Food Addiction Support Group
An individual suffering from a food addiction disorder frequently experiences episodes of uncontrolled eating, or binging, during which they may feel frenzied or out of control. They will eat much more quickly than is normal, and continue to eat even past the point of being uncomfortably full. Binging in this way is generally followed by a period of intense guilt feelings...
I wonder how many of us are really hard on ourselves, and are perfectionists? I'm guessing a lot of us.
I did really good the first month - I lost 5 pounds in the first month on being binge-free. Then, the 5th week, I didn't do as well - I still did not binge, which is very important, but I gained 1.5 pounds back. It is easy for me to understand how this happened - it was a crazy, stressfull week, because I was having massive problems with my boyfriend, who is a recovering drug-addict/alcoholic, and, on top of all that, had some serious concerns about a health conidition I have, which appeared to be getting worse.
So, although I did not binge, I didn't exersize, and I ate a bit more then usual, because of the stress. And, there you have it, 1.5 extra pounds.
At first, I was being so hard on myself about this, feeling like I just failed totally. But then I realized that I can't think that way - I can't be such a perfectionist! Because then I feel bad, and then I eat to feel better, and a cycle is born.
Isn't is better, and kinder, to gently say to myself, "Hey, I understand why you ate a bit too much this week, you had so much to deal with! Drug addictions and tumours are really, really stressfull things! Good for you for being strong enough not to binge! It's okay that you were not perfect! Nobody is! And good for you for realizing you went off the rails a bit. Now that you've recognized that, just get right back on them."
I did really good the first month - I lost 5 pounds in the first month on being binge-free. Then, the 5th week, I didn't do as well - I still did not binge, which is very important, but I gained 1.5 pounds back. It is easy for me to understand how this happened - it was a crazy, stressfull week, because I was having massive problems with my boyfriend, who is a recovering drug-addict/alcoholic, and, on top of all that, had some serious concerns about a health conidition I have, which appeared to be getting worse.
So, although I did not binge, I didn't exersize, and I ate a bit more then usual, because of the stress. And, there you have it, 1.5 extra pounds.
At first, I was being so hard on myself about this, feeling like I just failed totally. But then I realized that I can't think that way - I can't be such a perfectionist! Because then I feel bad, and then I eat to feel better, and a cycle is born.
Isn't is better, and kinder, to gently say to myself, "Hey, I understand why you ate a bit too much this week, you had so much to deal with! Drug addictions and tumours are really, really stressfull things! Good for you for being strong enough not to binge! It's okay that you were not perfect! Nobody is! And good for you for realizing you went off the rails a bit. Now that you've recognized that, just get right back on them."
But you're right... we have to be gentle with ourselves. The harder we shame ourselves, the more the cycle continues. We didn't get this way overnight... it won't come undone overnight.
Good for you for recognizing this! That's a huge step! Pat yourself on the back!!!