What is wrong with me?

soniimamiiz · 07-08-2007, 06:40 PM

Okay so I am sick and tired of going through this cycle. Its like every single damn week. I eat SO healthy during the week I take food with me everywhere I go so i dont run into problems ( i always get made fun of for carrying tuna cans or brocolli) Well when the time comes for me to come home from work and actually sit down adn relax i end up taking out ALLL the junk in the world and i GORGE beleive me... im talking the whole shebang. I workout 5 days a week, working seperate body parts each day with rests inbetween and i try to get cardio in 4-5x a week. My diet is very healthy during the day, lean proteins, whey, oatmeal, veggies, no sugar.. well i find myself bingeing until im so full that im so uncomfortable but its cravings for carbs like sugar or chips or bread... so i try to eat less the next day to make up for it and i end up bingien even worse the same night.. What is wrong with me? I am trying so hard to lower my body fat and i just feel like i have no will power anymore. I used to have so much losing 45 pounds! and now.. i dont knwo where it went. Plase any suggestions?!

BuffedWildCat · 07-08-2007, 06:51 PM

Nothing. And you're definitely NOT alone!! Read my #15 post in this thread:

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...3370521&page=2

Then feel free to discuss further, I'll add or elaborate if needed. Trust me, A LOT of us struggle with the same thing you're doing and struggling with.

MissIrishLover · 07-08-2007, 07:02 PM

It sounds like your not eating enough earlier in the day, and then you get to the point that your so hungry/craving sugars etc in the evening that you just bindge. You need to change your eating patterns. First of all forget about trying to eat less the next day to make up for the night before. It's a new day start over on a clean slate. This time eat a full breakfast, (it should help you feel less of the need to eat as much as the day progresses, and eat it even if you don't feel as hungry, your body is still use to eating the majority of your calories in the evening, you need to change that habit) then a snack, a moderate lunch, snack, and a small dinner. Just think about it, your doing the majority of your actvities during the day your body is going to need more calories during that time period. In the evening we just sleep, that doesn't require a lot of energy so you definitely don't need to eat as much at night. It will be hard at first, because you need to break you old eating patterns, but it will work. There are tons of articles on line here's just one of many links :

http://healthletter.tufts.edu/issues...breakfast.html

good luck

CheryleB · 07-08-2007, 07:06 PM

I have been very careful for weeks and last night I got home from a friend's house at 11:00 last night and found leftover pizza in the fridge. I thought I would have one small piece and half an hour later had eaten three big pieces. It happens. I try to keep my meals smaller during the day to allow a few extra cals for the evening. I also keep healthy alternatives in the fridge that are ready to eat in seconds. These things help. I also don't have any of the foods that are problems for me in the house. No cookies, chips, chocolate and especially no ice cream.

And finally, if I make a mistake and pig out, I let it go and don't dwell on it.

twinnett · 07-08-2007, 07:10 PM

Are you getting enough fat? Really sounds like you're trying to keep your calories too low during the day..I used to do the same thing...then I'd try to eat less the next day, then binge..just a bad cycle...

BuffedWildCat · 07-08-2007, 07:18 PM

All these ladies have given you some great advice.

But yeah, I think a very important point to remember and stick to is not to have your calories so low that you're getting way too hungry, I think that's mainly what my problem was/is. Also be sure you are getting enough fat in each and every meal. Fat & protein takes longer to digest so it will keep you satisfied for longer.

SexyChic · 07-08-2007, 08:52 PM

You are just a normal human being...Most of us fight the cravings....Sugar is so addicting!

It basically comes down to will power and fighting the urges. Allow yourself to have a few bites and stop there. After the 2nd or 3rd bite your mind doesn't really register taste it becomes psychological.

Eat small balanced meals every two to three hours so you are never ravenously hungry. That works wonders for me.
Every few days I have a small slice of cheesecake or something snackish...It doesn't hurt my goals at all because I always stop at one.

soniimamiiz · 07-08-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordyn

yikes! sounds exactly like me--several wks/months ago. it'd happen at night time, it'd start out w/ just eating a little extra of somethin healthy, then it'd turn into a giant portion of something healthy...or i'd have a small cookie, it'd taste so good then i'd eat 5+ more. and then i think, "oh f*ck, i already f*cked up, might as well make it into a real cheat meal and make it worth my while." then i'd end up being so extremely full and bloated and uncomfortable. yeah, like binge eating. and then i'd try to eat very little the next day out of guilt and to balance out the calories.

so ive stopped completely now. i think for number of reasons. 1) im taking my weight loss more seriously now. it feels good to see the weight go down. 2) i thought the gluttony was pretty disgusting, as well as the act of stuffing/binge eating. 3) the more you think and analyze it, the worse it gets. i sorta just let up on the whole eating super clean thing and bringing food w/ me when i go out. i mean, i still eat relatively clean, but i'd eat cereal now instead of eating oats only, for example. and i dont care much about the macros. i'd just sorta wing it. whereas before i was a stickler and tracked religiously. 4) more simply, i just broke out of the bad habit. it feels really uncomfortable to be that full. and you get more used to not pigging out and being that full.

