Binge Eaters and Portion Control?

[Zaphirah]

At my highest weight I weighed 212 due to binge eating. it's been a very slow process (atkins, south beach, ww, etc. but I was able to get down to 169lbs) Then I went raw I've been raw for 4 months. :) I lost 10 lbs in the very beginning, then 20 during my fast in Oct but now the scale is starting to creep up again (just a couple of pounds-but it scares me.;) ) I have been eating like CRAZY in the last 4 or 5 days. I think it's mainly hormonal, but I do think it's time for me to cut down on what I am eating.

I EAT TOO MUCH RAW FOOD.

I don't eat when I am hungry. I eat by the clock-and here is why. I am afraid that if I get hungry I will lose control and binge on cooked. This was working for me, but now it's not and I feel a little lost, not having a Plan B.

I need to lose about 20 more lbs. I'd like to cut down on the amt of food I eat and learn to eat when I am hungry, but just the thought makes my heart rate increase.

Does anyone have any advice?

[ShelShel]

Here's my recommendations...based on what I would do.

First, have a veggies plate made up in the fridge at all times. Something you can reach in and grab right away.

Second, make up several raw desserts, bread...anything that needs prep and time...ahead of time. I have raw frozen ice cream in my fridge and a square pan of raw ginger bread in the fridge right now. If I got an urge I could run in and grab any of these items...bam...I'm ready to eat. :p

Also...keep around bananas and apples...peel and eat...or wash and eat.

Once you've killed the hunger you could take a minute to cut up lettuce for a quick salad. Or something more elaborate.

This is how I get through cooking a SAD dinner every night. I eat a banana before I ever start cooking. ;)

Set yourself up for success! You can do it! Give yourself the chance to succeed! Raw (((HUGS)))

[solongng00dnite]

I know what you are going through, before this juice fast that I am doing I would completely over do it on the nuts and fruit, especially at night. I think it is really mind over matter. Its like the angel and the devil sitting on your shoulders telling you what to do. Even now during my fast I'll be sitting around and start thinking oh I should just eat that apple then the other side of me says nooooo come on you dont need that and its a battle in my head. I would say in times that you are not hungry try not to think about it when those thoughts start coming into your head. Do something else, honestly I tend to do puzzles (sudokus, crosswords, etc) anything that gets my mind thinking of something else and then I forget about it.

Hope that helps. Best of luck my dear.

[joon4yu]

Hey, I Understand Your Concern Because I'm New To This Lifestyle And I'm Wondering Am I Over Doing It Too. I Do Watch The Clock And I Eat Every 2.5 Or 3 Hours Small Meals A Day. I Watch Because If I'm Hungry Befor That Time Then I Need To Drink Water Because I Should Not Be Hungry Before That Time. Sometimes It Can Be Emotional-boredom Is A Big Problem When I'm At Home And Not Wired Up Like When I'm At Work. So I Decided To Blog, Write Stories, Read, Take A Walk Or Do Self Talk, "what Am I Thinking And What Am I Feeling?" This Put Things In There Place. Have A Game Plan When Those Times Happen, It Helps.
Peace And Blessings To Us All
June

[agumble]

I'm having the same problem with adjusting. Before this, I had been eating a small meal every three hours which consisted of a high protein food and complex carbohydrate at each meal. It was called nonstop calorie counting and planning your day around eating.........talk about raw being a change, and a good one for that matter!

But I'm definitely having trouble getting used to not counting calories and not eating whenever three hours is up. I've been binge eating a lot lately and I know I need to stop. I just decided to set a new standard for myself and not allow myself to eat until my stomach starts growling. That way I know that I am truly eating because I'm hungry rather than because I think I'm supposed to due to the time. That also keeps me from eating too much food in one day just in case I do binge eat. If I do, then my stomach probably won't be growling anytime soon!

[oceanee]

Oh yea, I can relate.As I get used to this raw lifestyle I am trying to listen to what my body is asking to eat. I still find myself eating too much some nights when I am home(tired,stressed) but it is such an improvement to what I was doing. I am trying to be totally present to why I need to "stuff my face" so to speak, what emotional void I am filling.It's a constant mental reevaluation for me.
I find it really helps to drink GS and lots and lots of water. Wish there was a magical way to "poof" and to have the need be gone.
Good luck!
Oceanee

[Blazin'Jane]

I think it's very important to be gentle with yourself here! Protect yourself where you feel most vulnerable. Take some food with you everywhere you go. A banana in the grocery store works wonders for helping you finish your task and get back home to some wonderful thing you've got waiting for you. If you're hungry, eat something. Honestly, some days I'm hungrier than others, so I keep some raw bars in my desk drawer for emergencies. It doesn't take much to satisfy hunger, especially when your system is pretty clean, but I think the worst thing is tormenting yourself when you're hungry and then fantacizing about all the stuff you can put away at "mealtime". Lighten up and trust yor body a bit, and if you are really nervous about wight, watch how many nuts and avocadoes you eat, as well as oils. Good luck on the continuation of your good journey! You're wayyyyy better than you think you are! :)

[jacsam]

Here's my recommendations...based on what I would do.

First, have a veggies plate made up in the fridge at all times. Something you can reach in and grab right away.

Second, make up several raw desserts, bread...anything that needs prep and time...ahead of time. I have raw frozen ice cream in my fridge and a square pan of raw ginger bread in the fridge right now. If I got an urge I could run in and grab any of these items...bam...I'm ready to eat. :p

Also...keep around bananas and apples...peel and eat...or wash and eat.

