What if there was something attached to our mind so that we could record everything that we told ourselves, good and bad? I bet we would be surprised to realize that we talk worse to ourselves than anyone else does. We are literally our worst enemy, and this is everyone, not just people that have binge eating disorder.

Our negative self-talk starts as soon as we wake up in the morning. It really gets going when we take that first look in the mirror, step on the scale, put on a shirt that's just a little too snug to make us comfortable, or binge eat. This is about the time that we start beating ourselves up and take it another step further... We turn everything about our body into something negative.

It's not just about the scale; we obsess about that extra pound. Instead of looking in the mirror and appreciating something on our face, we go crazy about that pimple that seems so monstrous. Instead of forgiving ourselves for that last binge, we think way too much about all of the food we consumed three hours ago, which doesn't help anything. It's an endless cycle.

Our fears about our looks naturally lead us to compare ourselves with others all of the time. We always wonder why we can't be as pretty, popular, or skinny as her or her or her, or all of the models that stare at us from magazines, television, and movies. Let's face it: We are obsessed, but will never win when we put ourselves up against stylists, airbrushes, and plastic surgeons.

It's very normal to compare ourselves. It's just part of human nature. However, it is so detrimental to our own happiness, not to mention when we are trying to end binge eating disorder.

If we must compare ourselves to someone else, what if we did it in a more healthy way? Instead of wishing we looked like Jessica Alba or Angelina Jolie, how about being thankful for the legs that are still attached to our body instead of the woman that lost hers while fighting for our freedom in Iraq? How about being thankful that you have both breasts that are healthy instead of a woman that is battling breast cancer? At least this kind of comparison will tap into our reserves of empathy and gratitude instead of endless self-judgments, fears, and jealousy.

When you live your life with gratitude for your situation, things just don't seem as bad. Work daily on the fight against binge eating disorder and notice all of your successes. Be thankful for your life, binges and all, because it really could always be worse, but at least you can gain control over bingeing. The same can't be said for losing your legs.

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