Hello from Orange County! I’m back home and trying to catch up on life, email and dirty clothes 
Yesterday I was super tired all day from my weekend of fun in Miami. That’s not a big deal, but I have a tendency to overeat when I’m tired. I’ve noticed my afternoon and nighttime snacking is the worst when I’m dragging. So, I eat to give myself a jump – this is probably why sugar-y foods are the first thing in my mouth for a little sugar high. I definitely ate because I was tired and maybe a little stressed, but not hungry yesterday.
A lot of people deal with unpleasant feelings like being sad or stressed or lonely or tired by coping in some way. Some people drink, some people are jerks, some people do yoga and some people eat 4 cupcakes…
I’ve talked about my disordered eating in the past and for the most part it’s behind me and not something that affects my day to day now. But, when I do fall down the over-eating cliff I think, “Oh no. I’m back to where I was, I have no control over myself…”
![eating too much[3]](https://runeatrepeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eating-too-much3.gif "eating too much[3]")
And it sucks. It sucks because I ate too much and it sucks because I feel so crappy about it.
But the reality is a lot of people overeat occasionally and do not have eating disorders. They might call it ‘over-doing it’.
![eating food[3]](https://runeatrepeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eating-food3.gif "eating food[3]")
Beating myself up doesn’t help but I did want to share because it makes me feel better to just throw it all out there and move on. Plus, dwelling on it keeps ya in a funk and that’s no place to hang out.
So, this morning I got up and went for a fun. It was great!
And now I’m eating breakfast and talking to you nice people
Question: Do you dwell on your mistakes or slip-ups? How do you move on?
I do! I was overweight my entire life and after finally taking control in 2011 I had successful weight loss. It took me two years so lose 102lbs! I did it all on my own one day at a time. I was a horrible emotional closet binge eater and that was part due to the fact that I was in a joke of a marriage and pretty unhappy in every aspect of my life. My binging started in college with the development of my anxiety disorder and chronic migraines. Once I started address the issues in my life, the binging started to diminish. I had huge success in not letting my emotions take control of my eating habits, but since having my second abdominal myomectomy surgery in 2014, that changed. I was at my lowest after surgery (156lbs…from 260lbs in 2011) but once I started working out again two months later and my fiance and I started trying for a baby…thats when shit hit the fan for me. Between still not being preggie yet (after 19mos), working multiple freelance jobs trying to pay off old debt, trying to lose weight for our wedding in August, and just constant stress….I’ve gained 20lbs in the last 2 years and no matter what I do I can’t get it off and that makes me even more stressed. Today was a bad one for me as I only got 5hrs of sleep, went to my endocrinologist office to have an ultrasound to see all of the new fibroids I’ve grown, had to cancel on the family I babysit for bc thr doc ran late….im running out the door for work now (until 8pm) and all I want to do is eat!!! It’s so frustrating when I know why I want to eat and I’m so careful all the time and then days like today it’s like I throw myself off thr deep end without a life jacket! At least we aren’t alone and we are able to get back on track the next day…but it can be rough!
About once a week, I dive into almond butter or peanut butter or cashews or nuts because of my low-carb, restrictive diet. I don’t ban carbs, I just don’t wasn’t them the way I want protein, vegetables, and fruits. I have to push carbs. When I’m exhausted, I binge eat at times, and there are medical, hormone-related reasons that we do that. Last night I ate about 20 servings of unsalted cashews, after being awake since 3:45 the previous night due to insomnia. I willingly dove in. It’s 1:15 the next day, and I haven’t been hungry all day. I refuse to feel guilty, although I wish I hadn’t. I worked out, as usual this morning (burpee and elliptical) and will work the 4lb fitness hula hoop for at least an he tonight. I’m wearing my Fitbit. Hopefully, I won’t be hungry all day. If I am, I’m focusing on plants (grapefruit, apples, spinach, and maybe broccoli). My goal is to not gain weigh. Tomorrow’s a new day. I’ll be back on track with my eating.
Hmm.
Quite hard to answer you, as I grew up ‘fat’ all my life. Even at 32, I weigh a whopping 80 kgs (I’m an Asian male, 5 feet 8 inches height).
