Are You the Latest Model of the Hoover Vacuum?
A look at binge eating
Admit it. You have made the list. Looked through.jpg)
numerous food magazines, books, and have even looked up recipes online. Walked through the grocery store aisle after aisle, looking at every shelf and dreaming up what you are going to eat. You have also watched people eat their non-competition meals obsessively and even went so far as to ask if you can just have a smell. Counted down the days left until either your next cheat meal or what you plan to eat the night of or day after your competition. Come now. I know I am not the only one who has done this when I have had to go on a diet for either a show or a photo-shoot prep.
What is it with us though? What makes us all of a sudden snap and become obsessive with food? We live a healthy lifestyle all year round yet when prep time comes and we have to clean up what we are eating, we seem to become a whole other person. We understand portion control, we preach eating healthy and clean, but also moderation of foods we like. We can even have this nose in the air way about us when we see others eat 'bad' foods because we know the effects. Yet somewhere along the line there is this break in our thoughts and beliefs and we turn into a food vacuum. Now I am not talking about just pick here and there a bit. No, we literally inhale a crap-load of food that is on the 'bad' list and stuff our faces. And why? What happens? Who are we?
Welcome to what has been termed as binge eating. Binge eating is nothing new when you think about it. It is where one sits down and eats an unbelievable amount of food to the point of beyond stuffed.
The term binge eating has been described as“a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food. Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. But for some people, overeating crosses the line to bing.jpg)
e-eating disorder and it becomes a regular occurrence, shrouded in secrecy.
When you have bingeeating disorder, you may be deeply embarrassed about gorging and vow to stop. But you feel such a compulsion that you can't resist the urges and continue binge eating.”
Source: Mayo Clinic
As well"as a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is sometimes a symptom of binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating disorder. During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an excessive amount of food. Most people who have eating binges try to hide this behavior from others, and often feel ashamed about being overweight or depressed about their overeating. Although people who do not have any eating disorder may occasionally experience episodes of overeating, frequent binge eating is often a symptom of an eating disorder.
About one in five young women report that they have had binge-eating symptoms, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Women account for about 60% of binge-eating disorder symptoms.
Binge-eating disorder, as the name implies, is characterized by uncontrollable, excessive eating, followed by feelings of shame and guilt. Unlike those with bulimia, those with binge-eating disorder symptoms typically do not purge their food. However, many who have bulimia also have binge-eating disorder."
Source: Wikipedia
Regardless of reading this information and having an understanding of what a binge is, some will still find a way to justify the behavior to themselves and others. I know that I have heard that the increase in calories will help rev up the metabolism, that a binge is one way to shock the system and that the extra calories will break a plateau. Certain people even believe this cheat/binge is good for a person's mental state. And you know what, I am sure there could be some truth to these words of advice, but why not do a clean cheat or binge and increase calories with a larger portion of protein, carbs and healthy fats?
It is scary how we can justify anything to ourselves. This is where the binge eating disorder is becoming a more commonly known and considered issue within the fitness industry among competitors.
Just as a bit of helpful advice and/or information, the Mayo Clinic offers the followinginformation related to binge eating.
Symptoms
You may have no obvious physical signs or symptoms when you have binge-eating disorder. You may be overweight or obese, or you may be at a normal weight. However, you likely have numerous behavioral and emotional signs and symptoms, such as:
Eating unusually large amounts of food
Eating even when you're full or not hungry
Eating rapidly during binge episodes
Eating until
you're uncomfortably full
Frequently eating alone
Feeling that your eating behavior is out of control
Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating
Experiencing depression and anxiety
Feeling isolated and having difficulty talking about your feelings
Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss
Losing and gaining weight repeatedly, also called yo-yo dieting
Trying to diet or eat normal meals after a binge (restricted eating my lead to more binge eating, creating a vicious cycle)
For the purpose of this article as it relates to the fitness industry, one of the key risk factors according to the Mayo Clinic is:
Dieting
Many people with binge-eating disorder have a history of dieting. Some have dieted to excess dating back to childhood. Dieting may trigger an urge to binge eat, especially if you have low self-esteem and symptoms of depression.
A big thing to remember is that, no matter what, you are not alone in this struggle. Being part of the fitness industry and being a competitor, there is a pressure of this image and ideal to uphold. But at the same time, you are human and have emotions and needs. But to understand and see that binge eating is an issue and problem that is on the rise within this industry is essential.
The emotional and mental effects on the mind, the guilt, the hatred of what the binge can do to the body, the isolation that can occur due to being ashamed are all real and need to be recognized for not only those of us who struggle with the binge, but for those who are around us to be able to pick up on the clues and cues.
I completely understand and sympathize with anyone who is going through or has experienced binge eating. It is hard! Bottom line, what we do as competitors takes a toll. Wanting to fit in and be normal with our friends and family who are not part of the industry is a challenge. But there has to be a way to find this balance of living the lifestyle and enjoying a bit of down time.
While I don’t have all the answers, I do know that you should not feel ashamed to ask for help or seek out support. 
We have to know that it is okay to have an indulgence or non-diet/healthy food. Be reminded every so often that the competition body is not a reality for most people and going up or down a few pounds is okay. Also, recognize that maybe more coaches would be wise to provide a plan of post-competition diet and make an allowance for a free meal or fun meal, instead of terming it a cheat.
Looking at this topic and how this sort of eating disorder is on the rise makes one wonder how food has taken on so many roles over time. From being seen as essential in order to survive, to having terms describe it as either good or bad, and then to having food put in a position of a relationship status that we use and abuse. Whatever you take away from this article, my hope is that as an industry we become aware that binge eating does exist and for some it is more challenging to let go of than for others, but we are all in this together.
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