I have binge-eating disorder

[Yogurt]

Seriously. I have an EXCELLENT diet what would present awesome results. But, I get undeniable cravings and I go all out. I will eat like 3000+ calories in one setting. Keep eating until everything is gone even though I am stuffed. It really sucks because I put os much effort to limit my food to really healthy foods then go crazy on candy. For example, last night I went out to 7-11 and got a Chocolate chip cookie icecream sandwich(500cals), large snickers(~500cals), kind size hersheys(prob the same), 4 reeses cups in a pack, skittles, peanut butter m&m's. I really enjoy myself but afterwards I hate myself and feel bloated and depressed. I am not asking for support or anything, but I am just venting. I will try better next time. I did it again today also lol. dammit.

[spunger858]

If that is you on your avatar, you might want to look into getting that gyno removed.

[efini84]

that's not a disorder; you just suck at having willpower

[Yogurt]

Originally Posted by efini84

that's not a disorder; you just suck at having willpower

That is true. But it is still called that and they say it is a disorder and not just from lack of will power. But I used to have a ton of will power when I first started losing weight a couple years ago. But it fades away.

[efini84]

Originally Posted by Yogurt

That is true. But it is still called that and they say it is a disorder and not just from lack of will power. But I used to have a ton of will power when I first started losing weight a couple years ago. But it fades away.

"they" have a "disorder" for every ****ing affliction out there.

bottom line: you're making a conscious choice to stuff your face with junk.

either accept it and embrace your impending obesity or make the choice to get and stay in shape.

[mpipes]

Cravings for sweets indicates low levels of serotonin, the "feel good" hormone. Sugar stimulates serotonin and your brain remembers exactly which foods you ate in the past that took care of the problem immediately, and for fat people that's usually candy.

Had you eaten fruit, or popcorn, or potato chips, or bread or whatever else you can think of in the past instead of candy, your brain would be programmed to crave those other foods instead.

That craving for sweets is intense because that is what's programmed into your brain, it's almost Primal, the odds are stacked up against you, however you can reprogram your brain over time by making healthier choices.

Ever notice these cravings always come at night when you haven't eaten anything in a while? Your whole tank is running empty but it's the lack of serotonin making you want to binge.

Try picking up some grapes or a banana or apple instead. Actually, might nix the grapes - I know from personal experience it's way too easy to eat 3lbs of grapes in a sitting and the next morning after all that fruit is not pretty!

[Right U R Ken]

Don't do that. There now you're cured, glad I could help.

[DJohnson]

Ya, you're chemically addicted to the hormones your brain releases when binging.

Limit meals to 800kcal, forever. If you're gonna cheat limit the kcal. Going cold turkey is usually the best way with chemical addictions so I don't think this would be any different.

Also tons of diet soda seems to help any cravings I have.

[ChingChang_Chow]

Originally Posted by Yogurt

That is true. But it is still called that and they say it is a disorder and not just from lack of will power. But I used to have a ton of will power when I first started losing weight a couple years ago. But it fades away.

.............

The poster you quoted is right. Psychologists have come up with "disorders" in just about every aspect of human behavior.

[miss_carrie]

also if you feel like you are going to binge, go eat something healthy like some chicken and a salad or something. it sucks at first bc you want something sweet and not something "healthy" but its like once you eat a real meal it kills the craving

[zangetsu]

i have a bit of your problem but recently i have adapted to my setting

Go out and pick up something that would take away your craving...


I found out that if i stop myself from eating these things AND REALLY STOP, i woould go back to eating alot which is a bad thing....

there are millions of things that you can buy that will take care of your sweet tooth or whatever.....

yesterday i bought these sugar free hard candies...amazing...but you still cant eat alot

i must admit that is abit too much what you ate at once...i wonder if you exageratted but yah you have to change that

[DarinK]

Originally Posted by spunger858

If that is you on your avatar, you might want to look into getting that gyno removed.

I really hate off topic posts like this.

