Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional eating? What worked for you and what did not? Recently, I found myself in a pattern of binging, and it was very depressing. Every bored or frustrated moment that I found would lead to a binge. The more that I binged, the more frustrated with myself and isolated I became. Finally, on a whim, I went to the store, and bought some art supplies. I have no artistic ability whatsoever. I came home and started to just create random things. It was so satisfying that I was able to break the cycle of binging. It feels good to know that I have any easy (pick up at any moment) activity to do whenever I feel bored and frustrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 I need to know this, too!!! I have been in this cycle for the past couple of weeks... I have found myself very depressed and isolated like Amy said. I have terrible migraine headaches and last week I had migraines 8 days out of 11!!!! It was miserable and I coped by eating. I was " uncomfortable " and HOME and ALONE and so I ate... and ate... and ate.. and then I found myself back into the dieting mindset---> " omigosh, I have eaten so badly, I've GOT to do better... " and then I'd do worse than EVER because i'd be focus on it and obsessing about it. Its such a cycle. I too, want to know what to do to get unfocused on weight and food issues... I thought about learning how to knit. My friend down the road knits ALLLLLL the time and LOVES it. We've talked about how she's going to teach me soon, but we haven't gotten around to it.. but I might just have to call her about it. See, I just talked my way through this whole " crisis " Thanks! Nat > > What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional > eating? What worked for you and what did not? > > Recently, I found myself in a pattern of binging, and it was very > depressing. Every bored or frustrated moment that I found would lead > to a binge. The more that I binged, the more frustrated with myself > and isolated I became. Finally, on a whim, I went to the store, and > bought some art supplies. I have no artistic ability whatsoever. I > came home and started to just create random things. It was so > satisfying that I was able to break the cycle of binging. It feels > good to know that I have any easy (pick up at any moment) activity to > do whenever I feel bored and frustrated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 I need to know this, too!!! I have been in this cycle for the past couple of weeks... I have found myself very depressed and isolated like Amy said. I have terrible migraine headaches and last week I had migraines 8 days out of 11!!!! It was miserable and I coped by eating. I was " uncomfortable " and HOME and ALONE and so I ate... and ate... and ate.. and then I found myself back into the dieting mindset---> " omigosh, I have eaten so badly, I've GOT to do better... " and then I'd do worse than EVER because i'd be focus on it and obsessing about it. Its such a cycle. I too, want to know what to do to get unfocused on weight and food issues... I thought about learning how to knit. My friend down the road knits ALLLLLL the time and LOVES it. We've talked about how she's going to teach me soon, but we haven't gotten around to it.. but I might just have to call her about it. See, I just talked my way through this whole " crisis " Thanks! Nat > > What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional > eating? What worked for you and what did not? > > Recently, I found myself in a pattern of binging, and it was very > depressing. Every bored or frustrated moment that I found would lead > to a binge. The more that I binged, the more frustrated with myself > and isolated I became. Finally, on a whim, I went to the store, and > bought some art supplies. I have no artistic ability whatsoever. I > came home and started to just create random things. It was so > satisfying that I was able to break the cycle of binging. It feels > good to know that I have any easy (pick up at any moment) activity to > do whenever I feel bored and frustrated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 My favorite alternatives are jigsaw puzzles and word/logic puzzles. They keep my mind and my hands busy. (Unfortunately, this weekend I couldn't do either because I was working with the new dog. So when the binge came, it was much harder to stop than usual.) > > What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional > eating? What worked for you and what did not? > > Recently, I found myself in a pattern of binging, and it was very > depressing. Every bored or frustrated moment that I found would lead > to a binge. The more that I binged, the more frustrated with myself > and isolated I became. Finally, on a whim, I went to the store, and > bought some art supplies. I have no artistic ability whatsoever. I > came home and started to just create random things. It was so > satisfying that I was able to break the cycle of binging. It feels > good to know that I have any easy (pick up at any moment) activity to > do whenever I feel bored and frustrated. