If you’re food binger or you’re trying to help one, this article is worth a read.

It describes the three common false beliefs about bingeing and explain what you can do about each of them.

If you’re here more than likely is because you’re actively trying to make a sense of the lack of control around food which you or someone dear to you experience quite regularly.

You might be exhausted from not having energy and motivation to focus on things other than food and shopping for food, eating, and hiding proof of that.

As a chronic food binger in recovery, who now helps other women overcome that, I fully understand how you feel write now.

Thereby, I want to help you – the aim of this article- to find some clarity around what doesn’t seem to have much sense right now.

One of the ways to do that is by exploring the common false beliefs we were brought to hold about our binges and how to change each of them.

The influence of the diet and thinness culture.

I say ‘we were brought’ becuase I believe that these same false beliefs have developed from the diet culture we have internalised since we were small people.

A culture which highly influenced the way we might be experiencing both food and our body, even now as adults. The same culture which might have brought you to believe that you are greedy and gluttonous because you can never stop eating.

I wrote a couple of articles about the diet culture that you can read here, and here, if you’d like to learn more.

You’re hear for the marathon not the speedy run.

I won’t be lying! This is something that takes time, patience and commitment.

Just as any other significant change we want to implement in our life which requires a mindset and habit change.

The three most common false beliefs about bingeing.

Below are the three most common of those false beliefs about bingeing.

For each of them, I explain why it’s false and I quickly suggest what you might do about it.

1. I binge because of lack of willpower

Instead of being lack of willpower a binge is a way to point your attention to something, a feeling, a situation.

You can start working on this on your own, by reflecting and writing to notice what happens, what you’re doing, who you are with when you get the urge to binge.

Sometimes you might need the help of a professional. I help my clients with that: getting clearer on the reasons why they binge and work on those.

2. The day after a binge I must restrict food to compensate

Instead of punishing yourself after a binge and restrict your food, you can decide that after a binge you are going to be extra kind to yourself.

So, for example, you can think about what kind words you can tell yourself when you are in that situation?

Or what act of self-care and kindness can you do?

3. Once the binge starts there’s no way to stop it

Instead of thinking that there’s no way you can stop yourself while you’re bingeing, you can decide that next time, while you’re bingeing, you’re going to put down the plate, or the food that’s in your hand for a moment and ask yourself:

• Does this food still taste good?
• Do I still find it satisfying?

After asking yourself these questions you decide if you want to keep eating or not.

Which one of them do you most resonate with? And what are you willing to do to change it, now that you know it’s not true?

If you’d like, let me know in the comments below, or contact me in private. I’ll be delighted to connect.

With kindness,

Dona 🌷

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Would you like sharing about this and other issues with like-minded women and doing some journaling together?

Why not joining The Mindful Body Women Circle? It’s a group support for women who want to increase the confidence in their body, and learn to enjoy eating again, without guilt.

Click here if you’d like to find out more!