Originally Posted by efini84

that's not a disorder; you just suck at having willpower

I don't think you have a disorder. I feel like that sometimes. I usually stop it by doing clean carbs until the feeling(craving) goes away. For example I will just run to the kitchen and dump some oats into a blender with some protein and natty peanut butter. Even if the shake is huge, I still drink it because it is better than binging on 7-11 stuff. After I drink the shake, I give it some time to digest, and the craving will go away. Next time try it and see if it helps.

[HerveDuchemin]

Originally Posted by spunger858

If that is you on your avatar, you might want to look into getting that gyno removed.

Don't want to start nonsense, but only an ******* would post something like that. Grow up.

[HerveDuchemin]

Originally Posted by Yogurt

Seriously. I have an EXCELLENT diet what would present awesome results. But, I get undeniable cravings and I go all out. I will eat like 3000+ calories in one setting. Keep eating until everything is gone even though I am stuffed. It really sucks because I put os much effort to limit my food to really healthy foods then go crazy on candy. For example, last night I went out to 7-11 and got a Chocolate chip cookie icecream sandwich(500cals), large snickers(~500cals), kind size hersheys(prob the same), 4 reeses cups in a pack, skittles, peanut butter m&m's. I really enjoy myself but afterwards I hate myself and feel bloated and depressed. I am not asking for support or anything, but I am just venting. I will try better next time. I did it again today also lol. dammit.

Hey buddy, what time are you eating like this? Pretty late I would assume. Try forcing yourself to go to sleep early, so that you wake up earlier and get your cardio in. Also, if you get up earlier, you will get more meals in, and will be less hungry at night. If stay up past 10pm, the main thing on my mind is food. It's important to either go to bed, or have healthy food ready to go when the cravings kick in. It's all in your mind.

[ChingChang_Chow]

There is only one thing you can do about this, quit all the chocolate chip cookies and donuts and whatever you are having, once and for all. You don't celebrate quitting smoking by smoking a pack of cigarettes, do you? I see no logic in cheat meals unless you "cheat" clean.

How to quit? Keeping your stomach hormones content by filling your belly with veggies and water would be a good start. If you have sugar cravings, satisfy them with fruits instead of cookies.

Another thing you can do is to do whatever it takes to avoid being hungry. Whether it means drinking or water or taking in more complex carbohydrates BEFORE reaching the point of hunger depends on you. When you reach the point of hunger the body needs energy at that very moment, which is why you get cravings for all the simple carbohydrates that give energy in a short period of time but don't do the body good.

[HerveDuchemin]

Originally Posted by ChingChang_Chow

There is only one thing you can do about this, quit all the chocolate chip cookies and donuts and whatever you are having, once and for all. You don't celebrate quitting smoking by smoking a pack of cigarettes, do you? I see no logic in cheat meals unless you "cheat" clean.

How to quit? Keeping your stomach hormones content by filling your belly with veggies and water would be a good start. If you have sugar cravings, satisfy them with fruits instead of cookies.

Another thing you can do is to do whatever it takes to avoid being hungry. Whether it means drinking or water or taking in more complex carbohydrates BEFORE reaching the point of hunger depends on you. When you reach the point of hunger the body needs energy at that very moment, which is why you get cravings for all the simple carbohydrates that give energy in a short period of time but don't do the body good.

Amazing advice.

[DJohnson]

Big bump to the last part. If you eat enough veggies and other filling healthy foods, you'll never want to binge if you aren't hungry.

[mpipes]

Originally Posted by DJohnson

Also tons of diet soda seems to help any cravings I have.

That's probably because your stomach is so full of soda it couldn't handle anything else so the craving goes away. Artificial sweeteners don't stimulate insulin or serotonin responses.

[DJohnson]

Originally Posted by mpipes

That's probably because your stomach is so full of soda it couldn't handle anything else so the craving goes away. Artificial sweeteners don't stimulate insulin or serotonin responses.

Just mentally tasting something sweet all the time really prevents sweet cravings.

[siamesedream]

Don't listen to any of the ******* posts on here, but I have a question for you:

Have you, possibly, lost a significant amount of weight? There are severe hormonal problems that can accompany significant weight loss, and one of the side effects is the craving to "binge-eat". Many people who have experienced significant weight loss have extreme hormonal problems in which the hormone that signals starvation is constantly being secreted and telling the body and the mind that it needs as much food as possible, and the feeling of "fullness" will not signal any receptors in the brain to cease its desire to consume. It's a feeling that those without personal experience cannot relate to as their bodies have natural signals that cause them to desire to stop eating rather than a physical inability to consume anything more being the cause of their ceasing.