And what’s worse that even though I feel a baseline “fat” all the time, there ARE days that I feel REALLY FAT.
And I struggle with this on a daily-couple of days basis.
One thing that works – just put on my jogging gear, and go for a nice jog. And keep to it. And ignore the voices in my head.
Late night binge eating – yeah it’s always when I’m tired and feeling worn out. The darn thing is that then I just feel more tired and more worn out. I try and not really dwell for too long – other than to remind myself of how it feels and remind myself of how eating good makes me feel good.
Many people find help in Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. Some of us have been diagnosed as morbidly obese while others are undereaters. Among us are those who were severely bulimic, who have harmed themselves with compulsive exercise, or whose quality of life was impaired by constant obsession with food or weight. We tend to be people who, in the long-term, have failed at every solution we tried, including therapy, support groups, diets, fasting, exercise, and in-patient treatment programs.
FA has over 500 meetings throughout the United States in large and small cities such as Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Charlotte, Grand Rapids, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Austin, and Washington, D.C. Internationally, FA currently has groups in England, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Australia. If you would like more information about FA, please check out our website at www [dot] foodaddicts [dot] org. If there aren’t any meetings in your area, you can contact the office by emailing FA at foodaddicts [dot] org, where someone will help you.
You are right Monica.
I still have those moments, and I try to think that I am (still) a normal person, who needs some catharsis ( in my case is, and always will be: food).
How difficult is to lose the fear of became again that person with extra 60 pounds. I was a different person at that weight ( not only my image). I dont want to come back to that state.
Maru
Ugh, I totally know how you feel! I beat myself up a bit sometimes when I’ve overeaten. I’ve definitely gotten better over the years about it and just let it go. It’s more the physical feelings I dislike, though. That incredibly full feeling in your stomach is the worst. I’ve also gotten better at not getting to that point as well. It’s definitely a constant work in progress and you have to know that while it’s not ideal, overeating occasionally isn’t going to do you a ton of harm. You just need to not let it be an excuse to keep repeating the same behavior. Pick yourself up and make your next choices healthy ones!
I dont usually beat myself up for what I eat (I dont snack much but I MUST have my pizza 1x a week. ) But I do get really in a funk and down on myself when I miss workouts. I need to workout daily, and if I dont, I get grumpy, start to pick apart my body….
Now that its nice out, I cannot wait to start getting up at dawn and doing workouts in my backyard before getting ready for work.
I do the same thing. I worked for years on overcoming that and I did pretty well with the Intuitive Eating book. Since I got pregnant and have a 15 month old, things have gotten more difficult and I find myself slipping more. I used to beat myself up and have an all out binge thinking that the next day would be a reset, but the cycle kept going. Now I just try to tell myself it’s okay and that I don’t have to wait until the next day.
Thanks for this. I can’t tell you how many times I write “tired” or “exhausted” in my food journal on days when I binge. It’s hard not too fall down the rabbit hole of all-or-nothing thinking when I’m tired. If I can manage to get my butt out the door for a walk, it usually helps turn my thoughts around and interrupt the binge.
I try not to but it happens; though I don’t usually comfort myself with food when I’m in a funk. I “try” to TLC myself – facial mask, body scrubs, home spa etc
I’ve never had an eating disorder, but I definitely used to carry a lot of guilt concerning food a while ago. The best thing I was able to figure out was just to plan for the rest of that day, the next day, even the rest of the week if I could. Write out a meal plan that’ll help me stick to my goals, go for a walk, and rock it out. One day does not ruin all of the work you’ve put into your body and your soul!
Okay. I’ve never been diagnosed with an eating disorder. I had to correct myself there.
I’d assume that we all make our own mistakes. I tend to overeat at times for the same reasons that you mentioned. We are human and after running many many miles….we deserve a little something afterward.
I have Binge Eating disorder (it’s a real thing!) and my doc diagnosed me at my well visit. I was concerned about my overeating and we tracked it and it was much more than overeating. Now I’m going through therapy and trying not to turn my food as an answer to everything. I’m having a rough time of it this week with hubby on a business trip, but I totally understand where you’re coming from!! 🙂 Hang in there chickie! You got this!
