I found this so interesting and relevant to my everyday mantra, Never binge again! I do say that and then break down and binge. And then hate myself. When I read this article, I understood how I set myself up for a failure with the black and white thinking. I hope you all find it useful as well.

Written by Michelle Feordaliso

Never Binge Again


Never binging again is possible but the biggest mistake that people who binge make is saying to themselves, "I'll never binge again!" Yet, we all do it. The food is finished and then we promise ourselves that it will never happen again.

Even though almost everyone that binges says that to themselves, it sets you up for self-hatred, guilt and failure. You see, no one that ends a pattern of binging does it cold turkey. You don't decide to stop and then never binge again. It's just not how ending a pattern of binging works. That's because the binge serves a very important purpose. It makes you feel better emotionally. So, if you're committed to never binging again what are the signs along the way the signify that you're succeeding:

*More time between binges (even something small for example, I used to binge every other day and now only do it every third day)

*Shorter binges (My binges used to last two days, now they only last an hour)

*Binges on smaller amounts of food (I used to eat a gallon of ice-cream, now I eat half a pint)

*The ability to stop a binge in the middle (I used to not even realize I was having a binge till it was over, now I can stop myself in the middle)

*Forgiving yourself more quickly after a binge ends (I don't talk to myself in a mean way when I binge, I have compassion for myself)

*Bouncing back more quickly when a binge happens (in other words recommitting to understanding and stopping your binge pattern)

*Understanding what feelings set off the binge (I was able to see that I had the binge after I had a fight with my boss)

*The ability to see a binge coming (even if you can't stop it yet)

Being able to acknowledge the small successes along the way is a really important step on the road to recovery.

It can be all too easy to see how far you still need to go and forget how far you've already come. Ending a binge pattern is hard work but you can do it. One day you might not binge at all but it won't happen by making a declaration, it will happen by being loving to yourself and staying aware.

So, don't say, "I'll never binge again." Instead, take it one gentle step at a time. Remember, you're looking for progress, not perfection.

thanks girls! the support here is great. i'm feeling a lot better today... woke up this morning and its nice and sunny... ?? is it possible that the weather lately has effected my mood as well?? lol- if that's the case, hawaii, here i come!! so far today has been good, but it is only 10am. hope everyone else is doing good!

This problem can also be helped by eating the 6 smaller meals a day. This helps individuals from being hungry and curves that urge. Make sure the fridge is full of healthier foods. Its better to eat a lot of fruit than candy or other unhealthy foods.

Originally Posted by 10051

I want to work on this mental image tonight. I will imagine Kama, Tina, Sarah, Little Flower, Stacey, Catrina, Dara, Kylie, and others in a circle of strength and support and laughter. I will think that I am not alone in my struggle and that I will wake up tomorrow victorious. Just for one day, or one night.

So this is my plan and I am sticking to it!

I LOVE this idea! I am going to do the same thing. Throughout my weightloss journey I have come to learn that it's at least 90% mental, and we've got to do it just for one day. It is so nice to know that I am not alone in this battle, because it is the #1 battle I face in trying to lose weight and learn healthy food attitudes, and it always helps to know I'm not alone.

Kama, pretty soon here we're gonna be on day two!

Thanks for advice, especially about having healthy foods at home readily available. It's not about real hunger though Clinton, it's about a long-standing habit of stuffing with food that emotional void or tiredness or anything strong that I can't handle.

Positive things today: 1 hour of belly dancing, 1 hour of recumbent bike riding, and 15 minutes of leg routine. Food choices were okay. I probably had around 1800 calories. I burned approximately 500 calories altogether.

I hope everyone is doing better. Let's do it ladies. Small steps with a big smile.

Hey Tatiana...the bellydancing...is that a DVD? I think I might like to look into that. I tend to be on the shy side with things of that sort, but I think it'd be fun to learn for the hubby's return.

Yeah...eating six smaller meals a day kinda helps, but not really because when I binge I often am not even remotely hungry. I just have this void that I want to fill. I have been known to binge on a full stomach even. To the point that when I lay down to sleep I can feel the food rise in my throat and it's just disgusting. Binging for me is completely a mental/emotional thing for me. Oftentimes I don't even really like what it is I'm binging on...now how silly is that?

