Anyone else do the binge cycle?

This is my binge cycle;

Low mood -> binge -> feel guilty -> [repeat]

Whilst i'm eating i feel elated, top of the world. Then the guilt sets in and i start worrying about putting on weight again (have been trying really hard to lose weight in the last year or so. Lost a stone so far, got a stone to go) Then the more i worry, the lower i feel, and it repeats itself.....

I love food, i love eating. I don't necessarily eat large amounts, but i do find myself in the kitchen with a spoon eating a bit of this and that... I've managed to train myself to just have a taste rather than eat lots and feel ill afterwards.

Does this ring any bells? Was just wondering if anyone had any coping mechanisms for this?

Thanks

”Low mood -> binge -> feel guilty -> [repeat]”

Hi Lady Chaos ,
Im sure you’ll find many here can identify with what you’ve described, so it’ll be interesting to hear lots of tips from different peoples experiences!

“i start worrying about putting on weight again (have been trying really hard to lose weight in the last year or so).”

Restrictive dieting is one of the major factors in triggering binge eating – so in your weight control efforts, please make sure you are not restricting toooo much. Make sure you are getting regular meals throughout he day so that your body gets to know when to expect food next. And plenty of fluids etc.

”Whilst i'm eating i feel elated, top of the world.”

The TYPE of foods that we pick/binge on can have an effect - and in particular, if these are fatty/sugary/refined carbs types of food then you may be responding to the effects on your blood sugar and endorphin systems (see: http://www.coping-with-binge-eating.com/food-cravings.html for more on this), as we can get a temporary ‘high’ from our binges – only to crash and feel like **** later! (& therefore want to binge again because it makes us feel better – this can be why many feel they are 'addicted' to certain foods).

“I love food, i love eating. I don't necessarily eat large amounts”

They say ‘eat like a gourmet’ and it can help some people a lot to learn to really enjoy their food – all the flavours, tastes, textures and aromas etc – slow your speed of eating down and savour the experience. (okay, that’s not easy when in the middle of a real emotional binge, but a good habit to try to get into the rest of the time!). The point is quality rather than quantity I guess, and it sounds like you’re trying to do this already.
You might find the Mindfullness/emotional eating blogs by Pavel G Somov on this site useful: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/mindful-living/2010/01/mindful-eating-skillpower-not-willpower/

“Then the guilt sets in”

Guilt’s a killer isn’t it! Why on earth should we feel guilty?

Are there times when you do NOT end up in this low mood/binge/feel bad/binge cycle? Even relatively short periods of time, hours or parts of days?
If you can identify what is going on when you DO NOT feel the need to binge, it may provide some clues as to what you really need more of, instead of the food/ bingeing.

Hope that all helps,

(I’ve waffled on enough for now!!!)

Matt C

My style of dieting is extremely relaxed... Only for the first couple of weeks did i count calories and in doing that i worked out more or less what i can eat, and quantities etc. It's easy enough to stick to because it's not too strict. If i have a "bad diet day" i don't worry about it, i just start again the next day. It's worked well for me so far.

Thanks for this, i hadn't really thought about the physical side of things. Cheese is my main weakness. Cheese on toast, cheese with pasta, cheese with everything!!! Also, i've read that cheese has 3x as many seratonin boosting chemicals than chocolate! (and it doesn't give me toothache!) Bonus!!!

Hmm, interesting thought. Nothing springs to mind at the moment, (probably because i'm quite hyper) but i will think on it when my brain calms down.

Thanks for your help Matt

Mmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!
Cheeeeeeeeese!!!!!!!!!!!!

M

it's a slippery slope for me. I'll take one bite of something i'm not "supposed" to eat and after that it's all down hill. I suppose I figure I already did it, might as well enjoy it a bit. but the guilty IS awful. I find distraction helps.

Lady Chaos,
I do the binge and purge cycle too. Always when I have consumed way too much food and I feel guilty - It's straight to the bathroom with the fingers down the throat.
I hate it, I hate myself for doing it, I'm a mother of 3 boys for christs sake. I have battled it since 1990. although periods of my life I stopped it, but it has raised it head again, i have a lot of stress on my plate, filed bankruptcy, big lawsuit going to trial in April, and it's kicked the bulimia back up. So I can fully relate and fully support you.