I read a post by a weight loss blogger this morning. He is struggling with binge eating. He says he is ready to lose weight....has been ready. He feels powerless.
I don't think he understands that it is a choice.
We have to make tough choices in our lives each and every day. You make a choice to binge eat yet many people swear a powerful force makes them do it. That's not true.
Binge eating is an addiction just like drugs or alcohol. The hard part is that we must eat to survive so complete abstinence is not possible. Although it is quite possible to avoid the foods that normally trigger binges (sugar and grains), I know that some people can binge on anything, even broiled chicken breast.
The key is to be honest with yourself. Ask yourself, "Are you hungry?" If the answer is no (or even "I'm not sure"), drink a large glass of water and set a time for ten minutes before asking yourself the question again. If a salad still sounds really good, you are most likely hungry. If donuts sound good...you most likely are not hungry. Walk away from the kitchen.
If you aren't hungry and still want to eat, go brush your teeth, take a walk, call a friend, etc. Make the choice not to eat when you aren't hungry. Do this every day and know that it may get easier to make the right choices but it will still be a struggle. You are not powerless....you just need to make the right choice.