OVERCOMING BINGE EATING

AND BULIMIA

LOVE YOURSELF, YOUR BODY, AND MOST OF ALL:

HAVE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD

Overcoming binge eating disorder and bulimia is definitely NOT an easy process. Although my situation is not as severe as other people going through or have gone through it all, it was still a long process that I had to go through to get out of it. Below you will find tips and advises that helped me get through it and out of it.

EATING HEALTHY TIPS AND ADVICE

FROM MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

KNOW YOURSELF FIRST FOREMOST

MAKE DUA'S (SUPPLICATIONS) AND PRAYERS

As a Muslim, we believe in power of dua' (supplication) and in connection with Allah SWT through salah (prayer). There were times I did have to make dua' and ask help from Allah SWT to overcome my eating problems. Just surrender to Him, and ask for help sincerely.

ADMIT THE NEED FOR HELP

Often times when we are struggling with someone especially when we feel ashamed of it, we tend to keep it hidden and to ourselves. It's natural to feel this way. Therefore, it is important to admit to oneself that help is needed to overcome binge eating and bulimia.

SOCIAL SUPPORT

Create a support system that will help you get through this. Speak with family and friends that you need help getting through this, and that alone you can not. Trust me, getting through binge eating disorder and bulimia alone is NOT easy!!!!! Without having a social support system, I wouldn't have been able to get through it. Do not be ashamed to seek help and speak up about it. Plus, this is a good way to learn who's your real friend and who's not.

SEEK HELP FROM PROFESSIONALS, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS.

The feeling of guilt and shame sometimes can overwhelm us thinking that we can't seek help fromanyone, and that we will overcome it on our own. However, after my experience with binge eating and bulimia, I highly recommend seeking help throughprofessionals, family, and friends. It may be schoolcounselor, psychiatrist, family doctor. Also, do not feel ashamed and scared to speak with your close family member(s) that you trust and feel comfortable sharing with. I understand that sometimes even our own family members may judge us negatively, treat us badly, and so forth. But do not let this stop you, and seek the ones you trust. In my case, it was my mom. On the other hand, do speak with your close friends that you trust too. Create a strong social support because it is necessary to overcome this problem.

GET ACTIVE WITH FITNESS & EXERCISE

Exercise and being physically active can help with binge eating and bulimia. Even though I was in track and field team in high school, I did still struggle with binge eating and bulimia. However, through being active, I was able to do it LESS often. When I got into strength training and saw myself confidence boost up, I was able to become stronger mentally to overcome binge eating and throwing up.
Try to do activities that you enjoy, and if you don't have any, try new exercises/routines/activities until you find what enjoy.
Try weight lifting and gain confidence in yourself to love yourself enough to become stronger than your desires to binge and throw up.

LOOK FOR THE ROOT AND TRIGGERS OF WHEN BINGE EATING AND BULIMIA EPISODES OCCUR

Ask and reflect to yourself when do you tend to binge eat and throw up? What is causing you to do so?

For example,

Is it sadness and depression?
Is it physical or verbal abuse at home?
Is it self-esteem and self-image?

And so forth.

Once you are able to find the root and triggers, then work on fixing them one by one. Slowly and surely you will gain strength to overcome binge eating and throwing up.

AKHIRAH, QU'RAN, SUNNAH

As a Muslim, I used to remind myself of meeting Allah swt and imagining standing in front of Him. What will I say? Having firm faith in the afterlife is an important pillar of faith that Muslims must hold on to. I used to actually research and study more Quran and sunnah to learn about this topic to see how Prophet Mohammad s.a.w would approach this problem. And I did find verses from Quran and hadiths that spoke on overeating. That helped me to make efforts to stop binge eating and throwing up.

LOVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TO SAY, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

Last but not least, love yourself!!!!

Yes, that's exactly right. You deserve all the best and you can do it.

Do you really want to be living this way for the rest of your life?
Do you want to live off medications for the rest of your life?
Do you want to live with guilt and shame for the rest of your life?

Love your body that you're gifted and blessed with. Love yourself that you've been chosen to be here on this Earth to make a difference.