The reason

[Kimberly]

Every day no matter how full I am.
Or just not hungry I will think humm I fancy *set food*.
Usually something of a sweet or fatty nature. And then that thought will converge into a need - if you like. To the point where I have cooked full meals just because I "fancied it" or have walked an hour to the shop and an hour back just for something ext.. I now refuse to purge as I used to be bulimic and recovered from that - as much as you can from it. I'm not a skinny person. I used to be. Now I'm just sad, short and fat. I think my eating is emotional - mostly through Boredom. I have 3 kids so always have plenty to do so can you please give me ideas to brake this cycle? Or let me know I'm not alone xx

[sodient]

Most individuals with some form of BED are similar, myself included. We don't eat out of hunger, but out of the need to fill something---in a lot of cases that tends to be boredom. Food is the simplest form of pleasure: it requires no effort, and its effects are immediate, strong, and chemical (i.e. dopamine release, etc). Drugs/narcotics and sex fall in the same category, and are often sources of addiction as well. In BED, the situation is further complicated by the fact that our weight/appearance is linked to our self-esteem and sense of worth, causing binges and weight gain to result in self-hatred.

I wouldn't be on this website if I had a solution. It is cyclical, painful, and an entrenched psychological subsystem that is difficult to overcome. You, I, and others here know this from our hellish daily lives. Perhaps the best thing to do, at least for now, is to talk about it, and support each other.

[Kimberly]

Thanks for the reply :) I've tried a few things ie. Elastic on the wrist an twang it every time I go to eat or just being like no I'm not doing it but I always end up doing it :-/ I think ahh stuff it but it's like it's not me - if that makes sense? Then after I feel low and pathetic xx

[sodient]

The thing I've found to be most helpful is to talk to someone who won't judge you whenever you find yourself wanting to binge. Someone who understands your problem and wants to help you, but won't think worse of you for making a mistake or bingeing. Having that kind of social support is very effective.

[treatmentgirl]

I know the main thing that's helped me (though I was diagnosed with BN, I've had problems with binging most of my life) is A- getting your body back to normal by eating a meal plan with adequate calories, nutrients (in other words, not restricting to make up for the binge) and B- "legalizing" all foods, even cheeseburgers, fries, etc. Telling yourself it's perfectly fine to eat it and that it DOES provide nutrients (though admittedly not as much as "healthier" foods) can help a lot. That way it doesn't necessarily feel like an overindulgence, iykwim- it gives the food less power.

[Kimberly]

I don't really eat burger and fries ext I basically live on fruit and veg it's just the kids sweets/crisps and things that are lying around

[unsure]

Sorry I but I'm not in a good place myself right now so offering you advice would be hypocritical of me. I just wanted to reassure you that you are not alone in this. Oh and kids junk hanging around the house is a nightmare, I have 2 kids and I refuse to buy much crap so then the temptation isn't there.

[Kimberly]

I don't give run allot at all but I buy the 'value' packs to save money in the long run and their nan brings them sweets it's mainly biscuits that are around I get the value one and let them have max 2 in the day - but not everyday I'm really quite good with them they love their healthy food but I buy things in for treats and because they are there I eat them lol - oops!
Someone suggested to me a while back getting a tub of ice cream and putting it at the bottom of the freezer for their treats as they don't eat alloy of "junk" food and I thought that was a really good idea until they had gone to bed but omg it was lush! Lol!! That unfortunately came straight back up so I don't get it anymore xx
Was at my dads a min a ago mmm there was chocolate - and could I say no?! At least I shared it with my husband though so I don't feel too too bad but still crappy!