The effects of binge eating

[JackieA6]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping that someone can offer some motivation and insight to what's going on with me. This past weekend I overate entirely too much. Not just one day, like i usually treat myself to either - it was Friday night, all day Saturday and all day Sunday, and I'm definitely hating myself right now. I have lost ALL definition in my abs- its nothing but jiggly fat now and my clothes are tight on me, and my face looks fuller. i can't believe I did this much damage in just 2-3 days. What makes this all even worst is that my sciatica is acting up today that it even hurts to walk, so I can't even work out as hard as I'd like to so that I can feel somewhat better.
Has anyone ever gone through this? Any suggestions as to what I could do to burn the most efficient amount of calories without hurting myself more? And what is up with my abs being gone?! Ugh, any advice/support/suggestions would be VERY appreciated right now...

[I_Shaw_I]

strong first post...

But I completely understand what you're going through. I was binge eating every weekend for about 8 months. It completely fcked with my body and even worse my head.

IMO the first step is to see the cause. Common causes are depression and stavation. I was both.

[PremierGirl]

most of it is just probably water weight.

[JackieA6]

Originally Posted by I_Shaw_I

strong first post...

But I completely understand what you're going through. I was binge eating every weekend for about 8 months. It completely fcked with my body and even worse my head.

IMO the first step is to see the cause. Common causes are depression and stavation. I was both.

I know, it is my first time posting and what a way to start?! But in response to your post - the causes are very important to look at. I think it might be a little of both. That is definitely something I need to start looking further into.
Getting over it is another thing i need to learn how to do. I dwell too much and worry too much about what is already done. I know I can't undo what I ate, but now i'm worried that I shouldn't be allowed to enjoy Turkey Day either. The holidays don't make this process any easier!

[kariev34]

hi there and welcome to the boards (even if its on a bad note) i myself have been battling with binge eating for years. looking at me you wouldn't guess that i have a problem as i'm very lean and for the most part i watch what i eat. anyway, binging for me started when i learned about the body for life program in which the author allowed what he called a "free day" in which you can eat anything you want that day. well, i would overexercise and undereat/restrict myself so much during the week that i probably was eating close to 8,000cals on my free day. this is not an exaggeration either. I wouldn't sleep the night before in anticipation of eating all day. i would wake up at 5am and the eating would start and it wouldn't stop till 10pm I was disgustingly full but i kept eating b/c i had to get everthing in i wanted on that day. i ended up gaining 10lbs when my binging was at its worse and it started to occur 2 days per week instead of one. I went to counciling which didn't work for me at the time b/c i wasn't ready to stop. binging for me was like a drug. anyway, one day i just decided i didn't want to do this to my body anymore and i had to adjust my whole mindset. i had to stop restricting my eating during the week and stop killing myself with so much cardio to compensate for the binges. its a vicious cycle. i realized that eating the way i did was not normal and i didn't enjoy the food hangover i had for 2 days after. i also had to realize that a cheat meal was just as enjoyable and i only have it if i really want it. black and white, all or nothing thinking made me think that if i have just one meal that is unhealthy i might as well eat all day b/c i already screwed up. this is not so. have you ever heard the saying "if you dropped and broke one piece of a china set, would you throw the rest of set on the floor"? No, of course not which is the same with food. If i had one meal worth 1000cals, it makes no sense to decide that i blew it and then eat 5000 more. Its definately a mind game and you have to work on getting yourself out of this pattern. many of this board can relate to how you are feeling. try not to do negative self talk. drink lots of water and eat healthy. don't restrict yourself b/c of the binge. this will just set you up for another one. exercise is not a punishment. its probably good that your sciatica is kicking in so that you won't go overexercise. one thing is for sure, you cannot outtrain a poor diet. if this is becoming a regular pattern for you then it may be a good idea to go talk to someone. sorry this is so long but i can totally relate to how you are feeling. i still have relapses with binging but they aren't near as bad as they used to be. i struggle most during the holidays but i'm getting better. i've gotten a lot of great advice from people on this board (thanks imperfectly lou) at first it may seem like people are being harsh with you but they are just telling you like it is so don't be offended if they are forward. let me know if you need anything. you can private message me if you want to talk privately. hang in there. we have all been there at one time or another.