If so, it's not something that most others here will be able to relate to. It's also one of the reasons why people with such strong willpowers who have the ability to lose tons of weight through ultra-strict dieting and exercise plans end up going through mental hell when they've finally reached their goals, and, in worst-case scenarios, end up back where they started.

[DarinK]

Originally Posted by siamesedream

Have you, possibly, lost a significant amount of weight? There are severe hormonal problems that can accompany significant weight loss, and one of the side effects is the craving to "binge-eat". Many people who have experienced significant weight loss have extreme hormonal problems in which the hormone that signals starvation is constantly being secreted and telling the body and the mind that it needs as much food as possible, and the feeling of "fullness" will not signal any receptors in the brain to cease its desire to consume.

I think this same principle is also true for people who may not have lost a significant amount of weight, but have dieted down to below 10% bodyfat. I am fine until I get below 10%, then my body starts craving simple sugars. That is why I can only look super ripped only for a few months out of the year, it becomes torture feeling like you are starving all the time. Some of this binge eating comes from going below your genetic bodyfat set point, then your body sends a signal to eat, and eat alot. That's why genetics suck, it becomes a never ending battle.

[Crookshanks]

Originally Posted by siamesedream

Don't listen to any of the ******* posts on here, but I have a question for you:

Have you, possibly, lost a significant amount of weight? There are severe hormonal problems that can accompany significant weight loss, and one of the side effects is the craving to "binge-eat". Many people who have experienced significant weight loss have extreme hormonal problems in which the hormone that signals starvation is constantly being secreted and telling the body and the mind that it needs as much food as possible, and the feeling of "fullness" will not signal any receptors in the brain to cease its desire to consume. It's a feeling that those without personal experience cannot relate to as their bodies have natural signals that cause them to desire to stop eating rather than a physical inability to consume anything more being the cause of their ceasing.

If so, it's not something that most others here will be able to relate to. It's also one of the reasons why people with such strong willpowers who have the ability to lose tons of weight through ultra-strict dieting and exercise plans end up going through mental hell when they've finally reached their goals, and, in worst-case scenarios, end up back where they started.

WOW!! Just WOW!
I've gone from over 450, 3 1/2 years ago, to 189 today.
The desire to binge is almost overwhelming.
Reps when I recharge.

[empresscat]

Originally Posted by DJohnson

Big bump to the last part. If you eat enough veggies and other filling healthy foods, you'll never want to binge if you aren't hungry.

Hm - depends on why he's binging.
If it's emotional binging, then it doesn't matter how full he is, he's still going to get that urge, because it has nothing to do with hunger.

If it's binging due to a nutritional imbalance, then eating more veggies may or may not help - they will help if they address the nutritional lack.


So the key is to pay attention to the triggers.
Is it stress? Then it's emotional binging, and the solution is to find healthier ways to deal with stress, such as calling a friend.

Is it a craving for a specific type of food? Then eat a healthier version of what you're craving - craving sugar? Eat fruit. Craving fat? Eat nuts.

When the craving hits - eat a small amount of the healthy food and then force yourself to not eat ANYTHING for 20 minutes.

It is clear you're getting sugar cravings - but whether it's a dietary craving or an emotional one is not.

[empresscat]

Originally Posted by siamesedream

Don't listen to any of the ******* posts on here, but I have a question for you:

Have you, possibly, lost a significant amount of weight? There are severe hormonal problems that can accompany significant weight loss, and one of the side effects is the craving to "binge-eat". Many people who have experienced significant weight loss have extreme hormonal problems in which the hormone that signals starvation is constantly being secreted and telling the body and the mind that it needs as much food as possible, and the feeling of "fullness" will not signal any receptors in the brain to cease its desire to consume. It's a feeling that those without personal experience cannot relate to as their bodies have natural signals that cause them to desire to stop eating rather than a physical inability to consume anything more being the cause of their ceasing.

