Binge Eating Syndrome

[BigRig]

I competed three times in my teenage years. During that time I looked pretty good (although I overdieted and did not consume enough protein). But ever since then (I'm 25 now), I have had a major problem with my eating habits. Every time I try to start eating right, I can't follow through with it and end up eating all the junk food within a 2 mile radius. And it is not because I am hungry. I am just driven to eat sugary, fatty dessert foods. This behavior is very shameful and I always avoid people when I eat this way (usually at lunch or late at night). I even hide the habit from my wife. To give an idea of what this has done to my appearance, when I competed I weighed 158. Right now, I weigh 238. And it is not quality weight. I still carry quite a bit of muscle for someone who trains as sporadically as I do, but the fat gain has now blurred all traces of me being a bodybuilder. I have read books on this disorder (binge eating disorder) but all of these are geared toward normal sedentary people, not bodybuilders. If there is anyone else out there who has gone through this and beat it, I would be very appreciative of any pointers you may have. BTW, I am 5' 9.5".

[tygersol]

ease into a better diet add more meals just less and slowly take yourself off the cravings. Kinda liek quitting smoking? If you want it bad enough just put it down until you can control yourself. You just have ot want to eat properly. Or if all else fails you can lock up your fridge like my brothers friends hafto do! lol

[fitforlife]

I know exactly what you are going through bro. I have had the same thing happen to me as well. It is comforting to know that there is someone else out there going through the same thing. About 3 1/2 months ago, I was in the shape of my life. I was about 150 and about 5% body fat. Then, something snapped. I think I had dieted way too long and too hard. I wasn't competing for a show, just with myself. I went on a binge fest that lasted about 3 months. No lie. I went from 150 to 185 in like 2 weeks. Then, it took me about 2 1/2 months to put more weight on till I topped off at about 205. I was miserable. I couldn't even hardly do cardio anymore because my knees hurt so bad from all the weight I had put on. During this time, I would eat ANYTHING. I must have been consuming about 10,000 calories every other day. ALL JUNK FOOD. Ice-cream, candy bars, cake, you name it. I would eat to the point where I would almost throw up. Then I would eat more. Just like you, I would eat when I wasn't even hungry. I was miserable. About 2 weeks ago, I finally got it together. I put together a new workout program and eating schedule. I am now down to about 200. The cravings are still there, but they are slowly being drowned out by my success of not binging for 2 weeks.

I wish that I could tell you that there was some secret to my success or a magic pill. I just finally got tired of looking at myself in the mirror and seeing what I saw. I kind of took the approach of imagining that food was a drug. And that every day, I would say, "Hello, my name is *****, I am a binge eater. It has been so many days since I have binged" I know that it sounds stupid, but it gives me something to be proud of. I still allow myself one cheat day a week, but am VERY strick the other 6 days. I know this probably doesn't help you much, but I just wanted to let you know that you are NOT the only one that suffers from this. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and tell yourself "this is the first day that I am going to be binge free".

[MsFit]

On the contrary, many bodybuilder do or have suffered eating disorders, but perhaps in a different fashion then the average person.

When you diet for contest you are restricting yourself and that restriction will prompt wicked cravings. Dieting for a bodybuilding contest has to be the damnest thing in the world, it's taxing on your mind and your physical body. You know the term, don't want it until you can't have it....This leads to cravings and binges. Also, those restrictions have depleted your vitamins and minerals if you didn't supplement and just basically an imbalance.

Getting back on track is nothing. Figure out the primary reason you want the junk food. Why do you have to eat it at that moment? What void is it filling? Are you eating it just because it's there? Eat to build muscle.
MsFit

[BigRig]

Thanks to those who have replied. It is good to know that others go through these types of things.

Fitforlife, I appreciate you sharing your own experience. My case is a little different because its been probably 6 years since I was last in great shape, rather than 3 1/2 months. That is great that you have been able to gain more control over your eating. Trust me, it only gets harder with time. The further away from your "best" look that you get, the harder it becomes to motivate yourself to work out with enthusiasm and intensity. Keep up the good work.

Msfit, good points. I definitely think there are some emotional cues that lead to the obsession with junk food. In addition to all the psychological factors that normal people have, we bodybuilders have the added stress of seeing ourselves in "ripped" condition. A state that is impossible to maintain year-round. I know I need to learn to be content at a happy medium (cut, but also full, healthy and energetic).

