Naturally Thin Forum

When will the overeating stop?

 
Jun 21, 2010 08:41am
lu21
Total Posts: 5

Hi Everyone…


I’m new to this forum and to Jean’s books. Just to tell you a little about me… I am 24 but have had an eating disturbance for many years. After years of binge eating on junk food and hardly ever eating any Real Foods, I decided to go on a diet. Over 6 months I lost around 30 kgs - by starving myself and excessive exercise. I was very underweight. I tried getting help from a dietician but the loss of control was all too much to handle. I was ‘safe’ where I was. I knew I had to gain weight and eat normally but I think part of me knew I would lose control once I let go even a little. And that kept me underweight.

I have let go - and it has now been around 6 weeks since reading Breaking Out. I have gained weight pretty rapidly… it is awful and the temptation to not eat is always there. For Jean or anyone, I have a question in regards to overeating. I know I am coming out of the cycle - I have starved myself for a number of years (both when I was over and under weight) and my body is just reacting normally by trying to prepare for the next famine. But I think I am eating too much. My hunger has not really died down - in fact it has gotten more persistant. I am craving carbs and have really cut back on the salad and vegetables that I used to eat all the time.

My overeating is worrying me. Will I always have a problem with overeating from now on?

     
Jun 23, 2010 12:36pm
naturally thin
Total Posts: 381

Dear lu,

Your understanding of the Naturally Thin principles is impressive.  I hope you review them regularly so you remember what’s happening and why.  It is disturbing, and tempting to go back, but going back is a dead end, a trap. 

Your overeating feels like too much to you but I doubt it really is too much for your body’s recovery.  It is amazing to see the body recover from famine,  and then prepare for it again.  It’s awesome, in fact.  But it is also frustrating and frightening to people in Food Jail. 

I encourage you to stick to what you know, trust your body’s wisdom, determine never to violate its needs and rights again and eat well every single day.  You can break out of Food Jail and there is a whole new life for you out there.

Jean