I know what it's like to be where you are. The first time i told someone that i had developed seriously unhealthy tendancies to overeat everyday, they were like " What are you talking about? You're so thin? "

You're right, they dont see what some days you go though to keep thin. And an unhealthy relationship is an unhealthy relationship, no need to be obese for it to count.

As to your workmates, well realy, your eating is none of their concern. But what will stop them from making these same remarks? You would have to show them. You're problem isnt what people think of your eating my friend, your problem is your eating

What worked for me overcoming overeating wont work for everyone. I will powered my way though 28 days or so until the strongest aspect of the bad habit was broken then i took it one day at a time from there, everyday a little easier, some days a little harder, some days not thinking about it at all.

Breaking a bad habit is essentially what you would have to do, being in control at all times, staying within a range everyday, like 2200-2600 cals everyday, and so long as you finish the day and can tell yourself you were in control and you never caved in, thats another day in the bad towards breaking the habit. Enough of them in a row, eventually the pathways in your brain change and the overwheling urge disintegrates.

In doing this, i'll tell you what i've told everyone i've gave this advice to. Dont try to be perfect anyday. Dont say that any foods are off limits. As soon as you do, your brain will crave it, you'll give in, eat it, then go on a binge writing off that whole day, telling yourself you'll start again tomorrow. Eat anything you like, just aim to stay in the range, and most importantly, stay in control. Staying in control for enough days will lead to having control and power permantely back in your life, i promise you.

I hope this helped a bit. Hang in there

Thanks for the reply, it's good to know I'm not the only one who has felt this way. Sometimes I will tell people that I have trouble with eating too much, and it is always sad to me when they insist that I don't because I am thin. (Not super thin, average.)

How can I show them that I am serious? How can I power through some days the way you did and muster some self control? The hardest thing for me is that their desks (where the treats are) and my desk are just a few feet apart and I can literally smell the food. It makes it all I can think about al day, and even when I do manage to have just a decent amount, whenever there is leftovers they push them on me because "they just know how much I love this stuff!"

They are feeders, I am an eater. It is so hard. What kinds of things help you stay in control?

There is temptation everywhere, you just have to accept that. My house is filled with tons and tons and tons of junk, but the people who live here too like it. It comes down to making choices. You can choose to get through the day, or quit again and start again. There is nothing wrong with giving your all and falling and getting back up..but is being offered food from some people at work and taking it really giving it your all?? Only you know that answer..

And for me, i had to ask myself what kind of person i wanted to be, i had to (and still do) envision a future and hold onto to it everyday and grit my teeth and suffer somedays. But suffering is what it takes somedays..life wont pause for me and wait for this to get better, the show must go on, and with me only watching from the sidelines. Another day not being what i want to be is another day lost, and i dont know how many i will get.

You have to have a reason to change.

Maybe you're right, I just don't have a reason to change that is sufficient. I am not obese or suffering with bad health, I have no kids to set an example for. Seems sad to me that I don't seem to consider myself a good enough reason, but I will try to change that! I think it is just tough to do it without support and without people around you who take what you say seriously. Which is why I am here, I am hoping to find support.

And it really isn't just at work that I struggle, it is a disorder after all and it does NOT care what time it is LOL! I am also a night eater, it seems especially when I do pretty good at abstaining during the day.

I just am not strong enough for the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps and do it" approach I guess. I have been thinking of seeing a counselor but I am also afraid they won't believe me.

Well it depends what counselor you get tbh..some are good, some are better off leaving after 5 minutes.

And you dont need other people to validate this for you, you know yourself how serious this is, so it's up to you to take care of it. No one's opinion matters, because they can do this for you.

And you also dont need to abstain during the day. You just need to eat a normal amount and remain in control, one of the reasons you're eating at night is because you're still hungry and you haven't eaten enough up till that point.

Just look into yourself..what do you want the next few years to like? A gradual decline? Or something new?

You cannot control how other people feel. People with ED want and need to have control always and not having control is frustrating. The most important thing you can do for yourself is always live in your own truth and let go of wanting to control. You are helpless over what others think and feel. The only thing you can really do that is most loving to you is to focus on yourself, stay mindful and be gentle. If people want to be educated about ED, they will be open to learning about it, but if they are closed, there is truly nothing you can do.

The food is distracting, the people constantly coming up to get the food is distractng, and leaving it out all day is ridiculous.

Most offices have a break room, but even if they don't, it shouldn't be left sitting there all day long. It's an office, not a church picnic.