How to Overcome Binge Eating: One Reader’s Experience and Tips
October 7, 2011 by Jenn
FBG’s second-annual Guest Bloggers’ Week may have come and gone, but this guest post and reader success story was good enough that we just had to share. Tina Reale, who blogs at Faith Fitness Fun, candidly shares her struggle with binge eating. A stay-at-home mother of two, she shares her life in order to show a balanced, healthy lifestyle is not only achievable but also fun. Click here to see all of the great guest posts and reader success stories that inspire!
Tina in college.
Hi, my name is Tina and I am a recovered binge eater.
In my past, I have hidden food and scrambled to eat as much as I could when a moment alone presented itself. I have bought whole packages of cookies, candy, donuts and more to eat in my car when driving the 30 minutes home from work. I have eaten so much food I felt ill, but not had the strength to stop shoving more in my mouth.
That used to be me. That used to be my existence.
Now, I have found balance. I have found the joy in eating healthy…most of the time—because what’s life without dessert? I have discovered the fun that exercise can hold when not used as a punishment technique. I can eat “intuitively” (cake included), and still make progress in reaching my body’s happy weight just six months post-baby.
I still have moments where the urge to emotionally eat tries to overtake me, but overall I feel confident in saying I have overcome binge eating. In a topic not openly discussed nearly enough, I hope to offer some solace and guidance to anyone reading who may have their own food struggles. I am not a professional, but I can offer what helped me. And maybe it can help you, too.
As a binge eater myself who is working towards recovery, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is such an amazing article – there are so many out there that struggle with this, and dieting just makes it worse. I’m looking up your blog now and plan to become an avid reader!
You’re always an inspiration, Tina.
You’re a great role model for your kids.
Thanks for sharing these tips, Tina! I especially like #5 and adopting a meal-by-meal mantra. One bad decision in the morning does not ruin the rest of the day / week / month.
Excellent article. I especially love #2; as women in this society, we are so often taught that our value lays in our looks or in our body. So remembering our true value and worth is priceless.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your words definitely resonated with me. Thanks for the help