Food for Thought: November 27th

One Bite Means a Binge

By this time; we know that we do not overeat moderately. One extra compulsive bite sooner or later becomes a binge. Keeping this fact firmly planted in our consciousness prevents us from deluding ourselves into disaster. For us, there is abstinence or there is chaos. Nothing in between.

Having proved this fact over and over again, we must avoid at all costs the insanity that makes us think we can handle one small extra bite. Our only sure defense against such inexplicable insanity is a Power greater than ourselves. Alone, we cannot control what we eat and we cannot manage our lives.

Each day we begin by admitting to God our powerlessness over our compulsion, and we ask for His control. Whenever we are tempted or overwhelmed, we release our whole selves into His care and protection. At the end of the day, we give thanks for the Power that keeps us from taking the one small, disastrous bite.

Deliver me from the bite that means a binge.

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.

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By this time, I know that I do not do ANYTHING 'moderately'!!! One extra compulsive bite always turns into a binge; whether it's immediate or whether it takes a few days, I PRIME myself FOR a binge by taking that first compulsive bite.  I change my mindset from one of strict abstinence to one of 'a bit extra is no big deal', and that is THE most dangerous thing I can possibly do! I have found myself popping that first bite of junk food into my mouth precisely because I KNOW where it will lead........to a binge. Before I take that first bite, I am safe........but once I take it, all bets are OFF and I'm giving myself permission TO binge.

Sigh. The mind of a compulsive overeater is full of manipulation & lies. I try to pretend I can 'handle' that extra food, knowing fully that I cannot.  I've proven to myself a thousand times that it's the first bite that leads to chaos, yet I try to convince myself that THIS TIME will be different.  It never is.  For me, there is abstinence or there is chaos; nothing in between.

For today, I choose sanity & peace of mind through abstinence.  I avoid chaos & choosing to 'test' myself, yet again, when I am fully aware of what the outcome will be: I will FAIL the test with a big fat F!

For today, I choose to be grateful to the Power that keeps me from taking the one small, disastrous bite.