Also binge eating struggles

[Bluemotho419]

Can't stop binge eating even tho I'm 20kg over the weight I'm happy at..still just can't stop eating when I start... has anyone overcome this ...? Please tell me how

[therising]

Hi Bluemotho419

Definitely becomes interesting when we legitimately question that binge eating behaviour, wondering why we do it. While we are genuinely interested in understanding why, it doesn't help when others simply offer the unhelpful advice of 'Oh, you just need to show greater self control' or 'You've just got a lot of bad habits'.

Over a healthy weight myself and with some highly questionable eating habits, I've questioned much and found a couple of helpful discoveries in the way of self understanding

1. I'm definitely an emotional eater. When I lack excitement in my life, I'll seek to obtain it through the wrong foods. Almost feels like a hit, making everything okay until I start to beat myself up for doing it. I suppose it comes down to what feeds the dopamine receptors in our brain. When life is going well and I'm feeling the vibe or flow, I don't rely on the hit from food
2. Having experienced sleep apnea, I recall one of the consults at the clinic I attended. As I said to the doctor 'I just have no motivation in life unless it's to go to the shop to buy chocolate or Coca Cola. It's like I can't help myself, it's obsessive. It's almost like I'm out of control or possessed or something'. She smiled and explained many of her sleep apnea patients display typical behaviours, two of them being an addiction to caffeine and/or an addiction to high energy foods (such as junk food). When the body is seriously craving energy, it will push us to find resources. So, it's a lack of energy that leads us to energy cravings

I'm sure there's plenty of other reasons for binge eating. These are the ones which I've found explain my behaviour. Regarding simple energy alone, the right energy restoration (constructive restorative sleep, diet, hydration and so on) can make a significant difference when we running on low and need a charge.

By the way, I'll honestly admit that I can be a little lazy when it comes to experimenting with new foods. I can easily imagine there are some mind blowing flavours out there in the world which I'm sure would excite my brain. On the somewhat healthier side of things, I absolutely love red seedless grapes. They're like little exploding sweet sensations. Typically, organically grown fruit and vegetables can offer far more flavour than those that are massed produced, rushed to supermarket shelves.

I've found questioning myself in the right way, 'Why do I do what I do?' stops me questioning in the wrong way', 'Why am I so hopeless?'

🙂

[Bluemotho419]

Thank you so much for your reply I can definitely take alot from what you said and can relate alot also Im very much a food addict it's such a hard thing to get ontop of I really am at an all time low in life and self control and I am definitely lazy I'm just so stuck in this rut I see it all what I'm doing wrong and what I need to do it just all feels so impossible

[therising]

Hi Bluemotho419

Sometimes, approaching things from a different angle can help make some difference. Being someone who loves to wonder my way to inspiration (this is the daydreamer in me), what comes to mind involves researching what different parts of my body need in order to function efficiently. What foods/chemistry/energy does my nervous system thrive on? What about my vascular system or endocrine system and so on. What foods and drinks are found must be totally enjoyable, otherwise it will be a struggle to easily commit to change.

Routine plays a huge part in overcoming addictions or habits. Besides going to work a few days a week, I have little routine. A lack of routine allows time for sitting in front of the tv. I associate tv with eating. Association tends to keep us repeating questionable habits. Been beating myself up a little lately for lazing too much. It's easy to laze during this pandemic, especially when we're encouraged to do little or none of what would typically keep us active or occupied.

Finding the right motive or motivation for change can be deeply challenging. We can find a lot of what doesn't work before we finally find what does work. It's important to not beat our self up along the way as we're working out how we best tick.

Strangely enough, drinking more water plays a significant part in my life. I really need to get back into this habit. Tend to go for filtered water. Drinking more water is energising. Our cells thrive on hydro power. Energising or exciting our body in such a way can sometimes be enough to begin tweaking our mindset and motivation levels.

I believe it's also important to turn up the volume on intuition/inspiration. You know that voice you'll sometimes hear saying to you something like 'Instead of opening that pack of ____, go for a walk or clean the bathroom for exercise'. To be in 2 minds (the mind of intuition/inspiration and the mind of ego/habit/ingrained belief) can have us resembling an insane person, especially if we were to voice these minds out loud. The arguments that go on in my head are amusing at times, resembling a parent and child: 'You need to drink more water'. 'No, I don't want to. I'll do it later, after this glass of coke.' 'No, you'll do it now.' 'Fine!' Such dialogue can definitely resemble an ongoing battle between the self we have come to know and our most natural self.

Working our self out (of existing habits/mindsets) is, I believe, one the greatest challenges we face in life.

🙂

[Guest_1055]

Hi all,

Bluemotho I also have issues with binge eating and I hear you loud and clear. For me emotional eating is mixed up in that. Sometimes it is so discouraging. I too am 20kg heavier from where I feel comfortable at.

I am in the process of overcoming the binge eating in my own life.

Do you find you binge eat mainly on foods that have refined sugars like chocolate, cake, takeaways, coke, lollies etc or processed grains like white rice, white bread, white floured pasta. And also unhealthy fats like hot takeaway chips, pizza, chocolate again and salty foods like a packet of chips, salted nuts etc?

Refined sugar, unhealthy fats and salt are highly addictive foods. When we eat those it releases dopamine (a feel good chemical into our bodies) it gives is a high. So if we are feeling sad, depressed, bored, lonely, stressed some of us people including myself will graviate to these addictive foods, to help us feel better. Thing is our bodies cry out for more and more ( eat more) to satisfy this addiction. Binge eating can be mixed up in all that. It is a bit like a caffeine addiction..you may need more to get your caffiene high.

Hello the rising I can relate to a lot of what you wrote as well. Even talking to myself in my head.

I can share more if you would like

Shell