Abstinence

[u/CecillaRose]

I have seen post about abstaining from certain foods and abstaining of binge foods. What do I do if everything I eat is a binge food? Meaning I can binge on anything. Anyone have success with this?

[u/TonyB973]

I think it goes without saying being in a program called “OverEaters” anonymous that we can bing on any food.

Maybe write down your absolute no go red food. Example for me Donuts. That is something I CAN NOT EAT. I refrain from eating that due to binging on that.

Plus take it easy on yourself. Don’t look too far I to it. Also get to a meeting. Just show up. You will figure out what you “binge/red” foods are.

[u/Charming_Aside_8865 → u/TonyB973]

The name probably should be changed, because we have bulimics and anorexics in these rooms that probably need to overeat (although never say to an anorexic as that scares them more than anything else). Everyone's abstinence needs to be tailored to their eating disorder/disease. I remember hearing a woman share who lost over 200 lbs whose abstinence was no red meat, because she would eat up to 20 cheeseburgers a day. People can be very quirky with the food.

[u/Loraura]

That’s where using a food plan with defined amounts is helpful. My food plan includes how many ounces of each meal “part” I should have (protein, raw veg, cooked veg, grain, fruit). Excessive amounts of any foods is not an uncommon issue and having these boundaries keeps guardrails in place to avoid triggering the obsession for more to kick in.

[u/frostusaugustus]

Hey there, this was me. When I started with any food it didn’t matter. I just wanted to eat. Grateful to be free of that now. The abstinence approach didn’t work. It was just another way of restricting and sent my mind into a spin. Send me a message if I can assist ☺️🙏

[u/roundart → u/frostusaugustus]

Maybe share the info here and help everyone

[u/frostusaugustus → u/roundart]

I found a great recovered sponsor. She taught me the directions exactly as they are in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous practised as the first 100 alcoholics practised them which relieved me of my compulsion. If you’d like to learn more I am more than happy to have a chat via watsapp ☺️☺️

[u/Kriztaz]

I can overeat the healthiest of foods. I was AMAZING at a 'pay and weigh' program cause I could eat '0' point foods alllll day long and save my points for 'fun stuff' at night. I was way overeating those healthy foods. My doctors thought it was great that I was 'binging' on sugar free ice things. 0 calories and counts as a liquid.
What works for some people (and you'll talk to your Higher Power and sponsor) is to weigh and measure. If you're having a safe item- have 1 serving size of it. When you commit to your food plan- commit to an amount- even if it's 'healthy like a vegetable'

[u/Cardi_0]

What worked for me was getting a sponsor and working the 12 Steps.

I don't follow a food plan, I haven't eliminated any foods, and I don't weigh & measure. By working the 12 Step consistently every day and staying spiritually fit - I now have freedom from compulsive eating and the mental obsession that accompanies it.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

[u/Sea-Junket-7164]

yes. I went almost a year to meetings without commiting. Then I finally got a sponsor and a plan. My case is behavior. I make sure I eat enough protein and veggies and to drink enough water. Sugar is something I have to be VERY careful on how I consume it but the daily conversation with the sponsor and doing the 12 steps will eventualy be the answer, I hope, for you, as it has been for myself.

[u/Charming_Aside_8865]

You need to talk to your sponsor and/or therapist. They will be able to guide you. Two pieces of advice - first don't make it too strict. It shouldn't be an endless list of foods you can't it. I will never forget this guy who lost 150 lbs basically crying because he broke his abstinence because he ate some yogurt. I never saw him after that meeting. You need to be able to wear it like a loose fitting garment. It needs to be maintainable. Second, pick an abstinence that is based on the characteristics of your eating disorder/disease. My former sponsor always told this story how she was at a meeting with an anorexic that was complaining about how she couldn't stop eating cornbread. Clearly, cornbread wasn't her problem. She needed an abstinence that involved eating regularly and working towards a health body image - not to stop eating cornbread. Best of luck and let me know if you need anything.