Overcoming Binge Eating, Second Edition: The Proven Program to Learn Why You Binge and How You Can Stop Paperback – Illustrated, 9 Aug. 2013

I first picked up this book years ago, half-read it, kidded myself that I didn't really have a poor relationship with food, and put it on a shelf to gather dust while I continued with the same vicious cycle of dieting and binging for a few more years. Last year out of nothing more than sheer desperation I decided to try again. I followed the book on my own for the first month and then referred myself to the NHS eating disorder clinic, who assigned a therapist to work through it with me. You can definitely do the book on your own but I highly recommend the extra support, it was a great help.As for the book, I'm not going to dress it up, it absolutely works. But you need to be ready for change, you need to accept the fact you're probably not going to lose weight (at least for a while) you need to put the work in, and you will undoubtedly need to face a demon or three.The book follows several stages; first keeping a detailed food diary to determine exactly when and why you binge. After that you establish a regular pattern of eating - 3 meals and 2-3 snacks at set times of the day, with absolutely no rules about what you eat at those times, it just has to be 'enough'. Then you work on establishing alternatives to binging. After that, it's facing the rules you create around food and removing or 'softening' them. Then you slowly introduce foods you may have 'banned' or simply avoided in the past. There's other sections on things like body confidence, and a plan for preventing relapse. It took me about 10 months in total to properly work through it, and I've found it challenging, rewarding and all the emotions inbetween. But it's been absolutely worth it. I'm 35 now, I've been a binge eater since I was a young child, and for the first time in my adult life I feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel; I CAN have a normal relationship with food. I have packets of biscuits in the house and I don't binge on them. I have takeaways and feel no guilt. I don't spend all day thinking about food. I don't meal plan or calorie count or worry about macros excessively. I'm not scared to eat in front of people. I haven't lost a lb, but I feel so much better about myself and my future.If you struggle with binge eating, please know that there's no shame. You're not greedy or lazy or useless or lacking in willpower or self-control. You've got a mental health issue, and there's help out there. Pick up this book and commit to the program, you won't regret it.

Having suffered from binge-eating since I was 14 I just assumed it would always be a part of me and there was something shameful about me I would always have to keep hidden from others. I tried so many other strategies that never worked for me. I came across this book on Amazon one day and decided to give it a shot as it had a detailed plan of action which I'd never seen before. As per the recovery plan I logged everything I ate for a few weeks and then started implementing a regular eating plan, allowing myself to eat anything I wanted during specific mealtimes in order to de-classify all the forbidden foods in my head. I have strategies now for coping when the desire to binge hits. I feel supported and now know that I'm not alone!The result? I am 9 weeks binge-free and am no longer scared to eat something (biscuit, pastry) for fear that I won't be able to stop and eat 10 more (or more). Nothing else worked like this plan - no diets, supplement, intuitive eating. Funnily enough my weight hasn't changed but I feel happier, healthier with more even moods and it's amazing to learn to love myself at this weight without thinking "I just need to lose a few pounds then I'll feel better about myself". I'm fine just as I am! Thank you Dr Fairburn!UPDATE - I'm over 1 year binge-eating free and after the initial few months I dropped several kilos to a weight I have maintained comfortably. Not stuffing down my emotions and feelings with food is definitely helping me shed the layers of shame and guilt and years of not accepting myself. It's not a quick fix but it's worth it and I am more grateful than ever for this book helping me on this journey. Highly recommend and good luck to all my fellow sufferers.

I had weekly therapy sessions at an eating disorder clinic through the NHS and I needed my own copy of this to work on. My sessions were 'guided self help.' We worked through this together and having my own copy was great as I could write notes in it which was helpful. Plus it meant when I felt up to it I could read it when ever. When I first started my sessions and this book I was still in denial, probably even a month in to this. The only eating disorders I knew of were anorexia and bulimia, I didn't even know binge eating disorder existed or that I had it. This book helped with acceptance. It's been nearly 2 years since I brought this book, but it's something I can refer back to (and still plan to do soon.) I think the book itself is great, The only reason I have given it 4 stars is because it's not a 'cure' and I still suffer from the disorder. This isn't due to the book, it's down to me, not following it much after my sessions finished as I also had physical health problems that had just been diagnosed. Eating disorders are a mental health disorder, and if your not in a good place, or life throws obstacles in your way, sorting eating is the last thing on your mind, even though it should be! I actually believe it's a good thing writing a review a while after as I can give an honest account of how its actually been.Bottom line: For me, it was great to work through with a therapist and completed it. However, if it was just down to me I don't think I would have had the motivation to read and implement it. Interesting read.