One of the first tasks at hand in my effort to shed 40 to 50 pounds is getting my hands around eating in response to my emotional state. In working towards this objective, I understand that this is not something that I will be able to resolve instantly. I have spent a lifetime becoming an emotional eater and I will not be able to abandon this problem overnight. I’m taking a very practical approach to addressing the issue of binge eating. I’m not making pie in the sky (hmm … pie) proclamations that I simply will not be able to keep.
I know individuals who binge on food when they are happy, I know individuals who do so when they are upset or sad. I know some individuals who binge on food when in any type of elevated emotional state.
I find my binge eating occurs more often than not when something (or someone) has upset me or “stressed me out.” In that I tend to be stressed with considerable regularity, I find myself shoving unnecessary amounts of food into my mouth with surprising frequency.
Of course, I would be remiss if I did not note that the ultimate way to end binge eating is to address the underlying reasons for the emotional state that results in this type of consumption. For most people, this can prove to be a complicated and time consuming task. I actually have a bit better stress management regimen today than I did a decade ago. However, advances in that arena have been incremental.
I am still in the process of developing effective strategies to stop myself from binging on food when I am upset or stressed. The primary step I have taken at this time is removing high calorie, unhealthy food items from my home. (Of course, I’ve been known to venture to the nearest market when out of junk food while in a stressed state. However, making access to this type of food inconvenient is helpful in preventing a food binge.) I believe this is proving to be a practical and useful initial step in combating binge emotional eating.
I have substitute items in my home available in the event of a binge episode. I keep low fat yogurt and protein shakes on hand for the inevitable binge. My theory is binging on healthier food items is a step towards a healthier lifestyle, albeit a small one. In the end, it is healthier to eat three containers of low fat Key Lime yogurt than an entire Key Lime pie slathered in whipped cream.
My next big step in my pathway to a healthier life is working with a personal trainer. I have my first session with a personal trainer in a few days. I looking forward to that and apprehensive about it at the same time.
Stay tuned.
Mike Broemmel Having a Burger Binge
I hope you don't mind me chiming in. First, I wish you success above all things.
ReplyDeleteEating, eating disorders, and food psychology are still areas, in my opinion, where there are many more unknowns than knowns.
Other factors which lead to binge eating are a lack of sleep, alcohol, blood sugar/insulin imbalances, biological and environmental depression.
I say this not as a fitness trainer, but as a man who has lived with and, for the most part, controlled my binge eating tendencies through my entire adult life.
I can say in clear terms, all the reasons I have listed above, as well as others I am probably unsure of, have contributed in different ways and at different times to my own binge eating.
What I have found most useful in controlling it, as odd as this may sound, is by simply being myself -- the man I truly aspire to be, but have failed at so many times before.
Please be well Mike, and I'll be watching and cheering you on!