I also binge-eat when I am tired (or stressed). I admire your courage in sharing these issue with your readers. Someone out there was beating him-/herself up about bingeing and to know that he/she is not alone is an important thing to realize. I would often get into cycles of binge-eating when stressed out and totally dwell on the previous day… even when I’d tell myself it’s a new day and to start fresh. Luckily, I’m slowly getting better with it through time. I would totally not judge my friends for eating too much… not sure why I judge myself so much more harshly!
Thanks for this post. I know how hard a habit it can be to break!
Great post. I used to be in so neurotic about everything I put in my body. Over the past few years I’ve gotten a lot more relaxed. If I want a McDonald’s McFlurry, I’m going to have one. I don’t think much of it (it’s still a treat, for sure). And, my occasional indulging hasn’t affected my weight. And if after a few weeks I realize I’m feeling a little lousy, I just cut back a little on my “indulgences”. No more obsessing. It works!
I try not to dwell and look on to the next day (for eating/skipping workouts)- what’s happened already has happened and I can’t change it so may as well look forward!
Wow! I feel like I am the EXACT SAME WAY when it comes to eating. Often, the moment I over-do it even slightly I feel like a failure. But then I take a big, deep breath (or 5) and say — learning experience. Then I try and just move on and keep going with my day. Don’t worry, you are not alone! Sounds like you are handling it well 🙂
Never dwell. Feeling better is only a run away 🙂
As someone who is new to Intuitive Eating (I am about halfway through the book), I struggle with stuff like this all the time. Having to actually deal with my feelings instead of just eating them away is a new concept for me. But I am trying my best not to dwell on mistakes or slip ups like I would have done in the past. Just taking it one day at a time and trying my best to be positive!
Slip ups can be difficult but we have to move on! We can’t improve if we stick on our faults!
I dwell. I usually let myself wallow for a few minutes and then I either go for a run or take my dog for a walk to try to shake it off. I also call my mom.
I definitely get upset with myself when I over do it eating. My whole day feels shot. Then I embrace the next day as a new opportunity to start fresh. I went for a fun! I love it!
Love how real you always are. Good for you for knowing what triggers you. Totally hear you on the tired / binge cycle. I always struggle when I’m tired and also when I return from a trip or even a weekend away. I tend to be “really good” on trips and miss out on all the “fun” or unique food (like I ate a salad in Chicago instead of deep dish pizza…) and then I get home and always binge. Trying to work on trusting myself in situations away from my comfort zone but it’s so hard. Anyway, I appreciate your honesty and willingness to put it all out there.
This one hit home for me fren. You met me in person. Would you believe I was a fatty?! My true story is locked and loaded, ready to tell. You’re story is just as inspirational. Thanks for always sharing.
I only dwell on my mistakes if it affects others. If it’s only me, I own it, put on the tunes and go beast mode in the gym.
Thanks so much for sharing. I hate, hate slip ups, but I used to binge eat myself. I think the key was finding the trigger and different methods to cope with these triggers (boredom, depression, stress, anger.)
Replacement strategies and prayer led me to leaving behind a life of this horribly vicious cycle.
As someone who is in “recovery”, hard to say because even though I’m fine day to day, I know it is something that I’ll be dealing with forever, I find it important to acknowledge when I slip but then embrace a new day. I try to just keep moving forward as cheesy as that is. I think you have a great attitude and I’m glad your run made you feel better!
When it comes to eating, I love food and when I overeat I just try to eat well for a few days. If you keep it in check it’s not so hard to stay on target.
It’s hard to keep making the same mistakes because it seems like it undoes all the hard work you put into it. I try hard not to dwell on my slip-ups and just move onwards
It’s so much easier to dwell on our mistakes than to acknowledge positive, forward progress.
I have to remind myself, just like one salad does not make me instantly healthy, one indulgent meal does not ruin anything either. Bloated, maybe… but that will fade by the morning 🙂
“…just like one salad does not make me instantly healthy, one indulgent meal does not ruin anything either.” <- Amen!