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 Hey Nat, I think I stayed in the binging cycle longer than needed because I kept thinking of alternatives that would require me learning something new...like sewing or painting. The thought of having to learn a new skill (which can be frustrating in itself) kept me from trying those things. So, this time, I just picked something that could give me instant gratification...oil pastels. Sure, if I wanted to be good, I could " learn " real art skills. However, what I needed to break the cycle of binging was something that would be satisfying immediately instead of after weeks of learning. I hope that helps! Amy > > > > What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional > > eating? What worked for you and what did not? > > > > Recently, I found myself in a pattern of binging, and it was very > > depressing. Every bored or frustrated moment that I found would lead > > to a binge. The more that I binged, the more frustrated with myself > > and isolated I became. Finally, on a whim, I went to the store, and > > bought some art supplies. I have no artistic ability whatsoever. I > > came home and started to just create random things. It was so > > satisfying that I was able to break the cycle of binging. It feels > > good to know that I have any easy (pick up at any moment) activity to > > do whenever I feel bored and frustrated. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 For me it isn't one specific activity -- it's more an overall " taking care of myself " . I'm far less vulnerable when I get enough sleep, exercise regularly, meditate, rest when I am tired instead of forcing myself to go on doing things, ask my husband for help or for hugs or for whatever I need. When I get all " self-sacrifice-y " is when I get into big trouble. > > What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional > eating? What worked for you and what did not? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 For me it isn't one specific activity -- it's more an overall " taking care of myself " . I'm far less vulnerable when I get enough sleep, exercise regularly, meditate, rest when I am tired instead of forcing myself to go on doing things, ask my husband for help or for hugs or for whatever I need. When I get all " self-sacrifice-y " is when I get into big trouble. > > What kind of activities have you tried as alternatives to emotional > eating? What worked for you and what did not? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 Those are all great alternatives to eating when your not hungry! I can add another to the list......do a 1000 piece puzzle! I recently worked on one for about 3 weeks and while I was working on it, I didn't think about food at all. When I finished, I was missing 1 piece! I was soooo mad! LOL Luanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 Those are all great alternatives to eating when your not hungry! I can add another to the list......do a 1000 piece puzzle! I recently worked on one for about 3 weeks and while I was working on it, I didn't think about food at all. When I finished, I was missing 1 piece! I was soooo mad! LOL Luanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 Hi everyone, I ran across this list of "ways to cope" at one of my favorite websites. http://something-fishy.org/reach/waystocope.php There are some good alternatives to bingeing on this list. in CO Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debatein the Yahoo! Answers Food Drink Q&A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 Hi everyone, I ran across this list of "ways to cope" at one of my favorite websites. http://something-fishy.org/reach/waystocope.php There are some good alternatives to bingeing on this list. in CO Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debatein the Yahoo! Answers Food Drink Q&A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 If I try and stop a binge I will do it anyway and a lot worse later. Regualr natural eaters binge sometimes. I really think anything we lable as a " Don't do " , becomes a fobidden fruit. I just had a pizza binge 20 minutes ago. It was about 4 pieces , 2of which I am sure I really didnt need but I trust my body will even it out later. I enjoyed it and I let myself do it. I didnt tell myself I was bad or disgusting. I may not have much for breakfast, i may not have my occasional late night snack but not because I wont let myself due to the pizza binge, but because It may have no appeal to me. For me to give myself complete permission to have what I want when I want, even if it I really want it but I am not hungry, takes all the apsects of forbidden fruit and thus fear away. If I think I am depriving myself of anything (even a binge)I feel afraid and so I just tell myself I can have it and trust my body to adjust itself. The times when I have gone on binge cycles are usualy because I try to " Control " it in the first place. There really is no control in normal eating. A food that was always a big tempation to me was home made chocolate chip