Article

Don't Be Scared To Stop Binge Eating Disorder

Topic: Eating DisordersBy Kristin GerstleyPublished Recently added

Legacy signals

Legacy popularity: 2,556 legacy views

So many people have expressed to me that they are scared to stop binge eating disorder. It's not that they don't want to live a binge-free life; instead, they just aren't sure how their life will be without binge eating.

It’s true: To let go of binge eating is a very scary thought. It’s ...So many people have expressed to me that they are scared to stop binge eating disorder. It's not that they don't want to live a binge-free life; instead, they just aren't sure how their life will be without binge eating.

It’s true: To let go of binge eating is a very scary thought. It’s been something that is comfortable for you for a long time. I remember feeling the same way. In fact, when I told my husband that I had an unhealthy relationship with food, I instantaneously wished I could take back the words that I just spoke to him. My "secret" was no longer a secret anymore and that didn't feel too good.

There are a million and one reasons why people are afraid to stop binge eating. One reason is that binge eating on junk food makes people think that they are living just a little. They aren't following a strict diet.

It's the same mentality that most of us follow while on vacation. You think to yourself, "I don't have to stick to my diet this week, I'm going to live a little and indulge. After all, I'm on vacation and that's what it is all about". It is freeing to undo all the food restrictions you might have every other time of the year.

Do people equate not bingeing to a boring and very bland life? (You have to admit, there is something exciting about planning a binge…)

But, let’s talk about really “living just a little” without binge eating.

Think of all the newfound confidence you will have, and think about how it will show to others.

Think about how much better you will feel.

Think about how much more energy you will have.

Think about all the extra money and time you will have.

Think about how much more you will enjoy your life!

With everything in life, there are obstacles and binge eating disorder is no different. The initial climb to stopping a binge is difficult, but when you focus on the good that will come out of stopping binge eating disorder, it will get easier. It will remind you of why you need to go in that direction.
You will think twice of binge eating when you do not want to deal with a certain emotion or feeling in your life. You have to let yourself know that your life will be so much better when binge eating disorder is not a part of it! You cannot dwell on the negatives of binge eating; focus on the positives and how your life will change for the better. When you learn to stop binge eating, you will notice how your life improves in all areas. You will feel better about yourself and you will love yourself. It will be the best decision you could have ever made!

Notice to publishers: You have rights to republish this article on your website as long as you keep all links in tact and clickable. Thank you.

Article author

About the Author

Kristin Gerstley suffered from compulsive overeating and now has a very healthy relationship with food. (In addition, she lost 70+ pounds after she beat her eating disorder.) Since 2005, Kristin has helped thousands of people End Binge Eating through her website: www.endbingeeatingnow.com. A 100% free newsletter is available where you can read Kristin's actual journal entries when she was coming to terms with her food addiction and binge eating disorder.

Further reading

Further Reading

4 total

Article

There are now more overweight people in the US than any time in history. Obesity is costing our healthcare system over $147 billion annually (Finkelstein, Trogdon, Cohen & Dietz, 2009). We have 12.5 million children who are overweight or obese and twelve million people in the U.S. with an eating disorder. Something is drastically wrong!

Related piece

Article

Boundaries are imaginary or real lines around our physical, emotional, or spiritual self that set limits for us and how we interact with others. Imaginary lines protect our thinking, feelings, and behavior. Real lines allow us to choose how close we allow others to come to us, as well as if and how we allow them to touch us. Boundaries help distinguish what our responsibilities are and are not.

Related piece

Article

We develop patterns of behavior early in life. We associate certain events with certain feelings and behaviors. One such pattern is our behavior with food. Being fed by our parents when we were young may come to represent being cared for or being loved. On the other hand, not being fed when we were hungry may have produced a deep insecurity about whether there would be enough food in the future.

Related piece

Article

Have you ever dieted and gained the weight back? Statistics show that sixty-six percent of the American population is overweight. Only one out of 200 dieters loses the weight and keeps it off for a year or more. Out of the 25 million Americans that are seriously dieting in the United States 40 to 60 percent are high school girls. Studies show that 35% of the normal dieters progress to eating disorders. Thirty percent of post-bariatric or gastric bypass surgery patients develop a substance addiction. The body may, but thinking remains the same.

Related piece