Do you ever go on food binges?

I could have posted this word-for-word. Must be something astrological going on.

No, never.

R1 Glad I’m not alone!

Now I’m going to eat some cookies because I just don’t care anymore.💁🏻‍♂️

Never, actually. I try to eat well and not gain weight. I'm in my late fifties and still 6'0" and 175 pounds. The problem is, I've eaten the same foods for years and which rarely includes junk, or rich buttery foods, so when I do make an exception and eat them, my system reacts to rich foods negatively, and I feel like I'm going to die. I know, Mary!

Get back on track. Cheat days are not unknown event with athletes, bodybuilders, etc.

What is food?

YES. I've been at it a lot lately due to stressful work.

[quote]Get back on track. Cheat days are not unknown event with athletes, bodybuilders, etc.

I guess I’m just pissed because it seems like I’ve been stuck at the same weight for the last week no matter how little I eat or how healthy I eat. I’m seriously thinking of starving myself for three days (I’ll make it sound nice and say fasting) and just drinking water because I’m sick of being stuck.

Well, adding calories and then going back can keep your body from going into homeostasis with your current diet. A shakeup.

I have gone on binges all my life. I'm 5'3" and currently weigh around 180. Please try this bizarre idea I came up with a few years ago. It really has helped me as much as or better than other ideas.

Let yourself indulge on whatever you feel like eating in the moment. But, the moment you feel full, throw the rest away...just destroy it. I know it's wasteful, but so is all that food you ate. This way, even if you throw away a quarter of a bag of chips, you taught yourself you CAN take control. Binging just means losing control and when you destroy what you DON'T eat, you are proving to yourself little by little that you can decide when to stop eating.

The more I tried this, the less I binged because I hated tossing out food. It's like tricking youself into not binging.

Please try it. Promise yourself next time to destroy all the treats you buy each time after you binge. I bet you're will power will get stronger.

If you are chubby, it does not work.

Good during the week and whatever one day on the weekend.

I looked at the fasting Reddit and those people go for 12 days. WTF?!!

I have done 24 hour fasts where I just eat supper daily.

I haven’t had a binge in 6 weeks which is good for me. I rarely weigh myself and I know how a gain can set you off into one and understand OP

I'd been careful with my diet for the past 6 months to reduce my weight fearing the effects of Covid. Then I cracked and ate a whole lot of delicious Camembert and saucisson sec. Guilt and an uncomfortable physical reaction ensued. I've learned my lesson.

R12 again, I just looked at that Reddit and the top post is a woman who did a 21 day fast. Just nuts.

R14 - that sounds like a hunger strike

My whole life is a food binge!

The thing about cheat days is it only works if you keep it down to once a month not once a week. That one day of the week is where you would have lost that 1 pound had you not cheated. By cheating that often you are resetting all the work you did the week before.

Disagree.

In my past when I smoked grass more frequently, yes. Now when I get the urge, it's usually hummus, crudités, or popcorn. Cheating is fine every now and again, but just because you slip up doesn't necessarily mean the entire day must go to hell. Just make up for it somehow. If you cannot, do better the next day.

If popcorn isn't your thing, maybe try Fullbars, Fibre capsules, or gigantic salads. You really can't eat too much salad and end up feeling guilty, unless it's garbage salad with meats, cheeses, or eggs.

There are various reasons why you might weigh 1 pound more or less compared to the day before, it's not necessarily due to more fat.

I call mine a "food rampage."

No. But I used to binge drink. Thankfully, that part of my life is in the rear view mirror. It was a self-imposed living hell, and a waste of good health, money, and time.

That being said, I do love good food of all kinds.

My only salvation is to keep my house safe. No foods such as cookies, etc. If I cheat, it’d eating too much nonfat yougurt, fruit, etc.

Thus, I don’t go through the mental anguish of should I or not. If I want ab”treat,” I go on the outside.

My life is a series of food binges, probably not in the sense you mean, though. Lately, since tomatoes are good this time of year, I have been eating them to the near exclusion of everything else except the S&P, mozzarella, and either pesto or basil & balsamic vinegar with which I eat them.

Prior to that, I was eating scrambled eggs w/cheddar, dill, and sour cream at most meals, either with or without roasted potatoes.

