EXTREME HUNGER ADVICE
Extreme hunger is an absolute nightmare, particularly for bulimia sufferers. The constant longing to eat and the inability to process the food you consume makes the discomfort surrounding food challenging.
Mentally, the inability to control our appetite, calorie consumption and food intake is distressing for someone so used to control.
When I began healing, I began making meal plans and never actually followed through with them because extreme hunger got in the way of calorie control. As much as I wanted to control and limit my calorie intake, my body wouldn't allow it. I had spent years in starvation mode, and now that food was accessible, my body wanted to hold onto as much energy as it could in case another famine occurred.
This meant working out and redefining what binging and extreme hunger was. Binging was a habit built from boredom or insecurity, resulting in purging. Extreme hunger, however, was an uncontrollable desire to eat and not feel full after each meal. One trigger was uncontrollable, and the other was identifiable and required the right tools to work through and overcome.
Once I analysed my body's messaging system, I could mentally work through what it was going through each time extreme hunger hit with some simple tools listed below.
UNDERSTANDING WHY EXTREME HUNGER OCCURS
Extreme hunger occurs when the body exits starvation mode. It saves up as much food as possible, stored as energy in case another famine occurs. The body slows down to preserve and keep you alive.
NOT LABELLING EXTREME HUNGER AS BINGING
Analysing the difference between binging and extreme hunger.
When recovering from bulimia, binging is normal and something you continue to experience as you heal. This can be triggering; however, it’s important to acknowledge the difference between habitual binging and extreme hunger. When extreme hunger occurs, embrace it and understand its purpose is to heal you, not hurt you.
BUILDING TRUST WITHIN YOUR BODY
The more regularly you eat, the more trust you build within your body. Establishing regular meal/snack times builds up your metabolism and allows your body to reduce the constant urge to binge.
ACCEPTING EXTREME HUNGER
Weight gain and extreme hunger are inevitable parts of recovery. Embrace the body’s way of healing; this will make life a lot easier for you on your journey.
ASK FOR SUPPORT IF NEEDED
If you are struggling or need a distraction during recovery, ask for help or research figures and information to help you along your journey.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Being kind to yourself is easier said than done; however, I urge you to be patient and know things do get better!