is having sexual thoughts about banging real girls considered edging ?

Having any sort of sexual thoughts (dwelling on them, intentionally letting them linger or daydreaming) is extremely detrimental to the recovery process and goes against what you (we all) are trying to achieve. Thoughts are where relapses begin. Think about it long enough, and pretty soon you are doing it.

 

At first I was going to doubt what @AJ777 said but the more I think about it...he's right.
If you can't act out on the thoughts with your partner (as I couldn't) you're gonna have your hand on your shaft not before long (granted, it was an intentional choice for me as we ...kinda participated in our orgasms, even from a distance).

 

https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/rebooting-porn-use-faqs/what-about-fantasizing-during-a-reboot/

 

The problem with these thoughts are that there isnt a real girl present

If you keep thinking about it you will get tired of pretending and then be triggered to relapse

 

True

 

Not edging at all, that is called fantasizing or having erotic thoughts, however if you're into retention, erotic thoughts could sooner or later end up in wet dreams or at the very least increased urges. Overall I recommend stopping

 

It's called Fantasizing. Edging is masturbating and stop before ejaculating.

 

Edging might not be the right word here. But fantasizing is definitely the beginning of a negative spiral in my case. When i'm on 30+days streak and I start to fantasizing I can actually feel that my brain starts to change and the brain fog is coming back. I don't have to touch myself for this to happen. So, I would say go meditate and overcome those thoughts cause eventually you will end up with your dick in your hand crying about the stupid thing you did again.

 

I can tell you from my experiences and countless testimonies, fantasizing eventually ends in relapse. Always. I went on a 200+ day streak last year and toward the latter part of the streak, I started engaging in fantasy in my mind. I didn't relapse that day, or even that week but it was a slow decline until those fantasies became so strong, I ended up getting completely consumed by it. I didn't see it coming. I thought I could do it because there was 'nothing was wrong with it' and 'I was strong enough to deal with the urges that came with it'. Nope. Those 'innocent fantasies' evolved into a massive hungry beast that ultimately devoured me. Once you start fantasizing, it will be a constant loop in your mind and will be extremely difficult to stop. Relapse is right around the corner after engaging in "innocent" and subtle fantasizing. Satan's tactics are extremely subtle, so tread lightly. Additionally, as one has mentioned, fantasizing triggers a neurological response, which will simulate what happens during pmo use. Essentially, you're still damaging your brain while fantasizing because of spikes of dopamine you're experiencing from it. Which means, you'll still be experiencing symptoms. I would strongly advise against any form of fantasizing. Stop it now if you're serious about getting free from this pmo drug. Start purifying your mind and recovery will be a lot easier.