Body Image and Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) can take a toll on your body image. This can happen even when there is virtually no weight gain involved during your time of engaging in BED behaviors. When dealing with binge eating, I was living an active lifestyle so I did not experience a dramatic weight shift but it did make a difference as to how I felt about my body. Even with binge eating disorder our body image is all in our heads, so let’s be gentle with ourselves and remember to love the skin we are in (What is Body Image and How Do We Improve It?).

How a Binge Affects Our Body Image

I can truthfully say that 99 percent of the time, after every binge, I would feel absolutely awful about my body. I saw my stomach as bloated beyond belief and would feel as if I had gained 10 pounds. In reality, this is obviously impossible but when you have an eating disorder your thoughts are warped and you may believe that this gain truly occurred (Binge Eating Disorder Test -- Do I Have Binge Eating Disorder?).

I know from experiencing many binges in my lifetime that the aftermath welcomes feelings of complete disgust. For me, it was coming from the place of not being able to believe the way I just behaved. This then led to self- hatred, body loathing, and guilt. With all of these emotions happening at once I could not see a way out from a distorted body image.

Learning to Love Your Body and Keep a Healthy Body Image

It is essential that we learn to be gentle with ourselves, love our bodies and keep a positive body image in spite of binge eating disorder. I understand it can be difficult while still engaging in binge eating behaviors but those are the times when it is most important to not be hard on yourself and go down the path of body-hatred. Remember that most of the things you are thinking have been twisted by your eating disorder. Sometimes, we should not believe everything we think.

Body Image in Binge Eating Disorder Recovery

Even being binge-free for a long period of time, I can still struggle with my body image. I know that the majority of women deal with this and it is a tough thing to get past.

I have, however, been a lot better about reframing the thoughts I have about my body. Instead of thinking about the things you don't like about your body, think about the things you love. Think about everything your body does for you. Think about how hard it works each and every day to keep you alive. Thank your heart for beating, your legs for walking, and your organs for working properly. When we learn to be grateful for our bodies the hate begins to subside.

Take a deep breath and remember that our body image may be distorted. The journey to loving your body can be a rocky one. You are beautiful no matter what your size or shape. An eating disorder will make you believe things that are not true. Part of recovery is realizing these lies and recognizing subtle truths.

I am hoping all of you will see the light and know that your body is beautiful. Try not to be hard on yourself today, and I promise you will get a lot further in life loving yourself rather than being unhappy with the way you look. Stay strong.

Find Grace on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and on her personal blog.