What Is Binge Eating? – Characteristics of Binge Eating

The characteristics of binge eating disorder may vary from person to person, but if you find yourself eating large quantities of food very quickly or to the point of discomfort; feeling out of control around food; experiencing overwhelming thoughts about food or shame, distress or guilt after you eat; and possibly (but not necessarily) compensating using unhealthy habits by restricting, overexercising, or purging, you may be struggling with binge eating or bulimia.

What You Might Be Experiencing – Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

- An overwhelming urge to eat large quantities of food:
- Low mood
- Racing thoughts
- Guilt or shame
- Secretive behaviors
- Anxiety
- Fatigue

You Are Not Alone

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating issue worldwide. It affects an estimated 2.8 million people in the United States alone.

People of all backgrounds can have a binge eating habit. Both men and women struggle with binge eating–in fact, binge eating is the most common food issue among men.

People who are currently overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight may struggle with binge eating. Binge eating disorder is not the same as moderate overeating and it is not about enjoying food; it’s about using food as a way to feel better.

A key characteristic of binge eating is feeling out of control. People struggling with this issue typically don’t feel as if they are choosing to binge; they feel almost hijacked, as if they are driven to eat large amounts of food at times.
Often, after a binge, people feel guilt, shame, and a low mood.

What Can I Do About It? – Treatment for Binge Eating

Traditional treatment for binge eating disorder most often includes psychotherapy and in some cases, medication. However, traditional treatment for binge eating is not nearly as effective as we’d wish it to be.

Thankfully, there are newer, less traditional approaches that are incredibly effective. The No-Willpower Approach that I outline in my bestselling book, The Little Book of Big Change: The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habithas helped countless people find lasting freedom from binge eating and other eating disorders.

The No-Willpower Approach is an insight-based approach that helps you see yourself and your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a radically new way.

Binge Eating Is A Changeable Habit – How to Stop Binge Eating

Although many people struggle with this habit, binge eating is very changeable. You do not need to “cope” with, or “manage” binge eating long-term. No matter how long or how often you’ve been binge eating, there is enormous hope for complete freedom from this habit.

Binge eating is not about overeating and it’s not simply about food; it’s about a few simple misunderstandings about how our thoughts, feelings, and habits truly work. Freedom comes from the inside-out, from seeing yourself, your thoughts and feelings, and what binge eating is in a brand new way.

Hi, I’m Amy

I struggled with binge eating and bulimia for 8 years. I was told by many well-meaning professionals that I would likely struggle with binge eating disorder forever; that I could learn to cope, but that this habit might always come back when I was feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth today. I have been completely free of binge eating for 10 years with no effort or coping necessary. In that time, I’ve shared what helped me find freedom with people all over the world in my books, videos, online school, and my podcast, Changeable.

I’ve trained over 70 coaches to be experts in the no-willpower paradigm through my Change Coach Training Program. I’ve been a regularly featured expert on The Steve Harvey Show and Oprah.com, as well as in The Wall Street Journal and Self magazine.

REAL PEOPLE, REAL CHANGE

Lexi

My experience with The Little School of Big Change has been outstanding! The lessons are extremely well presented with so many helpful animations and other ways Amy helps participants get the points on a deeper level. It truly feels as if Amy is speaking directly and personally to me and thereby creates tremendous impact. I have benefited greatly and look forward to sharing these insights with my patients. I recommend LSBC to everyone without reservation!

Dror

After having a complicated eye surgery, I found myself emotionally binge eating to distract myself through the healing. I was gaining a lot of weight and feeling miserable.
A friend recommended The Little School of Big Change to me and it helped me drop habits I had been trying to break for years. In six weeks I saw what was behind my habits and got the understanding to change for good without major efforts.

Tammy

For almost 40 years, my struggle with food was constant. I thought about food most of the time. I would eat until I was in pain, and this made no sense to me. I felt so helpless. This went on for years. I would regularly give up, and just give in. I was skeptical when I found Amy’s program, but I figured I had nothing to lose because nothing else was working anyway.
Working with Dr. Amy and The Little School of Big Change has given me total freedom and relief. I no longer have obsessive thoughts about food or eating and I am no longer searching for “what is wrong with me”, or for a solution. I am super healthy, and at a weight I want to be. I feel 100% confident that it is permanent! I completed the program a couple of years ago, and have never had a relapse into my old way of being. Thank you Amy!

What Can I Do To Change My Binge Eating Habit?

Presents a new paradigm for freedom from binge eating
Shares why willpower rarely leads to lasting change
90 minutes long

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We overcame binge eating and we’ll show you how!

Digital course – go at your own pace
This is a perfect course for those struggling with binge eating
Watch Dr. Amy and Change Coach Maria coach 4 women over 4 weeks
Over 10 hours of content

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LSBC Self-Study – go through Dr. Amy’s flagship course at your own pace
19 video lessons that bring this paradigm to life
1000s of students have found freedom from habits including binge eating
Option to upgrade to guided course

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About The Little School of Big Change

My bestselling book, The Little Book of Big Change, and my online school, The Little School of Big Change, have helped tens of thousands of people in 50+ countries find their own freedom from binge eating and other habits without therapy, revisiting the past, medication, or willpower.

The Little School of Big Change is a highly supportive 6-week course that shares a groundbreaking new paradigm in mental health that has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world to tap into their natural health and resilience.

The school helps you see yourself and your psychology in a radically new way—a way that leads to freedom from what holds you back.

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