I can fast for 19 hours once a day.
But for some reason I can't stop eating when I start! Why can't I just STOP!? I have so much self control the rest of the time. Amazing self control, according to those around me. But when I eat; I eat and eat and eat.
Today I ate my lunch, a salad and spaghetti. Then I had a bag of chips, then some nuts, then a granola bar and then a fruit salad. I am SO FULL, I feel awful, stuffed, uncomfortable and sleepy. And yet, I still want more.
Even though I am so full, I am SICK, my mind is still asking for more. While I am sitting here suffering because my stomach hurts, I am thinking that I really want a donut (what is wrong with me?!) It makes no sense to me. I try to fix it but this one thing seems to always be a problem. I want to STOP!
Thank goodness for intermittent fasting! No wonder I was so big, I used to eat like this all day everyday!
I completely understand and your not alone!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way too! That's why I have to stick to either one meal or keep a rough track of how many calories I am consuming when I break my fasts. Love you!!! You are a fasting rock star!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I LOVE your profile picture!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jenna. In the Fast-5 "textbook" on page 21 Dr. Bert highlights some tips to break the fast without binging. And again on page 41 he discusses some tips to avoid binging when you break the fast. Maybe re-reading those sections would help?
ReplyDeleteI have had luck snarfing about 16 ounces of black coffee about one hour to one-half hour prior to my window. It takes the edge off. I've tried eating small snacks (granola bars, a banana, etc.) about one hour prior to my main meal and that helps too... but not as much as the coffee.
Lastly, after I eat what I consider a healthy amount (and when my mind still wants more food) I will sometimes whip up about 20 ounces of water with some sugar-free psyllium husk (for regularity!) and have noticed that drinking that puts me over the edge where I'm quite full.
As I'm sure you know we all have to find our own way but I wanted to share what worked for me in hopes that it might help you a little too.
I wish you the best in your endeavor. You've made a lot of progress!
Chris
I have the same problem... and that's why I started fasting in the first place.
ReplyDeleteAs I still tend to overeat during most of my windows, I just make them shorter - if I know I ate enough, that's it. So most of my fasts tend to be longer than 19 hours...
Hope you find your way to deal with the problem :)
I'm a binge eater too =(
ReplyDeleteHowever, I DO notice that for whatever reason coffee fills me too....although it doesn't take away from the binge...just the quantity.
Today I ended up eating two cinnamon buns. And two small bags of chips.
And I wonder why I haven't been able to drop any weight since Dec. Hm.
Carbohydrates! Sugar and starch.
ReplyDeleteHonestly. Try to eat less of those and eat a bit more fat. Protein is usually not an issue since we don't need so much of it to go on.
Think low-carb. Try low-carb for a few weeks and I'm sure the cravings will lessen. A lot. :-)
Continuing my post from above:
ReplyDelete"salad and spaghetti. Then I had a bag of chips, then some nuts, then a granola bar and then a fruit salad"
Salad and spaghetti = carbs (lots from the pasta)
nuts = proteins, fat and a li'l carbs (better)
granola bar = mainly carbs
fruit sallad = carbs
Where is the fat? Where is the protein? :-)
All the carbs will raise your blood sugar, which in turn will shoot out a lot of insulin.
Insulin = our most effective fat storage hormone.
I really admire your Fast-5 regime and you are a big inspiration to me :-)
But ... when I read about your meals, it is mostly carbs, carbs and then some carbs.
You might want to look into that. :-)
I am not sure if you have read anything on intuitive eating, what Geneen Roth advocates. That we are eating to avoid, cover, feelings emotions. Also that when we diet or restrict our food, it can lead to a binge or overeating.
ReplyDeleteI am still reading up about it all.