Those of us with binge eating issues spend an awful lot of time in our heads – even someone like me who recovered years ago.
The combination of our inherent nature and our experiences means we’re inclined to rumination.
We’re also often disconnected from our bodies.
Abuse, trauma, body shaming – they all leave us afraid to inhabit our bodies. We struggle to find a sense of safety within. For respite, we detach and seek comfort in food.
Trigger warning: description of binge eating.
A few nights ago, I went out for dinner for the first time since lockdown lifted here in the UK.
After months of being stuck at home, I sat in the restaurant with a big grin on my face, soaking up the atmosphere.
I was quite hungry but, as usual, took my time exploring the menu. Like a buzzard circling its prey, I was on the lookout for the dish that would truly satisfy me.
Continue reading “How Calorie Labelling Impacts People with Binge Eating Disorder”
As I’m now on holiday for two weeks, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a few posts you might have missed the first time. The aim of this one from July 2018 is to help you uncover any beliefs about food from childhood that may be having a negative impact on your eating today – a crucial step in the process to heal your relationship with food.
Happy August, everyone. Stay safe.
With very best wishes
Julie 🌷
🌷🌷🌷
Continue reading “Summer Rewind: What Did You Learn About Food Growing Up?”
The Guardian recently reported the UK Government is planning to launch an “emergency drive” to reduce obesity rates in anticipation of a second Covid-19 wave later this year.
There’s concern Coronavirus disproportionately affects overweight and obese people. According to the article, the Government programme will be “based on encouraging people to reduce their calorific intake and lose weight rapidly”.
If accurate, the UK Government is acting on a dangerously incorrect assumption – that obesity is purely a physiological, rather than a psychological, issue.
It’s a mistake that’s made often.
Continue reading “Why the UK Government is Getting it Wrong on Obesity”
If dieting never existed, what would your relationship with food be like?
Just think about it for a minute.
How would you eat if you’d never learnt to diet?
Would you wake up feeling confused and stressed about food?
Would you feel guilty and ashamed about eating something you “shouldn’t”?
Would you still binge? Label food as “good” or “bad”? Hate your body?
I want to start by expressing my gratitude to all the medical professionals (both frontline and behind the scenes) currently working, at great personal risk, to care for the sick. I’d also like to thank all those carrying out essential services – collecting our rubbish, stacking the shelves, delivering our orders – for their hard work and dedication at such a difficult time.
Thank you. All of you.
The rest of us are playing our part by staying at home in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease. And it seems that some of us are struggling with the lockdown, while others are enjoying it.
Continue reading “What Can Lockdown Teach Us About Binge Eating?”
Julie de Rohan 