One thing I have been trying lately...stop & fix a cup of tea. You are still taking time to do something for yourself. I am not much of a tea drinker but it is the process...

I don't know the answer except to keep trying to "mind ful eating" instead of "mind less". Each day that I make it thru, gives me confidence that I can really do it. I have to make plans for the day, proportions, so I know what is really best for me. My record normally is about 1/2 a day, or one week, or a month, or I am going on two years weighting less that I did in Jan. 05. But now my body is really rebelling and hoping that will help me
to get control.

Yeah my record is about a week before I hit a binge and then feel bad so keep going for awhile

i try to remove myself from where ever i am when i want to binge. go for a walk or if you're not at home then just leave where ever you are. i also feel better after taking a shower or bath.

Heres my list that helps me- go for a walk, tea, water, brush my teeth, mouthwash, journal read, make a collage, paint nails, bath, shower, just anything that keeps my hands busy really seems to help. Also chewing really minty gum makes food not seem as appealing. I would suggest writing down little things you like to do and them whenever you feel like binging or overeating look at the list and do something on it. Works for me. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone. I just need to be more consistant with the things I use.

watch out for s.u.d.s - seemingly unimportant decisions. these are actions that, on the surface, seem innocent enough, BUT ..... the action takes you one step closer to eating something not in your food plan.

here's a personal example. i work in the admin office of a group home - so there is always a well stocked kitchen and always goodies around for the residents. i share an office, but often i am alone for a few hours a day and if i am, i don't even go make myself a cup of tea. cause i know if i do and if i see there's muffins or cookies or something, i'll start, and if there is no one in the office to see me, i might end up eating a lot.

making myself a cup of tea seems innocent enough, but i know - if i am alone in the office, just going into the kitchen puts me at risk.

if you watch yourself over the course of a week or two, you might be able to identify your own s.u.d.s to watch out for.

It's tough but I drink lots of water, type or write letters,get on DS, read, chew gum - lots of it. Just think about what's bothering you and maybe find a better solution. Hope this helps. Kathy

i like to put a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice in the water i drink between meals. i find it helps a lot more than just plain water. the acidity or tang or something usually helps me when i am starting to crave something.

SOO! You are so right about the SUDS! I think it is of the utmost importance to keep binge foods out of the house and keep busy doing something you love. Only buy enough food for one meal at a time. Portion your food appropriately and when you are done, get up and get busy doing something else. Good luck!

I just want to share something incase anyone else is in the same boat. I tried the chewing gum and mints idea, but i ended up with very saw jaw musles from chewing and developed some stomach problems from the artificial sweetener in the gum! because I was eating so much! seems funny in hindsight, but it wasn't a good idea looking back!

the s.u.d.s. advice was excellent. i'll try to use that tip. maybe you could call a friend, or log onto DailyStrength and find a discussion to join, or chat with someone, or leave a message in your journal. that's what i'm going to try. one of my main reasons for eating is lonliness, so i find that i'm less likely to eat when i'm somehow engaged with other people.

and bonus Ebby - if you are journalling or sending messages to friends or responding to the message boards - your hands are busy typing. keeping your hands busy is another good way to keep from eating. especially in the evening if you're watching t.v. or something. sometimes i colour. lol

Making sure you don't skimp on proteins during the day. Because proteins keep you feeling full. Saaaaalmon. Yum.


There is also H.A.L.T. You ask yourself..

Are you...

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

or Tired

And then you can react accordingly with each of those things.

Off to buy a colouring in book now! great idea. I find that not using food as a reward is a good system. I used to think "great job on that exam I will shout myself a slice of cake" now I think, "great job on that exam I will shout myself that new top I want"