try harder. Now!!!

Expect relapses to occur. If you binge at breakfast and say, "I blew it, I might as well overeat all day and start over tomorrow," you are giving yourself permission to overeat. I used to do this a lot. Instead, say, "I blew it, I am going to brush my teeth and start over at lunch and eat healthy." Take it one meal at a time, and try to limit snacks. Recovery from overeating is not about perfection. It's about getting back on track more quickly when you do overeat. I am getting my binge eating under control any way that I have to that works for me.
145/140/115

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Total Commitment. Eat smart. Drink water. Get moving. Try harder. Now!!!

I have lost 6 1/2 pounds so far this year. Diet, exercise, and water do work. Who knew? lol I'm just writing to say that it feels so good to not binge. The food will still be there. You don't have to eat it all at once. Food seems to taste so much better when you give yourself the chance to wait a little while for it. After breakfast tell yourself, ok lunch is only a few hours away. If you really are hungry go ahead and make a snack. Your body is telling you that is what it needs right now. Food isn't off limits, it's only limited. I know someone else here said that, but it is so true. I have battled with binge eating for years and I wasn't winning. I am finally starting to win, and if this helps anyone I will be happy.
145/138.5/115/-1.5 so far this week

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Total Commitment. Eat smart. Drink water. Get moving. Try harder. Now!!!

[This message has been edited by Jennalynn (edited 02-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Jennalynn (edited 02-03-2001).]

Find a cupboard in your house and fill it with self care items, including nail products, bubblebath, candles, etc. You might put in it the phone numbers of friends to call, books, great CDs and messages to fill your soul. Personally I have a notebook full of my favorite motivational and inspiring quotes. The next time you get the urge to dig through the refrigerator, ask yourself if you are really hungry. If you aren't, reach into your "self care cabinet" and choose one of those calorie-free treats instead. Question, is anyone reading these tips? And have they helped at all?

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Total Commitment. Eat smart. Drink water. Get moving. Try harder. Now!!!

I am reading them, Jennalynn. And yes I believe they will help me. I have started over, AGAIN! Got off track for quite a while. Binging was becoming a daily thing again. I cannot let this happen. Maybe I have to come here and read this post everyday to get this under control! Thanks for the great tips!

Bekka

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I think there is a strong correlation between drinking water and bingeing. The days that I did not drink 64 oz. of water I wanted to eat, eat, eat. ??????? I keep a 64 oz. container of water in the frig, for myself, and fill it each morning. That way throughout the day, I can see if I need to push myself to drink more. If you'd like use a straw, restaurants do this to fill you up so you feel full, (inside trick)go ahead. I believe that drinking colder water makes your body work harder to warm it, increasing metabolic rate. :eek: Also, certain food types can alter the degree of hunger. After sugar is consumed, insulin levels rise. Insulin then removes sugar from the blood, causing blood sugar levels to fall and causing hunger. The cycle takes about 2-3 hours. If the sugar that is ingested is glucose, the type of sugar in a donut for example, the rise in insulin and the resulting fall in blood sugar are very steep. If the sugar is frutose, the kind found in fruit, the rise in insulin and fall in blood sugar are much less pronounced. A donut for breakfast, not only means more calories than fruit, it means that eating the donut produces more insulin, thus making you hungrier at lunch. It seems that the more high calorie foods we eat, the more we want. To keep your metabolism working for you, eat a little something every few hours. You only really need a snack though, not entire meals. Try to stay away from the junk food. Would you feed a baby junk food? No you would give a baby milk, juice, and water to drink, not coffee and soda. You would give a baby fruit and vegetables, not cookies and McDonalds. Be good to yourself. :D

I allow myself one binge a week. I eat whatever I want and then the next day I start right back on program. I find this works for me. I've satisfied myself with the food I've craved most and get it done and over with.

I'm reading them Jennalynn. You have some great points! Thank you so much!

Trynya/Jamie

Hey there!

I am reading them! And yes.. I find them very helpful! One thing, at least for me, when I put my emotions on paper.. STRESSED, BORED, UNHAPPY, HAPPY, etc it seems so counteractive.. it makes me want to instantly feel better by grabbing the closest chip bag and start munching away... I have learned to 1) exercise before I assess my day, and 2) It always has to start off with 3 positive things that have happened to me. I don't know, so far my body hasn't caught up with my brain on this one yet! LOL (It knows lots and lots of tricks!)

Have a wonderful day!

Great Tips!