Fertilehealthy

Before you binge

I stumbled upon this very useful article about avoiding binges. It’s by Karen Knowler, the well-know UK raw food coach. I’m definitely going to apply this, since bingeing is an all too familiar knee-jerk reaction to adversity in my life.

I e-mailed some advice to a client earlier today and felt that not to share it with you would be a huge waste of some very good advice that I know could make a world of difference to those of you reading who are struggling with the regular or occasional binge cycle… Or any type of “out of control” food situation for that matter.

The client was sharing how she had just got over a “semi-binge”, where she had not gone all-out and lost complete control but had still been compelled to eat foods that she has recently sworn off of completely, and was now licking her wounds a little…

Chances are, if you are mostly or completely human, then you’ve been there…

The following is the exercise I recommended to her, based on the understanding that when we make any food choice, however we perceive it (good/bad, healthy/unhealthy, naughty/nice) at an underlying level we very much feel we are “signing up” for something when we make our choice. The BIG QUESTION is:

“What do I believe I am signing up for when I eat these binge foods?”
(i.e. what exactly do I think or feel I will gain as a result of eating these foods, or drinking these drinks? What is it I am REALLY looking for when I open the packet or jar or lift the fork towards my mouth or raise the glass towards my lips? How do I think me or my world will be a happier place for having these foods in my life experience?)

Then do a free flowing brain dump of all the things those foods represent to you.

Examples from my own past:

CHIPS (Fries) = * Warmth * Cuddles * Delicious * Moist * Salty * Hot * Treat * Get lost in the fattiness * Escape
COOKIES = * Child-like * Freedom * Dumb-down * Big crunch/ release aggression * Forget about worries
ICE-CREAM = * Play * Relax * Meditational movement (spoon to mouth, spoon to mouth) * Time out * Leave the world behind * Huddle up on the sofa and chill
WINE = * Being grown up * Being sophisticated * Relaxing * Being sexy * Being liberated * New experience within same situation * Social acceptance * Fun

Now it’s your turn! Keep writing until you have all of your own “I wish I didn’t eat these” foods and drinks listed out.

When you have your list, write next to each word AT LEAST two other activities that you can do to create the same experience/feelings. It works a treat!

Using one of my examples again:

COOKIES = * Child-like * Freedom * Dumb-down * Big crunch/ release aggression * Forget about worries

What I could replace cookies with that isn’t edible is…

Playing with my son * Running around the park * Going swimming * Running at the gym * Becoming absorbed in a good book * Watching a DVD in bed * Going to the movies

All of the above would tick one or more of the boxes I was looking to tick when I chose cookies.

Do you get the idea? It’s actually very fun and empowering when you get going. Of course you have to actually act on these things…

Just know that often the “nutrient” you are seeking cannot be found in food .