How to Overcome a Binge Eating Disorder

Everyone overeats at some point, but binge eating disorder goes beyond occasional overeating. Binge eaters cannot control their food consumption even when they are full, are overweight or obese. They often eat in secret. Emotions play a role in this disorder, and many sufferers feel embarrassed about their compulsive eating. However, they can overcome a binge eating disorder by retraining their connection with food and getting needed support.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Confess to friends and family. Getting support from loved ones can help you overcome a binge eating disorder, because you don't feel you have to go through your condition alone. Remember that not everyone will be understanding and supportive, so be selective about whom you confide in.

2. Find a counselor who is experienced in treating people with binge eating disorders. You can find treatment in an inpatient facility, or you can attend individual or group therapy sessions. Medical professionals can help you uncover the reasons behind your binge eating, and they can teach you strategies to overcome the disorder.

3. Talk to a nutritionist. A nutritionist can help you devise a healthy meal plan and learn about caloric intake. By seeing a therapist and a nutritionist, you are dealing with the issues that you need to control to overcome a binge eating disorder.

4. Remove junk food from your home. When compulsive eaters get stressed, they reach for unhealthy foods to fill voids. To overcome a binge eating disorder, keep these foods out of the house.

5. Exercise. Exercise decreases stress, refreshes the mind and helps you develop a healthy body. People who do not exercise can start by simply walking, or if they can afford it, hire a personal trainer to learn how to exercise properly and to monitor your progress.

6. Keep a food diary. Recording the amount of food consumed helps you track the amount of nutrients you consume. Your diary should also contain information about any emotional triggers that lead to a binging episode. Knowing your emotional triggers is an essential step toward overcoming a binge eating disorder.

7. Replace food with other activities. Take up a hobby, or do things with friends that have nothing to do with food. Finding activities that don't center around food can help you overcome your binge eating disorder.

8. Learn to love yourself. People can overcome a binge eating disorder when they forgive themselves and learn to love who they are.

9. Avoid negative people. People may be less forgiving to people who overeat, thinking binge eaters can get over it if they just stop eating. When you can, avoid toxic people who undermine your efforts to be healthy.

References

• Steps to Take When Dealing with Binge Eating Disorder

Resources

• Why some people binge eat