[twinnett]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Great post and really hits home for me...I have been having binges lately too and my weight has shot up...10# just this weekend..ate until I was sick and kept going...as fast as possible..everything in sight..

I loved the thoughts about not using exercise as punishment and not restricting the eating too much..just drink water and get back to normal meals..do you try to restrict carbs too much or fat?

[JackieA6]

Wow, first of all I really want to thank everyone for their responses and support! It's great to hear that people have gone through similar experiences.

I have heard before that allowing yourself one cheat day a week can lead to disaster, and I'm also guilty of undereating throughout the week just so i can totally enjoy my cheat day. I think my biggest problem is allowing myself to cheat on non-cheat days without beating myself up and feeling guilty AND not going over the amount of calories that I should be taking in.

I really don't feel like I don't allow myself enough carbs/healthy fats - I usually eat a 45/30/25 carb/protein./fat ratio, the things i crave the most on cheat days are sweets. It's like I have to have something sweet and as much of it as I can because it's the only day it's allowed. When it comes to sweets - how is it possible to allow them in moderation, when they really shouldn't be a part of a healthy diet anyways?

[twinnett]

A healthy diet IS all about moderation! Dark chocolate is good for you! An occasional cookie or cake is just fine..at other times, I use other "sweets" like protein pudding or a whey "milkshake" made thick w/ psyllium husk and ice w/ PB...cottage cheese blended w/ pumpkin and spices and splenda is great...fruit is sweet too....protein bars or muffins...all kinds of options!

[SearMeCarefully]

This reminds me of one of ChickenTuna's pictures - I think it's normal and will go away in a few days.. I remember this because I was so suprised by the differences, I would totally panic if it happened to me the first time lol
In her progress pics:


"I went out drinking for a birthday party and ate some cake and who knows what else, this is what I looked like the next day,... the bloating went away after a few days and I was back to normal but I did not feel good after eating crap."

[Scarl3tbutt3rfly]

Originally Posted by SearMeCarefully

This reminds me of one of ChickenTuna's pictures - I think it's normal and will go away in a few days.. I remember this because I was so suprised by the differences, I would totally panic if it happened to me the first time lol
In her progress pics:


"I went out drinking for a birthday party and ate some cake and who knows what else, this is what I looked like the next day,... the bloating went away after a few days and I was back to normal but I did not feel good after eating crap."

Wow that is interesting! I agree, after 2-3 days of binge eating, although you may have put on a SLIGHT amount of weight. Most of what you are seeing in the mirror is water and bloat. Drink lots of water and just go back to your usual diet and probably in a few days it will be gone. Remember you have to eat 3500 calories over what you need each day to gain 1 pount of fat, even more for muscle...and it isnt like you are gonna put on straight fat either. So dont panic, and go back to your diet as planned. It will be ok!!

[JackieA6]

Wow - thanks for posting those pics!! Sure does make me feel a hell of a lot better - along with everyone else's support as well

Unfortunately I don't have 6 pack abs like the girl in the picture ( i wish!) so my stomach looks a little different than that, but it definitely made me feel better. I'm going to try to enjoy things in moderation and look for new recipes so that I don't feel so deprived. Most importantly, I'm back on track and will continue to do so - with the exception of enjoying Thanksgiving - in moderation, of course

Thanks again for everyone's support and for welcoming me to the boards. i look forward to speaking/sharing more with everyone in the future...

[thenewchamp]

Awe honey...you will be okay. I've been a victim of binge eating and even now I have my time where I pig out...I feel guilty, swollen, and don't have the energy to do anything which makes the guilt and the depression worse.

