Hello all!! Sorry I have not been around a while but I am still here. Glad to see you all are still here. Life happens. Just saw this awesome artilce from Shrink Yourself and had to share. Hopefully you all will see that you have made tremendous progress over the months, years, etc. Enjoy and let me know how you enjoy it!

The Biggest Mistake Binge Eaters Make
By: Michelle Fiordaliso, MSW, CNC

Never binging again is possible, but the biggest mistake binge eaters make is saying to themselves, "I'll never binge again!"

Yet, we all do it. The food is finished and we then promise ourselves that it will never happen again. And even though almost everyone that binges says this to themselves, it only serves to set you up for self-hatred, guilt and failure.

You see, no one who ends a pattern of binge eating does it cold turkey. You don't decide to stop and then never binge again. It's just not how ending a pattern of binging works. That's because the binge serves a very important purpose: It makes you feel better emotionally.

So, if you're committed to never binging again, what are the signs along the way that signify you're succeeding:
More time between binges (even something small for example, I used to binge eat every other day and now only do it every third day)

Shorter binges (My binges used to last two days, now they only last an hour)

Binges on smaller amounts of food (I used to binge eat a gallon of ice-cream, now I eat half a pint)

The ability to stop a binge in the middle (I used to not even realize I was having a binge till it was over, now I can stop myself in the middle)

Forgiving yourself more quickly after a binge ends (I don't talk to myself in a mean way when I binge, I have compassion for myself)

Bouncing back more quickly when a binge happens (in other words recommitting to understanding and stopping your binge eating pattern)

Understanding what feelings set off the binge (I was able to see that I had the binge after I had a fight with my boss)

The ability to see a binge coming (even if you can't stop it yet)

Being able to acknowledge the small successes along the way is a really important step on the road to recovery. It can be all too easy to see how far you still need to go and forget how far you've already come.

Ending a binge eating pattern is hard work but you can do it. One day you might not binge at all, but it won't happen by making a declaration; it will happen by being loving to yourself and staying aware.

So, don't say, "I'll never binge again." Instead, take it one gentle step at a time. Remember, you're looking for progress, not perfection.