[Del]

Here's a link to another similar thread;

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...ating+disorder

hope it helps.

del

[Timbo]

Wow, Fit and MsFit, those are definitely some powerful posts. People who have not gone through such a situation definitely have no idea the psychological trauma and mixed emotions that such a case brings and is brought about by. What's the explanation for such behavior? It's hard to say, but a cascade of events are likely the culprit.

BigRig, I feel for you, bro, and I'm actually in a somewhat similar dilemma myself. However, if you are not able to beat this--and you truly have to want to beat it--with our help and on your own, I strongly suggest that you get some professional guidance. This is not an easy step, I guarantee you, but it may very well be the key to your newfound success. Believe and Succeed, BigRig. We're all here to help you and support you.

Fit and MsFit...your comments and experiences definitely hit close to home and make perfect sense. I suggest you, and any others who are dieting or who have achieved maximum leanness, do some research on the hormone leptin, setpoints and refeeds (go to the misc.fitness.weights newsgroup, there's some great stuff there). But this phenomenon really isn't a phenomenon at all, it's the body's natural tendency to fight what we're trying to do to it: push it to levels of leanness that it has no desire to function at.

[RippedUp]

If it's been 6 years, then it is probably a bit more than a leptin issue.

Your body might have difficulties synthetising serotonin in your brain - not that you can't produce any, but rather your body can't use it efficiently.
This has as consequences: depression, eating disorder and such.

Believe me, I've been there, and still on my way to recovery. You need professional help and will probably be prescribed Zoloft or similar. It starts working after a few weeks.

But you have to make the effort to try and communicate more with pple and not isolate yourself due to this issue.

It's all a question of balance and harmony - one of the hardest things to achieve.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[BigRig]

Again I want to thank everyone who has replied. You may never know how much it helps to be able to share this with others, especially when I have hidden it from ones I love for so long.

Timbo and Ripped, you both are right on. I have already begun looking into professional treatment options in my area. I definitely believe there is some chemical element involved and as much as I hate to admit it an antidepressant may be necessary. It has taken me a while to accept this because I do not feel depressed. But I think maybe the continual binging is what is keeping me from feeling the depression symptoms.

Ripped, your comment about sharing this with loved ones is true. I have shared this with my wife before, and at first she seemed ashamed of me but was understanding. Then when I fell off the wagon (we decided we would beat it together), she was very angry at me. She said she felt as if I had cheated on her or something. So ever since then, I have continued to hide this from her. She sees me gaining weight, but I think maybe there is some denial going on there.

Anyways, I greatly appreciate your inputs. I know I will beat this and have my body back. It will just take work, patience and more knowledge. In the meantime, if any of you would like to share your own stories, present or past, please do.

Thanks everyone,
BigRig

[Del]

Hows it going BigRig??

Here are some practicle tips... :

1. Stick the picture of someone with the physique you want on your fridge/pantry (possibly you, in comp. shape) When you look at it decide: do you want that physique or do you want that popsicle more??

2. Go and get some cellery sticks, right now. Take about five and chew them slowly while thinking about your goals, what you wanto look like, how awsome you'll feel when your diet is in order and your making great progress. Really visualise, not only how you'll feel in 6months, but how you'll feel tomorrow at this time when you haven't cheated at all.

Put a bowl/bag of celery sticks in your fridge. Now every time you find yourself drifting there for something unhealthy immediately grab a celery stick and start chewing... While you chew (hopefully) you'll begin to remember your goals etc., see that picture, and decide against eating junk food. {Note: this may take 5-500 celery sticks at first :-)}

Oh, and while chewing... WALK AWAY FROM THE FRIDGE.

3. (only if nothing else works) Write down EVERYTHING you eat. Carry a food diary EVERYWHERE and even if you eat half a piece of chocolate write it down along with its caloric content... The frustration of having to do this will stop you straying from your meal plan.

4. If you can't stop eating when you finish meals, get some kind of ritual going for distraction, leaving the house is reccomended... ie. go for a walk, or call a friend.

5. When you feel hungry (albeit your not starveing yourself) think about what that means biologically: you are reducing your food intake, your body is switching to burning fat, that six-pack is on the way and you can feel it- GREAT!

6. At the end of each day congratulate yourself if you succeeded and review what went wrong if you didn't. Don't put yourself down about it, just strengthen your determintation. People who binge become dopamine insensitive... your actually addicted to food!

