You Can’t Love Yourself Thin: A Book Review on Over Eating

I’m an over-eater. When things get busy, or if I haven’t slept well, or if I’m anxious about something, I usually look for something to eat.

I know it’s not good for me – I know it’s not in line with my long-term goals, and I know it may cause health problems or limit my mobility later in life.

“…more than two-thirds of all adults and nearly one-third of all children and youth in the United States are either overweight or obese.” — Health.gov 

Years ago, I had a massive weight-loss, and I have since put in place (and changed and adjusted over time) a work-out routine and set of habits that works for me.

I’ve kept off the weight for well over a decade, yet I still, from time to time, binge on something with all kinds of justifications for why my behavior is acceptable.

My Justifications

“It’s time to celebrate a big accomplishment.”

“I just received some bad news.”

“I’ll run double my normal distance tomorrow.”

“I’ll finish up this last bit rather than dirty a container to put it in the fridge.”

“It’s wrong to throw away food.” (so I guess it’s better on my waistline than in the trash?)

And Then I Found a Book…

I came across this book written by a psychologist who was a chronic overeater, so I thought I’d give it a read.

It totally called me out. It also had me laughing. And the main technique has worked in so many other areas in my life in the past, that I feel a bit embarrassed that I hadn’t looked at my over-eating in the same way.

A Brief Synopsis

The free book, Never Binge Again by Glenn Livingston separates the food-obsessed “pig” arguing in your head from the person that is you – an individual who has healthy long-term goals.

While there are many reasons people over eat and it is important to understand underlying causes of our bad behaviors, I really think this book drives home what has made Cognitive Behavioral Therapy so effective over the last few decades: that the voice in your head is not you. 

You are the listener, and the voice is going to do what the voice is going to do. You are either the observer of your voice, or you are the victim to its whim. Let it do it’s thing.

Never Binge Again is for those who have tried all kinds of ways of losing the extra pounds and are still in the same position: simply wanting to get rid of the excess weight.

Conclusion

The bottom line is this: you don’t need more information about what to eat. You already know this.

All you need is to control the voice in your head that is telling you to binge eat.

I highly recommend giving this book a go. At the very least, you’ll come away with a couple new perspectives and have a few laughs.

P.S. – If you feel like the voice in your head is winning victories that are against the way you want to live your life, then book a free trial session with me now.