by M.A. Dal Cero

Created on: May 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 31, 2009

Those of us who have been, or currently are, on a diet know that the occasional binge is inevitable. We may have been doing well on our diets for 2 weeks or 2 months when, suddenly, something within us snaps. We find ourselves raiding the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry in search of any food we can get our hands on. We eat cookies, cake, ice cream, and more until we feel sick to our stomachs, and even more sick about ourselves.

Binging can have a high emotional toll on the dieter. We tend to beat ourselves up over the slip, and unfortunately, some dieters choose to throw in the towel altogether. However, there are several ways in which to bounce back from a binge with renewed confidence and strength, and with a desire to continue on along the weight-loss journey.

-Acceptance

The key to overcoming any obstacle in life is acceptance, and this holds true for dieters as well. We binge, realize that it does not make us feel very good physically and emotionally, and we vow to never do it again. However, until we accept the binge for what it was and understand the reasons behind it, it is likely to happen again and again. We feel worse after every episode, and slowly but surely, our resolve weakens to the point of complete defeat. When we adopt an attitude of acceptance, the binge can be put in its proper perspective. Our thinking then changes in such a way that we discover that one hour, or even one entire day, of binging will not undo all of our efforts. Quite the contrary, it will likely have little detrimental effect if we hop right back up on the weight-loss wagon and move forward on our journey.

-Forgiveness

Dieters often berate themselves mercilessly for binging. There are many individuals, dieters and non-dieters alike, who struggle to attain perfection at all costs. The fact of the matter is that all humans are imperfect, and we will all have days in which we do not meet the standards we set for ourselves. Dieting often consists of a series of starts and stops, and there will be times when we will not maintain our healthy eating plans. However, as long as that one day does not turn into days and then weeks, there is not much cause for concern. We are now aware of the causes of the binge, and have accepted that it happened. The next essential step is simply to forgive ourselves and start anew immediately.

-Strategy Development

This is the point in which dieters must discover and utilize strategies that will prevent future binges. First and foremost, dieters have a tendency to allow themselves to become ravenously hungry simply by not eating often enough. Eating small, frequent meals throughout the course of a day keeps us satisfied, and in less danger of binging out of pure hunger. Furthermore, when any dieter feels deprived of a food, it automatically becomes a trigger food that will eventually result in a binge. The most effective diets are those in which no food is forbidden, but rather, all foods are enjoyed in the proper portions. This prevents feelings of deprivation, and significantly lessens the chance that a binge will occur. We are then able to enjoy all foods in moderation, without feeling as though we fell off the dieting wagon once again.

All in all, dieting can be a difficult process for many individuals. However, with understanding, awareness, and a bit of planning, dieting can become a positive experience with wonderful rewards, rather than one clouded with frustration and difficulty.

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