overeatering

[kbuchs]

I have a problem with binge eating and have been thinking about attending an overeaters anonymous meeting. Thus, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them?

[cleochatra]

Re: overeatering

Admitting you have a problem is such an amazing step to take.

I was a binge eater when I didn't follow the Atkins WOE and I understand how tough it is!

I have heard good things about OA! I would check them out and see if what they offer is what will help you. They are extremely stringent, but that's the point: whole accountability!

{{{kbuchs}}}

[kbuchs]

Re: overeatering

Thanks Cleo! What helped you about the Atkins WOE? This is the first time I've ever talked about it but, would you hide and eat? What helped you stop binging?

[cleochatra]

Re: overeatering

Oh, girl.


I hid and ate, and ate and ate.

I couldn't get enough sugar or starches! Poptarts, milk duds, Strawberry Milkshake Whoppers, PopTarts, Pringles, pizza, I was constantly eating.

And like a druggie, I had mny husband make my food runs for me because I was too ashamed to go to the counter myself and place a cart filled with those foods out there for the world to se.

Oh no.

My cart was always filled with vegetables and 'good' foods.

And I'd sit on my couch on a beautiful Colorado afternoon while people walked their dogs past my porch, and I wondered how many homes have people like me sitting in them on nice days, with packages of foods in their laps, eating, and eating and eating, hidden from the world?

You feel like you're the only person, alone with your out-of-control binging because you can't get enough, and you need more. And when you have more, you are planning to need more for every waking moment.

What stopped me from binging was Atkins.

I know I sound like a Ron Popeil announcer for hair spray-on treatment, but it's true.

Just 7 of the hardest days of my life after walking away from the Milk Duds, et, al/my drugs, and I've lost 21 pounds. The cravings and the feelings of helplessness that kept me seated on that couch watching the world go by are gone. I feel GREAT.

I mean it. And you can do it too if you are willing to walk away from those 'drugs' and allow yourself to 'detox' for those 14 days on Atkins. But you have to want this for yourself!

[kbuchs]

Re: overeatering

Thanks for sharing- I do feel like it's just me. I just can't believe it took me this long to admit that this was a problem. I've been hiding with sweets since I was a kid. It just didn't catch up with me till after 22 yrs. old. You know for awhile I did great on Atkins then those old habits came back. I read somewhere that those urges never really go away, you just have to be stronger than them. I was able to fight the urge last night and I wrote that in my journal- I am hoping to write down everything, not just when I relapse- but when I succeed to show myself I can do it. I hope you don't mind if I pm you sometime about this. You're the only one who responded and it REALLY helps to know that someone else out there has done the things I've done. As embarrasing as they are like stuffing your face with oreo's, donuts, cake, and etc. in the bathroom so no one would know. Boy, it really is strange- this addiction- if I can quit ciggs than I can surpass this... hopefully! Thanks again!

[cleochatra]

Re: overeatering

You will get through this!

You are fully alert and aware, and that is half the battle! Acknowledging your feelings and thinking through them instead of discounting them and brushing them aside, and then eating and eating to dull the emotions! Think about how far you've come!

I'm stinkin' proud of you!

{{{kbuchs}}}

[kbuchs]

Re: overeatering

Thanks!

[ttdriver]

Re: overeatering

Kerry,

I just want to tell you that YOU CAN DO THIS and to give you a and encourage you to post often and let us know how you're doing!!

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

Betty

[Elizellen]

Re: overeatering

You can do it
In case you hadnt noticed it we have a forum for people who are battling addictions of many sorts as well as one for those with emotional eating issues too. Just scroll down the index of forums to find them.
You may get some comfort and inspiration from other people's posts there.

[soliwit]

Re: overeatering

I used to be a binger too.
Most of the time it was cause I was bored and instead of doing something usefull I ate.
Or when I felt alone, sitting at the computer, talking to my boyfriend on the other side of the world (now my husband) and I tried to fill the void with sandwiches.
I kept fooling myself in the way that I ain't a sweettooth.
So I ate sandwiches with cheese and sausages and more cheese and cause I didn't eat white bread but full-grain, I kept telling myself I was eating healthy.........yah sure, most of the time it had thick butter and more cheese than bread.
Atkins really helped, although sometimes I do feel like binging and I did once for real (had a whole package of cream cheese) and I felt really really bad about it.
It is true what Cleo says, being aware is half the battle.
You will get there kbuchs !

[Elsie150]

Re: overeatering

Hang in there! I think there are lots of former binge eaters here (myself included..3 weeks binge free!). Did you know there is a forum here for eating addictions?? You may want to check it out. Also I think you should go for Overeaters Anonymous...it certainly can't hurt. It is not like you have to sign up for a year or anything and you may find some wonderful support there and at least know that you are not alone with this. And if it isn't your cup of tea you don't have to go back...but at least you will know that you tried!

[love2beeamom]

Re: overeatering

Just wanted to say, I too have been where you are. I used to be a bad binge eater. Every treat I had, needed to be followed with another.. Ice cream and chocolate always needed to be followed with something salty like chips or popcorn. I used to overeat so bad at certain restaurants on bread and cheese fries or desert, that I would come home feeling miserable. I NEVER binged and purged, but I used to think I understood how people could do that because I have been so stuffed that I thought it would be a relief from the overeating.
And as far as closet eating.... I used to eat ice cream while in the shower so no one would know!!

But, for me, it was a habit..like many others. It took awhile, but habits can be broken..Not to say they are easy, and I do think the temptation is always there. I have come to realize that I can never think of food the way I once did. I have been accused of being obsessed with food now.. and I guess people are right, I do analyze everything I put in my mouth, whether it be good or bad, and I realize there are consequences to each.

Good luck on your journey!!

[Moochiecat]

Re: overeatering

I never ate copious amounts of foods, but I ate in secret as well. I had my chocolate stash hidden away...not sure from who, because bf doesn't eat sweets.
In the last year, before Atkins, twice I purchased a package of 3 huge danish, and ate them with a pot of coffee. That was when I started to realize that perhaps things were getting out of control.
I recall sitting there after I had eaten one of my hidden treats with almost a bizarre pride that I could eat it and not feel guilt...not really feel anything, actually....as if it never happened.
Wow, it's weird when you look back at what used to be 'normal'.