Some helpful tips to overcome binge eating!

Everyone overeats at times especially during holidays, exam times, stressful situations or joyous occasions. Sometimes however, the urge to overeat can get out of control and lead to a disorder called binge eating.

Those who binge eat rely on the food to give them comfort and help them to cope with negative emotions however, overeating often leads to weight gain and feelings of guilt and shame.

Binge eating or compulsive eating can follow different patterns. For example, someone may over eat all day on and off, or typical binges may last a few hours. Feeling anxious and guilty about the behaviour may lead to sufferers hiding food and eating in secret later on, gorging as fast as they can whilst no one is watching.

SOME USEFUL TIPS TO HELP YOU OVERCOME YOUR BINGE EATING DISORDER.

1)      Exercise and get fresh air- boosting your mood naturally and eliminating stress or negative feelings this way can help you to reduce the compulsion to over eat.

2)      Take control of your grocery shopping- write a list and stick to it. Even ask a friend to accompany you to the supermarket to make sure you don’t deviate away from your list of food. Ask for support in avoiding the junk food aisles and foods that tempt you

3)      Eat a little a lot throughout the day so that you are not hungry and at risk of overeating. This may involve making some changes in your routine. For example if you are a person that never eats breakfast, start to introduce a small piece of food at this time to ensure you do not  lack energy and crave later on in the morning. It can be something small first thing in the morning to kick start your day and get you into a routine. TRY IT! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE!

4)      Practice positive self talk- emphasis here is on the word practice. This takes time to truly look in the mirror and deliver a powerful message to yourself that you will believe. For example, before you look in the mirror, decide how you are feeling. Do not allow the mirror to dictate your mood! Repeat positive, personal statements. I am unique, strong and ready to embrace the day ahead, what I put into this day, I will get back. I love myself for who I am, my friends love me for who I am.

It is important to be as realistic as possible with these tips in helping to overcome binge eating. If you practice and make small changes in YOUR life, you will see changes, however, it is up to you to put the effort in and ask for support in order to experience these changes.

You can dream of winning the lottery, however, you have no chance of winning if you don’t buy a ticket! Take action and meet your goals half way!

Dani McClafferty

John Crimmins