Binge Eating and Self-Esteem - Recovery From Eating Disorders and Self-Esteem

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

David: Are you talking about emotional detachment?

Jane Latimer: Yes.

David: So, to clarify, there are some who were physically or sexually abused, and binge eating is one way of dealing with those issues. Others, are coping with strong emotional issues.

Jane Latimer: Yes, underneath most emotional eating, is a wound. We're all wounded. It's wounding just to be born. But some of us are wounded more than others.

David: Ms. Latimer's website is: http://www.aliveness.net. You can purchase Jane Latimer's book "Beyond the Food Game" online.

And now, we have another question:

ms-scarlett: Do you agree with the Geneen Roth method of eating only when hungry or do you agree more with the three square meals a day strategy. I need to know what to eat if I'm going to be thin.

Jane Latimer: Again, it depends on a lot of complex issues. If you're very sensitive to sugar or flour, then you might not be able to handle those foods. So Geneen Roth's natural eating method doesn't work. On the other hand, the three squares don't work for some because its too rigid. I like to think of Full Recovery from eating disorders as a process in which we learn to eat in a way that supports our unique biochemistry and that is different for different people.

David: One of the things Ms. Scarlett said was her goal is to be thin. Should that be the goal?

Jane Latimer: If the goal is to be thin, then we can be in trouble. I prefer to think of the goal as aliveness. When I was recovering, I remember I had to confront and get over my fear of fat. That was very important. Because if I didn't, then the scales would be my God. I'd be happy only when the number on the scale said what I wanted it to say.

However, if my goal is Aliveness, then I'm in charge of my own happiness. And the potential is always there. I can be happy no matter what I weigh, and no matter what life presents me with. With our priorities straight, we are free to lose weight if that is appropriate.

David: Can you define "Aliveness" for us?

Jane Latimer: Aliveness is about the body-felt experience of joy and that is felt in the heart. We love living. We are able to choose things that bring us joy. We can say no to things that don't bring us joy. And we can find "joy" in many things, even in those things that appear to be stressful. Aliveness is about being in control and surrendering at the same time. It is about living in alignment with the flow of life. To feel alive is to be full and fulfilled, even when things aren't going as planned. In fact, aliveness happens outside of the plan.

tereeart: I like that perspective of making your goal aliveness, not thinness. I also like the thought of using your abilities to meet your needs not others.

Jane Latimer: I like to call that Extreme Self-Care. Meeting my needs is so important. It was learning how to really honor my needs, that enabled me to deal with life. Because before that, I couldn't deal at all. I was overwhelmed. So, I learned to meet my needs however I could. Little by little, I've inserted things into my life that truly meet my needs more-and-more.

David: I always like to give our audience something they can take home with them. If you are "out-of-control" with your eating, what is the first thing you would suggest that person do to regain control and move towards recovery from eating disorders, binge eating?

Jane Latimer: Not joking, read my book, "Beyond the Food Game." I don't know anyone who addresses these issues as succinctly as that. Because I list very specifically the steps to healing the out-of-control experience. After that, I'd say, journal. Journal about what triggered the feeling. Then, ask yourself, is there something about this situation or feeling that reminds me of my family? Then I'd ask myself, "What did I need as a child, that I didn't get?" Then it is your job to give yourself what you didn't get then. Its really quite simple, its just hard to do at the time.

David: Thank you, Jane for being our guest tonight. For those in the audience, thanks for coming and participating. I hope you found the conference helpful. We have a large eating disorders community here at HealthyPlace.com. Almost 24/7, you will find people interacting. So please feel free to come by anytime and also to share our URL with others you may know. It's www.healthyplace.com Good night everyone.

Disclaimer: We are not recommending or endorsing any of the suggestions of our guest. In fact, we strongly encourage you to talk over any therapies, remedies or suggestions with your doctor BEFORE you implement them or make any changes in your treatment.

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