Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Living in the binge

Today I binged - now usually this would involve feelings of numbness and or guilt but today I took the advice of Geneen Roth and 'lived in my binge'. I could feel it coming my heart starting racing and I get restless, almost panicky - so I took a deep breath and had a chat with myself
'okay Bex, a binge is coming on do you want to go with it''
'Yes!'
'okay lets go with it but maybe this time lets try to be more concious of what we are feeling?'
So I brought my chips, donuts and chocolate - all the time being aware of what I was feeling and what my thoughts were. Then I got home laid out the food and began to eat. I knew I was eating in response to something emotional so why was I eating?
So now I had to go back in time to figure out why I was feeling the way I was and what I was turning to food for. In Geneen Roth's book she talks about there always being a trigger for a binging session and to find it we have to sort through what has happened and find the trigger.
Something that I thought was just triggered today because I felt like the big whale at the pilates class I went to this morning actually went back to yesterday morning and a project I am involved in setting up a Montessori school - with the project I feel like I am not being listened to yet I am also expected to do more than my share even though I am the only one with children including a young baby at home. So my binge today was caused by my feelings yesterday of being stretched too far and for me food is the only thing that doesn't want something from me and allows me to switch off.
So today yes I binged but today I was awake during the binge and discovered a feeling that I think has been buried for awhile so now what to do about it and you know what it starts with asking my husband to look after the kids while I have a long needed nap and time out.

4 comments:

Kate said...

Fantastic work!! You are doing great :-)

Margaret said...

WOW. This is a real eye opener. It is tough to look inside and really work out what you are feeling and why. Well done Bex.

And way to go with Pilates as well :D

14pk said...

WOW you go girl!!!!!! inspirational!!

Gothic Writer said...

HI, Bex; I'm really enjoying your blog! I'm much like you... a mom who has used food for my whole life but especially for these last 4 stressful years. I gave up dieting a little over a year ago, gained some weight. My bingeing is way down to once a month now... and my weight is stable. I'm glad you're on this journey. Check out my blog, too... I'll be reading yours :). We can beat this demon...