I have a really really really bad habit.

[Twinkles6892]

Whenever I get home from school, and my mom leaves to pick up my little brother, I eat everything in sight. Today, it was 2 pieces of cake, spoonful of cold hot fudge, and a piece of grahm cracker loaf. And this wasn't because I'm stressed or anything, I look forward to it, mom's gone, eat! I don't know how to stop. Everyday at school I tell myself, when I get home, I'm not going to binge. But I do anyway. What do I do?

 

[chrismiss56]

Megan -

How about going outside for a walk? Or getting on the phone talking to someone? Maybe an exercise tape? There are some short ones like Leslie Sansone's 1 mile express which is only 15 minutes long. Just enough time for your mom to come back home.

It is really hard to break a habit but I know you can do it. Take baby steps and soon you won't even think about eating after school.

Have a magical Disney Day!!

 

[Lesli54]

Do you feel that your mom is pretty strict on what you are allowed to eat when she is home? Does she know that you are eating so much while she is gone?

I have two daughters about your age and have definitely gone through the "who ate that" stage. It sounds like you have been enjoying the fact that you were "getting away with something." If that is the case, then you probably were enjoying the feeling of "pulling one over on mom". Most teens like that feeling. In a strange way, eating when mom isn't around "rewards" you with a good feeling, a feeling of independence, the "I can do what I want 'cause she's gone, heeheeheehee" feeling. The downside, which you know, is gaining weight and possibly feeling worse after the "good feelings" wear off.

If it truly is an independence issue then it has nothing to do with the food, which is just the thing at the moment. Is there a "Y" or a gym close by that you can go to for swimming or some other activity after school? This would help with the eating and better yet give you a little more freedom. I would suggest that you sit down with your mom and discuss your concern about eating when she is gone. Maybe between the two of you, you can work something out. Willpower won't make you stop. You need to figure out why you are eating when mom is gone and then create a plan that will put a good habits in it's place.

The good news is that you are recognizing this as a problem and a reason why you have gained weight. You are definitely going in the right direction.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I used to scarf my mom's vienna fingers--one at a time...AFTER she opened them. Little did I know she ate one cookie a month (okay, less time than that) and I got busted all the time for it. By the time she went for the next cookie--there would only be one left.

I still do it to this day with my family---I do not know what the cookie compulsion is, but i have one and it is bad. I have to avoid taking the first bite--or just simply keep it out of the house.

The only thing I can do now that prevents this is to get rid of the sugar cravings via a detox of sorts.

Something gets sated with these food fests--but I'm sorry to report that I can't identify what it is.

I think your best bet is to replace the eating activity with a phsyical activity--and keep trying new physical activities until you can find one that fits you and your enjoy.

I'm detoxing right now to undo my food fests for the past month or so.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Megan,
You need to create some other healthful "habit" for when your mom leaves. Go for a walk, jump some rope, eat something healthy. Also, you might consider talking to a dietician since you are binging and that can lead to other unhealthful things.

 

[pearlieq]

Hi Megan!

I could have made your post 10 years ago--I used to do the same thing. Unfortunately, I wound up at 17 weighing 330 pounds. Those afternoon binges are really hard because we're usually in a slump in the afternoon and craving carbs and fat and there's no stopping! This is a habit you need to break ASAP!

Some things I wish I had tried:

1.) Get OUT of the house. Stay late at school with a club. Go to a friend's house. Go for a walk. Get an afternoon babysitting job. Go with your mom when she picks up your little brother. Just get away from the food.

2.) Exercise after school. Any kind of exercise, even just a walk, is a great appetite supressant.

3.) Eat a big lunch with lots of protein and fiber. This will keep you full so you're maybe not interested in the snacking.

4.) Have a snack (again, lots of protein and fiber) right when you get home, when your mom is there.

5.) Talk to your parents and tell them that you're having a hard time keeping your eating under control and ask them not to buy unhealthy foods.

6.) Pick something you really like to do (talking on the phone, reading, doing your nails, a hobby) and save it only for the time when your mom leaves. Get as far away from the kitchen as possible and enjoy whatever you've decided to do.

Good luck to you. You can do it!!!

 

[bratray]

i am a binger too- but my binges would happen in the middle of the night- very unhealthy eating habits- with a lot of willpower and determenation i have stopped the nightly binging

sit down and talk with your mom and tell her how you are feeling and what is going on with the binging...maybe ask your mom not to bring those tempting foods into the house

this bad habit can be broken- you just have to picture how good you are going to look and feel when you start to loose weight- don't let the food control you- remember you are the one in control!!

good luck dear

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Oohhh--just had an idea...what if instead of eating junk during that time--you take up cooking and start making dinner. Basically any alternative that keeps you from being bored.

 

[Twinkles6892]

Thanks for the support everyone. I really needed it

I decided I'm going to go with mom to get Jack, to totally avoid the temptation, bring my CD player or something and just sit in the car. Thanks again everyone

 

[Lesli54]

A step in the right direction! You are making a good choice and at least it will give you a little time to relax with your music. That alone will take a lot of stress off your mind and make you healthier in the long run.

Keep up the good work and smart choices.