| Things To Do Instead of Bingeing |
[07 Dec 2006|01:49pm] |
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Here are a few great tips I got from Bulimia: A Guide to Recovery to avoid bingeing:
- Postpone the binge for 15 minutes. Set your timer. That should give you enough time to choose another strategy.
- Brush your teeth; take a shower or bath.
- Soak binge food in water.
- Leave the environment that's tempting you to binge. Go to a park, library, or a "safe" place. Walk, job, swim--be active.
- Call a supportive friend either just to talk or to address your problem.
- Relax with deep breathing, then think through your anxiety. Meditation/prayer might help.
- Get your mind on something else. Chew gum. Turn on the radio or TV, do housework.
- Let out your emotions in an aggressive way: punch a boxing bag/beat your bed, scream into a pillow, wrestle with a safe support person, etc.*
- Write in a journal. Identify the real hunger. Where is it coming from: stomach or heart?
- List the foods you're fantasizing about, then destroy that piece of paper.
Anyone have any other tips on how to avoid destructive eating habits, whether it has to do with bulimia or anorexia? I'd love to hear 'em! I'm always looking for new ideas. :)
*This one I found works pretty well for me at times. I don't know why. Maybe I suppress my feelings too much, so venting out on an inanimate object helps me get that pent-up anger out.
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| 10 Ways to Challenge Cultural Influences |
[07 Dec 2006|02:04pm] |
Oh no, not another one, you're saying! :) But I found another list in the below-mentioned book that I had mixed feelings about. Tell me what you think.
- Dieting is a form of oppression; do not diet! (I think what the authors meant here was don't go on unhealthy fad diets, because what you eat is actually your "diet".)
- Notice how TV stereotypes people according to weight (eg, fat = stupid, weak, failure, undesirable, etc.), and turn off those kinds of shows.
- Tear out and discard magazine photos of skinny women. How many pictures of women are left?
- Write angry letters to advertisers and manufacturers that promote values of thinness; and applaud those that use plus-size models. (The first thing that came to my mind was Spain's banning of underweight runway models, as well as Dove's ad campaign using several plus-size models--see pic below.)
- Respect people without regard to their size.
- Don't tolerate negative comments that others make about weight.
- Get involved with, or financially support, organizations that promote size acceptance or eating disorders prevention. (Hopefully we can all pat ourselves on the back with this one, being members of thin&healthy. :)
- Don't buy "women's" magazines that promote weight-loss. (Again, I'm guessing the authors meant unhealthy weight-loss.)
- Talk back to the TV by verbally denouncing demeaning images.
- Embrace your individuality; assert your own, unique identity.
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