how to fight binge eating and bulemia?

Answer 1

Stop while you're ahead. You couldn't help yourself. You stopped at the mall and bought a five-pound box of chocolates. Now, you and the chocolates are home alone.

Throw them out. And while you're at it, take a walk or call a friend so that you can think about something else.

Toss the goodies. Too late? Already ate half the box? Throw out the rest.

Record your indulgences. Even if you've just eaten the whole box of goodies, it's not too late to do something about the binge, says Somer. Write down what triggered the binge, so that you can figure out what to do differently next time.

Stave off nighttime binges. On its simplest level, binge eating at night is often brought on by starving all day. Eat a sensible breakfast and lunch, and you're less likely to clean out your refrigerator at night.

Savor something spicy. Hard as you try, you just can't binge on chili peppers and Tabasco sauce. In fact, spicy foods fill you up faster than bland or sweet foods, and they may even help burn calories faster.

Do something complicated--and constructive. Take your mind away from your forbidden food by focusing on something that takes all your concentration, like the Sunday crossword puzzle. Once your mind is engaged in a task that you enjoy and must pay attention to, you're less likely to be fixated on food.

Wait. If you feel the urge to binge, set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes and try to figure out what's going on. Is anger or depression or anxiety making you want to stuff yourself with candy bars? If so, try to figure out why you feel so upset.

Ask for help. Women almost always binge alone. With friends, you'd be able to talk out your feelings instead of eating them away.

So if you're feeling down, and you're about to raid the refrigerator, call a friend first.

Forgive yourself. You didn't start bingeing overnight, and you won't be able to stop that quickly either. Each small step that you take away from bingeing will help you feel better about yourself, but it can take a few years to change your behavior completely.

Forgive yourself in advance for slip-ups. And just remember, to succeed, the trick is to try and try again.

Answer 2

Here are some of the ways I finally stopped binge-ing:

When you feel an eating binge coming on, try to get out of the room where the food is and try to get your mind on another thing. Try playing a word or numbers game - like Soduko. [They have tons of free Sudoko games online and they are addictive!]. You could also try watching a movie that you KNOW will keep your mind involved [this can be hard] or calling up a friend and chatting or even going out.

You can also drink a LARGE cup of ice water. This will fill your stomach up and try and help your body remember that it is not hungry.

If you are very, very disciplined, when you feel a binge coming on, try to have just a tiny, tiny bit of whatever it is you really want. For instance, if you want to eat an entire package of Oreos eat JUST ONE. Denying the urges can sometimes make the desire to binge happen more frequently, but it can also be very hard to stop eating once you have started.

Also, if you only eat half the pack of oreos or half the bag of chips - or even just a few of them! - but now the open box is taunting you [I don't know if this happens to you, but it used to always happen to me!], THROW THE REST OF THEM OUT. It sounds wastful, and it is, but better the trash get it then you, right? Also, if you have chips or cookies or other binge foods in your house unopened, make sure they stay that way. If you feel like binging on them, just think - do I REALLY want to open that whole new container?

Above all else, do NOT get down on yourself when this happens. Making yourself feel depressed or otherwise low can actually make you want to eat more. Remind yourself that you are a very important person and you do not need this food. If you feel like you don't care, remind yourself how special and unique you are. It sounds corny, but it can really help.

I really hope at least some of this helped. Good luck!

Answer 3

Feel free to email me whenever you are feeling "triggered." I did some work in IOP (intensive outpaitent prgoram) that I've basically forgotten...but maybe I can dig it up again. I have AIM. Email me if you are interested. I'll add you on my buddy list, and I'm sure we'd have a great conversation:). We can work together on goals, and motivate eachother.