I hope you enjoy her post!
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Guest Post: Faith Fitness Fun
Hi PBF readers! My name is Tina, the face behind Faith Fitness Fun – a blog telling it like it is on a wide variety of topics and making the most of this little thing we call life. You can find me falling more in love with running every day, working towards my Body After Baby progress goals, sharing crazy stories about my life and striving to produce a motivational and fun community for us blog lovers.
As Julie is one of my dearest “blends”, I figured I could put my jealousy of her Europe travels aside and help her keep all you fabulous readers entertained. Or, so I hope. Now, I have something to tell you.
I’m a recovered binger.
I have hidden food and scrambled to eat as much as I could when a moment by my lonesome presented itself. I have bought whole packages of cookies, candy, donuts, and more to eat in my car when driving home. I have eaten so much food I felt ill, but not had the strength to stop shoving more in my mouth. That used to be me. That used to be my existence.
Now, I have found balance.
I have found the joy in eating healthy…most of the time -because what’s life without dessert? I have discovered the fun that exercise can hold when not used as a punishment technique. I can eat “intuitively” (cake included) and still make progress in finding my body’s “happy place.”
I receive more emails asking how I stopped binging than any other topic related to my blog. While I am not a professional, I can happily offer what helped me. In a topic not openly discussed nearly enough, I hope to offer some solace and guidance to anyone reading with their own food struggles. So, here is my personal path to recovery from binging…
Moments of Peace
I made an effort to start each day with a positive mantra – “I have the strength to honor and respect my body. I have the strength to not turn to food for comfort. Taking some time to direct my thoughts to a positive place, to something that provided a source of strength, helped me to begin overcoming such struggles.”
Realize Your Worth
When I conceived my daughter and realized that the actions I took no longer only impacted myself, I found new motivation to care for my body by not binging. I was an example to her. Now, I also see the impact I can have on others through sharing my story and blogging. Focusing on your strengths and the impact you have can motivate you to care for yourself more.
Look At The Bigger Picture
If you were given a diagnosis of one month to live right now, would you really worry so much about your body? Who approaches their death bed wishing to weigh 10 pounds lighter, showcase a perkier booty,or have flatter abs? Trying to restrict food to achieve such goals does not satisfy us because it is not what matters in life. Therefore, we feel empty physically and emotionally. Fill yourself emotionally with the important facets of life and you likely will find less desire for the emotional eating.
Lose the Rules & Embrace the Fear
I used to have so many food rules. Once I stopped listing foods as good or bad and opened myself up to everything, food had less power over me. I admit that when I “allowed” myself to eat anything, I did go overboard at first. Too many people find themselves in that situation and then don’t believe they will ever stop. Embrace that fear and believe you will find balance. After a short time, I realized I didn’t care for many of the things on which I used to binge. I craved healthy staples and could satisfy myself with reasonable portions of my favorite treats. Food no longer had the control.
Don’t Give Up
The above is not to say that after a few weeks’ time I no longer faced binges. I still had numerous occasions pop up where stress would get to me and I would suddenly find myself digging into a jar of peanut butter or grabbing a box of sweets from the bakery, despite a lack of hunger. Instead of trying to “make up for it” by restricting myself the next day or loading on the cardio, I told myself it was okay. I reminded myself it’s a process and picked up with normal living right away.
Find Other Distractions
To this day, I still occasionally have the urge to binge. Sometimes the emotions, stress, and fatigue of a day present too much a challenge to face and evaluate right away. When that happens, I find other ways to comfort myself instead of food. Things like blog reading, household tasks, going for a run, or watching some mindless TV.
Make Health Fun
Finally, finding a way to love healthy living made a big difference in overcoming my binge tendencies. I took a long, hard look at what exercise inspired me and left me with that natural high. Now, I happily work out lifting weights, running, and taking spinning classes because they excite me. I made an effort to make eating fun. I don’t feel deprived when eating things like Lemon Raspberry Muffins, BBQ Wraps, flavorful salads, huge bowls of oats, healthy “ice-cream”, and delicious smoothies.
Plus, I keep in mind that I don’t have to eat “perfectly”. I focus on eating these things 80% of the time and make room to enjoy other favorites (I have a killer sweet tooth) the rest of the time – guilt free.
You don’t have to continue with food struggles. Believe in yourself each and every day. Your body deserves the best you can give it. And you have the power. You deserve happiness. Take it.
Thanks for listening! Don’t be afraid to stop by and say hello in my neck of the woods!
