Holidays=binge and purge - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

cutenbrat · 12-17-2002, 04:45 PM

I wish that the holidays weren't so focused on food. Last weekend my family and I all made tons of cookies and other sweets and it's so hard not to binge and purge on them. I don't want to gain 10 pounds from the holiday season. It's suppose to be a good and happy time of year, but I dread gaining weight and at times I have no self control

I feel like such a failure when I give in and eat and eat and eat and than purge

Please, for those of us that face this, help me to make a list of ways to not give in or tell me what to do if I do give in.

jen03 · 12-17-2002, 07:32 PM

Hi Cutenbrat,
I have also been finding all of the food that goes along with the holidays hard to deal with. All of the sweets that my family makes are so tempting, but when I give in I feel horrible about it and I have to purge. I find that the best way to resist binging and purging is to keep yourself busy. Try taking a long walk or doing something that will keep you busy with anything other than purging. Also, try to remember that the holidays are supposed to be happy times and you deserve to be happy with yourself no matter what.

I hope this helps you a little!
~Jen~

Ashlee · 12-17-2002, 10:31 PM

Hiya, Cutenbrat!

Long time no see!

I agree with Jen; you really need to keep yourself busy. Not always with tiring activities, but you can do things like watch a movie or something as well.

What sort of things do you like doing? Just make a list of activities that you think may help to distract you from binging or purging.

Here are some things from a list my therapist helped me come up with a few months ago - it may help you with some ideas.

~ Go for a walk with the dogs
~ Go running
~ Go horse riding or spend time with my horse
~ Do some artwork
~ Come online
~ Watch a movie
~ Call a friend
~ Take a bath
~ Read a book
~ Write in a journal
~ Do some homework/study <-- She didn't like this one much - she suggested doing "fun" things - but to me studying was important so sometimes I did this.

Anyway, there was a LONG list but a lot didn't help. I guess what you have to do is just try things out - there will be SOMETHING out there that can help you! After I did this, I was *supposed* to keep a SHORT list with me at all times in case of an 'emergency'.

Maybe doing something like this would help you?

Good luck with everything and I hope things go well for you.

Let us know how you get on, won't you?

Take care!
Ashlee