Is it possible to stop binging forever?
Most people tend to have one of two extreme views. Some think binge eating is a life sentence that is something that you will have to manage and deal with for the rest of your life. Others think that it is absolutely possible to stop permanently and share stories of immediate transformation and never binging again. As you may know from other episodes, I am a fan of moving out of extremes and more toward the middle. Binging is not just about the food – it goes much deeper.
It's important to look at the root problem to create permanent change. What is causing the symptoms in the first place? Binge eating is like the warning light that comes on and tells you something is wrong under the hood. When you binge, it's important to look under your “hood” to see what is going on.
I believe that it is possible to stop binge eating permanently. I also think it is impossible to stop permanently using certain approaches. There is a reason that so many people experience brief periods of what they consider “success”, only to start binging again.
I see the process of ending binge eating as unwinding. It's a process that takes time. No button gets flipped, and there are no more thoughts, desires, or cravings for food. It is genuinely a rewiring of the brain, creating new neural pathways.
Here are some key points from this episode:
To stop binge eating, you must understand it. You are not broken. Binging is not a problem to be fixed or solved, but rather a symptom, an indicator that something else is going on. If you can remove the shame and judgment and understand what is going on underneath the hood to make the binge light come on, we can work on the root cause.
Instead of thinking I am broken, I am out of control, I am a binger; begin to think I am connected to my body's wisdom, I am stronger than I think, I am my biggest advocate, I am a calm and peaceful eater.
As you expand your ability to be with any emotion, you will expand your ability to be with that desire to eat and let it pass on its own. Then, you can figure out what that desire had to tell you. As you work with your nervous system, your body feels safer and you’ll be less likely to need to escape into coping patterns. You will be able to connect to your body and access to the logical part of your brain that can help you make those choices at the moment.
If you want to understand why you feel out of control around food sometimes, take this quiz to discover your #1 reason for binging and three steps you can take today to begin to change.
Thank you for listening to The Binge Breakthrough Podcast – your personal guide to breaking through the barriers that keep you stuck in the cycle of binge eating, compulsive overeating, or emotional eating.
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