Feb 08 2010 How can I lose weight if Ive got Binge eating disorder??

by Carmen
(Edinburgh)

Hello. I was diagnosed with BED by my doc two years ago and although I don’t binge eat as much as I used to (it used to be every day with trying to purge as well but I never could) I still cannot lose weight. I try not to restrict my calories too much coz I know that is part of the problem and I do try to exercise but not as much as I know I should. So please how can I lose weight?

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Feb 08 2010 How can I lose weight if Ive got Binge eating disorder??

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Feb 10, 2010

lose weight
by: Anonymous

Carmen, make sure you are drinking enough water and get some more exercise, even if its just walking a lot more. Every little counts and the fitter you get, the better you will feel. I have the same problem as you. But the more i feel bad about my weight the more i end up binge eating! Hope you continue not to binge! love, Jenni

Feb 08, 2010

Re: Losing weight with binge eating disorder?
by: Matt C

Hi Carmen …two things come to mind here,

First of all – you were diagnosed two years ago. That might sound like along time ago, but how long were you bingeing and trying to purge before getting diagnosed?

People can spend many years along their journey of recovery from eating disorders, so please continue to be patient with your self. It can help to look at how far you have come, rather than just on how far you feel you still have to go.

Secondly, as I am sure you are aware, concerns about weight and body shape are continual triggers for binge eating and other eating disorders, and it sounds like this may still be the case with yourself. You still need to make sure you have a healthy 'relationship with food' before concerning yourself about weight.

Working on our feelings of self worth and most importantly, self-acceptance is so important, especially for the maintenance of long term recovery. (you could read the classic ‘Fat is a Feminist Issue ‘ by Susie Orbach or many other books that discuss self esteem & body image work)

Focus on the positives of what you have already achieved – you are binge eating less and exercising more, so those are both important changes that will help improve your health irrespective of weight.. Perhaps you could identify other changes that you could work on next that would build on these achievements to help you along on your journey of recovery?

What actual support are you getting, or are you doing this on your own? And what else is going on in your life?

Try to focus on normal eating, following the healthy guidelines of the food pyramid as far as you can, and don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor again about your concerns if your weight is affecting your health. Make sure you are eating regular meals throughout the day and not restricting to make up for a binge. Once your eating pattern is stable, you can look to make further healthy changes such as portion sizes, reducing saturated fats, etc.
Also - make sure you are getting high quality nutrition in the meals you are having - protein with every meal, plenty of fruit and veg, and good oily fish for essential fats.

And once again….patience and self-acceptance…both so much easier to say than to do and feel…but both so important.

Please post back again soon to let us know how you are doing, or to ask more questions,

Best Wishes,
Matt C

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Feb 08, 2010
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Submitted by: Matt C

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Hi Carmen …two things come to mind here, First of all – you were diagnosed two years ago. That might sound like along time ago, but how long were you bingeing and trying to purge before getting diagnosed? People can spend many years along their journey of recovery from eating disorders, so please continue to be patient with your self. It can help to look at how far you have come, rather than just on how far you feel you still have to go. Secondly, as I am sure you are aware, concerns about weight and body shape are continual triggers for binge eating and other eating disorders, and it sounds like this may still be the case with yourself. You still need to make sure you have a healthy 'relationship with food' before concerning yourself about weight. Working on our feelings of self worth and most importantly, self-acceptance is so important, especially for the maintenance of long term recovery. (you could read the classic ‘Fat is a Feminist Issue ‘ by Susie Orbach or many other books that discuss self esteem & body image work) Focus on the positives of what you have already achieved – you are binge eating less and exercising more, so those are both important changes that will help improve your health irrespective of weight.. Perhaps you could identify other changes that you could work on next that would build on these achievements to help you along on your journey of recovery? What actual support are you getting, or are you doing this on your own? And what else is going on in your life? Try to focus on normal eating, following the healthy guidelines of the food pyramid as far as you can, and don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor again about your concerns if your weight is affecting your health. Make sure you are eating regular meals throughout the day and not restricting to make up for a binge. Once your eating pattern is stable, you can look to make further healthy changes such as portion sizes, reducing saturated fats, etc. Also - make sure you are getting high quality nutrition in the meals you are having - protein with every meal, plenty of fruit and veg, and good oily fish for essential fats. And once again….patience and self-acceptance…both so much easier to say than to do and feel…but both so important. Please post back again soon to let us know how you are doing, or to ask more questions, Best Wishes, Matt C

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