Wow How did you stay so in shape though with the binging?

ivoryce · 07-08-2007, 11:52 PM

As others mentioned, fats are important and you should try to get in around 30% fats in your daily intake. I find that if I space all my meals out fairly evenly with 2-3 inbetween it keeps my blood sugar levels stable, providing I'm getting *complex carbs, protein and fats in my meals, which prevents me from binging... I am a master at binging! Needless to say, we all do this... Figure out your triggers and prevent it before it happens.

PS Moderation doesn't work for me, if I have anything with simple sugars in it, my blood sugars spike and crash and I end up binging...

Carla.

ivoryce · 07-08-2007, 11:53 PM

All this talk about binging is makin me hungry!~ lol

LadyLike · 07-09-2007, 04:39 AM

Eat more in the mornings/early day. Watch what you bring into your home or work space. I try to consume the bulk of my daily calories during the day so when the evening starts to sit in I have no real craving for food or hunger and my will power is often enough to say no to junk. Also, not keeping it on hand helps tons.

eharte1 · 07-09-2007, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivoryce

I am a master at binging! Needless to say, we all do this... Figure out your triggers and prevent it before it happens.

PS Moderation doesn't work for me, if I have anything with simple sugars in it, my blood sugars spike and crash and I end up binging...

Carla.

x2.

I do not bake things for others anymore unless someone else is present to be sure I don't eat left over dough, etc! I made my sister hide the chocolate chips so I don't eat them ALL. Sad. But so true. If it's there and I know it... look out.

Figuring out triggers is so true.

I also started eating my fruits at night so curb the sweet tooth.

MissGemini · 07-09-2007, 05:07 AM

I do the night binging too. I am changing my lifestyle so I don't have long evenings in which to sit in front of the tv and eat!

I have enrolled in a 6am bootcamp class twice a week and I am getting up to do cardio two mornings a week. I'm not turning the tv on 5 nights a week. I listen to music, read, stretch, do an ab workout, write in my journal, go to bed early. I take a natural sleep aid if I can't sleep - I don't want to get up and watch tv and stuff my face.

If I sit down to watch tv, I will eat. If I am sad, I will eat. If I am bored, I will eat. If I am lonely I will eat. I am eating more protein and learning what works for my blood sugar. If I have one bite of sugar, I am gone. It's like an addiction. I can't have just one glass of wine - I'll have the whole bottle! Once I learned what happens when I eat sugar wrt insulin etc, it made a lot of sense.

TurbulentFluid · 07-09-2007, 05:20 AM

Could due to little sleep / long waking hours? I am experiencing the same thing, exceptr I can't go to bed earlier (forget TV nights, I gotta work at night...

)

Revmachine21 · 07-09-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissIrishLover

It sounds like your not eating enough earlier in the day, and then you get to the point that your so hungry/craving sugars etc in the evening that you just bindge.

x2

Eva_Lynn · 07-09-2007, 08:25 AM

As you can see, you are not alone with this problem!! Many people, including myself, have binge tendencies once in a while. It's hard to remember the concept of "delayed gratification" when you're starring into a bag of potato chips, now isn't it??

When I'm faced with the same situation, I try to think of what I want more, the bag of potato chips in front of me (or whatever your vice is) or the hot body that I know I'm capable of creating! If that doesn't work for you, try to busy yourself doing something else, like give yourself a manicure/pedicure in the evening. It's kind of hard to gorge yourself when you risk smudging a fresh manicure!!!

Or try doing something else with your hands like knitting or sewing or scrapbooking. I find too that watching television to unwind makes it easier to binge (maybe something to do with all of the food commercials) so sometimes it helps me to pick up a book or magazine instead... and brush your teeth early!!!

Also, if you're eating that much food at night, like everyone else said, maybe you aren't eating enough or as frequently as you need to throughout the day. I know that eating about every 3 to 4 hours and planning my meals, helps me keep the cravings at bay since I never get hungry enough to start thinking about all the bad-for-you goodies that I might rather be eating!!

Good luck!!

Benjay · 07-10-2007, 10:15 AM

speaking of binging.... does anyone else totally binge on like fruit or healthy food?! i feel like as soon as i start eating i CANNOT STOP. I also have been known to eat like 3 huge bowls of cereal. I feel so out of control with that, and it's always always ALWAYS at night time! It's like i cannot keep my mind off of food at night so I just give in. I also cannot seem to distract my self from the thoughts. I have tried everything...

darkangel · 07-10-2007, 11:24 AM

Food allergies and sensitivities along with hormonal fluctuations can also play a part. If there's a particular food you can't resist and can't seem to control portions, that's probably one of your suspect foods. Primary offenders are milk, wheat, corn, peanuts, sugar, eggs and soy. These food reactions set up a cycle of bingeing and craving that's tough to break. You can learn more about it in Elson Haas' book, The False Fat Diet.

breathingsky · 07-10-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheryleB

I have been very careful for weeks and last night I got home from a friend's house at 11:00 last night and found leftover pizza in the fridge. I thought I would have one small piece and half an hour later had eaten three big pieces. It happens. I try to keep my meals smaller during the day to allow a few extra cals for the evening. I also keep healthy alternatives in the fridge that are ready to eat in seconds. These things help. I also don't have any of the foods that are problems for me in the house. No cookies, chips, chocolate and especially no ice cream.

