Binge Eater?

K.,

Sweetie, I know what you're going through and I can tell you that you are not alone! I am a major stress/emotional eater and seriously I think that the only thing that saved me was Weight Watchers. I now recognize when I am about to binge and look at why I'm doing that. I've gained a lot of support through attending meetings. I'm not saying that you can NEVER over do it ~ but constantly over doing it is not healthy. If you need to talk, feel free to send me a message.

:) C.

Hi Kim - Yes I can totally relate to what you are saying. My eating has been out of control for years and only recently did I learn that Compulsive Overeating/ Binge Eating is an actual disorder that can be treated. I just started going to therapy to try and get a handle on it so I don't have much to offer in the way of recovery advice. I would say the first step would be to talk to someone about it, maybe even your husband tooo if you think he would be supportive. Good Luck!

M.

I agree it doesn't sound healthy at all, poor Mama! I am a stress eater, and man can the kids drive me to it some days. I've been working hard to identify it and stop it when I notice I'm doing it. About 10 years ago I had a shopping addiction and turned to Debtors Anonymous which saved my life honestly. I did therapy as well. I'd recommend you start with Overeaters Anonymous. They can definitely help and probably know loads about binging. When I was in DA I did online group meetings, I bet OA has the same kind of support groups.
Sendings hugs, C.

You are probably emotionally overwhelmed. I would suggest bringing balance into your life. Join a gentle yoga class with meditation and read a book by Louise Hay. In her book "Heal Your Body" Hay writes that overeating stems from need for fulfillment and protection, fear, insecurity, self-rejection, and running away from feelings. She suggests to repeat this affirmation: "I am at peace with my own feelings. I am safe where I am. I create my own security. I love and approve of myself." Good luck and bless you.

Hi K.,

Whether it is shopping, alcohol or food, over-doing anything is not good for you and your health. The only way to keep yourself in check is to get help outside of you and your will-power.

A lot of women find it hard to lose the weight they gained after having a baby, so they allow their disappointment to act out in several ways. One of these is pleasure via snack and dessert foods. As weight remains and even increases, comments are made by a loving husband (sister, mother, child), and even though they are meant to encourage us to lose weight, they sometimes cause us to lose our self-esteem which drives us to tactics like those you have mentioned.

Believe it or not, alcoholics do the same thing you are doing, only with alcohol. People with a shopping disorder do the exact same thing only by buying every "on sale" item they desire. They hide the items, just like you hide the eating.

You can approach this in one of two ways.

1. Join Weightwatchers or a program like that (for support)and be held accountable by weekly "weigh-ins" and your fellow class mates who may also have the same problem you have. Draw courage and fortitude in bonding with them, knowing you are not alone in this and supporting others in the same situation you find yourself in.

2. Be accountable to your husband. He loves you and he does not want to end up with someone so unhealthy that she can't enjoy an active life. Do it for your husband and your son. Let your mutual love and admiration bolster you. Don't make him your refridgerator gatekeeper. That won't work. You will grow to resent him. Let him know you need him as your loving cheerleader as you admit your small victories over your problems. Tell your little boy every time you put a snack away instead of eating it.

Either way, the answer is in exposing it as a problem so it no longer has power over you. If you have the support of many on your side, it might appear to be a tough road ahead, but it won't be. You are very loved. Use that love to your advantage.

I say tell everyone that you have just acknowledged this behavior as a problem and you intend on gleaning help from everyone. Exposing any "dirty-little secret" immediately takes power from the disorder and puts it back in your lap. Be victorious, ask for support from everyone you know. But when you let them know you will need them, make sure they know you need them to cheer you on in victories, and for them not to say negative things that may wound your spirit (and delicate self-esteem) and send you reeling back to the basement with a Krispy Kreme in your hand.

Good Luck. I will be praying for you K..

D.

I can relate. When my son was almost 3 I went through the same thing. It took me being quite honest with myself,but I finally realized I was eating like that almost to be rebelious. I would never eat like that in front of my other half because he would call me on it. I was never full, because I wasn't doing anything that seemed productive. I worked outside of the home before my first and by the time my son came and was turning three, Ifelt like what i did was never really enough for me. I signed up for one or two classes and all of sudden everything i did seemed to have a purpose. I was going somewhere again.

Hi K.,
Thank you for being open enough to share your eating challenge on this site. I'm sure you will receive posts with many different points of view. I will give you mine as a life coach.
Sometimes when we hit a "bump in the road" we try to soothe it the best way we know how. Eating habits can reflect this natural reaction to soothe any number of conscious or underlying anxieties.
In my experience you may not need to go the route of traditional "talk therapy" or make that uncomfortable call to your doctor, both of which can be time consuming or very costly.
There is a wonderful and very gentle process called EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique that has tremendous value and track record in relieving many things, including eating issues. Please check out the website, www.emofree.com. You can even do a search there on binge eating or eating disorders to see how successful EFT is in this exact area.
I offer EFT and can do it over the phone if you want some relief that could be very rapid.
I am listed on the Mamasource site as Spirit of Motherhood Life Coaching under Family/Other.
In the meantime, please be easy on yourself and don't judge yourself for where you are. There are more simple, solutions to things that come up in our lives than most of us are aware of.
Be well.
Warmly,
C. S.

Hi K.,
It sounds like you have developed a pretty serious problem and I would recommend that you seek treatment for this before it gets more out of control. Your MD is probably not going to be all that helpful to you, however someone who specializes in eating disorders, addictions, anxiety problems will be most useful to you. Do you have health insurance? First ask about the mental health coverage you have, and that you need to see someone. Your insurance company should help you navigate this part of the process for you. Then, call around. Find someone you are comfortable with. Try a couple of sessions before determining whether or not you should stay or "shop around" again. It can be difficult, but you seem like someone who is ready to deal with this problem. Talk to someone about it, I think it can really help you understand what is going on with you and ways you can cope more effectively. Good luck to you!

I am a mom to a little girl. I have had family and friends that have struggled with this same issue.