Stop Falling Into This Binge Eating Trap 🪤

HOW TO AVOID THE NUMBER ONE BINGE EATING RECOVERY TRAP
#bingeeating #bingeeatingrecovery #foodaddiction

Disclaimer: This video is for information purposes only and my content should not be used as a substitute for seeking treatment from a healthcare provider. My content is not going to be suitable for everyone, so please use your self discernment before applying any video content in your own life.

In this video, I delve into a common pitfall people encounter on their journey to stop binge eating. The dilemma revolves around two contrasting approaches: the abstinent camp advocating strict rules and the food freedom camp promoting a more permissive mindset. The video emphasizes the need to navigate these paths with a nuanced perspective, avoiding an all-or-nothing mentality.

I share my own experiences, leaning towards the food freedom camp but acknowledging the value in the abstinent approach for some individuals. The trap lies in the temptation to view these strategies as opposites, pushing individuals to swing from one extreme to another without finding a balanced middle ground.

The first part of the trap involves the misconception that it's an either/or situation. I encourage viewers to consider a spectrum with abstinence at one end and all-in food freedom at the other. Striking a balance along this continuum allows for a more personalized and sustainable approach to recovery.

The second part highlights the importance of emotional and psychological permission, not just behavioral compliance. Merely following advice without introspection can lead to internal conflicts and hinder genuine progress. I urge viewers to critically assess the advice they receive and align it with their personal beliefs and experiences.

The third part of the trap involves bouncing back and forth between the two camps, preventing individuals from making substantial progress. The video suggests setting intentional time limits and focusing on one approach before reassessing, discouraging aimless shifts that might perpetuate the cycle.

Ultimately, the video provides valuable insights for those struggling with binge eating, encouraging a thoughtful and individualized approach to recovery. It dismantles the notion of a rigid dichotomy between abstinence and food freedom, advocating for a more flexible and self-aware mindset on the path to overcoming binge eating challenges.

[Ladyloubug]

My trap is thinking I’ve overcome it and can now have occasional treats without binging.

[foushoo]

I started crying when you said that we follow advice on a behavioral level but not an emotional level. I was so permissive in the past (which is why I was obese) and I flipped the switch and got myself to my goal physique! But I'm in a constant mind caloric deficit. Where I feel like I need to always be in a deficit. Now I'm black and white. Super restrictive, which leads to my binging. which leads to extreme weight fluctuations. And I'm trying to find a balance and find someone who understands. You're right. I don't consider my options in an internal level. I'm in a factory worker mindset where I just want to find formulas but it's not sustainable. Sorry for the rant.

[Zee-ndhc]

Sarah I love you, (sorry to come off so strong LOL) but seriously, I’m not sure if you remember seeing me comment previously, but I’ve been watching you for about a year now and now have completely transformed my life, I’ve lost over 20 pounds as well and it’s the most weight I’ve ever lost I would normally never get past 3 before bingeing and quitting.. But ironically, it’s not even about the weight loss I’m so happy with how my relationship with food has been and I’ve been finally getting a lot closer to living the healthy lifestyle that I want mentally and physically. I can’t believe I found what made things clicked for me. Who knew, just have the foods lmao.

[ADHDpancakesurprise]

It was a little bit of both for me. I had to temporarily restrict myself from triggering foods. Eventually I was able to add them back in and they're no longer triggers. I've had an immense amount of chocolate on my kitchen counter for the past 2 weeks. In my old life it wouldn't have lasted the day. We're not even half through it yet and there is no white knuckling at all. It's all just organic and peaceful existence at this point.

[dixiemerchant]

Glad I found you. I’ve never heard anyone speak so analytically about the drives behind binge eating. I definitely want to find a video you’ve done about the scarcity mindset. I’ve never thought about it, but I watched a couple of your videos and I heard you reference it, and it pierced my mind and heart-I was like oh my gosh, that’s it!! In fact, many things you said I thought were incredibly intuitive, couldn’t possible be widely known, and really the deep-seated part of all this. You must have done a lot of recovery work to have figured all this out!! The way you can explain it is very gifted as to teaching ability because you see various styles/types. I found your book too and it just came. Plus I think it speaks volumes that you put it on YouTube free, now that’s someone authentic (and altruistic)!!

[kimbrink]

Every one of your videos leaves me going "Damn, that is EXACTLY it!"
I'm always so amazed at how thorough, circumspect and relevant your videos are. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this, Sarah.

