Breaking Up With Binge Eating

Mystifying. Puzzling. Baffling. We could use any of these adjectives to describe the phenomenon of knowing what to do to make ourselves feel better - and not doing it. It's one thing to not know. But when it's right there, you know it's doable and that it's effective, what the heck is it getting in the way? Fear not, you are absolutely not the only person to experience this, and we've got tips to help. 

“Maybe it means I really just need to find some willpower!”" I worry that my struggling with the workload means I’m not cut out for this job.” (That was Brian.)“If I crave a burger, does it mean I need nutrients, like iron?” All these people wanted to know, “what does this behavior or feeling or craving, mean?” Our searching for meaning can lead us off the path of growth if we start to attach incorrect meanings to things. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about binges, cravings, slip ups and emotions, and what they all mean. And in some cases, what they don’t mean. 

What if urges to binge eat or compulsively raid the cabinets didn't feel so... urgent? What if they were weak, flimsy thoughts that passed by? In this episode, we'll talk about how changing your perspective can help you successfully pass on things which used to trigger uncontrolled eating.

With so much information coming us during every waking hour, we  naturally pay more attention to some data than others. But left unchecked, your mind may focus on prioritizing the wrong type of information. In this episode we'll talk about how to discover what kind of filtering your mind might do, and how get rid of any unhelpful filters that create a biased view of the world. 

Taking stock of our past often leads us to conclude that the future will be a repetition: same struggles, same mistakes, same old patterns. But that line of reasoning has a crucial flaw. In this episode we explore the most beneficial perspective to take when it comes to your future, and what you can be absolutely certain of. 

Cognitive distortions are part of the “launch sequence” you could say, leading up to binge or emotional eating.  The idea of eating a lot of food isn’t itself compelling, but it’s these sabotaging thoughts - which are kind of like little lies - that nudge you into doing it by saying that it’s a good idea, that it will help you feel better, that it will give you the rest and comfort you need and that you deserve it. That you’re going to fail at being healthy anyway so why bother trying? When we improve these thought patterns to remove the distortions, the idea of binge eating or emotionally eating isn’t as attractive, it’s more like an idea you can just pass on. So let's uncover the truth behind the natural phenomenon of cognitive distortion. 

Somewhere in time, many of us got the idea that we "should be" able to perform certain tasks. We might base it on the idea that everyone else can do X, therefore we ought to as well. Or we might reason that after working on recovery for so long and investing so much effort and money, it's only appropriate that we have gained certain abilities by this date or we are behind schedule. When it comes to food and body image challenges, these tasks might be bringing tempting foods into the house, checking out fitness accounts on social media, weighing ourselves, or starting a new diet program or cleanse. "Yes this will be a challenge, but I should be able to handle it." What should you be able to handle, anyway? Are you tempting fate with that jumbo bag of chips, or just trying to be a normal person? This episode might make you reconsider some of your own ideas. 

"I just want to eat". You've probably had this thought as you're considering all the other things you could choose from in this moment. But you're tired. It's been a hard day. You don't want those other things as much as you want food. In this episode, you'll find the tools you need to manage the moment successfully.  (You adaptable, thought-shifting superhero, you. )

Heading back to work after a holiday is prime time for a wave of overwhelm. Feeling overwhelmed includes feeling small, incapable, confused, and frustrated. And unfortunately, many of us end up in this state on a daily or weekly basis! A sense of overwhelm might have sent you searching for food in the past, but it doesn't have to. Listen for a 5 step guide to managing your OMG situations, and you'll hear how a real-life client used it in her own success. 

Have you had any "wow, this sucks" moments lately? If so, know this: it's a sign you are making progress if you feel intense emotions. Maybe they are more intense than ever before. It means at least in this moment, you haven't numbed or distracted yourself with food. Getting through these moments is hard, but it's worth it. Choosing to grow means choosing to experience feelings, and it often feels worse to sit and feel without going to food, but it pays off later that night, the next morning, and for the rest of your life.