It's hard. I understand what you are saying, that everyone over-indulges over Christmas, but the difference is that "normal" people eat too much at Christmas and we binge. I think the thought processes that go on in our heads, not just the physical act of eating itself, are just so different to other peoples in this kind of situation. That's the crappy thing about being a food addict, it's not just our behaviour that is the problem - it's how we think. I don't know if this is something we can ever truly "fix" or not, I don't think I will ever get over wanting to binge either - but I definitely think it is something we can manage.

The best we can do is try to support each over over the holidays to stay on track, and help each other back onto our feet quickly when we fall down. I know this is one of the hardest times of year for me too, and I am going to need as much support as I can get.

We can do together what we could never do alone...I hate being a food addict/COE and at the same time I am greatful that I am...It is something that I know..There are no questions to ask myself...One is too much and a million is never enough...People with functional wiring don't go haywire when they eat certain things...My wiring is not functional...
Peace,
Nicol

permission - i have to be very careful about giving myself permission. subconsciously giving myself permission is always the first step to some pretty bad decisions. and after reading how many in this group reacted to Halloween - i think it is something a lot of us have to be careful about. permission was in the air at Halloween - there was just so much around, and extreme behaviour, indulgence is acceptable.

besides holidays, and weekends here are some of the other situations in which i "give myself permission" to overeat -

whenever no one is home.
whenever i am alone at work.
whenever there is just a little bit of something left.
whenever there is a lot.
whenever someting is going to go to waste

thats all i can think of at the moment but i know there are more. i am working on that idea of permission - to try and re-format my thinking.

i do not have permission to binge. EVER. there is no reason, no need no excuse. EVER.

i do have permission to treat myself with respect and to take good and loving care of myself. i do have permission to be healthy and happy.

i agree with melbgirl, there is a difference in the thought process.

first, i dont think its ever ok to give yourself permission to binge...but overeating is different. have some junk, just dont get out of control...and we all know how that feels.

second, instead of saying "its the holidays" or "its christmas time" for like 2 weeks, pick one day and have that be your overeating day. you'd probably want it to be christmas day or christmas eve, depending on how your family does things...just make sure you pick the one that will have the better food! one day wont hurt, but anymore than that can have an impact and set you back a bit. just try telling yourself and those around you that you're saving yourself for the "big day".

Yes, you're right; I should never let myself think that there is a right time ti binge, becasue for me (and prob everyone else here) a binge means planning in advance so that I have the opportunity to stuff myself as much as possible throughout the day, which means getting up early to start, and having my day planned right up until he evening so that I can be on my own. The whole day (or however long it lasts after the day I allow myself) is taken up with food, buying it, disposing of it, buying it, disposing of it etc. No normal person would obsess so much about food even during Christmas, so I am going to just try to behave like everyone else; eat when they eat, eat along with others, not think of ways to eat more without anyone seeing, and enjoy the food as part of a family occasion. Well, I'm going to try anyway! Thank for the advice.

""normal" people eat too much at Christmas and we binge"

That is SO true.

Well, here's what I do and it lets me eat a lot but not TOO much. Every year my family goes to a particular hotel on either New Year's Eve or X-Mas Day for a buffet and we really do stuff ourselves silly. I usually just told myself - one plate w/as much as I can possibly fit on it for main course/starters and 1 like that for desserts. Nothing more beyond that.

The problem with buffets to me was always bit by bit and then you never know. If I loaded the plate from the beginning I am toooo lazy to go again and know right off the bat how much I dealt with. There's no guessing or hiding it so it kinda helps.

But seriously, only make it a habbit during the holidays and you guys/gals are totally right, we have each other for support. ;)