Binge eating is a vicious cycle. I have worked with a number of people who are or were trapped in it. Stopping the cycle takes looking at the cause of it. A person must work with someone who focuses on mental health. However, there is a path to improved mental health, eating, health, and life overall.
This is not a place to shame someone. It goes beyond saying that a person “just needs will power.” Will power is part of it, but it goes deeper, which is why the help of a mental health professional is important.
Overeating versus binge eating
Overeating and binge eating are not the same. Both are issues someone can struggle with, but the latter is a pathological issue.
Binge eating is not an issue where someone overeats due to lack of self control. The National Institute of Mental Health notes:
“ People with binge-eating disorder lose control over his or her eating. Unlike bulimia nervosa, periods of binge-eating are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. As a result, people with binge-eating disorder often are overweight or obese. Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S.
Symptoms include:
- Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as a 2-hour period
- Eating even when you’re full or not hungry
- Eating fast during binge episodes
- Eating until you’re uncomfortably full
- Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment
- Feeling distressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating
- Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss”
As with clinical mental/emotional disorders, treatment through therapy is often advised, and part of that process will include engaging in positive nutrition habits.
I have worked with a number of people who have mental issues that legitimately prevent them from seeing the best success they can. Binge eating is one of them. I have seen people struggle, cry, and give up. This is not a mere matter of motivation. It is something deeply rooted in them that has to be addressed and is a daily struggle.
Be understanding. Try to learn more. Above all else, be compassionate.
Binge eating affects men and women
Eating disorder happen in men and women. Most of the societal focus in the US is on women. On the surface, data suggests that more women suffer from eating disorders than men. That might not be true.
The difference in the number of men vs women who experience eating disorders may come down, at least partially, to stigma against men having such conditions, and underreporting by men and their doctors.
That second one is just as important as the first. Literally suggests that even doctors carry some kind of bias against men have eating disorders, and may as a result, misdiagnose such issues.
According to https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
“about one in three people struggling with an eating disorder is male, and subclinical eating disordered behaviors (including binge eating, purging, laxative abuse, and fasting for weight loss) are nearly as common among men as they are among women.”
We live in a society where men are not supposed to have issues such as depression or eating disorders, to be victims of abuse. This is not reality and some men you know, may be suffering from these issues, whether you want to believe so or not.
Be aware. Be compassionate. Be understanding. And above all, be willing to help.
Eating disorders do not have a body type or size
Eating disorders do not have a look. Some people think “fat” people have an eating disorder, some people think “skinny” people have eating disorders, some people think both have eating disorders, and some people think neither have eating disorders and instead just lack motivation.
This is the wrong way to think.
You cannot look at someone and say that person does or does not have an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a pathological condition, that is, it is a clinically diagnosable mental health condition.
You are not a doctor.
Even if you were, you would not be able to diagnose without taking a detailed history and mental assessment of the person in question.
Understand that disordered eating is a difficult thing for a person who experiences it, and bias, negative, shaming, etc., do more harm than good.
Eating disorders can and do affect people of any gender, race, age, status, etc.
Be aware. Be understanding. Be helpful. In this way you can help them see progress. You can be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
A path forward
Binge eating is a vicious cycle. I have worked with a number of people who are or were trapped in it. Stopping the cycle takes looking at the cause of it, which is beyond the services I can offer. A person must work with someone who focuses on mental health. However, there is a path to improved mental health, eating, health, and life overall.
That said, part of the process for someone to lose weight and get health will circle back around to dietary changes and exercise. In this aspect, I can help someone, and I do understand how hard this cycle can be.
This is not a place to shame someone. It goes beyond saying that a person “just needs will power.” Will power is part of it, but it goes deeper, which is why the help of a mental health professional is important.
But I can help the client focus on nutrition and exercise in a guilt free training process. I have been, and can be, part of the solution.
And that is it. Have questions? Let me know on social media. You can click the links here, or just look up Nathan DeMetz Personal Training on Facebook and Instagram.
Nathan DeMetz holds degrees in Exercise Science, Business Administration, and Information Technology as well as certifications in strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, run coaching, and other areas. His credentials come from organizations such as Indiana Wesleyan University, Ivy Tech College, Utah State University, and the ISSA College of Exercise Science.
Nathan has 20 years of personal and professional experience in the health and fitness world. He works with people from across the globe, including locations such as Kuwait, Australia, and the USA.
To work with Nathan directly on your personal training goals, contact him today!