I'm so happy, I could finally come acosrs a website that I can totally relate to. Sunny, your experiences are so much similar to mine. I've been going on like this for 10 years now. I'm 27 and I recall my first binge when I was 17. I tried almost everything; psychologists, psychiatrists, endochrinologists, drugs, hypnotherapy, antidepressants, everything! Of course, the intensity and frequency of my attacks declined, but I'm still doing this thing. Can't help it. The moment my parents left the house last Sat. I got into an eating frenzy. Yeah I live with my parents because I can't dare moving out and living alone! How would I control my binges then? No way.. The urge is so strong, that the voice of reason inside can't make itself heard, go play the piano or medidate or go out for a walk etc. Nothing works.. I started to lose faith in myself, after 10 years and so much effort. I'm within my normal weight range, but still, why should I be bingeing? It's so unhealthy. I even developed reactive hypoglicemia because of eating such unhealthy food.I need every bit of support and help that you guys could give. And I'm more than willing to share my best-practices with you.. Cause you know it's easier to tell something to somebody than to do it yourself.Thanks

Yeah Jim, I ran across some voedis of that guy a while back. A friend from Mississippi sent me a link to some of his vids.I remember writing back to this friend..."that guys' going somewhere." Good on him!

Here are some distractions I use when i feel a esaperdte urge to binge. 1. make sure other people are around. even them just being there and knowing you cant freely access the kitchen / food helps.2. do not keep food in your room, and ensure binge' food is kept at a minimum. if you are serious, perhaps you could literally ask your parents [if you live with them] to keep them in a locked cupboard if they feel its essential to have cake/chocolate/chips in the house.3. just WAIT. wait 10 minutes. wait 20 minutes. give yourself a time limit, because sometimes by that time your so frustrated that you havent given in to the urge that you dont want to binge [its unlikely, but test it.]4. have something to DO after you eat. have this prepared. if you plan to watch a movie, have the movie in sight as you are eating. it will remind you that you are not going to binge. if you are going to do schoolwork, have your diary in front of you. if you are going to do painting, have the paints out.5. ask yourself where you want to be in a year/month/week. Recover NOW. start your binge/purge free days NOW. you might think this will be the last time . remember last time you said that too? ACTUAL ACTIVITIES:- Have a shower. you cant eat in the shower.- do something that [usually] fully engages your mind. Crosswords, puzzles, assignments. have these out BEFORE you start eating.- change your environment.. get away from food completely. go for a walk somewhere. bike ride [ do not do this to COMPENSATE though]- craft. this helps me the most. paint, cross stitch, long stitch, work with canvases, soft pastels [use your hands, you cant eat if you are finger painting], collages, drawing, making cards- make things for the people you love. give you a purpose to not do it for 5 minutes and then go and binge.- if you are angry and frustrated, find something that you can do to get your anger out. Totem tennis, anyone?- call a friend or family member and talk- play an instrument- redecorate your room / wardrobe- chat to friends on the internetessentially, the most effective thing for you not bingeing will be the thing that fulfills the need that you would usually be filled by bingeing. eg. if you binge because you feel isolated, calling a friend will directly fill that need. call friend after friend if need be. if you binge because you feel rejected, call someone you feel accepted by. if you binge because you simply have the house to yourself, make sure you eat with people and have them stick around after the meal! if you binge because you feel worthless and dont feel that you should have eaten the meal, then do something that makes you feel worthwhile make things for friends, create something, do something productive that you can SEE you are doing something. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE:1. a list of people you can call when you feel like you want to binge. 2. a list of things you can do when you do want to binge.rate both of these activities and people: eg. Activity: Punching a pillow. Good For: releasing frustrations, initially taking my mind off bingeing.Activity: Doing an assignment / schoolwork. Good For: showing that i can achieve something. you really need to make sure you get yourself SUPPORT. no matter if you have been bingeing or struggling with eating disorders for a month or a year, you WILL continue to struggle until you empower yourself and decide that you do not want this life. if it helps write down a list of things you want from life. is bingeing included? er.. no. See a psyc. See family members. See friends. See a team. Art therapist, music therapist. REMEMBER THE 5 D’SDELAY your response so you can figure out what exactly is tempting you to binge.DETERMINE what’s going on. Ask yourself, “Why is my desire to eat so high right now? Am I physically hungry? If not, “what do I really want or need?”DISTRACT yourself for 10 minutes (WAIT).DISTANCE yourself, physically, from the temptation.DECIDE how you will handle it.- If you’re tired, take a nap. If you’re feeling lonely, call a friend. If you’re feeling anxious, go for a walk or take a bubble bath.- If you’re having a specific food craving, identify what you really want, go get a single HOW TO STOP FOOD CRAVINGS Craving chocolate? Eat a banana. It sometimes satisfies the yearning for chocolate and is much less fattening. Chew sugarless gum. It speeds up the digestive system, burning more calories, and sometimes kills a craving. Exercise! Your appetite will temporarily subside and you'll feel better about taking such a proactive approach. Still craving chocolate? Try a magnesium supplement. Many women are deficient in this mineral, which is found in chocolate. Craving fatty foods? Eat fish, or take a fish oil or flaxseed oil supplement. You may be low in essential fatty acids. Grab something to drink. Sometimes, cravings for food are really thirst in disguise. Sweet tooth? Protein, fat and fiber keep blood sugar levels more even and help keep such cravings under control. Watch your caffeine intake. Caffeine seems to make sugar cravings worse. If your will power weakens at night, try leaving the lights on until the minute you go to bed. Dimmed lights tend to lower inhibitions. Turn off the lights in your kitchen and avoid hanging out there. Whew!!! It seems that I've gathered a lot of suggestions. I hope one or most of the lists of advices above help you.

wow perfect thread! good ol boys Moving

Aha.. great artiecle...

Greetings I just now finished going through your blog and I'm really impressed. I do have a couple questions for you personally though. Are you intending on performing a follow-up posting on this? Do you think you're likely to keep bringing up-to-date as well? Also if you get a chance will you rate my acai berry pulp web page whenever you have an opportunity?

So pleased to digest such a interesting article that does not resort to lame antics to get the topic fulfilled. Thanks for a great read.

what do you do to detox yourself from sugar? i have given up pop. it will be 5 mths since i had a pop. still have the other junk foods. doc said my tri's are tooo high need to bring them down. helpppp. love ya,

Hello Ellen
I work in the addictions field and found Dr. Kathleen Desmaisons articles, books and web site(www.radiantrecovery.com) a few years ago. The process(had tried quitting sugar, etc. in the past, cold turkey - didn't work) with amazing support, has been very successful for me and for many others. Start with eating breakfast with protein. Read "Potatoes not Prozac"
Good luck
Mimsy

Going off sugars is best done as a process, not as an overnight decision. Please do check out Dr. Kathleen DesMaison's work - it is a slow, sensible plan to become sugar- and refined-grains- free forever.
I have been off all sugars - including "natural" and artificial sweeteners for nearly five years. I do not crave sweet things, I am calm, do not need or want drama in my life. My cholesterol is down 40 points, I've lost 17 pounds, my skin is clear.
And now carrots and other vegetables taste sweet!