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Binge Eating Recovery
"Just stop it!" I scream at myself inside my head. I already know I don’t need to eat more—I’m uncomfortably full. But it feels like I’ve lost control of my body. Before I can even stop myself, I’m walking back to the pantry. I’ve eaten through the snacks I had planned, but it’s not enough. I need to find something else, anything else. I open another package of food, hating myself for doing it. The guilt is immediate. The shame is overwhelming.
I can’t talk to anyone about this. I’m certain people will judge me, or worse, they’ll say, "Just stop it!" as if it’s that simple. If it were that easy, I wouldn’t be in this position. Everyone else seems to know when to stop, so why can’t I? Why am I different? The anger and self-hatred I feel consume me. How did I lose control like this? How did my relationship with food become so painful?
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If these thoughts sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with their relationship with food, but it can feel like a lonely and shameful battle. Almost 3% of Americans will experience binge eating disorder (BED) in their lifetime, which is more than the combined number of people affected by anorexia and bulimia. Despite its prevalence, binge eating disorder remains one of the least talked about and least understood eating disorders.
Here’s the thing: binge eating is not a failure of willpower. It’s not about being "good" or "bad." It’s a complex coping mechanism—your body and mind’s way of trying to deal with stress, emotions, or life experiences that feel overwhelming. But what started as a way to manage discomfort has now taken over, leaving you feeling out of control and ashamed. It doesn’t have to be this way forever.
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What Does Recovery Look Like?
Recovery from binge eating disorder isn’t just about changing the behavior—it’s about healing the underlying issues that drive those behaviors. That’s why telling yourself to "just stop" doesn’t work. There are deeper layers of emotions, beliefs, and unmet needs that must be addressed to truly heal.
Recovery is not a linear process. In fact, it may involve bingeing as you work through the changes you’re making. The binges won’t disappear overnight, but over time, they’ll become less extreme and less frequent. You’ll begin to notice moments where you feel in control again, where food doesn’t have the same hold over you. It takes time, but you will get there.
Imagine a life where you’re no longer consumed by thoughts of food, guilt, or shame. A life where you can eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full, and feel at peace with your body. That life is possible, and you deserve it.
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Why Don’t People Seek Help?
For many, the fear of judgment is paralyzing. It’s hard to admit you need help when you’re afraid of what others might think. But here’s the truth: binge eating is not something to be ashamed of. It’s a sign that you’ve been trying to cope the best way you know how. In my practice, you will find a judgment-free zone, where your story is heard and your struggles are met with compassion, not criticism.
At Transformation Counseling, I specialize in working with individuals who are ready to change their relationship with food and their bodies. I understand the unique challenges that come with binge eating disorder, and I’m here to help you uncover the underlying patterns that keep you stuck. Together, we’ll work to build new ways of coping that don’t involve food, so you can live a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.
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Take the First Step
If you’re ready to reclaim your life and let go of the shame and guilt, now is the time to reach out. It’s okay to ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone. Schedule a consult with me today and let’s see if we’re a good fit to work together.
You deserve to feel free, to enjoy food without fear, and to live a life that’s not consumed by binge eating. Recovery is possible, and I’m here to guide you through it.
Body Image: A Timeline of Struggle and Hope
I’m 5 years old.
Mom says I can’t have dessert because I don’t “need” it. At my ballet recital, my dress is a size bigger than everyone else’s, and they place me in the back row. On the playground, I’m picked last because everyone knows I’m slower. If only I could lose weight, maybe I’d be in the front row, and I wouldn’t be picked last.
I’m 10 years old.
I got my period before the other girls. I love soccer, but they teased me so much last year that I didn’t join the team this time. The doctor tells me I need to lose weight every time I visit, and I can see the judgment in their eyes when I step on the scale. My parents say they’re just worried about my “health,” but they never make the foods I actually enjoy. If I could lose weight, maybe they wouldn’t be so worried, and I could eat what I like without feeling guilty.
I’m 15 years old.
No one asked me to the school dance. I wish I could go, but I don’t feel pretty in a dress. I’m terrified that if I show up, people will take pictures and post them online to make fun of me. I tell myself, "If I could just lose weight, I’d fit in. I’d finally be enough."
I’m 20 years old.
I’m an adult now, but I still feel like I don’t belong. I’ve posted positive things on social media, but it backfires when people mock my appearance. I tried going to the gym, but I feel everyone’s eyes on me, so I stay home. If I could lose some weight, maybe I’d feel better about myself. Maybe I’d have the confidence to go out.
I’m 25 years old.
Finding a job has been tough, and I had to move away from my family to make ends meet. Every time I go to the doctor, no matter the reason, they tell me to lose weight. I scroll through social media and see my friends getting married, looking beautiful in their dresses, and I wonder if that will ever be me. If only I could lose weight, I think, then I’d be happy. Then someone would love me.
I’m 30 years old.
Looking back at old pictures of myself, I wonder why I was so hard on the person I used to be. I wish I had appreciated my body more back then. I’ve tried dieting, but nothing sticks. I still tell myself, “If only I could lose weight, then I’d be happy.”
Does this timeline sound familiar?
If you find yourself relating to this journey, you are not alone. So many of us carry the burden of weight stigma. From an early age, society tells us that we need to fit into an impossible mold, a body type that less than 3% of the population ever achieves. And for those who don’t meet that standard, the message is clear: “You are not enough.”
But what if that’s a lie?
What if the issue isn’t your body, but the messages you’ve been fed your entire life? What if you could find peace and happiness without changing a single thing about your size? The truth is, you can.
I take a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach in my practice. This means that health, well-being, and happiness are not tied to the size of your body. Instead, we focus on healing your relationship with food, movement, and, most importantly, yourself. Imagine living free from the constant mental battle, free from shame, and learning to show compassion to the little girl who just wanted to fit in.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward repairing your relationship with your body, reach out today. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone, and you deserve to live a life filled with joy, no matter your size.
Schedule a consult and see if we’re a good fit for your recovery journey. Let’s work together to help you find peace within your own skin.
