I am a former athlete and used to eat anything I wanted. I no longer train like I used to but I have horrible cravings. Sometimes I feel as if I can't stop eating. I remember having instances like this when growing up too. I haven't gained that much weight, because I work out and sometimes restrict eating after a binge. I know what I am doing is unhealthy but can't seem to stop. I am afraid it is getting out of control.

If we eat because of emotions and not hunger, then we're bingeing. A binge is often followed by a purge -- perhaps restricting food intake or increasing exercise or even inducing vomiting. We all use these behaviors at some time or another; how often we use them and to what extent are the key. Restricting our food intake by dieting can often set off a binge. Others use bingeing as a way to calm or soothe themselves in emotionally charged situations.

Can you figure out why you are bingeing? Does it happen only at certain times, after specific events, with certain situations, in specific places? Many of us use bingeing as a response to something happening in our life that we just don't know how to handle. If we can figure out a different way of dealing with a situation, we won't need to binge. This may sound simple, but it really can take quite a bit of work both to understand the reasons behind bingeing and to then substitute another behavior. A therapist can often help sort out the situation.

There are some great books that talk about why we eat, why we choose certain foods to eat, etc. Pick up a copy of Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch or The Diet-Free Solution by Laurel Mellin. They can help you understand the reasons behind bingeing and give suggestions for how to stop. Some that have worked for others:

• Set a goal to eliminate the goal of weight loss; it's next to impossible to focus on both losing weight and preventing binge eating.

• Identify an alternative behavior to replace bingeing. For example, someone who binges when they are under stress could try stress reduction techniques such as relaxation, yoga or meditation.

• Remember to listen to your body and eat when you are physically hungry. If we deny ourselves food, it's much easier to fall into a binge.

Lynn Grieger, R.D., C.D.E., iVillage