And finally, if I make a mistake and pig out, I let it go and don't dwell on it.

I liked this advice a lot. Don't dwell on it. Just start new the next day and don't try to limit your cals or overdo the cardio to make up for it. It's a bad cycle. So many people experience the same thing, as you can see. You just have to figure out what works best for you in terms of staying on track, and understand that it's unrealistic to expect that you're going to be 100% spot on with your diet 100% of the time.

Evenings are also the worst for me. It doesn't matter if I eat 150 cals per meal during the day or 350 cals per meal during the day. I'll still want to snack/binge in the evenings when I get home from work. Limiting my calories during the day (but not pre/post WO) so that I can eat more for my last 2 meals, or be able to sneak in a snack while still staying within my macros works well for me. I also don't keep "cheat" foods in the house unless I know it's okay for me to eat them. For instance, I LOVE soy ice cream right now. The whole pint is roughly 600 cals. I know that I can't just have a few spoonfuls and call it a day. I only buy it if it's a higher calorie day for me, and I let myself enjoy it!

litlfalafelgirl · 07-10-2007, 12:50 PM

yes, yes, and yes to benjay's gorging on cereal and fruit. that is me. although last night it was nutella.

my parents buy less crap food now, but they refuse to eliminate it entirely (as they shouldn't have to as it is their house) so it is still in the house, and it's like my mind won't be able to focus on anything else but that cake or those cookies.

it's sad, i feel pathetic and like there is something wrong with me since food was never, never an issue until now. i'd eat what i enjoyed and put it back. 2 cookies and i was good. now that i want to eat healthy and get lean, i feel a psychological compulsion to finish the box and then shame for it. even being more lienent in my diet and i'm still binging. i wish there was an off button.

it does make me feel better to know i'm not alone with this though. even for you perfect-looking specimins.

eharte1 · 07-10-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litlfalafelgirl

yes, yes, and yes to benjay's gorging on cereal and fruit. that is me. although last night it was nutella.

my parents buy less crap food now, but they refuse to eliminate it entirely (as they shouldn't have to as it is their house) so it is still in the house, and it's like my mind won't be able to focus on anything else but that cake or those cookies.

it's sad, i feel pathetic and like there is something wrong with me since food was never, never an issue until now. i'd eat what i enjoyed and put it back. 2 cookies and i was good. now that i want to eat healthy and get lean, i feel a psychological compulsion to finish the box and then shame for it. even being more lienent in my diet and i'm still binging. i wish there was an off button.

it does make me feel better to know i'm not alone with this though. even for you perfect-looking specimins.

Ugghhh! I COMPLETELY agree! I don't even eat cereal, but it was the most "unhealthy" thing in my house (besides the Nutella!!!) and I eat it like I may die if I don't! It's the worst cause I don't even care for cereal!! And knowing I'm not supposed to have it, makes me want it more. At least we have the comfort in knowing that we all do it. It's an unhealthy way to look at food, but I can say I am improving...

twinnett · 07-10-2007, 06:17 PM

I have to say, now that I add in treats and work them to fit my macros on higher carb days, it takes away the allure of binging on them, b/c they usually aren't as good as I imagine! I worked in some Lucky Charms last week...weighed it out and immediately closed up the box...it was just ok and now I have no urge to go polish off the box

julies · 07-11-2007, 10:18 AM

I am the same way!! I am a teacher and when working it is not so bad b/c I go to the gym, get home around 7:00 eat something etc. and go to bed. In the summers though I get back from the gym and sit up till 1:00 eating 'bad' things. I have almost called a hypnotist to see if I can be 're-programmed' not to eat the entire cereal box.

Benjay · 07-12-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eharte1

Ugghhh! I COMPLETELY agree! I don't even eat cereal, but it was the most "unhealthy" thing in my house (besides the Nutella!!!) and I eat it like I may die if I don't! It's the worst cause I don't even care for cereal!! And knowing I'm not supposed to have it, makes me want it more. At least we have the comfort in knowing that we all do it. It's an unhealthy way to look at food, but I can say I am improving...

I'm sad for all of us!!!!!!! I feel just as bad sometimes when I binge on fruit and cereal compared to other bad foods I also binge on (ice cream, cookies, cake... you know the usual!) Even though fruit and cereal aren't THAT bad, I still think psychologically the binging action (feeling out of control, feeling full, and not being able to stop) is also a lot of what makes me feel so bad. No normal person would feel guilty for eating fruit and cereal! NOT FAIR!