Don't worry...you've done it, its the past now. The swelling in your face and body is the intense amount of sodium and it will pass. The tiredness and the guilt is associated with all of the sugar...it has an effect on you that makes you lazy.

Take your time...go for a walk do something light and get the blood flowing again. Drink a lot of water to help flush out the excess fluid that you are retaining. NExt step, get back to eating clean and balanced...the next time that you feel a craving...unless you are contest prepping, you have every right to enjoy yourself, just get small portions and walk away.

Since I still have the tendency to binge...I don't keep any junk food in the house. If I have a craving for something, I will go to the store and get a single, or go to a restaraunt and get something. You will be fine. Your here and we are here for you!

[beby24]

Oh girl, you are not alone. The weight gain will go away once you are back to your clean eating and routine.
I still go through this and I think its at its all time worse now that I am not able to train as much. (have problem with my knee, bursitis in the knee).

I find that the more I restrict myself the more I want to binge.

Right now I am just getting back to the gym and doing what I can. I am just trying to eat clean wihtout no junk and I am NOT counting. Just eating clean. The whole counting and all has me burned out. I have been dieting for a long time. I do plan to get back to my routine and logging once the holidays are over and I am done with finals at work.

For me it has been a combination of too much on my plate and stress. I am a mother of 2, single mom, work full time and go to college part time. This time around it has just been really hard with school. Now on top of all, I have my dad living with me. But it will be ok.

[JackieA6]

Again, it's comforting to see everyone's replies, but I have to admit that I probably just did the worst thing to myself- stepped on the scale! I know, it's pretty dumb of me to do that, but I just couldn't resist at the gym. It's my second day of working out and eating clean and can you believe that the scale said i GAINED 8 POUNDS?! WTF?! I was at 119 Friday morning and tonight, it was right at 127lb. Unbelievable. Water weight is 2-3lbs, what the hell is everything else?! So frustrated, but all I can do is keep on eating clean, enjoy in moderation, work out and hopefully everything will get back to how it was before. I've just never had an 8lb gain over a binge before

[OctoberGirl]

You are definitely not alone! I think there are many more people than you think who have gone through this. I've been struggling with it, but I'm getting progressively better. I can relate to the BFL program bingeing, because that's when my binges really got bad! I also have an intense craving for sweets and would totally overdo it on my cheat days. Like you, it was partially a problem with not getting enough calories during the week and then having a free for all on my cheat day.

I have found that I don't need to be nearly as strict as I thought I needed to be. I used to beat myself up if I ate a larger portion of clean foods than I thought I should have, even if I was starving! Now I am learning to listen to my body and feed it when it's hungry. I am eating a LOT more than I used to, and I have lost fat and am bingeing less. It's still a process though.

I did find that if I was overly restrictive, I would binge, but I have also found that there are certain foods that if I do eat, I will always end up bingeing on them. Each person is different, and some people do great with moderation, but for me personally, especially with the sugar, I have to watch it. I read Potatoes Not Prozac, which talks about your biochemistry and why you crave sugar (or refined carbs) and binge on it. (It sounds like a book just for depression, but I actually read it, because of my addiction to sugar.) If anything, it is at least insightful to why you crave sweets so much, and it gives you physiological reasons to why you are the way you are. Of course, it is not for everyone, but just thought I would suggest it.

As far as you losing definition and having a fuller face, like others have said, it is because of all the sodium. Believe me, I have been there! It will go down in a few days, just drink lots of water. You didn't wreck everything from a few days off schedule.

Good luck!

[Messly1]

water weight can be much, much more than 2-3 pounds! i piled on 23lbs after spring break last year, yes i said TWENTYTHREE! combination of way too much beefjerky and iced tea! that took only about 2 weeks to go away, but i was traumatized when i got on the scale! just know it WILL go away be patient, do something to take your mind off it the next few days! if you think about it, a gallon of water weighs 8lbs and the body holds roughly 10 gallons of just water, depending on your weight!


