GLAMMER's Journal, 15 January 2014

Binging is actually a disorder that can be controlled. People use food to cope with stress and negative emotions. (I'm not saying you have the disorder, just that there is one). They binge than get in to a vicious cycle of guilt and feeling bad. They try to control it, they give in and and it goes around and around. If it is something that happens often, it might be something to look in to. But it is treatable. No matter what, good luck with your weight loss. 

"I also realize the more I "cheat", the longer it will take." You got that right. :) Taking it nice and slow now, but look out, the weight is going to start falling off!  

Hey, Glammer. I know what you mean. You cannot take away *all* your favorite foods... but, for me, I have to know when there are certain foods I just cannot be trusted with in large quantities. What has really helped me is not even buying some of my favorites, and when I do, I eat some, and quickly give the remainder to someone else and get it out of my house. Hah! As Suzi mentioned, that is not exactly a *cure* for binge-eating, but it is a great work-around: I get my treat, but just enough to enjoy and move on. GOOD LUCK! I'm rooting for you!!! :D 

I can relate to you and I don’t think you should continue to comfort yourself by saying it’s ok ..ITS NOT and that's why you're here with us please remember you’re only cheating yourself none of us feel the effects of your cheating but you do so remember you hold the fork! P.S. I would try to focus on portion control (smaller binges) and drink a glass of water/tea when you feel a snack urge, GOOD LUCK  

Thank you all for your good advice, wishes, comfort & friendship. I've had this binge eating problem for years, & have read many articles on what causes it & how to control it. Its very nature it quite hard to control because when the urge takes over, it sometimes feels like you're outside of your body, watching yourself doing something that is so awful & wrong, but you can't stop it. It's hard to explain, & I'm not trying to make excuses, that's just how it is. Not keeping large quantities of my favorite foods around is definitely a key to prevention. My husband also helps me a lot, & is so supportive. Today I noticed he put my p-nut M&M's on an upper cupboard shelf. I'm in a wheelchair, but could stand up & get them. Having them up there means I have to deliberately choose to stand up & get them down. Yesterday we discussed only eating one handful of treats like that per day. This is why he did this, & I'm so thankful for his thoughtfulness & patience with me. I have purposed in my mind & heart that I will only have 1 handful of M&M's each day, & hubby has made it even easier to stick to that resolution. We also discussed the benefit of cataloging everything I eat, which I HATE to do. So, I'm going to start using the "Food" section of my page, which I haven't been doing. I should mention that my husband is a Type 2 diabetic, & has his own serious eating issues to deal with, & his efforts are only meant for my good, & not as pressuring me or anything. He is my best friend & biggest supporter, but he is also firm with me when needed. I help him too, but he's much more disciplined than I am so it's usually a little easier for him to stay in control. Helping each other makes our journey to better health & appetite control much more enjoyable. And as I've said before, I'm so thankful for this group & all the help & encouragement you give me & each other. It makes a huge difference to know we're not alone in our struggles, & that success is really attainable. I wish you all the best in your own weight loss journeys, & I'll be right here cheering for you. Hugs, Glammer 

Hugs back at you, Glammer. <3 

PS ~ Dear Suzi & Gross405, I wanted to especially thank you both for your caring & good advice. Suzi, I hope you know you're a HUGE inspiration to me, with the weight you've lost, AND that you're keeping it off. Way to go, gal! I am a stress / emotional eater, & have many of the common symptoms of binge eaters. I've been overweight all my life, & having read all the articles & info just makes it worse to me when I fail, & that I'm still not using the knowledge I have to lose the weight & get myself into better shape health-wise. But at least now I'm on the right track & am really making an effort, & for a permanent lifestyle change, not just a temporary fix. Thank you for your suggestions & support. Gross405, Thank you for the suggestion about drinking a glass of water or tea when the snack urge hits. This is one I never remember til it's too late, & I know it works. Also about using portion control. Again, with binge eating portion control goes out the window. But I am working on controlling both the binging & the daily meal portion control. Actually, because I am aware of my binging problem I don't binge nearly as often as I used to, especially now that I'm really working on making better food choices as part of a permanent life change. That includes taking steps to eliminate &/or avoid temptations as much as possible. I do appreciate your encouragement, & wish both of you HUGE SUCCESS in your own journeys. 

Gross405, I forgot to say before, I love your phrase, "You hold the fork". That is a great way to put it so we can remember that we are the ones in control, either for better or worse. I CHOOSE FOR THE BETTER! And I know you do too. Hugs!