binge eating!

coldinak · 07-11-2008, 12:09 AM

I have a serious issue with binge eating. It's not like I wake up in the middle of the night, but if I eat good for a few days I just crave everything! I love chocolate so much, and I even sneak food. I want so bad to be in shape and I know I am not far. I exercise quite a bit and eat pretty good most of the time. We never use butter or oils except olive. When I am stressed or emotional I really want to eat. I always have an excuse! This site is great though and I think will become a great asset! Anybody else have this problem?

ed819 · 07-11-2008, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldinak

I have a serious issue with binge eating. It's not like I wake up in the middle of the night, but if I eat good for a few days I just crave everything! I love chocolate so much, and I even sneak food. I want so bad to be in shape and I know I am not far. I exercise quite a bit and eat pretty good most of the time. We never use butter or oils except olive. When I am stressed or emotional I really want to eat. I always have an excuse! This site is great though and I think will become a great asset! Anybody else have this problem?

First off, Welcome to the board.

It is just your old eating habits fighting back against the new lifestyle.

The cravings for junk food will slowly diminish and be replaced by healthy choices as you advance in your training.

I was just curious, who are you sneaking food from?

gouvernance · 07-11-2008, 02:43 AM

its more common than you think - bodybuilders are after all people - and its a very common problem. recognising the problem for what it is - a problem - is the 1st step to overcoming it.Just keep a careful check on it - the odd treat is not going to destroy your training regime.

Do_Somethin · 07-11-2008, 03:29 AM

Very rarely do I have this problem. I hardly ever get hungry so the desire to cheat or for junk is severely diminished to the point of almost being nonexistent. I eat a lot though. Most of the time it's around 4000 calories a day except the weekends when its closer to the 3000-3500 range.

moisy · 07-11-2008, 04:33 AM

Maybe keep a food diary and write down the time and feelings that you are experiencing just before you want to binge. As you mentioned, you tend to want to eat when you ar stressed or upset ... so maybe by pinpointing exactly what is upsetting you or stressing you may help you overcome it. You may be able to help yourself stop the urge to eat by realizing "what" triggers it ... deal with those issues verbally by talking to someone ... rather than dulling the pain with food.

I hope that may help

Also make sure that you have enough carbs and good fats in your diet because a few days of clean eating with low carbs can lead to overeating too.

StressMonkey · 07-11-2008, 07:59 AM

For me cheat meals keep me in line with the healthy eating. I let myself have one dessert a week. I don't always have one every week but when I do there is zero guilt. Usually it's a slice of cake or a small milkshake.

I also LOVE chocolate. I let myself have 3-4 Hersheys kisses a day. I also have a Detour protein bar every day (has chocolate on it). I never have any issues with cravings and I don't feel like I'm depriving myself of anything I love.

I've been doing this since I started lifting and my bodyfat has gone down.

rpaul11 · 07-11-2008, 08:07 AM

I feel your pain friend. Especially having a wife who is not as health conscious and a 9 year old. There are snacks everywhere in my house. Well not everywhere...but there is always something I could go overboard on.

SOmetimes its a real battle to not eat them. Sugarless gum helps me a lot. It's hard to eat while chewing gum and it keeps my mouth busy and gives me something sweet with almost 0 calories.

Fight the urges and plan your cheats appropriately.

RoscoPico · 07-11-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldinak

I have a serious issue with binge eating. It's not like I wake up in the middle of the night, but if I eat good for a few days I just crave everything! I love chocolate so much, and I even sneak food. I want so bad to be in shape and I know I am not far. I exercise quite a bit and eat pretty good most of the time. We never use butter or oils except olive. When I am stressed or emotional I really want to eat. I always have an excuse! This site is great though and I think will become a great asset! Anybody else have this problem?

Is this eating issue new to you?
How much food are you eating when you binge?
How do you feel after your binge? Guilty, content, etc..
What is your diet like? Do you think you could be missing certain key nutrients?
How long have you adopted a healthy lifestyle, and what was your lifestyle prior?

BTW, how is Alaska this time of the year?

Khodiak · 07-11-2008, 02:01 PM

Lol.. Coldinak is my wife. She binges only when I stress her out

I am proud of her and she has been the main inspiration for me getting back in shape. 16 years she has put up with me.... talk about stress. Love ya!

SP1966 · 07-11-2008, 02:07 PM

It gets easier with time but never goes away. You stated that you do fine for a couple days, then lose control. You need to find the willpower to push through and you will start to make progress at that point.

As you stated, you do not have far to go, you are already a very pretty lady!