Binge Eating: A Simpler Solution

A Harvard study came out this week showing that binge eating disorder is more common than either anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Because of its direct link to severe obesity and other serious health effects, the study also calls binge eating disorder a “major public health burden.” (Binge Eating More Common Than Other Eating Disorders)

NPR mentioned this study on its newscasts and spoke to a therapist who said the solution was psychotherapy and antidepressants.

I say, not necessarily so. And I think experts in the field (Kathy Bowes, Kay Sheppherd) would agree.

It’s been my experience that binge eating is caused by an apparent bio-chemical situation I have going on, where certain foods trigger me to overeat—overeat in a big, big way. (Before finding my solution, 2-pounder bags of peanut M & Ms were my “food of choice” and consumed over several hours during a day.)

My trigger foods are sugar, wheat and aspartame. I gave them up three years ago and haven’t binged—as long as they aren’t in my system. And I live a calmer, lighter and more joy-filled life—without therapy or anti-depressants.

Now, I’m not going all “Tom Cruise” about this—I believe therapy and medications have their place. But to me, their addition seems like a more drastic one rather than the simple solution of eliminating the foods that trigger a binge.

What do you think?

Day 13: Weight Moves in Mysterious Ways

This Saturday morning at Horton Plaza wasn't exactly as exhilarating as it was last week.

I weighed the same, 265. Actually, it looks like it's up 1/4 a pound.

This is after a week where I ate a little bit less than last week and exercised more.

What gives?

Who knows -- as Alice, my Weight Watchers leader back in Pa. used to say, "Weight moves in mysterious ways."

In the past I've not been big on regular weigh-ins of myself--I don't own a scale. This time it's different, though, because whatever the scale says, I'm committed to doing the same thing of 1,500 calories or less daily and at least four hours of "sweaty" exercise a week. So whatever the scale says, doesn't really concern me because it doesn't change my actions.

When something I desire doesn't show up on my timeframe, I say that it's "to be revealed." It's created somewhere and is in transit to me now. Maybe in a mysterious way, but definitely in a way!

Finally! Some "Before" Pictures

Finally uploaded some pix from the weekend in Portland. Here's one of Marji & myself in front of a sign for another conference. Can you believe we actually found one that said 90 Day Challenge only 2 days before our 90 Day Challenge began? I can--I'm not surprised by miracles anymore! ;)

Next up is me with Mat Boggs, of the movie Project Everlasting and an upcoming CW sit-com with title to be determined...Simon & Schuster has agreed to publish Mat's first book, based on his documentary. Mat & his co-author, Jason Miller, (another total cutie patootie, btw) agreed to let me interview them later this year for a teleseminar I'm doing about book promotion. (Check out my work site to learn more.)

SBF Marji has some great pics at her blog too -- make sure you check it out and comment on her '80s cow outfit. It's udderly cool!

Miss USA Tara Conner 'Gets' Addiction Recovery

Matt Lauer reported on The Today Show this morning that Tara Conner, the beleaguered partier Miss USA who nearly caused Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell come to blows, is out of rehab for alcoholism.

Before, I really didn't care one way or the other if she kept her crown or celebrity status or whatever, but after hearing her on The Today Show, I'm drawn to her corner. She is indicating that rehab for alcohol addiction has changed her life, saying, "Before I felt like I was floating, and I was looking for someone to pull me down."

I know exactly what she means. Before finding "The Road Less Traveled With Food," I described myself as being in a "fog." The thing is, we can be suffering so in that fog, and trying to find our way, not knowing that there is a solution, but looking aimlessly for something to pull us down.

I found my solution a little over three years ago by literally putting it out to the Universe through my prayer partners. I was probably around 320 or so at that point, had gotten another big part of my life back on track and had the feeling "it's time" to do something about the weight.

A few days after and I welcomed Kathy Bowes and her program into my life.

After a few months of education and then 28 days of being "clean" of sugar, wheat and aspartame, the fog I was in, the fog I was fighting, the fog I didn't even know was holding me back from living a life more in tune with Spirit, lifted! Ahhhhh! I felt--and feel-- so good! And I didn't know I could feel so good just by abstaining from those substances!

Tara Conner seems to have that same glow and feeling. I think she "gets it." That's so cool, don't you think?