In other words, random thoughts, observations, and stuff that caught my eye:
Possible Solutions:
1) Solve the problem
2) Change your emotional reaction to the problem
3) Tolerate the problem
4) Stay miserable
5) Make things worse.
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This is pretty much my response to anyone who is struggling with binge eating:
Once you’re aware (that you’re a binge eater)…you can’t not be aware. Next time, you might wait a little longer, you may eat a little less, or not, but you will think about it again, and you will learn something again, and you will make progress. There isn’t a switch that gets flipped…it’s a long, drawn-out (damn it) process. Being a neutral yet compassionate observer of yourself is the way to go.
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And speaking of binge eating and awareness, a recent Scientific American article, The Cognitive Roots Of Binge Eating, suggests that Binge Eating Disorder is connected to attention deficits and poor self-awareness. I have found that the more self-aware I become (and much of that self-awareness came though writing this blog), the less I binge eat. I am also very much aware that my tendency towards distraction doesn’t help matters.
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I really love what Annabel (Feed Me I’m Cranky) has been writing lately, especially this: A Case Against Passion (about the current “war on obesity”).
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Many of us learned to censor our desires at a young age. Perhaps we were shamed for wanting so much, for wanting the “wrong” things, or for not being the quiet, grateful, undemanding children our parents wanted. If we believe that our desires are bad, selfish, or irrelevant, we will repress the awareness of the things that really make us happy. We won’t admit desires that might rock the boat and make us the target of criticism or anger. All too often, we replace our true desires with the desire to please or to fit in, and do whatever will win us approval. ~ The Hunger for Ecstasy, Jalaja Bonheim
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About a month ago I wrote an update on my efforts to reduce and/or eliminate gluten and dairy from my diet. I wrote: “I’ve also stopped eating dairy (except Greek yogurt, which doesn’t seem to bother me).” Well, Greek yogurt DOES bother me. I really wanted for it not to, but now that I haven’t had it for a week, I have proof that it was the yogurt wreaking havoc on my digestive system. So THIS is what’s it like…!
As for gluten, I haven’t eliminated it completely, but I like how I feel when I don’t eat it often.
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From the “science backing up the woo woo” files:
“A relatively new field, called interpersonal neurobiology, draws its vigor from one of the great discoveries of our era: that the brain is constantly rewiring itself based on daily life. In the end, what we pay the most attention to defines us. How you choose to spend the irreplaceable hours of your life literally transforms you.”
Exactly.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I keep thinking certain foods don’t sit well with me but it seems so inconsistent.
Love that quote from “Hunger for Ecstasy”. Sometimes we think we know what we want, but it is a substitute for something else or a method of stuffing down desire.
I abdicated control over myself. I wanted to see if someone would leave me. I wanted to do what I had been forbidden from doing. I wanted my freedom, I was masking fear, loss, frustration. I was happy and living life. On and ON! Disordered eating is a complicated monster.
I love that last quote Karen!!!!
You know, I am lactose intolerant too. I do eat Greek yogurt but I also have probs. I have found that if I eat it in small amounts, I am OK… I wanted to keep it in for the health benefits so I do very little at a time when I do eat it.
I have not tried the gluten free thing. I guess I am going to have to “HAVE” to do that before I try it. I know people feel better but I am sticking this way for now. ;-)
Okay, that last quote kind of zinged me between the eyes. Thank you for sharing it!
Your response to those struggling with binge eating resonates with me. I think it’s the continued desire for a linear process despite knowing that it is not linear that annoys me about some of the blogs I used to read. I wanted to scream, “Don’t keep torturing yourself like this. It’s okay. You’re okay. It’s going to be just fine. And the lessons learned today that you didn’t realize the last time ARE progress.” So many of us struggle… perhaps struggle more with self-talk than with the food itself.
After having a few months where exercise took a backseat to life, and way too much sugar was a part of my life, I’m reentering focusing on nurturing my body. It would be easy to fall into negative thinking, but I’ve learned over time that going down that path would be the quickest way to make everything fall apart. I believe in baby steps of progress, and I’m taking them. Baby steps add up quickly when we consistently take them.
I’d had a look at the Scientific American BED article Karen, but have to admit I found it a bit simplistic (I think one of the commenters said a similar thing – though perhaps the online version has been abbreviated a bit!). I think you touch on it better in your previous paragraph – though given my mood of late, it feels a bit overwhelming at the moment for me! (I liked the other article / blog post though!)
I love the last quote and it reminds me of what my ‘shrink’ says about me focussing too much on my weight and dieting – I spend so much time on it, it defines me. Hopefully I’m starting to change that!
Deb
I loved, loved, loved this post! So much information in bite-sized portions.
I absolutely concur with your experience with regards to binge eating – self-awareness curtails it. While I was going through my crazy time I wasn’t really self-aware – I was either caught up in work, or escaped into fiction – so I drifted back towards binge-eating behavior. I bought lots of food (a selection of convenience foods from the supermarket – my binge of choice) and hurried home, salivating. The food that was supposed to disappear in one sitting lasted me two days! Similarly, I no longer feel that I’m getting my money’s worth at a buffet. I simply can’t eat that much anymore!
And yes, there is no switch! I looked for that switch for many years, but I’ve finally had to face the truth. It’s a process, not an event.
The Hunger of Ecstasy? That blew me away. I’ve added it to my wish list.
Annd the last bit? Just made me more determined to spend rid my life and my head of all the things that drain me.
I like the self awareness=less bingeing. It’s like meditation. What I believe is that ‘the power of prayer’ has nothing to do with God and has everything to do with bringing attention to your intentions. I find that when I don’t want to look at myself and am more resistant to giving up habits that aren’t working, it’s also very unlikely that I’m practicing meditation. Self awareness is so important, and I’m so scared of it. But I’m finally learning that I control me, I define me, and I will always be enough. Thank you KCL! xoxo
I have a definite problem with lf, plain regular yogurt. Time will tell if Greek and cottage cheese become problems too. I also have a problem with cantaloupe( respiratory), beets(gi), and many kinds of cheese(migraine). There are more, but those are the ones that leap to mind.
Forgot to check follow up box on this one