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Love this post! Lots of good advice especially the part about looking at the bigger picture! It was a really good way to put it all in perspective! I also really enjoy your blog!!
Thanks you!
Cara!
Thanks for such a real post Tina! Could identify with your tips a lot as I too went through an all-or-nothing approach. It’s so true: look at the bigger picture…sums it all!
Tina, Thank you so much for this post! I have been caught in the starve/binge cycle for years now. Everyday is a struggle for me, but running is what really has started to bring me to recovery. Thank you for sharing these strategies with us…I am definitely going to check out your blog!
LOVE THIS Tina!! I used to be a big binger too, and I definitely agree that losing the rules and looking at the bigger picture are SO IMPORTANT! When I relaxed more around food and realised there were more important things in life than how I looked, everything fell into place 🙂
Love you Tina, you’re AMAZING!! 😀
I <3 You Tina!!
Loved this guest post!!! 😀
You are so inspiring!
What a great post! Thanks for showing us all that changes are possible, but that slip ups happen along the way. It’s inspirational, but in an attainable way.
This made me cry! I can relate! Once I conceived my son I realized that I needed to respect my body with healthy choices,and I feel much better when I do!
Great guest post! I can totally relate. And truthfully, I’m still working on not binge eating every now and then. It’s great to read about someone that overcame this issue 🙂
Hi Julie and Tina!
Julie-I have recently come across your blog and it has become on of my favorites! I hope to start a blog soon and I get increasingly motivated by your enthusiasm.
Tina-I too know the frustration of binging but I would like to share a book I have just started reading with you and everyone else struggling. The book is called “Naturally Thin” by Jean Antonello. It’s a self titled “anti-diet” book and her approach is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s simple and makes a ton of sense. Here is the website for anyone interested: http://www.naturally-thin.com/. Thanks for sharing your story!
Becca
Thanks for such an awesome guest post, Tina. I too have had struggles of binging in my past – and starting off in the blog world really helped me to become a stronger person. I love reading other stories – other pointers.. to help keep my on the right path!
Oh man, Tina, I had no idea you were once a binge eater. You’re so healthy now, I’d never have guessed it. I love all of these tips. And the 80/20 rule is the best… though at the holidays I think it’s more 70/30. Or 60/40… 🙂
Or 20/80 as the case may be. Hey – holidays are meant for sweets! Haha! 😉
Thank you SO much for that post today. I am a recovering binger myself, and have been struggling with old habits ‘creeping’ up. It’s something that I needed today! 🙂
I love this post, Tina! Your story really resonates with me. I’ve been there, and still have days where I struggle to find that healthy balance. What you wrote about looking about the bigger picture is what helps me most. I often think, “if today was my last day, would I be happy about the way I went about living it?” If my answer is no because I’ve spent too much time obsessing about what not to eat, or feeling guilty about what I DID eat, I’m more able to refocus and remember what is truly important in life.
“I have the strength to honor and respect my body. I have the strength to not turn to food for comfort…” <–Thanks for sharing your positive healthy body mantra! I'll be using this when I need it. 🙂
Julie, I just read your Rome recap…So glad you're enjoying yourself!
Great post! I cant wait to check out your blog 🙂
Visiting from the link that Tina tweeted. This is a great post, and I’m glad that you’ve developed such a healthy and positive view of food- and that you can still enjoy cake:)
Thank you so much for sharing this. I struggle with binge eating and I am working towards a healthier approach to food every day. I have my good days and and less then good ones but I try to pick up and move on remembering that progress is an accomplishment even if I slip up. Your tips are very helpful!
TIna, you’re awesome!
I love your blog Tina — you are so inspiring!
Great post Tina! I’ve found that not having an all or nothing mentality is so important for any struggles I have.
Great guest post Tina! I love the choice of topic… such a common struggle, great to hear other tips and perspectives on it!
Thank you for this Tina! I have struggled with cycles of restricting and binging, and an ‘all or nothing’ mentality as well. Great post and real tips–thanks!
What a great post Tina! So glad to have found your blog. You are such a great inspiration to me especially since I deal with the same struggle with binge eating.
Ahhhh Tina, you are incredible for sharing your story so openly, and for putting yourself out there for the greater good of helping others. This topic is so hush-hush, but it’s obviously something that so many peoples struggle with! Thank you for being such a great role model (and thank you Julie, for having such amaaaazing blends guestpost on your blog)!!!!
