How to Stop Bingeing After Going Out With Friends
Becky is normally a healthy eater and exercises regularly. She isn’t overweight, but would love to lose a few pounds. She also knows that if she stopped her periodic binges the weight would likely take care of itself.
Becky has also read Foodist and Summer Tomato, and knows that dieting isn’t a good strategy and that she has a tendency to moralize her food choices in a way that undermines her efforts. Yet she doesn’t know how to stop and continues trying to use willpower to both change her beliefs and stop her bingeing, which clearly is not working. She often finds herself bingeing at night after going out with her husband and friends, consuming thousands of calories at a time and feeling horrible the next day.
Knowing that your beliefs are counterproductive isn’t enough to change them, and willpower isn’t the answer. Reshaping your beliefs is difficult and you can hear in Becky’s voice how hard it is for her internalize the idea that pleasure is a valid reason to eat. Her experience to date has only shown her that she loses control around these foods and feels bad afterward, so it is almost impossible for her to see at this stage how a middle ground is possible.
In this episode I help Becky recognize the fundamental limitations of her approach and develop a strategy to start to unravel her rigid belief that she should only eat for fuel and nutrition. There are multiple issues she needs to work on, but she’ll have a much greater chance at success with this new approach.
Wish you had more time to listen to the podcast? I use an app called Overcast (no affiliation) to play back my favorite podcasts at faster speeds, dynamically shortening silences in talk shows so it doesn’t sound weird. It’s pretty rad.
Related links:
No, You Don’t Deserve That Indulgence Today
Listen:
If you’d like to be a guest on the show, please fill out the form here and tell us your story.
I really resignate with this episode. I’m so thankful for your guests that share their story, and also that you share your talent of helping people work thru their struggles. I listen to all your podcasts. And typically find a lot of aha moments in them. So thankful and appreciative
Darya, that podcast is awesome!! Thankyou so much . I can totally relate to Becky and listening to the podcast has helped me so much . I didn’t think I moralise my food choices but this has really made me think and I see that I have been doing so . Another brilliant , insightful , and helpful podcast .
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou
This is my number one problem when I go out! Thanks for the share, will be sure to use your advice.
This is a great episode. The idea of “enjoying the journey” has never resonated with me for some reason, I have always wanted to arrive. But today it clicked for whatever reason.
Darya, can you share what workout gloves you’re using? I don’t lift especially heavy weights so I’m sure I’ll feel douchey in them, but I’m getting callouses!
Hi Leigh,
At the moment I’m using these gloves, which work well for me. I have small hands and they run a bit small, so keep that in mind if you order them. I need new ones every 2-3 years.
Darya