cookies. I baked some yesterday and I have had a couple. Since they are there and I give myself full permission to have them, even just for taste and pleasure, its nice that they are there but Im not tempted. It only works for me though if I know I can have it no matter what. Hope thats of some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 What an awesome list, ! Hmmmm...got to see if I can find some bubble wrap. :-) > > Hi everyone, > > I ran across this list of " ways to cope " at one of my favorite websites. > > http://something-fishy.org/reach/waystocope.php > > There are some good alternatives to bingeing on this list. > > in CO > > > --------------------------------- > Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate > in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q & A. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 What an awesome list, ! Hmmmm...got to see if I can find some bubble wrap. :-) > > Hi everyone, > > I ran across this list of " ways to cope " at one of my favorite websites. > > http://something-fishy.org/reach/waystocope.php > > There are some good alternatives to bingeing on this list. > > in CO > > > --------------------------------- > Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate > in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q & A. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2007 Report Share Posted February 5, 2007 , I think you are on the right track. When I am in a binge cycle, it is impossible for me to give myself permission by will alone. My task oriented mind gets obsessed with the thoughts that lead to more binges (negative thinking). Alternative tasks (activities) really seem to disrupt that thought cycle though. Perhaps, I have a one tract mind? Once that cycle is disrupted with a positive task, it is infinitely easier to let myself believe that everything will work out in the end (positive thinking). Perhaps, you are so advanced that you can simply will yourself to believe everything will come out ok and nothing sends you into a negative thought cycle. How cool! > > > If I try and stop a binge I will do it anyway and a lot worse later. > Regualr natural eaters binge sometimes. I really think anything we > lable as a " Don't do " , becomes a fobidden fruit. > I just had a pizza binge 20 minutes ago. It was about 4 pieces , 2of > which I am sure I really didnt need but I trust my body will even it > out later. I enjoyed it and I let myself do it. I didnt tell myself I > was bad or disgusting. > I may not have much for breakfast, i may not have my occasional late > night snack but not because I wont let myself due to the pizza binge, > but because It may have no appeal to me. > For me to give myself complete permission to have what I want when I > want, even if it I really want it but I am not hungry, takes all the > apsects of forbidden fruit and thus fear away. > If I think I am depriving myself of anything (even a binge)I feel > afraid and so I just tell myself I can have it and trust my body to > adjust itself. > > The times when I have gone on binge cycles are usualy because I try > to " Control " it in the first place. > There really is no control in normal eating. > > A food that was always a big tempation to me was home made chocolate > chip cookies. I baked some yesterday and I have had a couple. > Since they are there and I give myself full permission to have them, > even just for taste and pleasure, its nice that they are there but Im > not tempted. > It only works for me though if I know I can have it no matter what. > Hope thats of some help. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 Okay, here's MY thing: When I'm in a binge, I completely feel as if I CAN'T stop it. And yes, if I do, then it really does just come back later, meaner and uglier than before. And in that anxious state of mind, I don't want to stop it. Even though my rational mind knows, without an ounce of doubt, that the binge is useless in meeting my health goals, it's like...my brain doesn't want me to stop. Telling my husband, " Okay honey, I'm not feeling great, we must get out of the house NOW " is very difficult. It's a huge internal fight to get the words out of my mouth. Because once he knows...the gig is up. Last week I tried twice, unsuccessfully, to stop the bnge. I finally said, The hell with it, and I let myself go for a day and a half. THEN it was done. Nope, I'm not proud of that, nor do I suggest to anyone else in the worls to handle an impulse like that. It's just very frustrating and, yes, something I will work on. My fourteen cents, for what it's worth. Mara =^..