Okay, friends. If ever there was a time when I needed your good help and advice, it is NOW. I sincerely have not one clue of how to stop bingeing at work! PLEASE HELP ME. It's one thing having to deal with those nasty binge urges at home... I can just leave the house and go for a run or turn on the t.v. and watch Friends re-runs, but at work there is no escaping the horrible binge monster!! Try and imagine this if you will- I work in an ice cream store that is about the size of my bedroom. I usually work six to seven hours at a time, by myself, often straight through meals and stuff. I bring meals and snacks from home, so it's not bingeing out of hunger. I bring books to read and even a journal to write in if I start feeling down, but nothing seems to be working.
Just for the record, quitting does not seem like a viable option. I really enjoy working here. I was promoted to supervisor a couple of months ago so I'm getting paid more, plus the store is only a twenty five minute walk from my house so I get exercise going to and from. I've gotten to know the owner and the manager and they're both so nice to me. Plus have I mentioned it's an ice cream store and it's the middle of January? We get like almost no customers so most of the time I'm getting paid to sit around and blog or read. No I don't want to quit.
I was talking to my brother about the bingeing at work issue, obviously in a less serious and more self-deprecating manner since he's really only capable of making jokes about it. He was doing his Biology homework when I approached him. "Do you eat the frozen yogurt out of a cup or do you just stick your whole mouth under the soft serve machine?" I did not find this funny so I chose to ignore it. I asked him again what he would do in my situation. Jake is a smart guy, despite all the horrible teasing and sarcasm, and he's fairly well-adjusted so he must have some tips on how to be normal. "What I don't understand," he said, "is why you can't just stop yourself from eating. I mean, at the cellular level you're just like everybody else. We all have control over our muscle movement... so why can't you just physically keep your hand from putting ice cream into your mouth?" I am able to do this to an extent. I can usually hold back for about an hour and then it's literally like I can think of nothing else besides eating ice cream and candy. He must be right, though... right? Am I just not trying hard enough?
Anybody else have a simpler explanation or solution to my problem? I'm so desperate I could cry!!
I wish I had an answer for you, but I do not. I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteHey Eliza,
ReplyDeleteFor me, reading the different modules off of this website helped..
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=48
It's very informative and it gives different exercises you can try to do in order to prevent binge eating. I tried to look for it in one of those 9, but I couldn't find it in the small amount of time I have alloted for myself to do this instead of doing hw :P ha
Anyway, it's been a while since I have binged. I am SO grateful for this. I've been much less restrictive throughout the day, and when the urge to binge comes along I try to remember how I felt after my LAST binge. And I try to stop and think, "Why am I doing this? Am I hungry? Why am I abusing food to hide my emotions?"
I don't know if this will help you, but it's all of the advice I can conjur up at the moment. I am hoping that you make it through this!
Also, maybe talking to someone when you feel the need to binge will help. Or coming up with a constructive replacement for binging. I know you said you tried journaling, so I'm sorry if it seems like you've explored all of these options already, but I'm just throwing stuff out there!
Anyway, have a great day tomorrow. You can eat normally without restricting, without bingeing. I know it is in you. You're so strong!
<3 Haley
p.s. Friends is my fave show :)
Thanks anyways PTC :) I'm just glad to know you're still reading after almost a year of me trying and failing!!
ReplyDeleteHaley, thank you so much. You're kind of amazing by the way... just thought I'd let you know. Module six was really helpful.
Hey kiddo that is a very tough one. I can't stop at work when they just bring in stuff. It's even WORSE when we are slow. If your busy you don't think about it but if its slow then your mind just goes over and over it.
ReplyDeleteSo one suggestion, binge! BUT bring in a bag of salad, just the lettuce, and when you feel like doining and can't stop open that up and go for it. I know it's not the same but it might help.
And I know you don't want to quit but you might have to. Your health is more important. Take care.