@Jana1988@Alycia Holidays and celebrations can definitely be very challenging. What helps me time and again is having a food plan that I can adhere to - which often means bringing my own food and sticking to it.
Also a big thing on my journey was to reflect on and reframe these events for myself: Why am I going to that event?
Is my - often hidden - intention to have an excuse to binge? Then maybe I should stay away?
Is this about the people there? Then why don’t I focus on connecting and stop making this about food?
Is this a cumbersome obligation? Maybe admitting that and setting clear limits is what is called for?
Are there other reasons? Do I maybe binge at these events because I feel uncomfortable there and don’t know how to deal with my emotions?
This helped me a lot to get a much clearer picture of the reasons for my unwanted behaviours, practice love and compassion towards myself and my confusing emotions, learn new skills and set boundaries I was not aware I needed.
I actually started my recovery journey in the midst of pre christmas season which is around here totally insane about food and sweets. And although this was extremely challenging it helped me to focus on my issues.
And as always I cannot recommend finding a recovery programme enough. For me Recovery Dharma was and is still a great fit, especially on topics like empowerment, dealing with difficult emotions, struggling with boundaries and self-compassion, multiple and process addictions and trauma.
But any recovery programme will make it so much easier than trying it alone
This is a really helpful response
You are right about food being a comfort in uncomfortable times. I think that even though I’ve been sober from alcohol for a few years now, social gathering and celebrations around alcohol are still a little uncomfortable. I really don’t go to many now because I don’t prioritise parties or find them much fun now I don’t drink, but gatherings for Christmas or birthdays I will attend and I find myself indulging in food, because it’s the treat I can have. ‘Letting myself have a wild night’ sometimes means eating a whole pizza or many types of dessert, but at least I didn’t drink. That was my mindset, and it’s not working for me, it’s flowing to other areas of my life. The binges continue outside the celebration, the food becomes a reward in other times, because at least it’s not a drink, and it feels good at the time. It still feels a bit uncomfortable being outside of the celebration when everyone is drinking, so my way to participate is sometimes just to enjoy the food.
I like your advice for bringing my own food. At Christmas I’m going away for a week with friends, I’m going to bring my own snacks and try have a better game plan around food. And I’ll try to really mindfully think about my food choices.
One week today, 7 days of thoughtful eating and no binges.
All I have to say is that Halloween candy is the worst!! Ive been struggling over the past 2 days with eating too much of it. My son handed out candy in our building for Halloween. In return he ended up getting a BUNCH of chocolate from others too. Well bcuz my son doesn’t eat anything by mouth (hes gtube fed), the chocolate sat there calling my name Its been a tough 2 days for sure for my eating.
I have to agree @Butterflymoonwoman throw it out or give it all away. I have a tough time throwing away any good eatable leftovers but when your health is what matters it is the right choice. Personally I try to keep house free of the poorest food choices. Thankfully I am the one who stocks the kitchen.
8 days no binge eating.
I feel less guilt and it’s been a good feeling to get some momentum with healthy eating.
I have a weekend away that I need to figure out how to navigate properly. It will be some good mini practice for the Christmas period.
My friend and I love to eat and cook together. I’m just going to be open with my friends that I have a problem with binging and go be mindful. I’ll bring my own snacks, I’ll plan to cook healthy food even when we’re away. I’m going to be prepared!
Its been a tough 2 days for sure for my eating.