Also remember to talk to your wife. Your notion of her being "shameful" is probably just paranoia... let her know about your plans and how she can help you. Also, if your really desperate nicotine supresses appeteite and give a positive signal to your dopamine receptors... If you just can't stand the cravings you MAY wanto look into chewing nicorette gum.

cheers,
del

[BigRig]

Great suggestions Del. The last couple of days have been better, not perfect, but much better nonetheless. I think that sharing my situation on this board has helped me tremendously. I will continue to update everyone on my progress. My workouts have become more consistent, I have begun taking in proper amounts of protein every few hours, and most importantly, my mind has shifted into a more positive frame. I know that my time has come. Thanks again to everyone.

BigRig

[Del]

Excellent work! Its good that your positive and that your not trying to fix everything in one step. Noone ever achieves physiscal perfection, but your on the road to improvement (as are all of us), which is in itself something to feel great about.

Another tip... try to eat with other people, and when you do eat do so slowly... really savour the food.

Keep us posted,

del

[vein5]

yeah get medical help, I have a eating disorder called nocternal eating disorder. I dieted to an extreme for 2 years and just like that I snapped and would eat all night waking up and eating bottles of syrup, cakes anything sweet. I'm on prozac and it,s too early to see results but so far my hunger pangs have gone down alot. Keto also helps because your blood suger does not sky rocket causing another binge. good luck seriously I know what it's like, its not a mental issue it's rather a issue with your body and chemicals.

[LadyTrex]

BigRig... been there done that man... many things can trigger the "MIDNITE SCREAMIN MUNCHIES"...

cut your diet back slowly...if you try and go clean too fast your body will rebel and the munchieattack will come

for my bedtime snack I have chocolate protein powder with a TBLS
of natural PB blended in skim milk now now.. tastes like I am cheating..and seems to defeat the sweetooth munchie demon.

and I will just plain GOTO BED and even take a Benydryl to MAKE me sleep and stay out of the fridge if I am stressed or feel a fridge raid comin on...and going to bed at 7:30 bites...LOL

Keep reading in the forum ... it will help

GoodLuck and yeah been there done that

[dlv92]

I totaly know what you mean, everytime i go on vacation or some holiday. i start to binge, i don't even mean too. my main weakness is sugar. i cant stop until theres nothing left to eat i get to the point were my stomach hurts from streching. i think im going to have to cut all sugar out exept milk and fruit. i have no other choice. i checked my weight one time i binged before and after. and i gained 10 pounds in one day. and i know thats not healthy, i didn't even think it was possible. i need help, i just got back from a trip and had another binge

Originally Posted by fitforlife

I know exactly what you are going through bro. I have had the same thing happen to me as well. It is comforting to know that there is someone else out there going through the same thing. About 3 1/2 months ago, I was in the shape of my life. I was about 150 and about 5% body fat. Then, something snapped. I think I had dieted way too long and too hard. I wasn't competing for a show, just with myself. I went on a binge fest that lasted about 3 months. No lie. I went from 150 to 185 in like 2 weeks. Then, it took me about 2 1/2 months to put more weight on till I topped off at about 205. I was miserable. I couldn't even hardly do cardio anymore because my knees hurt so bad from all the weight I had put on. During this time, I would eat ANYTHING. I must have been consuming about 10,000 calories every other day. ALL JUNK FOOD. Ice-cream, candy bars, cake, you name it. I would eat to the point where I would almost throw up. Then I would eat more. Just like you, I would eat when I wasn't even hungry. I was miserable. About 2 weeks ago, I finally got it together. I put together a new workout program and eating schedule. I am now down to about 200. The cravings are still there, but they are slowly being drowned out by my success of not binging for 2 weeks.

I wish that I could tell you that there was some secret to my success or a magic pill. I just finally got tired of looking at myself in the mirror and seeing what I saw. I kind of took the approach of imagining that food was a drug. And that every day, I would say, "Hello, my name is *****, I am a binge eater. It has been so many days since I have binged" I know that it sounds stupid, but it gives me something to be proud of. I still allow myself one cheat day a week, but am VERY strick the other 6 days. I know this probably doesn't help you much, but I just wanted to let you know that you are NOT the only one that suffers from this. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and tell yourself "this is the first day that I am going to be binge free".

[AndrewWard123]

Holy 7 year bump batman!

[Dracoy]

Originally Posted by AndrewWard123

Holy 7 year bump batman!

I came.