Prior to that, a baked potato w/sour cream, S&P, and maybe some cheddar. That went on for over a month. It wasn't at every meal, and I never made an excessive amount of any of the foods I'm describing. But I do like certain things for weeks at a time.

Thankfully, I am only occasionally eating B&J's Cannoli ice cream—no more than once a week. But in my sense of the word, I am binging on it, as it is the only flavor I buy when I go to the store. If they're out, I don't buy a different flavor. I only want Cannoli at this time.

I got fat in high school on Little Debbie Zebra Cakes. I have lost and kept off the weight, but I cannot have those Devil Debbies in my home, because I can inhale an entire box in 10 minutes, and return to the store in my own personal walk of shame.

Yes, the fat whore inside is thinking about them right now.

R19 salad dressings are so fattening so if you eat a salad with regular dressing it is full of fat and calories unfortunately

I've only gone on a genuine binge once, in grad school, when I bought a pound of chocolate covered peanuts at a bulk food place and ate them until I was sick. Not an experience I care to repeat.

R26 I make my own vinaigrette or use lemon and olive oil. I toss well before serving, and use only enough. My recipe is walnut oil, rice vinegar, just enough Dijon mustard to emulsify, salt and pepper. I don't believe healthy fats make people fat. I have only purchased a commercial dressing a few times in my life. I don't particularly care for how sweet they are, or the crappy oils used.

Try this, r26. I never use salad dressing. I dress my salads.

Cheers R29. Sometimes I add finely chopped shallots or chive to my dressing. You should try it. It's a very classic French dressing.

A couple of different strategies that have been working for me. Trying to get down to 150 and have 7 more to go... from about 185. Track your calorie input, but eat a lot of fruits and veggies for free and don't count them Have a fibre supplement with water like metamucil before meals When you want to have a bit of a binge, fast for the day and then eat all 1500 calories in one sitting... It's fun and feels like a pig out.

R30, sometimes I steep tiny-diced shallots in the vinegar for an hour or more before I dress the salad. Chives would be nice, too, though I prefer to break up leaves of basil in a salad.

^ Of course no Frenchman would be using my Japanese vinegar, more likely Champagne or White Wine... When I'm cooking with Sherry, I use a Sherry vinegar, but same tecipe essentially.

If you're going to binge, you better purge.

Not a great idea in retrospect Amber Dempsey. Just look at my neck, my arms, and what's left of my face.

Um, this is DL. Eating binges are obligatory . They keep everyone looking 15 years younger then they are.

[R28] I love walnut oil in salad dressing. I’ve been using Jacques Pepin recipe or the recipes in Nourishing Traditions cookbook. It’s about training your palate to not crave salty, sugary, garbage food. There are so many delicious flavours with real fruits, spicy Asian sauces, you can eat really well and stay healthy if you eat real foods. Try not to buy chips / cookies/ chocolate at the store. If it’s not in your house you won’t eat it. A cab driver once told me his secret when he gets cravings is almonds and dates. It really satiates you until the next mealtime and you won’t make bad decisions. Good luck!

p.s. crash dieting is what weakened Mama Cass’ heart and lead to her death, not eating too much. Some people aren’t meant to be super thin. Treat your body well.

Binges? Heavens, no. My intake is pretty steady.

R25 you could just make them at home!

R37 I definitely kept that out of my shopping cart, and out of my kitchen for years. Now that I've been spending "Covid Time" at my beau's home, I have eaten some Pringles. Luckily he likes the single serving size, so it's not that detrimental, however I agree it's best not to purchase crap to begin with.

My favourite cheats are either fried chicken, crackers, or thin crust pizza. Still more real than cookies baked by a factory, or other junk.

Cheat day and binge eating arent the same thing for me. A binge for myself is when i get a sudden, uncontrollable craving for something and, eat it until the container it empty. I wish there was a tranquilizer shot i could give myself when this urge comes on, its too hard to fight it

R41 That's when you swallow the fibre capsules, drink tonnes of water, or eat Fullbars, or popcorn. You won't have much room left to binge then. I splurge on some dirty fuel once in awhile, but don't like that bloated feeling. Even when I choose the wrong foods, I still aim for proper portions, or one serving.