^= > > If I try and stop a binge I will do it anyway and a lot worse later. > > Regualr natural eaters binge sometimes. I really think anything we > > lable as a " Don't do " , becomes a fobidden fruit. > > I just had a pizza binge 20 minutes ago. It was about 4 pieces , 2of > > which I am sure I really didnt need but I trust my body will even it > > out later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? > > Okay, here's MY thing: When I'm in a binge, I completely feel as if I > CAN'T stop it. And yes, if I do, then it really does just come back > later, meaner and uglier than before. And in that anxious state of > mind, I don't want to stop it. Even though my rational mind knows, > without an ounce of doubt, that the binge is useless in meeting my > health goals, it's like...my brain doesn't want me to stop. Telling my > husband, " Okay honey, I'm not feeling great, we must get out of the > house NOW " is very difficult. It's a huge internal fight to get the > words out of my mouth. Because once he knows...the gig is up. Last > week I tried twice, unsuccessfully, to stop the bnge. I finally said, > The hell with it, and I let myself go for a day and a half. THEN it was > done. Nope, I'm not proud of that, nor do I suggest to anyone else in > the worls to handle an impulse like that. It's just very frustrating > and, yes, something I will work on. > > My fourteen cents, for what it's worth. > > Mara =^..^= > > > > > If I try and stop a binge I will do it anyway and a lot worse > later. > > > Regualr natural eaters binge sometimes. I really think anything we > > > lable as a " Don't do " , becomes a fobidden fruit. > > > I just had a pizza binge 20 minutes ago. It was about 4 pieces , > 2of > > > which I am sure I really didnt need but I trust my body will even > it > > > out later. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 It's funny you mention that. A lot of time when I get hungry again right away, that's exactly what I think. I just didn't give my body enough to eat. But the actualy bingeing--I know that's purely emotional. And it usually only happens when Im in a state of panic as well (panic attack). During last week's binge--I kid you not--in my mind was a bagel, cut in half lengthwise, cut said down, and that bagel being pushed DOWNWARDS, pushing down all of the upset and anger and anguish and whatever other emotions there were. I mean, WOW! How much more obvious could I get for myself. But yeah, sometimes I do just think I may not be giving my body enough or even enough of the right mix of nutrients. A big bowl of squash soup is lovely, but if it has not fat, and there's no prtein, I'm going to be hungry again very soon. > > Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it > comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the > case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 > > Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it > comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the > case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? I agree with this. I know I am really hungry first thing but sometimes only eat a little and then when lunch rolls around I am starving. Some of the IE authors say to get good and hungry but it seems when I do that, I overeat. I agree it tastes so much better when you are hungry but is there such a thing as too hungry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 > > Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it > comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the > case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? I agree with this. I know I am really hungry first thing but sometimes only eat a little and then when lunch rolls around I am starving. Some of the IE authors say to get good and hungry but it seems when I do that, I overeat. I agree it tastes so much better when you are hungry but is there such a thing as too hungry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 There is definitely such a thing as too hungry. Think of hunger as a scale marked from 1 to 10. At 1, you're not at all hungry. You may have just eaten and be completely stuffed. At 5, you are neither hungry nor full. At 10, you are ravenous, hungry enough to eat the tires off a car. (I loved that saying.) If your hunger is at 10, that means you've been ignoring your early hunger signals. I find that it's best to eat when my hunger is around 7 or 8. Sometimes, I'll sit down to a meal when I'm at 5 or 6 because it's mealtime and my hunger will shoot up to 8 or 9 as soon as I start eating. (I have a family and we all sit down to dinner together.) > > > > Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it > > comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the > > case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? > > I agree with this. I know I am really hungry first thing but sometimes > only eat a little and then when lunch rolls around I am starving. Some > of the IE authors say to get good and hungry but it seems when I do > that, I overeat. I agree it tastes so much better when you are hungry > but is there such a thing as too hungry? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 There is definitely such a thing as too hungry. Think of hunger as a scale marked from 1 to 10. At 1, you're not at all hungry. You may have just eaten and be completely stuffed. At 5, you are neither hungry nor full. At 10, you are ravenous, hungry enough to eat the tires off a car. (I loved that saying.) If your hunger is at 10, that means you've been ignoring your early hunger signals. I find that it's best to eat when my hunger is around 7 or 8. Sometimes, I'll sit down to a meal when I'm at 5 or 6 because it's mealtime and my hunger will shoot up to 8 or 9 as soon as I start eating. (I have a family and we all sit down to dinner together.) > > > > Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it > > comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the > > case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? > > I agree with this. I know I am really hungry first thing but sometimes > only eat a little and then when lunch rolls around I am starving. Some > of the IE authors say to get good and hungry but it seems when I do > that, I overeat. I agree it tastes so much better when you are hungry > but is there such a thing as too hungry? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 There is definitely such a thing as too hungry. Think of hunger as a scale marked from 1 to 10. At 1, you're not at all hungry. You may have just eaten and be completely stuffed. At 5, you are neither hungry nor full. At 10, you are ravenous, hungry enough to eat the tires off a car. (I loved that saying.) If your hunger is at 10, that means you've been ignoring your early hunger signals. I find that it's best to eat when my hunger is around 7 or 8. Sometimes, I'll sit down to a meal when I'm at 5 or 6 because it's mealtime and my hunger will shoot up to 8 or 9 as soon as I start eating. (I have a family and we all sit down to dinner together.) > > > > Is it possible that you are really hungry? Perhaps that is why it > > comes back...maybe you are not honoring your hunger? If that is the > > case, is that really a binge or just eating a lot? > > I agree with this. I know I am really hungry first thing but sometimes > only eat a little and then when lunch rolls around I am starving. Some > of the IE authors say to get good and hungry but it seems when I do > that, I overeat. I agree it tastes so much better when you are hungry > but is there such a thing as too hungry? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2007 Report Share Posted February 6, 2007 I agree of being too hungry. I read IE and then read Thin Within... TW taught eating intuitively, but said that you should only eat when you were hungry (which is normal)... but " hungry " being on a scale from 1-10 (1 being starving; 10 being stuffed and sick), being a ZERO or ONE!!! I found that I was trying to follow it and was bingeing more than EVER... that's why I'm back. I'm trying to recover from trying to change my mindset and now I'm trying to change it back... GOSH, who would have thought that eating would be SO MUCH MORE than just fork to mouth motions... You know!??! Its so hard! I just hate that I've made it that way... Nat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2007 Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I think that the word " binge " is being used too loosely. I don't consider 4 pieces of pizza a binge. A binge is when you feel compelled to devour HUGE amounts of food in a very short period of time. When I have a binge, I suddenly am cramming anything sweet into my mouth. I can end up eating 1/2 a package of oreos, 1/2 a tub of ice cream, and alternating spoonfuls of peanut butter and jelly (straight from the jars), washed down w/ milk. A binge is not just overeating. So, yes, it is important to not binge. It makes you feel awful. Sometimes, I can't even stand up after it's over. > > > If I try and stop a binge I will do it anyway and a lot worse later. > Regualr natural eaters binge sometimes. I really think anything we > lable as a " Don't do " , becomes a fobidden fruit. > I just had a pizza binge 20 minutes ago. It was about 4 pieces , 2of > which I am sure I really didnt need but I trust my body will even it > out later. I enjoyed it and I let myself do it. I didnt tell myself I > was bad or disgusting. > I may not have much for breakfast, i may not have my occasional late > night snack but not because I wont let myself due to the pizza binge, > but because It may have no appeal to me. > For me to give myself complete permission to have what I want when I > want, even if it I really want it but I am not hungry, takes all the > apsects of forbidden fruit and thus fear away. > If I think I am depriving myself of anything (even a binge)I feel > afraid and so I just tell myself I can have it and trust my body to > adjust itself. > > The times when I have gone on binge cycles are usualy because I try > to " Control " it in the first place. > There really is no control in normal eating. > > A food that was always a big tempation to me was home made chocolate > chip cookies. I baked some yesterday and I have had a couple. > Since they are there and I give myself full permission to have them, > even just for taste and pleasure, its nice that they are there but Im > not tempted. > It only works for me though if I know I can have it no matter what. > Hope thats of some help. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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