If so, it's not something that most others here will be able to relate to. It's also one of the reasons why people with such strong willpowers who have the ability to lose tons of weight through ultra-strict dieting and exercise plans end up going through mental hell when they've finally reached their goals, and, in worst-case scenarios, end up back where they started.

Do you think that having a large cheat meal once a week helps prevent or lessen this?

[bimmer325]

I finally had to go out last night and grab a tub of no fat cottage cheese. I get really hungry at night also, and depsite trying to get to bed on time it doesnt always happen...so, half a cup of cottage cheese...mmm

[reagan123]

man,
I can totally relate and I've done all the tricks... eating enough food... drinking tons of water and eating tons of veggies... going to bed... brushing my teeth . not being so strict with eating... taking some time off etc...

i can feel a binge coming and can only put it off for so long... then it's ultimate out of control destroying of food... totally uncontrolled and the only thing that stops it is running out of food.

I used to be able to take a cheat meal no problem as well. No issues with restraint. They were always sensible.


I've been trying to figure out the cause of this, because i've never had this issue until recently and it's getting way out of control... my weight typically goes up about 20-25 lbs after a heavy day or two of bingeing.

I too have lost a bit of weight over the year 210 to 170 and am trying to find answers to this issue.

It's not as simple as many of you suggest above, if you think it is, than maybe you haven't experienced the same issue.

sorry for such a long post...

[garbage cutters]

i am really glad that someone made a post like this because i have a similar problem...

even though i can still keep losing after the day of binging, i cant stand the effects of how bloated and fat i feel for the 3 or 4 days afterward from all the water retention

whenever i get the cravings to binge i just think about how i will look afterward and how sh***y i feel and it prevents me from doing it

another strategy is to think about all the hard work you put into dieting and exercising the week before the binge and ask yourself if its really worth it to put all that hard work to waste over some processed junk

[Phreek]

I've been on the same roller coaster ride and as everyone else is saying, it's not fun. It usually starts off with "oh I'll just have.." then something is triggered and BAM you've downed 6,000+ calories in an hour and you feel like you're going to puke but you still feel like you NEED to eat more. Do you (I) need to eat more? Of course not! We didn't need to eat that much in the first place but there is some primal force (hormones mainly) driving us to keep stuffing our selves. Most people think it's the lack of willpower but I lost 65+ lbs, got down to about 152 lbs at 10-12% bf and something happend...I started craving junk food so bad when before I didn't give it a second thought at all. Anyway I started binging and losing, binging and losing over and over again because I consiously and subconsiouly MADE it acceptable. I realize now that I kept telling myself wether I knew it or not that it was OK to do this. I now know that everytime I said "oh I'll just lose the extra weight I put on" that I was saying it was ok to binge. Now I'm 172 at 18-19% bf. So I have thought of 2 ways to stop this problem: (at least for me)

1) Gain weight until you're close to your body fat set point. You will know when you're there because the cravings and "hunger" will go away (at least I can tell).

2) Find the strength from within. Fight, fight, fight!! Keep your head screwed on straight and don't give in because when you do you are telling yourself it's acceptable to binge and it's not. It's one thing to go a little crazy on some food once in a while but it's another when you can't swallow another bite.

I choose # 2 since #1 puts me at about 20+% bf and I can't stand the way I look when I'm over 15%.

I am working on reprogramming myself to make binging not acceptable and going to stay as far away from any physical triggers and work on the mental triggers. Most if this is all just mental, with some physical problems to accompany it.

Binging and trying to lose the extra weight quickly just makes everything worse in the end.

[Scott~]

Pffft. I sometimes eat over 6,000 calories at a single sitting. I'm talking 15 Reeces cups, 6 donuts, Kits Kats, McDonald's Extra value meal, etc. All in a row.

Not a disorder, just a disgusting binge. And I love them

[davejlowe]

I'm wondering if you feel a binge possibly coming on if you could take some supp that possibly tweaks seratonin levels--5-htp maybe? Dunno, just thinking out loud.

Having a plan of action ahead of time that you can fall on when needed is probably a good thing. Trouble is, is finding something that will truly divert the impending binge, at least until next time, or counseling is sought to help out.