Why do some people binge eat?

I have not binged in a few days, but yesterday I got close. Had more sweet things than normal and sure wanted more... Maybe connected to not exercising and the knee problems, but maybe not.
Skurgeon said:
like I had no control, like I was a passenger in my own body.
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I sure know that feeling... not happy about it but its just me I guess...
Llama said:
For me it's more like my neocortex doesn't want it but the ole lizard brain does.
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Probably me too, but I am not sure what the "neocortex" is. I suppose it is the "lizard brain" thing.
 
Rob. I think your body was trying to tell you something. Your body needs that fuel to sustain your energy output.
 
Maybe try to describe what it feels like, as closely as you can. Where is the feeling? Is it sharp, or soft, does it cover a large area? Is it desperate and small or big and demanding? Does it have s colir? Any other attributes? Would blaating music or taking a bath help?
 
I am still struggling with understanding this. @Llama I'll take a shot at describing it.

In my recent round of bingeing I tried hard to think about it as I was doing it. I recognized that I was not hungry, and that the consequences would be unhealthy uncomfortable weight gain. My head was trying to offer up rationalizations, but I knew what I was doing... and it didn't stop me. Maybe ended it a little earlier, but did not stop.

I felt like I was being driven by some deep seeded compulsion, something I don't understand...

Skurgeon said:
It was like I had no control, like I was a passenger in my own body
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Exactly!

Just me, I know others are probably different. Same demon, different face I think.
 
alligatorob said:
I felt like I was being driven by some deep seeded compulsion, something I don't understand...
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I think that's typical for binges. You'd physically be able to stop but your brain doesn't allow you to realize it because some part of it doesn't want you to stop. So let's just... make it feel like we're helpless passengers along for the ride.
 
When @Cate posted a link to this thread I knew I should probably post something here. Unfortunately after reading through it I can't think of a lot to add. It really does describe my binge problem well.
Llama said:
I think that's typical for binges. You'd physically be able to stop but your brain doesn't allow you to realize it because some part of it doesn't want you to stop. So let's just... make it feel like we're helpless passengers along for the ride.
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Yep...

I have more or less accepted that binges are a deep seeded part of my nature, not something that will every go away. Not the drive to binge anyway. I need to figure out how to deal with that. I think this is the part where I am supposed to post something brilliant about how I'm going to do that... but the brilliance just ain't coming this morning. So I will just do my best not to binge today... and keep thinking about it.

Yesterday I had a couple of close calls. Ate half a chocolate bar, from the grandkids s'more stash, but managed not to eat more, despite availability. Same thing with graham crackers and peanut butter, I ate some but not a lot. Saved by the dog on that one, she likes graham crackers and peanut butter more than I do. Why I was able to stop yesterday, but not other days, I don't really know. Not starting is the best thing for me, just wish I could figure out how to do that...
 
I have the urge now, and I don't know why now and not yesterday... just seems a random event.

After thinking a bit the most successful thing I have done in so far as binges goes is the one day at a time thing. Easier to try and make it to the end of the day than to think of it as a lifelong commitment. For a lifelong thing my thinking can be that just one last binge won't hurt, but of course it does. Short term distractions, like posting this can help...
 
Today was much the same as yesterday, but I think the urges were a bit less strong. Always there though, lurking...

Anyway no binge today, and I'll try for none tomorrow.
 
Today I tried indulging in smaller things when I felt the urges, and it worked. However my urges were not real bad, and I know from experience it doesn't always work. Got through another day without a binge, success! On to tomorrow.
 
Monday I broke a 19 day no binge streak... and I don't know why. I had felt the pressure to binge building for a few days, and finally it won... Just time I guess... Anyway yesterday was binge free and I am trying for another day today.
 
I completely agree with your perspective. Overeating is a complex issue, and it's crucial to recognize that it can be driven by various emotional and psychological factors. Seeking help from a psychologist or therapist is indeed a valuable step for those struggling with overeating, as it can provide the necessary support and strategies to address the underlying causes and develop healthier habits. Sharing personal experiences like yours can also help reduce the stigma around overeating and encourage others to seek professional help when needed. Thank you for sharing your insight and emphasizing the importance of reaching out to specialists.
 
I believe I did it as a bad way to cope with a certain person in my life. (The person has passed away)
Now when I binge I'm not sure why.
 
bluehat said:
I believe I did it as a bad way to cope with a certain person in my life. (The person has passed away)
Now when I binge I'm not sure why.
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It's good to recognize that the person was a trigger. However I am realizing that triggers and root causes are not really the same thing.

"Normal" people don't binge, even with a trigger. I wish I knew the answer to why, I don't.

My best guess is that it's just instinctive, in our genes. For most of human existence we lived in a world without much food, it was almost always in short supply. People evolved to eat everything they could get their hands on, and in that environment it was for the best. Not so much today... We bingers just have stronger eating instincts, like some people are taller... I'd be happy to trade my binge instinct for a few more inches of height...

I could be wrong, but its the best explanation I can come up with, for the why.
 
Today I am tempted to binge, cravings are not too bad, but there. And I know this kind of feeling can easily turn into a binge. Not hungry or food deprived, just want to binge.

It is interesting, when I am not bingeing or tempted to it's hard to imagine I would ever want to binge again. Wish that feeling would stick around longer...
 
Rob or whoever else may be reading this thread-
When you feel like binging do you feel a general dissatisfaction with life? Unsettled? Worrying about something in particular?
 
Cate said:
Rob or whoever else may be reading this thread-
When you feel like binging do you feel a general dissatisfaction with life? Unsettled? Worrying about something in particular?
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Not that I notice, just a powerful irrational desire to eat. I do feel some of the dissatisfaction and unsettled things after the fact. Not sure worrying has much to do with it for me.
 
Maybe some binging for people is just being so hungry after a diet.
And I've read that after weight loss our body fights back causing more hunger so then we end up regaining.
 
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