Key Concepts Index

Being Health Centered

Focus on getting healthier, not getting thin. Focus on the process (action) rather than the end goal.
Throw out the whole concept of going on a diet. Dieting only exacerbates Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

Morbidly obese people with Binge Eating Disorder have a range of goals in addition to losing weight. They want to stop binge eating. They want to feel better. They want to improve their health. They want to lower their blood pressure, cholesterol, and or blood sugar levels. They want to increase their prospects for a long and happy life. They want to reduce the pain and discomfort they feel. They want to look better. They want to be able to be more active and be able to physically do more. They want to be less isolated and more social. They want to stop feeling embarrassed by their size. They want to be able to participate fully in life. They want to feel good about themselves.

Traditionally, we set a single goal of losing weight. The concept of dieting to lose weight is very ingrained in our culture. We want and need many of those other things but we don't give them much thought. We feel that all of those nice goals are contingent upon our single goal of losing weight.

A matter of perspective

When we put aside weight loss as our main focus, we can break down our recovery into manageable and achievable portions. When weight loss ceases to be our primary goal, we can focus on the job of eliminating our need and desire to binge. When we are no longer binging regularly, we are in a much better position to start shedding excess weight. In most cases, weight loss will be a nearly automatic byproduct of reducing the frequency of or eliminating our episodes of binge eating.

When we focus on our health first, recovery ceases to be about what we can't have. It then becomes a choice about what serves us best—what foods both taste good and promote good health.

Binge eating and obesity are two separate but related problems. They are not the same thing. If an obese binge eater didn't binge so often, that would add considerably to their overall level of physical and emotional wellness and health. Whereas if an obese binge eater loses 5 pounds it's not a huge or remarkable step forward health wise. Chances are great that if they don't have their binge eating under control they will gain it back anyway. Overcoming binge eating disorder drastically increases our chances of success in reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.

Part of the problem

Dieting, restricting entire classes of foods, making rigid rules about what we can and can't eat are all part of the problem—not part of the solution. Any time we feel deprived, get too hungry, or feel like we've "blown it" because we've broken one of our diet imposed food rules, it can be and often is, a trigger for a binge. Dieting only exacerbates BED

The bigger picture

Having a primary goal of becoming a healthier person is a key concept of recovery. Focus on the process (action) rather than the end goal. Learning to eat mostly whole natural healthy foods, reducing the frequency of binging episodes, becoming more active, reaching out for support, taking on the challenge of a new hobby, working closely with your doctor, starting to walk every day... These are all wonderful steps in recovery that will lead to weight loss and more importantly, are crucial in maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime.

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• Key Concepts Index
• First Things First – Establishing a stable pattern of regular eating.
• Refuse to be "Powerless" — Realize that you do have choices. Don't give your power away.
• Become Health Centered – Focus on improving health. Weight loss is a byproduct.
• Keep A Journal Of Your Foods And Moods – Gaining awareness is empowering.
• Eat Like A Healthy Person – Eat healthy whole natural foods now.
• Empower Yourself – Use every tool and resource necessary.
• Educate Yourself – Become an expert on nutrition. Forget what the diet gurus say.
• Don't Go Hungry – Eat your way to optimum health. Hunger only leads to binges.
• Act As If – Act yourself into a new way of thinking. Action precedes motivation.
• Dump Perfectionism – Progress is good enough. We learn from our mistakes.
• Easy Does It – Practice moderation and have realistic goals. Practice self-compassion.
• One Day At A Time – Focus on today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

Dave's web site is for informational purposes only and is not meant to serve as medical advice or to replace consultation with a professional dietician, nutritionist, physician, or mental health professional. None of the information presented on this web site is intended to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any medical ailments or conditions.