Is Binge Eating all in your Head?

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For years, I would convince myself I had a “forever” problem: my willpower.

I didn't have the willpower to stop eating. Even when I was full and past the point of enjoyment. An under-diagnosed and widely common eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder (BED), is the most common eating disorder, but also  the most overlooked because it affects people in all shapes and sizes. It's defined as an uncontrollable need to eat past the point of fullness. Typically an unusually large amount of food is eaten quickly.

For me, after a long day of self-deprivation, a short evening of eating everything in sight would follow. I would then sit on my bed having a pity party,  scrolling through Tumblr (a microblogging website) seeking validation. Instead, I would find photos of girls whose bodies looked nothing like mine. Followed by promising new diets on losing those “extra ten pounds.” 

Every week I would start a new diet with the utmost motivation to complete it. Yet, I would still find myself loathed in shame and desperation after the little voice in my head convinced me to binge on all the sweets in the house. Somehow a cookie held more power over me.

But that's exactly where it was….

In my head.

Binge eating is an inside job. It has nothing to do with food or willpower. But rather, worthiness and self-acceptance. 

Healing begins when you allow yourself to feel all your feelings. Even if it means to sit with discomfort. It’s typically the feelings we don't want to feel that we numb with food. 

Feelings are meant to be felt and they will pass. There are great tools that can help get you through it, such as meditation, journaling, or a creative activity you enjoy.

Healing can’t be done by suppressing. You heal by feeling, facing, and releasing.  

Next is being aware of the root of the problem: body image. Body image has more to do with your brain than your body.

This can explain why you feel confident in your skin one day and then suddenly the next day you hate it. Our bodies don't drastically change overnight, or even in a week. The crazy ups and downs don't have anything to do with our body, but everything to do with the perception of how we see ourselves. 

When you’re having a rough body image day, remember those times that you felt great in your body. You can pull yourself out of this self-loathing abyss, just as quickly as you went in.

Consider what caused this low body image in the first place.

Was it too much scrolling on social media?

Clothes that no longer fit?

Comparing yourself to peers or old photos?

The number on the scale?

Being surrounded by diet talk?

Rather than focusing on changing the external appearance, look inward and focus on providing more self-love.

Since frequent binges develop into habits, it is important to take time to research the triggers that start the habit. It could be anything from boredom, time of day, or a celebration. Then, dive deep to find what reward you are seeking from the binge. For some it may be a social connection, for others it may be a dopamine release. The reward pathway is the key to decreasing old habits. Explore new habits and replace them. 

“Urges to binge were not an indication of any real needs, but merely an indication that my brain was on autopilot” - Kathryn Hansen, Brain over Binge.

A common pattern with women and binge eating is that they tend to skip meals or eat too little. When your body doesn't have enough calories to function it’ll switch to starvation mode. As a result, once you feed yourself again, your brain will signal you to eat as much as you can to prepare for the next starvation mode. Food is fuel. Predictable and timely meals may lead you toward power over the binge. 

Binge eating isn’t controlled by willpower or food but rather by self-acceptance and your relationship with yourself. 

The path to healing is never linear, be patient with yourself. It doesn't have to be a lonely journey, find a support group online or in your local area.

If you are seeking a coach to aid you in your recovery, book a complimentary introduction call with me.

Remember, no matter what you read, what you’re told, or what model you deem to be #goals, 

YOU are beautiful just the way you are and recovery IS possible.

x,

Jade