Binge Eating

Binge Eating- Over eating paired with a loss of control.

For some people, they can go days and weeks without binging, and then BOOM! Cycles of eating to excess and feeling out of control.

It makes people feel guilty, ashamed, and full of regret.

Binge Eating Disorder affects an estimated 2.8 million adults in the United States, and it’s the most common eating disorder today. Men, women, and people of all ages, races, and income levels are affected.

Do you think maybe you are struggling with binge eating? If so, you should probably consult with your physician, but in the meanwhile here are some tips to help you get back to healthier relationship with food.

1. Have A Plan In Place

Get yourself on a regular eating pattern. Try to fit three meals and 2-3 snacks in everyday.  Put it on your to-do list and make it a priority. Don’t go more than 3-4 hours between meals. Consistently putting small amounts of food into your system can help resist the urge to binge eat and from extreme hunger. Did you ever notice on days when you forgot to eat during the day, you feel nothing you eat can make you feel satisfied in the evening?

2. Know Your Triggers

Once you’re on a decent routine with your meals, look for what triggers your bingeing episodes. Food journaling can be especially helpful with this. Document how you feel before and after you eat. Make note of the times you binged or ate without actually being hungry. Were there certain emotional triggers? Social setting? A candy jar at your grandmas? Taking HONEST notes can help establish patterns therefore helping you figure out your triggers.

3. Avoid Trigger Situations

Knowing your triggers- like for example- downing a entire bag of chips in front of your favorite tv show, can help you avoid them. Plan to give yourself the best chance for success. Perhaps this means doing something else while your watching your favorite tv show, like walking on the treadmill or knitting.

4. Seek Expert Help

There are different ways to go about changing the way you think about food. Seeking an expert in eating disorders is your best first step to address this from all necessary angles. If you don’t know where to find an expert, ask your primary care doctor or your insurance provider for a recommendation.

5. Stop Labeling Food as ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’

Every time you label food as a ‘Bad’ food, or see yourself as a failure for eating it, it takes you further away from that healthy place you’re trying to reach. Most often, people have feelings of guilt and actually end up more likely to binge. Eat the one piece of decedent. Chocolate cake. Enjoy the heck out of it. Move on with your life. Otherwise you’ll find yourself wanting to eat the entire cake later on.

6. Ditch Comparison

Do you find yourself thinking negative thoughts about your own body when looking at the model on the cover of your monthly fitness magazine? Ditch it. End of story.

7. Self-Care Should Be A Priority…

Make it one. Self-Self-care is so much more than maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet. Self-care is also the way you think and talk about yourself and your body. Remember, your entire being does not revolve around food and weight. Also keep in mind that the way you talk about yourself in front of your children is HUGE. Whether you think they are listening or not, they are! I made it a point to tell my daughter when she was little that mommy went to the gym because she wanted to be strong. Not because she didn’t want to be fat.

8. Recognize The Cycle

Be HONEST with yourself about what you are experiencing. Recognizing that it is an issue and taking action is the most important step.

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