Overcoming Binge Eating: The Proven Program to Learn Why You Binge and How You Can Stop

Dry reading but it works. PROS: Concise process to overcome binge eating. Small steps and changes each week Addresses when and where you eat and how you feel. Does not toss out your favorite foods. Teaches you how to summarize your successes each week. Theory was in first part and process in second. I liked the separation of the two. Part 2 which is the functional action part works quite well when followed. Also liked the part about using a health coach or a mentor to go through process with you. CONS: Needs to be broken into two different books. One for people who binge only. One for those who purge. Read way too much theory on purging. Found it difficult to read since it wasn't my issue. A lot of repetitive theory and references. Almost reminded me of a college thesis. Author needs to simplify the content and structure to make it a truly exemplary workbook. WISH: That author would design a workbook with a severely condensed version of the theory/research and an expanded functional section that we could copy and use to write in, take notes, do the weekly summary. Other: Although the original daily food diary form is excellent and I needed it to learn the process. I simplified it after a few weeks so I could record the whole week on one sheet of paper instead of seven. I fold it up and take it with me. After about six weeks I find that the attention to this takes probably five to ten minutes a day. Once a week, the review process takes maybe ten more minutes and I like to reread the functional parts of the book to make sure I am ready to move on to the next step. Nice side effect: I have lost 15 pounds. This works for over eaters too.

Unlike some other reviewers, I don’t much mind that this reads like a thesis. In fact, I prefer that to the overly simplified books that read like marketing copy. In this book, there is more information and explanation in the data and the science behind binge eating than some of the cartoonish books on the subject I’ve picked up. This book is more thoughtful and less gimmicky. I also don’t mind that it includes information on issues I don’t suffer from. The “intuitive” food model that was hyped a few years ago (and you will see mention of throughout other reviews) had its place to some degree, but as he acknowledges in the book, those of us with eating disorders can’t always trust our intuition. I have no real complaints about the book. I would love a corresponding monthly journal with the layout the book has for keeping track of everything. I thought the doctor could even include more science and discuss why handwriting (in this digital age) your log is so important. The more senses a person engages the better. Touching physical paper is important. Time spent writing is important. Slowing down to be thoughtful is important. Be sure to heed his advice on this.

I'm really enjoying this book and the content and the program that this book has. I'm still continuing to work through it but wanted to say that I almost didn't make it this far because of the first half. It is very scientific (unsurprising) and can be a little dry. The main issue that I had with this portion was there are many times where being underweight is listed as a requirement for having certain eating disorders. To me this feels incredibly outdated and inaccurate. Example: "Anorexia Nervosa: Two main conditions must be met for someone to be said to have this eating disorder: 1. This person should be significantly underweight, and this should be the result of his or her own efforts." pg 25. With BED being a more "recent" ED, I was surprised to see takes like this included. Also a lot of BMI use, which same thing, not worth even the time of day. I'm still continuing with the program, but these takes just left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I’ve struggled with binge eating, so decided to read this book. I’m more conscientious about when I eat now and my mindset and perspective on food has changed. I recommend for anyone struggling with binging

I commend the author for his efforts to help and heal those affected by disordered eating. But, for me, the self-help program did not seem realistic. It is based on monitoring, weighing, and an ongoing analysis of eating habits and troubleshooting pitfalls. Monitoring, weighing, and over-analysis got me into this mess. I am trying to stop thinking about food as much, not double-down.

This book provides readers with realistic expectations about the process of overcoming eating disorders, backed by research. It includes detailed instructions that help individuals work on their own, or with the help of professionals as needed.

I was grateful for the thoughtful reviews on this. I’m only at chapter seven, but thus far have found the science and studies in part one very unbiased and informative (if a bit dry). I shared with my therapist that I bought this book, so she purchased and read it as well. She has given it such high praise and even said that the studies gave her new and very helpful perspectives on disordered eating. She was very pleased with the depth of research that ultimately built the action plan in part two and has recommended the book to three other clients. I’m looking forward to beginning the process when I get to part two.

The author is very thorough in his explanations and analysis of binge eating disorder. Great examples from people who have struggled with the disorder.

I first picked up this book years ago, half-read it, kidded myself that I didn't really have a poor relationship with food, and put it on a shelf to gather dust while I continued with the same vicious cycle of dieting and binging for a few more years. Last year out of nothing more than sheer desperation I decided to try again. I followed the book on my own for the first month and then referred myself to the NHS eating disorder clinic, who assigned a therapist to work through it with me. You can definitely do the book on your own but I highly recommend the extra support, it was a great help. As for the book, I'm not going to dress it up, it absolutely works. But you need to be ready for change, you need to accept the fact you're probably not going to lose weight (at least for a while) you need to put the work in, and you will undoubtedly need to face a demon or three. The book follows several stages; first keeping a detailed food diary to determine exactly when and why you binge. After that you establish a regular pattern of eating - 3 meals and 2-3 snacks at set times of the day, with absolutely no rules about what you eat at those times, it just has to be 'enough'. Then you work on establishing alternatives to binging. After that, it's facing the rules you create around food and removing or 'softening' them. Then you slowly introduce foods you may have 'banned' or simply avoided in the past. There's other sections on things like body confidence, and a plan for preventing relapse. It took me about 10 months in total to properly work through it, and I've found it challenging, rewarding and all the emotions inbetween. But it's been absolutely worth it. I'm 35 now, I've been a binge eater since I was a young child, and for the first time in my adult life I feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel; I CAN have a normal relationship with food. I have packets of biscuits in the house and I don't binge on them. I have takeaways and feel no guilt. I don't spend all day thinking about food. I don't meal plan or calorie count or worry about macros excessively. I'm not scared to eat in front of people. I haven't lost a lb, but I feel so much better about myself and my future. If you struggle with binge eating, please know that there's no shame. You're not greedy or lazy or useless or lacking in willpower or self-control. You've got a mental health issue, and there's help out there. Pick up this book and commit to the program, you won't regret it.

intéressant

I've struggled with binge eating my entrire life and haven't had a bingen episode in months, thanks to Dr. Fairburns strategy.

Very good

This book is truly the one and only effective way to stop binge eating! I can't believe I feel so well understood. I'm still in shock, and just by reading the facts from the first part of the book, I feel more relieved about my disorder. So thankful to the people who wrote it and recommended it to me.