What a wonderful post. I am so glad you were a guest blogger today! I needed to see this post! I have just started blogging-I guess you could say it is one of my distraction techniques to keep myself from binging! I am excited to visit your blog and follow your journey! Thank you!!!!
Love this post-Julie and Tina are two of my favorite bloggers!
Thank you for sharing!
Great post! How did I not find your blog sooner?!? *bookmarked*
AMAZINg post- i can relate 100%.. I used to binge eat and restrict.. it was a horrible cycle.. thank you for writing about this issue Tina!!!
Such and inspiring post! Thank you for this!
This is such a great/helpful/inspirational post, Tina! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
What a wonderful post, Tina! I think this is something that so many of us have struggled with or still do struggle with. It’s all about balance and self-worth for me. When I feel like I might binge, I try to talk myself down. You know–how am I going to feel if I do this? Is it going to make me feel better? What am I really feeling and how do I want to feel? Thanks so much for sharing here! XO
Amazing post. Made me cry! I think this issue is so relatable for so many people and there is so much guilt and shame involved. I love your blog and thank you for doing what you do!
I can relate to intense emotions when able to relate to someone. I hope you have a great weekend! And you’re right – there should be no shame. We all have our own struggles…and we need to cheer each other on to overcoming them.
this post was so inspiring! hearing stories like this help me to really face things that I am personally dealing with, because I see that people have overcome similar issues! thanks girl!
Thank you so much for this guest post. This is exactly what I needed to read today!
SUCH an inspiring post. Thank you, Tina 🙂
thanks for letting tina post Julie! she is amazing and so inspiring. This post was a great read and left me feeling so encouraged. Cheers!
LC
This was such a great guest post, and Tina I am so checking out your blog!
Tina, thank you so much for posting about your recovery from bingeing.
I am a recovering anorexic who gave up MANY of my rules about food, but I still do have many ‘fear foods’ listed, I guess you could say.
Over Christmas I allowed myself to have some of these. It led to major overeating (bingeing). I’ve been struggling with bingeing on and off ever since.
What you said about moving on the day after a binge and not restricting was great for me to read today since I actually binged last night :/
And why did I binge last night? Because my calorie total was around 1000 for the day and I had done a 4 mile tempo + warmup/cooldown running. I needed calories. Sometimes it’s just hard to stop because I feel like I won’t ever allow myself to eat like that again..
Anyway, I’m trying to recover from binge eating just like I overcame anorexia. It’s tough balancing the two, and I don’t want either of the EDs to stick around.
Once again, thank you so much for this post. I’m about to check out your blog now! <3
And Julie, I love your blog! I just started reading, and your passion for food, fitness, and life is just so fun 🙂
Awesome, inspirational post Tina!
This post really hit home with me. I am in the process of recovering from binge eating and it can be scary and overwhelming at times. No one in my “real” life knows about my struggle with food, and it can be a lonely battle. I am happy to say that I am starting to get a hold of my binging, but I am still scared that I will spiral back into old habits. I still occasionally binge, but as you said – I no longer restrict and beat myself up over it the next day. I try to remind myself that this is a long journey and I won’t be perfect.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s always refreshing and comforting to know you are not alone.
Amazing post! Really helpful stuff! I’m currently struggling with binge eating and overweight in general, and then with all the guilt and rubbish feelings that follow. I’m definitely going to be trying out some of your tips x
I love Tina! She is awesome and truly inspiring! She inspires me everytime I read her blog! Thanks for allowing her to guest post on your blog!
what a great blog! even if someone doesnt binge eat, these is great adivce for everyone. That we just need to live life, enjoy the time we have here, but the same time take care of ourselves! I love this!
Thanks for guest-posting this, Tina! (And to Julie, for asking you to!). As another recovering binge eater, I really love reading other peoples’ experiences with this “secret monster” and how they managed to overcome them. I think there are a lot more of us out there than most people know; like you mentioned, the majority of the emails I get are about my binge struggles, and the posts where I talk about my progress are far and away the most viewed and discussed. Thank you for sharing your tips with us!
Thank you SO much for this post! I can relate 100%. I’m currently working through my own binge issues and have started to love working out again and am not worrying so much about what I’m eating. I can’t wait to start following your blog and get even more inspired!
Aw Tina what a great guest post!
Thank you SO much for this, I can’t but words to how touching and motivating it was to read
Thank you so much for the great post! I find it so admirable when someone can open up and share things that others may be afraid to admit to. You obviously see that you have helped a lot of people and that deserves a huge pat on the back! You are very inspiring and I am excited to read your blog 🙂