Bodybuilder/Fitness Model Struggling With Binge Eating

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This topic has 4 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 5 months ago by Mishika.

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October 10, 2016 at 8:22 pm #117737

Mike
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So I’m a competitive bodybuilder and work with a modeling agency, one of the top in the country. So you’d think I have it all together, but not quite. I competed for the first time in 2013 at 20 years old and ever since I’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with food. Before competing, I had a great relationship with food. Incredible self control, will power, never even really got cravings, great with my diet, never ate out of boredom or comfort, strictly looked at food as fuel and of course enjoyed food socially with people at times.

Now ever since competing, because of the very very strict low calorie diet it requires to get into incredible shape and extremely low levels of body fat, I have never been the same since. I’ll be good most of the week, and then usually once every 6-10 days I’ll cave in when its unplanned, scheduled cheat/treat meal. And EVERY TIME I regret it. Making this thread after I just put down a huge bowl of cottage cheese mixed with protein powder, 4 poptarts, about 6-7 cookies, some peanut butter, chocolate, icecream, cereal. Tons of nasty processed, sugary, fatty foods. I’d NEVER do this back before I competed.

I’m sure some of you have overcome this yourself or know someone that has. So what steps did you/they take? it used to be worse, it has gotten better, but its no where near where I want it to be. I overall have a pretty unhealthy relationship with food. One of the steps I’m going to take is incorporating a wider variety of foods in my diet. Also not being overly strict all the time. Regretting this big bowl of crap I eat even more considering I have the 2 biggest photoshoots of my life in 11 days. However with my metabolism, muscle mass, and level of leanness currently I should wake up looking no different but still, thats not the point.

Just want to greatly improve this nasty relationship with food. Any tips?

October 11, 2016 at 8:17 pm #117867

Anonymous
Inactive

Dear hiimmike:

I have experience with binge eating. I found out from my experience that binge eating is on the other side of restricting. You restrict long enough- you binge. I think there are research results showing that a lot of the time bingeing is the result of dieting.

So less restricting, less motivation to binge.

Otherwise, relaxation exercises, such as meditation can help as well as structuring your life so it is congruent with a calmer state of mind

anita

October 12, 2016 at 6:04 am #117890

francesca
Participant

Hey Mike, I was a competitive bodybuilder too. I did a few shows and found the more I restricted the more I would binge and also use Cheatmeals as a pass to binge. It becomes almost an addiction, but believe me it can get better. When I first tried to control it i took the approach of just being mindful of my cheatmeals and promising myself that i wouldnt do it again. That didn’t work. I just couldn’t let go of the idea of eating clean 24/6.. it gave me anxiety to not have that control over my life and my physique, but i knew i had to do it. I decided one day that it was enough, i couldn’t live my life counting and weighing my food to a T. OBVIOUSLY my body was fighting against it.

My first step was to incorporate foods i craved into my daily calorie intake (if it fits your macros). That was a little hard but as soon as i saw that i didn’t gain weight from it… i got over the fear of “bad foods”. I then made sure that my cheatmeals were out with friends and not in secret so i wouldnt go all out and binge. I would try to go to sleep as soon as i got home so anxiety/ urge to binge didn’t kick in. Eventually if got easier.

Most importantly. I TOOK A BREAK OFF COMPETING. i’m still on my break, but my body is still fit. I knew i mentally wasn’t ready to compete and needed to focus on the disorder, as should you. (this includes photoshoots)

You need time to stop focusing so much on how you look and what you need to eat to look or maintain a certain physique. This is all adding to your disorder.

The more that you break these all or nothing habits the easier it gets.

Eventually i stopped counting food all together, and took a break from that. When i found myself in a better place, whenever i wanted to lean out a little i would count, but nothing as obsessive as when prepping for a show. But emphasis on BETTER PLACE. You need to let go of the competing lifestyle to get your life back, as hard as it is. You’ll find you’re happier with yourself and your physique when you find this balance.

Its difficult, and so many competitors go through it. It’s such a paradox when the world sees as as “healthy people” lol. But it happens. You will get through it, it’s a process. I hope this helps.

1. stop competing/photoshoots
2. If it fits your macros
3. cheats with friends
4. stop counting
5. when in better place, short periods of counting to lean out if needed

October 12, 2016 at 12:36 pm #117944

Peppermint
Participant

I believe binge-eating in this case is a sign that your body is not getting something it desperately needs. One thing that comes to mind is fat – I heard the body needs at least a bit of fat in the diet so it can absorbe certain vitamins.
Are you working with a certified nutritionist? He/ she should be able to help you adapt your diet to your bodies needs. I think it might be a good investment.

November 6, 2016 at 10:00 am #119763
Mishika
Participant
Hi Mike,

As you are a competitive bodybuilder, you must have dedicate yourself to have a great relationship with food that includes a lot of dedication and patience.

Instead of following a restricted diet, just include foods in your diet that you like to eat. Would call it a flexible diet, that will definitely help you in long run. This might also decrease your binge eating. But keep in mind to count your calories with macros. Just like francesca said, if it fits your macros it won’t change your physique but will have a greater impact on your binge eating in the long run. I am sure you would have never thought of binge eating you did while creating this thread before you entered into bodybuilding. Its just your state of mind and you are just stressed about it.

And Yes, everyone has overcome this. But for me, it never caused me an issue after i started following a flexible diet.

Good Luck Dear
Regards
Mishika
- This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by Mishika.
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