Hi friends!

Last night was a dilemma for me. My dear Jayhawks were playing Iowa State at 6 pm, a really awkward time (for me at least). Now that I am trying to forge a routine of hitting the gym for weights or a class every night after work, I’m realizing that I have to give up some of my old standby habits.

I floundered back and forth for most of the afternoon: do I go to the gym and then come home and watch the second half of the game? Do I go home and watch the first half of the game and then go to yoga? Decisions.

Ultimately I decided to take a rest night. It was amazeballs. I relaxed and caught up on some DVR’d shows. You know what? I don’t feel the least bit guilty. Yes, I want to create a healthy habit of enjoying my workouts, but I don’t want to force it. All give and take.

Now for the title of this blog…Being Recognized. What are we recognizing? Binge Eating Disorder.

Say what now? That’s a disorder?

Don’t you just mean you have no self control? No, that’s not what I mean. At all.

Over at Fit and Free with Emily, my wonderfully brave friend Emily is fighting the good fight. She writes a series called ‘Life of a Binge Eater‘.

Most people don’t even realize that binge eating is a real disorder. Em has done some research and found an amazing news story:

“In fact, 2013 is a ground-breaking year for BED. The 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) , due out May 2013, is finally adding BED to its list of recognized eating disorders. Right along with anorexia nervosa and bulimia.”

This is completely real. People can be addicted to food just like alcohol and drugs. But what makes it really complicated? People can survive without alcohol or drugs – you have to have food to survive.  We have to face our demon every single day.

Like Emily says it’s hard to explain. Most people will scoff at it and simply say ‘Have some self control’. If only it were that easy….

I urge you to share this and get the word out. If you suffer from this disease and need someone to talk with, don’t hesitate to comment or email myself or Emily.

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