Binge Eating is BAD, so WHY DO WE DO IT?

We all know that binge eating is bad for us. We all feel the guilt after a binging episode. Sometimes we feel so guilty that we binge again to numb out our emotions and not worry about it.

We all notice the weight gain that comes from binge eating. We all know all the pain and hassle that comes with being overweight. It sucks. So Why do we binge?

We often feel that binge eating is just like a dark cloud hanging over our life. We just wish we can live a NORMAL life like everyone else. We wish we can have a NORMAL relationship with food, yet we don't. We know that binge eating is standing in the way of many of our goals, dreams and aspirations. Yet we still binge. So back to the question why do we binge?

In my own experience, and from doing lots of reading/studying on the subject I learned that we have a logical side and then we have EMOTIONS or an emotional side. Emotions are often a lot stronger than logic. Emotions operate in the moment, while logic plans and for the future or reflects over the past.

When you feel a craving for a certain comfort food, or are physically reaching out for food to binge on, your logical side is turned off. You are usually operating on an emotional level. If your logical side was on, you would remember that binging is bad for you and you would STOP. Yet once again you are operating on an emotional level.

So What's the solution? One technique that helped me is pausing and turning on my logic. And here is how this works. Take out a piece of paper and a pen and write down the following questions (or print this post right away, DO this now, reading advice without taking action is a waste of time) :

- Am I about to eat because I'm Physically hungry? If not then what am I trying to feed?

- How will I feel after binging on this food? Remember all the guilt I felt after binging last time? Remember all the pain of the weight gain thats a result of my binging? Remember how this is stopping me from living a NORMAL life, and getting in the way of my other goals, dreams and aspirations?

- What will my life be like if I keep binging? What will my life be like 1 year from now? What will it be like 5 years from now? What will my body size be? What about the quality of my future?

- How will I feel If I don't binge? If I say NO? Are there any consequences to saying NO?

- What will my life be like if I keep saying NO? What will my life be like 1 year from now? What will it be like 5 years from now? What will my body size be? What about the quality of my future?


Now that you have these written down (or printed them) carry that piece of paper with you in your pocket at all times. Whenever you are about to binge, pull it out and reread the questions, and put some thought into the answers. If you can't differentiate between when you are about to binge, and when you are just about to enjoy a regular meal, it might be a good idea to review these questions any time you are about to eat something. Also if you are just starting out, you might want to review the questions at random times during the day.

Try this for a week. I know it might sound stupid. But try it for a week, what do you got to lose? Using this technique was critical to my own Recovery. You are more than welcome to send me a message and report back your progress or even frustrations with this technique. I'd love to get some feedback.

I have suffered from binging/overeating for 3 years and just recently started seeing some fruits of recovery. I would like to help others dealing with this. If you are interested in learning more tips on how to stop binge eating, sign up for my newsletter
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