Take care
Leslie

[twinnett]

I gained 10# over the weekend....I haven't weighed myself in a few days, so hopefully it went down a bit!

[ironmanp]

Please go to www.scottabel.com
There are two books that will help tremendously with BID.
The other side of the mirror (e-book) and Your truth is calling...connecting the dots of awareness. A must read for anyone who suffers from Body Imagine Disorder, Binge Eating etc.
Paula

[ivoryce]

You might want to see if there's an OA (overeaters anonymous) meeting in your area. They follow a twelve-step program just like AA or narcotics anonymous and it's proven to be effective for many people.

Studies have shown that sugar can result in changes in neurotransmitters in the brain (little messengers signaling mood responses etc). Typical people who don't binge eat won't get the same response... Take a person who has binged in the past and has repeatedly done it will, they will actually have changes which are comparible to a drug addict. The responses aren't comparible actually, they are in fact the same - to a lesser degree perhaps. Cravings are present, mood swings, hiding it, shame, guilt, etc... These things don't happen only because you feel fat and depressed after binging on sugar and gaining weight, they happen because of actual changes in your brain chemistry.

Didn't mean to go on like this!! I'm dealing with this issue right now and struggle with it daily. Knowing others are struggling with similar issues makes it seem less overwhelming somehow.

Good luck!

[Deborah_Lyn]

Originally Posted by JackieA6

Again, it's comforting to see everyone's replies, but I have to admit that I probably just did the worst thing to myself- stepped on the scale! I know, it's pretty dumb of me to do that, but I just couldn't resist at the gym. It's my second day of working out and eating clean and can you believe that the scale said i GAINED 8 POUNDS?! WTF?! I was at 119 Friday morning and tonight, it was right at 127lb. Unbelievable. Water weight is 2-3lbs, what the hell is everything else?! So frustrated, but all I can do is keep on eating clean, enjoy in moderation, work out and hopefully everything will get back to how it was before. I've just never had an 8lb gain over a binge before

Weight can fluctuate within a 10 pound range. Eat as clean as you can, work on destressing ( you are setting yourself up by all this stress and self punishment ) & learn to forgive yourself. It's not the first or last mistake in life. In the scope of the big picture, it's a very small episode in your life. Don't stress over it. And you get to learn from this and move on. Instead of a cheat day, use a cheat meal.

Not eatting something makes me focus on it 100x worse. So, I let myself have it and include it in my daily calories.

Food is energy and it's not your enemy. This is something I had to learn in recent months. My Mom totally messed up my head about food and I just realized it. She's dead almost 10 years and I'm an adult - so it is my fault. I have to forgive myself and realize chocolate chip cookies (etc) are not evil, eatting 1 or 2 is okay, just not the whole dozen. Why want the whole dozen? it's an emotional response.

I'm okay (for now) but if it gets bad, I'll join OA. A food journal ( and be very truthful to yourself when writting in it!) maybe a good tool to help you break threw this issue.

Best wishes,

[WDW120904]

I think the only time I had a binge eating problem was when I considered training and my trainer "gave" me a cheat day.

However, I've noticed that every 4-6 weeks, a day randomly pops up that I'm just starving and craving foods I wouldn't normally eat- sometimes junk, sometimes not. I only eat until I'm full, but I still eat waaaay more than I would normally because I get hungry a lot quicker and don't fill up as fast. Example- I woke up and wanted a PB sandwich. I had about 6 slices of pizza with ranch dressing for lunch. Later that night, I tried to have a small dinner, but I could not stop eating. I was sooo hungry. I had half a small sandwich from Quiznos, almost half a bag of Sunchips (the normal size, not the small ones), like 4 oreos...I think that's all. I also had like 4 diet cokes- way more than normal.

I gain a couple pounds and it comes off in 2-3 days of normal diet and workout. I don't feel sick afterwards because for whatever reason, I was actually that hungry. Does this ever happen to anyone else?