Re: From pro dieter to normal overeater: Binges vs. Overeating

[Guest guest]

Hi : The " Appetite Awareness Workbook " can answer your question better

than I can. However, I'll try to summarize what that book says.

The author uses the term 'getting stuffed' to described binge eating, because

bingeing can be so personal and subjective. Some people use the term 'binge',

when they eat a 'forbidden' food. Others use 'binge' to mean any eating episode

when you feel out of control. However, loss of control is also very subjective.

For many people bingeing involves 'tuning out' while 'getting stuffed'.

The AAW author says that some eating episodes are particularly distressing

because we have conflicting feelings about eating. We intensely desire to

overeat certain foods, while we also want to resist eating to lose or avoid

gaining weight. So we resolve that conflict by 'tuning out' conscious awareness

of 'don't eat' or 'stop eating' thoughts. AAW author calls all variations of

'tuning out' the " OH WHAT THE HECK " response.

My binges almost always involve 'tuning out' or telling myself 'oh what the

heck' when I find myself overeating, but don't want to stop. So I liked what

AAW suggested to eliminate binges: " use conscious decisions to eat to counteract

your tendency to dissociate (tune out) parts of your awareness. Instead of

pushing away your urge to eat/binge, you must give yourself conscious

permissioin to eat the type of food you really want. You can eat a small amount,

a moderate amount or even a substantial amount. You just don't give yourself

permission to get uncomfortably full or stuffed ... That conscious decision

undermines any sense of loss of control ... At first, you are likely to overeat

to some extent, but gradually you will become more able to stop before you feel

uncomfortably, then ultimately before you even feel completely full. "

The AAW author continues to define a binge as a 'temper tantrum', which include

(1) 'deprivation binges' (when we want specific foods we won't allow ourselves

to eat outside of binges), (2) frustration binges (when we don't have control

over getting what we want and feel powerless or helpless); and (3) leftover

binges (when we put off bingeing for some time, while we cope with emotions

without bingeing, until built up stress or even traumatic events finally

influence us to cope with feelings with a binge).

Above all, the author reassures us: " When you make a conscious decision to eat,

or even overeat, you are not bingeing. You have not lost or given up control;

you are able to stay aware and watch what the food is doing or not doing for

you. "

I hope that helps you understand how binges can differ from conscious

overeating. Nevertheless, I encourage you to read 'Appetite Awareness Training'

by Craighead.

SUE

PS After practicing IE for almost 8 years, I eventually began to think about

food only when I felt hungry, needed to grocery shop or plan a special holiday

meal or 'treats'. Although I previously feared cooking and baking, because I

often binged, I now enjoy baking and preparing gourmet dishes. However, I prefer

to do food projects when I'm not hungry (after a satisfying meal).

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> hi, my name is . It may sound like a silly question but what is the

difference between a binge and overeating? I'll definately check out appetite

awareness book. Even though I am not overeating, I notice that if I eat from

mouth hunger I feel as if I am breaking a rule so maybe to have a guideline that

doesn't provoke guilt. I look forward to when I am not thinking about food or

weight.Are others who have been doing IE finding that they aren't thinking about

food?

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