I bought a salad dressing that is made with yogurt so more healthy, as a Midwesterner I am obligated to have Ranch dressing. ;)

I’ve been binging most of my adulthood! No purging, though.

I used to fight it and feel shame but now when it happens, I just let it happen and don’t let it bother me. I had a big binge last night!

Usually go several weeks between binges but definitely doing it more during Covid. But I’ve only gained 2 pounds in last 6 months, so not worked up about it.

I’ve never been able to figure out what trigger the compulsion to binge. But since I’ve stopped feeling shameful about it, I do it much less often.

OP here. Today I have been VERY good and made up for my binge last night. The only things I’ve eaten today are some baby carrots and I had a 260 calorie TV dinner (yeah, I know but it filled me decently and had low calories). So I haven’t eaten more than 300 calories today and I’m not starving. I refuse to get on the scale again until Monday though.

OP here again - I’m on another binge. I can’t stop eating today. I’ve had 3 huge soft shell tacos, a 16oz Dr. Pepper, some Carmel popcorn, half a Cadbury’s caramel chocolate bar, lemonade, orange juice....and now I’m thinking of either remaking egg salad sandwiches or a sub sandwich! I’ve lost control!

I've been laxative bulimic for 15 years, so yes.

R47 In the morning I plan on taking a big gulp of Dulcolax.

I just got done eating 2 egg salad sandwiches. I think I’m FINALLY done for the night!

Won’t be weighing myself in the morning and I will only eat 600 calories tomorrow.

OP you won't gain if you eat right the next few days. BTDT too many times to count.

Don't ask me, R6!

[quote] but then this morning I gained a pound even though I barely ate anything the day before

Also known as, scale accuracy variations or water retention.

So far for me in March I've had no binges. For me to get through a week is good. Hope you are doing okay OP.

I have been going on drinking binges and as R22 said it is a self-imposed living hell. Bad coping mechanism I fell back into due to the pandemic, illness in the family and a HORRIBLE toxic job. My question is how to stop and I have gained weight. Wasn't even a drinker before except for the year of deep depression I had when my partner died.

I think DL should have a section for those struggling with weight, substance abuse, depression and illness. Just so gay men have a space on an anonymous forum where we can share our stories and solutions. There really aren't enough spaces like that in the community that are just to talk and share ideas.

Nope, an alcohol binge. a neurotic cleaning binge. Starbucks like there's no tomorrow

But a different BREED than the fat-ass mush muscled layabout type that frustrates all of us

You're welcome

STAY AWAY FROM US!

Some fat person needs to sit on r56

For me the only time I’ve had the urge to binge is when I have been under eating for several days before that, it’s my body saying “I need more food!” If I eat healthy and just 200-300 calories under my caloric needs I don’t ever feel like binge eating.

Right now I’m on a raw almond binge, I need to quit while I’m ahead but I can see myself eating this whole 7 oz. container.

r59 at least that's a somewhat healthy binge. I watched 3 doctors interviewed and when they asked them what they snack on they all said almonds.

OP here again. I had been doing great for the past 10 days and not overeating and even lost weight! But I binged again yesterday and today! Yesterday I ate 5 chili dogs! And tonight I had an Asian TV dinner, a peanut butter sandwich, a ham and salami sandwich, a few pieces of chocolate 🍫, potato chips, and a glass of ginger ale!

Oh, well. I’ll get back on the wagon tomorrow I guess.

Not often, but yesterday I ordered a "Triple Delight" from my local Chinese takeout. It's basically just shrimp, scallops, and "lobster" with steamed mixed vegetables in a garlic sauce. It's actually the same sauce they use on their healthy steamed menu options. Their portions are huge, so I had it for lunch, and dinner, with only a little of the steamed rice. I felt like I binged, since I was so full from it by the end of the day, but I guess it really wasn't that "bad".

I’m reading this while still in bed, eating an entire large can of pringles with a cold pizza chaser. Go figure.

No binges yet this weekend, those are the hardest.

I’ve eaten three brats, a bowl of cereal, cheese and crackers, cotton candy, a Pepsi, a cranberry and vodka, and I’m STILL hungry!😭