Breaking Free from Cycles of Binge Eating and Over-Exercise

In this episode, I explore the destructive cycle of experiencing out of control binge eating episodes followed by compulsive over-exercise, as compensation. When this happens the exercise is not a joyful, happy movement anymore, rather it is a relentless, punishing and punitive thing that has to be endured, even if you are weary and exhausted. It can go on for hours of the day. Some of my clients are wedded to their fitness trackers and having to walk numerous steps per day. This can involve extensive walks or pacing around the house to achieve their required target. Or even walking on the spot before getting into bed to achieve the step target for the day. Sometimes, we can forget that this is actually a problem. In a culture that continuously tells us to eat less and move more. No amount of exercise can feel wrong. You might even be outwardly praised for the amount of activity that you’re doing – with no one really understanding what’s going on behind closed doors. So how do you begin to interrupt this cycle? Do you focus on the binge eating or do you focus on the over-exercise first? It’s a bit of a chicken and egg scenario. I’m going to talk you through some steps to help you consider how YOU might break your cycle of binge eating and over-exercise. I hope that you enjoy the episode.