Gained 5 pounds from binges

Question
Hi Wendy! I am recovering from binge eating disorder... I have been doing well, until this past week. I am 5'2" and just turned 20... I usually weigh 110 (at the lowest) to 113... but these past 5 days I have eaten 5000-6000 calories a DAY and feel like my stomach is literally a bottomless pit. I am devastated over the loss of a 2 year relationship... and find myself shovelling in the food.  I have calculated the damage (ie: 3500 calories is a pound) and I will have gained at least 5 pounds of fat by the end of this week.  I am so upset and feel horrible... I have a beach vacation on August 16 and today is the 6th already... Is there any possible way to lose most of it again by then, or at least turn it into muscle?? I won't have access to my usual fitness eqipment until Sunday, but I plan on eating only 800-1000 calories a day until then.  God knows I am full enough and shouldn't need a normal amount.  I feel so sick from it all, and want to curl up and cry... I can only do pilates and weight lifting until Sunday too, so no cardio to burn off the calories. I am at my family's home and it is 101 degrees outside, so running isn't an option.

Can you tell me how to lose most of it by the 16th? I know it's a "bump" in my recovery... but it came at the wrong time! Thank you for your help...

Answer
Hi, Shannon

I'm glad to hear you're recovering from binge eating, but I'm sorry to hear about the relationship that has just ended.

There's good news and bad news.  It's your choice to decide how you want to take what I'm going to tell you.

First, I hope that part of your recovery is counseling or some sort of therapy where you get to talk about your issues with food, what triggers you to binge, and how to deal with those triggers.

If you haven't been doing that, get in with a good counselor or group soon.

I think it's safe to say that, in this case, you binge might have been triggered by the break up.  If that is the case, then you know you are going through a temporary period of heartache.

The best thing you can do for yourself is take care of yourself and do things that make you happy.  Don't punish yourself by binging so that you feel guilty later (because we both know that's what comes after the binge).

As for the calories you've consumed, don't worry about it.  Actually, just forget about it.  Don't get on your scale; don't analyze yourself in the mirror.  In short, don't obsess.

Whether or not you've gained 5 pounds is not important right now.  What is important is that you've realized you have binged and want to correct it.

Unfortunately, the only healthy way I know of is to keep with your regular routine.  Do what you can and don't worry about what can't be done because of the heat.  Pilates and weight training are great to do anyway, so you should be fine.

Exercise as you can, but don't exercise more to compensate for your binge.  That leads to a horrible cycle and it is dangerous.

Enjoy your vacation and know that these little "bumps" in recovery will always come at the wrong time, but that's when you show how strong you really are.

Like I said, exercise with what you have, but don't overtrain.  Have fun on your vacation, and forget about how much you ate over the past 5 days.  Trust me on this.  Eat well and do the good things for your body that you know you're supposed to do.

Good luck!

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