I never binge when I'm hungry, so I dont think the 6 meals a day would help me. In fact, I think I'd become even more obsessed with the food I eat, which is something I'm trying to get over.

Thanks for those 2 articals Tatiana. I may need a few binge-stopping ideas for tonight. My sinus is infected again.... 3rd time in a month. And I've cramps... so bad, I swear.. it's how I imagine labour pains are. Last night in my last lecture they started. I actually thought I was going to pass out with the pain. I couldnt manage the bus home after so stayed at my bfs house. Because of the sinus infection I was awake until about 3am. When I eventually got to sleep, he woke me up saying it sounded like I was choking (which I kinda was... thanks to the infection)... that was at 5am. so I'm at work now on 2 hours sleep.

Tiredness and stress are major binge triggers for me. Because I'm so tired, I'm feeling a bit low aswell... another trigger. Today will be ok food-wise, because I actually feel too tired to eat... but when I get home tonight, it's going to be rough. Guys, whatever inspiration and motivation and support ye can give me today to stop me binging tonight would be really appreciated.

Originally Posted by 19933

Hey Tatiana...the bellydancing...is that a DVD? I think I might like to look into that. I tend to be on the shy side with things of that sort, but I think it'd be fun to learn for the hubby's return.

well... i know its not belly dancing, but it is dancing and it's AWESOME- i've been doing some latin dance (lot of the same moves in belly dance, though) and the dvd's are great- seriously can't say enough about these, lol, you'd think i make money off them. It's called Core Rythms and you can get it off amazon, and i think its about $40 for 4 dvds. totally worth the money- it's about the only dvd that i'm seriously sweating after (gross, but true). anyway, just a thought

Originally Posted by 16537

I never binge when I'm hungry, so I dont think the 6 meals a day would help me. In fact, I think I'd become even more obsessed with the food I eat, which is something I'm trying to get over.

Thanks for those 2 articals Tatiana. I may need a few binge-stopping ideas for tonight. My sinus is infected again.... 3rd time in a month. And I've cramps... so bad, I swear.. it's how I imagine labour pains are. Last night in my last lecture they started. I actually thought I was going to pass out with the pain. I couldnt manage the bus home after so stayed at my bfs house. Because of the sinus infection I was awake until about 3am. When I eventually got to sleep, he woke me up saying it sounded like I was choking (which I kinda was... thanks to the infection)... that was at 5am. so I'm at work now on 2 hours sleep.

Tiredness and stress are major binge triggers for me. Because I'm so tired, I'm feeling a bit low aswell... another trigger. Today will be ok food-wise, because I actually feel too tired to eat... but when I get home tonight, it's going to be rough. Guys, whatever inspiration and motivation and support ye can give me today to stop me binging tonight would be really appreciated.

those are some of my triggers as well...and boredom. not good. BUT- i know you can get through the night with out binging! not sure i have any great advice (other than maybe just go to sleep early, if you can) but i'm here for ya. hope you have a good night

[quote=10051;122344]What are the signs along the way the signify that you're succeeding:

*More time between binges (even something small for example, I used to binge every other day and now only do it every third day)

*Shorter binges (My binges used to last two days, now they only last an hour)

*Binges on smaller amounts of food (I used to eat a gallon of ice-cream, now I eat half a pint)

*The ability to stop a binge in the middle (I used to not even realize I was having a binge till it was over, now I can stop myself in the middle)

*Forgiving yourself more quickly after a binge ends (I don't talk to myself in a mean way when I binge, I have compassion for myself)

*Bouncing back more quickly when a binge happens (in other words recommitting to understanding and stopping your binge pattern)

*Understanding what feelings set off the binge (I was able to see that I had the binge after I had a fight with my boss)

*The ability to see a binge coming (even if you can't stop it yet)

*Being able to acknowledge the small successes along the way is a really important step on the road to recovery. QUOTE]

I loved this post, I'm going to use it as a guide, and mark off the things I've been able to accomplish so far!