How long should it take to overcome disordered eating? Why do I still struggle with disinhibited eating? I know why. I have relied on these coping skills my whole life. Of course, I can’t sever these neurological connections overnight. When I’m sad, lonely, and bored, I eat. Then, the guilt I feel makes it worse. The cycle repeats. In the last three years, I have had success challenging these behaviors. I can recognize when I’m reverting to unhealthy habits. While I still experience these episodes of disordered eating. My awareness has enabled me to regain control and transform negative energy into positive actions.
I do it by analyzing myself and the situation. Am I hungry right now? Why do I want this food? Do I need this large of a portion? Why am I still eating when I am full? What situations or feelings are triggering this behavior? Will eating make me feel better? If not, What can I do differently? I take these challenges as lessons and write about them. It positively helps me.
I often preach about balancing eating “healthily” and enjoying “unhealthy” foods. It is necessary to recognize when you are no longer enjoying a portion of an “unhealthy” treat but overindulging. Once you know this, hold yourself accountable and healthily correct yourself. It is also necessary not to punish yourself. Healing your relationship with food should not be a punishment for fatness. These journeys are best when balanced. I hold myself accountable by asking these questions and taking positive actions to feel better. I know overeating will not make me feel better. It makes no sense to keep reacting to triggers the same way when I know they’re unhelpful.
It is a long process that doesn’t correct overnight. You must trust the process, pick yourself up, and make the next best decision. Don’t let one misstep knock you completely off track. Looking back for too long will slow your progress. See what you need to see and move on. Focus on taking actions that positively propel you forward to progress. The time it takes to move forward is less important than the progression. I have made progress, and for that, I should be proud.
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