Starvation response (binge eating) help!

[artrius]

I know its out of hand, but I want to try this before I get doctors involved. With my job in the military, anything like this on my record could ruin my career and get me booted.

I've always been trying to lose bodyfat, and for the most part, I've been doing it by going too far under my maintenance calories. I think, though, that since I will be eating all this extra food, my body won't be crying out for extra food and invoking that starvation response, if that's what it is. I think that, at 3500 calories a day, I won't have a chance to be hungry. I'll still incorporate cheat days, but of course, be reasonable about them.

I know that its been going on for a long time, too long in fact, but I want to try this. I really think this could help. If not, then I'll give up and call a doctor.

I can't say for sure that it will solve the problem, but there are a few other things that I'm trying to do better about it too. I'm usually by myself a lot. That doesn't help any. I'm going to try hanging out with my buddies more. Like I said, I binge eat when I'm bored, hungry, or tired. (Although if I'm emotionally f*ed up, I'll do it then too) If I minimize those, then I think it will take care of the problem.

I know it sounds like a cop out, but I really think that this will help. If not, the doctors can come take me away. I promise.

 

[artrius]

back off bro, I think he saw your post the first time

let him at least attempt to fix it himself, damn

I see his point though. Its easy to become complacent about your own problems when you are used to living with them. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to realize what you are doing is REALLY bad.

thank you both, though.

 

[Lao Tzu]

The only times i've ever binged are when i restricted calories way too far for too long or after a really hard lifting workout that tore my muscles up pretty good. I guess both had the same effect, my body needed way more calories to repair itself and keep it going than i was giving it so it overpowered me.

I think SSRIs may help with binge eating. Topamax (an epilepsy drug) may help too. I'll look up some other drugs you may want to try. I just dug up a study that showed meridia can help.

I second the idea of increasing calories a bit. 1200 for an active person who is 225 lbs is not nearly enough. That is 1/3 or less of what you need each day. A good diet with 2 lbs a week of fat loss should have maybe a 1200 kcal a day deficit, you are running closer to a 2500 kcal a day deficit.

Have you checked the library for books? Alot of the info i can find on google just says cognitive behavior therapy is good. but they dont go into detail. maybe a book will have better details.

ANyway, i 'think' that increasing maintenance calories to maybe 3500 and making diet calories closer to 2400, starting drugs like topamax & SSRIs while using CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) should make some dents in your disorder. Good luck.

 

[Lao Tzu]

http://www.cpa-apc.org/Publications/Archives/CJP/2002/april/briefCommunicationTopiramate.asp

That is one of many topamax (topiramate) studies i have seen. that one showed really good results with topamax. i dont know if that entire class of drugs (antieleptics) works for binge eating or just topamax though.


Saaaaaaaaaadly topamax in the doses given (150mg a day) will run you about $5 a day.

 

[haploid]

I binge on Saturday every week, and this does not appear to be a problem for me.

I am currently on a slightly-more-restrictive variation of the ANBP diet, I will enter my 5th week tomorrow. I have been very very strict with my amounts and times Sunday-Friday, then on Saturday, I hit McDonalds 3 times and super-size everything - someties I throw in a trip to my favorite pizza place. I consider this my refeed day as it's something that really demolishes my cravings until the next Saturday.

So far I am down about 15lbs - of which 6 is water. I am just under 2lbs of fat loss per week, which I consider to be very good. This in spite of binging. Obviously I could be eating a whole lot cleaner than mcd's - and I will go cleaner as soon as my fat loss plateaus, but for now It's all good

I think binging/refeed is a very important part of the diet if you're doing anything ketogenic.

Maybe you ought to consider going keto, then schedule your binges as you would a refeed.

 

[artrius]

Drugs are a no go for me, I'm in the military and we get tested for drugs VERY often. Only if a doctor prescribes it, will it be alright. thanks for the suggestion, though.

And by the way, I was originally at 1200, but I came to my senses about that a long time ago. I've been (until just a few days ago) eating 2200-2400. I think that even this, however, was a little too low.

I don't know about the going crazy thing. I've done keto diets before, but not with such a huge cheat fest. I'm not sure that would be beneficial in my case. I'm gonna go for mass and strength for a while, I think that would be best for me. I need a boost. I feel better when I get stronger; that will help me more at this point, I think.

 

[Grebe22]

Someone mentioned coffee and I have to agree with that, too. I used to hate coffee but I've been discovering a lot of foods that I thought I "hated" I actually like (e.g. cold pizza)...now I drink coffee first thing in the morning before I do cardio, and then I have another cup of coffee either before I go lift later on or else if I'm having cravings I'll have my coffee then, and it really does make the cravings go away.

If nothing else, have a Tbsp or two of peanut butter, the stuff tastes great and it will satisfy your hunger too.

 

[Zer0 Defects]

I've had the same problem with binging on the weekends. Just so much free time to just sit and think about how I want to eat junk food....its overwhelming... Although, this is the end of my first week on the ANPB diet and so far not binging this weekend has been no problem for me at all. The ANPB just keeps me satisfied longer, and while its only been a week, I'd still recommend giving it a try. In any case, good luck and you can beat this!

- Zer0

 

[artrius]

Actually, I've just added peanuts into the diet (5-6 days ago?). I decided, for some reason, to get some ANPB at the store yesterday, so I gotta figure out where to throw that into the diet as well. All's well thus far.

Lemme tell you, though, as I said, I'm upping my calories, and its pretty rough. My stomach is like " 'eyyy, wasssup hombre??? whachyoo dooiiiinnnn??" Not used to eating this much food yet

 

[massm]

artrius, I feel your pain and I have a similar problem I've been dealing with. I've always been strict with my diet but it never led to the uncontrollable all-out binging sessions. We simply obsess over our diets too much and try to make our whole regimen flawless, but perfection never works for many on a diet -- it's a natural instinct to binge when you are totally neglecting yourself of any 'fun foods'. A few tips that have helped me along the way:

When planning to 'cheat', try your best to be around other people. Binging becomes extreme when you are alone/lonely, and let's face it: we are a little more controlled in a public environment.

Give yourself SMALL treats throughout the day. For example, put a little sauce on your chicken or some other forbidden condiment once in a while, it really helps you not feel neglected the rest of the day and can help with controlled eating.

LOTS of broccoli and EFA oils (I use Udo's Choice). When I have a planned meal I always work my way from my least favorite food (generally the oil) and work my way to my favorite, which is generally the protein source. Vegetables really can help fill a void in the midst of a meal, broccoli has been a good friend to me when dieting. Fibrous veggies will make you feel full and are not calorically dense (like nuts).

The real issue is not denying yourself of all pleasure associated with food. Spice up your diet a bit, eat a variety of allowable foods, and occasionally throw in a small serving of something "forbidden". The looser approach for dieting won't make you obsessive about it, and I've always found binge eating to be a result of obsessively thinking about NOT binge eating. It's a vicious cycle.

I do agree, there is likely psychological factors behind this that can be better examined my a doctor. I personally never went that route although it probably would have helped. For me, it's just a matter of re-arranging my schedule and my lifestyle to not allow those situations where I feel like binging. Try to limit idleness, being alone, and try and keep our outlook on life positive and think of things in perspective rather than fixate on specific aspects of life.

I know it sounds easier than it is, because I've been there. You simply need to treat yourself once in a while, and tell yourself that nothing is forbidden in your diet, it's just a matter of doing things in moderation. Don't wait for that binging urge to kick in to eat foods off your diet, squeeze in small portions when you are feeling happy and content with yourself. Learn to associate positive behavior with rewaring yourself with food.

Sorry this is long, but it's an issue that is very close to home.