Once you've killed the hunger you could take a minute to cut up lettuce for a quick salad. Or something more elaborate.

This is how I get through cooking a SAD dinner every night. I eat a banana before I ever start cooking. ;)

Set yourself up for success! You can do it! Give yourself the chance to succeed! Raw (((HUGS)))
I've read a couple of your posts this morning and you have such good, common sense advice....thanks, it helps us all. Judith

[momma-rawma]

I don't really have advice--the things I would binge on SAD, I would keep out of the house...but I have a long history on binging (cookie monster, anyone?).

I have a local friend who introduced me to the raw lifestyle....

My understanding of raw--you eat when you are hungry...and with minimal exception--it is really difficult to overeat to where it is bad for you.

So I don't worry--I will eat a whole bag of grapes if I want....a whole bunch of bananas....whatever. I just don't worry about it.

When I notice I am super snacky--I am trying to just have more veg.

I don't get larabars--b/c well..I can eat 5 of them or more..they are expensive...and they just don't fill me up in a satisfying why.

Preparation is key--have stuff ready to munch that leans "healthier" raw--and you will be golden.

Since I am trying to lose weight--I do try to shut myself off at night. (like after 7 or 8pm)--otherwise, I will just snack and snack and snack.

Plus I have a basic outline of what I eat daily:

Lemon water
Smoothie
Green juice
Fruit
Salad/veg
Fruit or Veg snack
and for now....as healthy as possible SAD meal. (waiting until after my marathon to up the raw %)
Then a "dessert" which for now is a fruit item.

If I find myself leaning away from that routine--I evaluate why I am eating...and it if it is really hunger--I try to make it as healthy as possible and as filling as possible.

[Vivafree2]

I am still not balanced with my out of control eating but i am much better. I noticed that if i have plenty of ready snacks i am not as much "hungry" now i make more veggies and fruits snacks - to cut down on nuts. I still have bad moments but it is gettig so much better. My weight is stubborn, my faith too. Having devil and angel on the shoulders!!! great image - perhaps that is a case!

[ShelShel]

I've read a couple of your posts this morning and you have such good, common sense advice....thanks, it helps us all. Judith

Thanks...that's nice to hear. ;)

[Anastazia]

Something that really helped me learn to listen to my body signals better is, whenever I thought i was hungry, or was tempted to snack when I knew I shouldn't be hungry again yet was to have a BIG glass of water first, to see if i was hungry or thirsty....9 times outa 10, I was just thirsty...I would let myself eat, if I was truly hungry, which took the pressure off to decide...often, the water helped me wait another hour or even two, when hunger was just beginning to approach, but wasn't too hungry yet, hungry enough for a meal...

...the more we weigh, the more water we need....supposedly an extra glass for every extra ten pounds or so, but if that was the case, all I'd do is drink & pee ALL DAY!!! But I KNOW I feel waaaaay better, & struggle way less with urges to snack too often, or overeat when I'm well hydrated!

Also, as you increase your amount of exercise, 'earning your calories', as they say, it can help you be more aware of how much food you really need~

~Anastazia~

[MiahTay]

I have struggled with binge eating since I was pre-teen and the ONLY hope I have found is RAW. I may occasionally overeat raw food but it is MUCH less often and I have found that the things that would "haunt" me I no longer have in the house. I can say that I am yet to be watching tv and have a bag of grapes calling to me from the refrigerator. I have found that when I KNOW I'm going to be staring in the face of temptation I eat something, like today I was running some errands (one of which was very frustrating) and ended up being out longer than I anticipated and it was hitting 11:30, and I was going into the grocery store so even though I was wanting to eat from stress and not true hunger I grabbed the emergency lara bar I keep in the glove box and ate it before I went into the grocery store and made it through. I really believe that we have to remind ourselves that even though we may not be where we want to be YET, we are much better off than where we were. It's the journey.

Heather

[Vivafree2]

Yes Heather - i agree- my problem almost disappeared with raw and if i am tempted i eat something veggie and nuts. My belly is full but body Ok with it. Vive la raw! And i agree - having something to eat before shopping, party or some other food exposure makes it all easier or not at all a problem. Thank you for sharing:)

[chilove]

Hi there,

Staying full on lower calorie and lower fat raw foods really helps if you are a big eater and are wanting to loose more weight. Snack on lots of fruits and veggies and try to minimize fats (oils, nuts, seeds, avocados, coconuts). The important is to stay satisfied though, because feeling deprived definitely leads to bingeing.

The other thing to do is of course to work on the binge eating itself. Examine when and why you want to binge eat and start making progress towards correcting those issues. Start working on a massive self care and nurturing campaign to help support yourself as much as possible.

Remember that emotional eating is always about not being willing to just "BE" in the present moment without distracting yourself or comforting yourself or numbing youself with food. If you can develop the ability to accept those momentary feelings of unease and discomfort that come from being unable to eat what you want to or too eat more than you know you need, you will be able to conquer emotional eating forever. It is just a matter of learning some techniques to help support you through that process, developing some more positive coping skills that will work just as well as food and ultimately be much more effective and empowering, and practice, practice, practice. :-)

It is a journey well worth taking. The freedom that comes with having a much more balanced, healthy relationship with food is definitely worth the effort.

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com