Never been swimming over here before...

[setmefree]

Hiya

I usually post in the Anorexia/Bulimia forum but I think I've just realised i have Binge-eating disorder.

:wand I've been reading this self help book called Bulimia Nervose and Binge-eating that the EDA recommended me, and there was a section on binge eating disorder and its features. i've just realised that all the feratures of BED define my behaviours, i thought it was just some combination of a and b but its helpful to know that Its something different.

:wand What can I do when I want to binge, how can I stop the thoughts or at least do something to take my mind off of wanting to eat?

:wand I've been trying to eat three meals a day and be healthy, but I still feel like I'm gaining weight on that, even though I'm probably eating less than I would if I was bingeing.Any ideas?

:wand How can I boost my terribly low self-esteem?


any advice would be gladly appreciated.

love, stemefree xxx

[LizE]

" I've been trying to eat three meals a day and be healthy, but I still feel like I'm gaining weight on that, even though I'm probably eating less than I would if I was bingeing.Any ideas? "

Your body may seem like it's gaining weight or whatever, but remember: you're now trying to adjust to a healthy lifestyle. It's going to seem like a shock. Try to be patient and give it time...

LizE

[mazi]

I completely understand where you're coming from. I was a pretty chronic anorexic for years, and quite recently I've started bingeing out of control. I find it so unbelievably hard to stop the feelings of guilt when I try to do the three meals a day thing. Whenever I have even a piece of toast for breakfast (with no butter!) I get mad at myself because I feel like if I'm going to eat at all, I want it to be in a full-on binge session. When I'm forced to eat in the company of others I feel ripped off that they're "making" me eat normally. I often feel like I'd rather not eat at all or only eat in binge-sessions. Chopped logic hey, I want to recover so badly but at the same time I hang on to my ED with all my might.

One thing that sometimes works when that aching for a binge starts coming on is to come to this site! Although we all already know back to front that bingeing will not solve our inner emotional problems, physically reading it in a moment of need sometimes makes the cravings go away. Then after that I try to do something I love (making jewellery for me!) and thoughts of food disappear!

And about boosting your self esteem, jeez I wish I knew the answer! Being surrounded by good friends plays a big part. Although I isolate myself for much of the time, when I finally drag myself out I feel so, so much better and I stop worrying about my problems (even if just for a few hours). I know it's been said a million times, but find something you love or are good at, and flaunt it baby! I'm definitely not a good dancer, but for some reason the dancefloor in a club is the only place I don't worry about what people think of me! I'm not often in the right state of mind to get out to a club, but when I do it lifts me up for days! So maybe you should try shaking your booty!

This is probably a whole lot of rubbish, but I hope you find something useful in it. Feel free to email me if you need a chat!

Mazi