I don’t know if you typed “fun” on purpose or not, but I love it! I’m gonna go for a fun once i’m done work 🙂
I didn’t write ‘fun’ on purpose but I think I’m going to leave it that way 🙂
Yep, I definitely eat too much and less nutritious foods when I’m tired. It’s your body’s attempt to get some energy. It definitely sucks but my ‘binges’ usually happen at night so I also try to get in a run the next morning and get out of my yucky funk as soon as possible. One up side is I feel like it motivates me to eat SUPER clean the next couple of days and honestly, if a binge only happens once in a while, it’s not going to affect your weight or habits especially if you acknowledge it. It almost helps to take in more calories occasionally because it allows your body to rev up your metabolism and reset itself. We just have to learn to not do it too often (me included:))
i also caught your typo about going for a “fun.” 😉
i’m definitely a dweller when i slip up and make mistakes… and i HATE it. you’re right, our mistakes should help guide us to make better choices in the future. dwelling on them just adds unnecessary stress and negativity to our lives.
hope you have a great day! 🙂
I am totally with you. I binge eat sugary foods and even spoonfuls of sugar (brown sugar clumps anyone?!) when I’m tired in the evening. It’s hard not to beat yourself up over it, but I try to take it as a sign that my body needs more rest and go to bed extra early the next night. Running the next day always helps because it gets mind off it and makes it easier to go to bed early. You win some, you learn some.
Oh, another brown sugar clump eater…so glad I’m not the only one out there 🙂 I’ve been known to drink “shots” of maple syrup, too. I might like sugar just a little….
I’ve never done this before! Good thing I don’t have brown sugar in the house…
I hate how bad a mood it puts me in if i feel i’ve overeaten in an evening. I have to remind myself that it’s just one day and it won’t undo all the hard work i’ve done! Going for a run the next day definitely helps put it in perspective! I also noticed that most of the “low calorie snacks” suggested by health people are fruits and nuts which a normal person just doesn’t crave when they’re feeling a binge! So i wrote a blog post on the 6 best low calorie snacks that still feel like junk food. I’d really love it if you could check it out: http://a-life-on-fire.blogspot.co.uk/
I definitely struggle with dwelling on my mistakes. I feel like when we dwell, we are so much more likely have repeat patterns. If we dwell on a day of overeating, we may find that we overeat more often because we continue to be upset about the initial overeating. Vicious circle! I find that if I get bogged down dwelling on the fact that I didn’t work out, that I am less likely to work out in the future. It’s all about learning to live and let live! Smile on!
Sometimes I dwell.. The worst is when i miss a workout for no real reason other than “I didn’t feel like it”…
Not that you asked for advice but… for workouts I suggest thinking about how you want to feel after instead of how you feel right this second. It’s always this great rush after a workout so even if you don’t ‘feel like it’ right this second, knowing you want to feel that post-workout high after might help give you that push to get it!
I got something off Pinterest the other day: “I really regret that run. Said no one. Ever.” Pretty much sums it up.
I constantly dwell on my mistakes and it’s taking me a long time to let them go and give myself a break for messing up. I think it’s a constant work in progress. Good for you for getting up going for a run and starting a new 🙂
I love your typo…you went for a “fun”. tee hee!
I can move past yesterday’s binges today but on the day of the binge I tend to get the “well i guess this day is already shot” mentality, making the binge that much worse. I’m trying to learn to start fresh regardless of where in the day I’m at.
Ha! That was totally on accident. I guess my brain just thinks it’s fun.
I dwell. It puts me in a proper funk for a good day. Fresh air can help (kind of “step away from the biscuit tin”) but sometimes I just have to grump on through it.
Fresh air totally helps me, taking a walk specifically.
The hard thing for me is when my parents tell me I “look really thin.” I want to look fit. I’m pretty average. I have toned up, but I’m not what I would call thin.
Anyway, that makes me think I need to eat more and I usually go for junk. It was a bad weekend, but I am determined to make this week better.
I don’t feel guilty about treats except when I eat them because they are there, not because I want them.
As someone recovering from an eating disorder, I totally feel for you. I try to move on regardless of if it’s over eating or under eating. I find dwelling on it makes me more likely to fall into bad habits. Glad you had an excellent run! Focusing on my training definitely helps keep my eating in check.