[valodimopoulou]

I have been watching your videos and I can say I see a difference on my eating behaviour. I still binge but consistently less than before. To me that is winning the first battle!

[mariamascola]

Sarah, I so admire your wisdom. Each of your videos is remarkably insightful. I love that you welcome disagreement, and it is so consistent with your overall message to listen to others, but always honor yourself and tailor this path to your own unique needs. It is rare to find someone with such compassion and humanity and eloquence. You’ve helped me tremendously. I just finished your book and so many of your messages resonated. My favorite sentence, hands down, is the opening line of chapter 5: “The more I discover about myself, the more painfully conscious I am of being far more complicated than my mind may ever be capable of understanding.” We are all wonderfully complex creatures, and it is messages like these that have given me a self compassion and self awareness that I have never had before. Thank you!

[wackthegood]

You are so right about this see-saw effect. Restriction ends up causing the 'to hell with it, I'm going to eat all I want' rebound, and then the overfullness and self-loathing tips you back to the hyper-restriction. But it's easier to do one or the other whereas the middle way seems more difficult and harder work as there are no rules to follow. But ultimately serenity is never found in extremes.

[alexlindstrom]

I NEED this! I noticed in the Intuitive Eating “community, ” I fell into more “either/or” black and white thinking. I need this continuum kind of approach. A balance between structure and freedom. I’m gradually tuning more into my hunger and fullness cues and gently telling myself I can have my chocolate chips with a meal and I can at least TRY to be present with my food.

[stowie]

I recently found your channel and in watching your videos I realize I may be a binge eater…at 61 years old, I think it has put my whole eating history into perspective. I have had odd eating preferences over the years and my mindset was that I had a problem but didn’t think it was one that I could put into one category…but now I’m thinking it could be binge-eating after all. I always feel that if I have certain foods in the house, I would obsessively think about them and eating it until it was gone…sometimes in the same day. Then I think that if I don’t bring them in the house, that will solve the problem but then I end up falling into temptation and the whole cycle repeats itself. Ugh!

[tommys_health_journey]

This is exactly the video I needed today. Thank you 🙏 I’ve had the worst period of bingeing I’ve had for a while and felt completely lost. This has helped me get some real clarity.

[camillecali]

Food Freedom is working for me and I am so happy and calm.

[aneurin]

Your videos are great. You're so likeable and easy to listen to

[littlebeans]

YES THIS HOLY CRAP!! if I had known about this trap when I had first tried recovering from my disordered eating I would've been able to actually recover SO much quicker. Thank you ❤❤

[mblec]

This is one of the most helpful videos I have seen in a while. The binge watching video part especially. I can’t tell you how many podcasts I listen to, not to mention the dozens of books I have read & diets I’ve tried. Really informative and makes so much sense.

[ChenCat-sutw]

The gist of what gave me freedom was: stand up for my inner child. By telling little me "I trust you, I'll always always always stand by your side. You're the child, you are the connection to our body. I'm sorry I didn't support you and I promise you'll be the one to decide no matter what".
I believe child me is the purest connection to my body and feelings without societal thinking (which I think is also important but has different roles) that came later.

So it started with no structure, and then plate by plate approach and then fully intuitive without structure again. For me it doesn't matter whether it's jumping between stuff or not. I actually like jumping back and forth because eventually I find my own place on the scale. The only thing that matters to me is to give the power to the little child me and stand up for him (myself) no matter what.

[susanhampton]

Sarah, I found you while looking for a meditation for binge eating. I was in OA and was abstinent from sugar for 6 months. Then, I had a whole brownie and back to the gates of hell. Boo!
So in ED clinic we are working on the "Diet Mentality Culture" voice. I had no idea how strong my neural pathways are! Wow! I am uncomfortable with 3 snacks a day. Then a therapist gently informed me I was in the restricting cycle when I didn't eat my snacks. Who Knew?! This is very normal for me. Having a healthy breakfast and snack so close to each other is foreign, yet helpful. They preach moderation and everything fits in a varied diet. Honestly, that scares me. But as each day passes, I am getting more comfortable in providing nutrients for my body. I think this will work better for the long-term. I will be listening to your meditations. Thank you. I've had binge eating disorder for 37 years. I m sick and tired of being sick in tired.

[waywrdsun]

Thanks, Sarah. I've been finding that planning my meals, as a first step, has made a real difference this week.

[missjuliette]

Omg! This is me right now! Thank you so much for this video!