Why the Battle?
It’s truly a “battle of the binge” – because it’s more than just fighting a battle of the bulge.
I’m actually a professional at losing weight, which I bet the majority of people dealing with Binge Eating Disorder are. I’ve lost at least 300 lbs in my life. The only problem is that it’s never been continual or during the same attempt. Where I really have a challenge is keeping the wrong food out of my mouth. It’s an addiction. I’m addicted to food. I’ve tried many techniques and eating plans. Diet plans, work out plans, I’ve even resorted to throwing food up. Yes, after 20+ years of bulimia — I’m still fat.
I know I need to overcome this addiction because it’s slowly killing me. Is it even possible? I think my addiction to food will be a “cross I carry” for the rest of my life. The addiction to food and binge eating is very challenging and while similar to other addictions, definitely different.
Why?
Because life doesn’t require a ex-smoker to just smoke one cigarette a day. Life doesn’t require an alcoholic to just have “one drink” and stop. Binge eaters have a unique road to travel and a life-long war to fight.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great point about binge-eaters having a unique set of circumstances…cigarettes, booze, etc aren’t required each day, but food is. I’d actually never thought about that before. It really does make it hard to operationalize the day-to-day, in some cases. Awessome blog, and awessome post. Keep fighting the good fight!
My binge eating addiction started after I got over my addiction with alcohol! (well actually I’m not entirely sure that you ever fully 100% get over an addiction – it’s a constant in your life you have to be aware of all the time to make sure you don’t slip back into the addiction). But I can’t blame it entirely on that either. I’ve had issues with food my entire life, starting back in about 5th or 6th grade which was a looooong time ago. I find it interesting that people don’t believe me when I share my story about having an addiction to food. Why do people think you can’t have an addiction to food? It’s just as real as every other addiction out there. I love what you said “Binge eaters have a unique road to travel and a life-long war to fight.” because it’s so true. We need food to survive so our circumstances are way different than other addictions!