Food Addiction Support Group
An individual suffering from a food addiction disorder frequently experiences episodes of uncontrolled eating, or binging, during which they may feel frenzied or out of control. They will eat much more quickly than is normal, and continue to eat even past the point of being uncomfortably full. Binging in this way is generally followed by a period of intense guilt feelings...
I haven't had a binge in over 10 weeks. As I mentioned in another post, I have over-eaten, a few times. But, to me, everyone over-eats sometimes, so that's okay. The important thing is that I don't binge.
It's odd - the idea of binging no longer appeals to me. I think I am starting to understand that food doesn't solve anything. When I'm upset, or worried, I head to food for comfort, but that food is not going to really comfort me, or help me, or solve anything!
There are much better ways to solve things, or deal with things - have a bubble bath, call my boyfriend and talk it out, go for a bike ride to burn off the stress.
I have not lost much weight, yet - last time I weighted myself, it was 6 pounds, but I probably gained some of that back this week, with some over-eating. But that's okay. I have been a binge eater for half my life or more, it's not gonna all undo itself in a snap.
The strangest thing that has happened is that, for a couple weeks, I didn't have any sugar. Then, I decided to get a treat, as I hadn't had one in so long. So I went to the store, and bought a box of chocolates. I ended up over-eating, and having too many chocolates. But that isn't the strange part...
....the strange part was, that after 2 weeks or so of no sugar (expect a little in my coffee or whatever), I didn't like it that much when I did have it!
I think what happened was that I got used to not having it.
When I did have it, I thought it was too sweet. Way, way too sweet.
I was eating a chocolate, and I thought: ya know what? I'd rather have a nice bowl of popcorn or a little chocolate milk or something instead.
Weird. I have spent most of my life binging on sweets. And here I am, thinking I'm not really liking the chocolate???
Well, that, my friends, is progress.
I never thought I'd get to this point. But I can. And I can go further, too. And so can you.
It's odd - the idea of binging no longer appeals to me. I think I am starting to understand that food doesn't solve anything. When I'm upset, or worried, I head to food for comfort, but that food is not going to really comfort me, or help me, or solve anything!
There are much better ways to solve things, or deal with things - have a bubble bath, call my boyfriend and talk it out, go for a bike ride to burn off the stress.
I have not lost much weight, yet - last time I weighted myself, it was 6 pounds, but I probably gained some of that back this week, with some over-eating. But that's okay. I have been a binge eater for half my life or more, it's not gonna all undo itself in a snap.
The strangest thing that has happened is that, for a couple weeks, I didn't have any sugar. Then, I decided to get a treat, as I hadn't had one in so long. So I went to the store, and bought a box of chocolates. I ended up over-eating, and having too many chocolates. But that isn't the strange part...
....the strange part was, that after 2 weeks or so of no sugar (expect a little in my coffee or whatever), I didn't like it that much when I did have it!
I think what happened was that I got used to not having it.
When I did have it, I thought it was too sweet. Way, way too sweet.
I was eating a chocolate, and I thought: ya know what? I'd rather have a nice bowl of popcorn or a little chocolate milk or something instead.
Weird. I have spent most of my life binging on sweets. And here I am, thinking I'm not really liking the chocolate???
Well, that, my friends, is progress.
I never thought I'd get to this point. But I can. And I can go further, too. And so can you.
It's funny - it's so easy to be hard on myself, rather then feel good. It's so easy to see the things I haven't yet accomplished, instead of the things I have accomplished. But what you said reminded me to feel good about myself, so thank you.
I hope we can all give each other hope, encouragement, and understanding.
Not saying I haven't eaten a lot or indulged a few times, but NOT late at night and NOT all at the same time in a binge pattern like I'm used too. This is a huge step!! Thank you for your encouragement.
Yes, I do think it is a super, super important thing for us to keep in mind! Because I think what happens is we over-eat a little bit, but, then, because we think we have to eat totally perfectally, we then give ourselves permission to eat anything we want, since out diet is already "ruined". !!!
Sometimes, I wonder if our problem is less about food, and more about perfectionisim!
It is SUCH a relief to be more gentle with myself, to not expect perfection, to relax, breath deep, and accept my wonderful flawed self. :-)
My Dad (I grew up with just my Dad. It was only the 2 of us) was (and still is) a total perfectionist. It's easy to see where I might have gotten this!