Let’s talk about something that may be hard to hear. When you want to make changes to your health, it’s not as easy as just deciding to change. Many of our behaviors are rooted in habit, unconscious beliefs, and have a lot to do with the way we think about ourselves.
Nutrition counseling to change behaviors, thoughts, and feelings about food is a process for sure. But good news is that you CAN change your relationship with food.
When I tell clients that this journey is full of ups and downs, I know that comes with mixed emotions.
It’s hard to hear that these things take time and sometimes come with uncomfortable feelings as you’re tackling change. But another part of you may be relieved to hear that others struggle with the same types of behaviors as they go through the same process.
Hear me out: Just because you may understand WHY you binge, that doesn’t mean you will automatically stop. It takes some time to truly understand all the things that create a binge, and also takes time to try to cope in different ways so bingeing isn’t your go-to anymore. Many of my clients need multiple “tools in their tool belt” when going through the healing process and will go through some “trial and error” when it comes to their individual situations. That’s okay!
When it comes to your individual plan for healing your relationship with food, your plan WILL change as you figure out what really works for you. But when you get thrown off and a binge happens, self-compassion is key to bring you back to what works for you. This is a crucial step in figuring out how to navigate a binge. People who are successful in healing their relationship with food recognize that uncomfortable thoughts and feelings are signs inviting us to look deeper.
One of the best ah-ha moments for many clients is when they learn to think about a binge as a sign that something is going on in their lives. Maybe their self-care is disrupted. Maybe they didn’t eat enough during the day. Maybe they are not handling their emotions in a way that works.
Whatever it is, consider “messing up” as a signal something is going on. You can always get back to healing. Food peace is possible.
Jennifer is a Registered Dietitian and the owner of Eat With Knowledge in Nyack, NY. She is on a mission to help people heal from diets, and find peace and balance with their food choices. She leads a team of dietitians who support the philosophy, “Feel Fabulous about Food!”