FORBIDDEN FOODS

IT IS TIME TO FEEL THE FEAR AND EAT IT ANYWAY!

WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR FEAR?

I want to discuss how important it is for your recovery to begin to turn toward foods that you’ve labeled bad/fearful foods, forbidden foods, foods that you think caused you to binge, your trigger foods.

But it's not the bad food that has brought on your negative feelings about the food; it's your destructive thoughts about having bad foods. It's that toxic evil leprechaun roaring!

In the beginning, many of my clients, because of their anxiety, tell themselves that they’ll face these foods when that devious leprechaun calms down. However, only when you expose yourself to these foods will the anxiety begin to lessen, and you’ll feel less afraid, less fearful of these foods.

WHEN SHOULD I START TO IMPLEMENT MY FEARFUL FOODS?

Just the thought of this may be incredibly daunting, making you scared or panicky even, and you might be thinking, "Where on earth would I start?" This is an excellent question. The answer is when you’ve started to follow your eating program and feel more confident, you can begin to address your forbidden foods.

Although for some of my clients, they like to dive right in and take the bull by the horns and immediately start to eat their fearful foods within their structured eating program.

Everyone is different, so it's essential to do what feels right for you.

IT’S TIME TO PUT ONE FOOT OR JUST A TOE OR EVEN JUST THE TOENAIL OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!

Your evil leprechaun is wailing. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy to eat forbidden foods. But it’s time to start thinking differently and challenge yourself, toenail by toenail.

When you start to introduce these foods into your eating program, you’ll feel a massive shift. That once fearful, anxious hold these foods had over, you will begin to loosen and disperse. They’ll no longer have that hold over you, and you’ll be free to eat whatever you want. How wonderful will that be?

I want you now to make a list of your bad/fearful foods, starting with the least challenging up to the most challenging. As you work through the list, over time, eating each fearful food at least five times. If it still makes you fearful, then take your time and eat it again until you feel calmer about eating it. Do this as many times as you need to. Then, move onto the next fearful food on your list until you’ve worked through them all. Once completed, start to introduce them into your eating program.

Grab your notebook and create your list below.

FEARFUL FOODS

SCALE                   FOOD          LEPRECHAUN’S THOUGHTS          YOUR HEALTHY POSITIVE VOICE IS TELLING YOU

(10 = MOST

FEARFUL)

As you do this, give yourself positive motivational phrases of encouragement.

For example: “I’m learning to eat this food, and as I do so, I feel calm and relaxed.”

ASK FOR SUPPORT

Similar to your structured eating program, what will help you with this is to have someone there to support you. And be gentle with yourself! What you’re going to do here by facing your fear foods is incredibly brave.

It’s normal to feel scared and out of control; the fact that you’re even thinking about dipping your toenail in is a brave step forward. Stay focused because you can change how you feel about your forbidden foods.

Wow, you’ve taken huge positive strides toward breaking all your bulimia patterns by beginning to introduce your structured eating program. I’m so proud of you, as I know this may feel scary and uncomfortable for you, but you can do this, one little step at a time.

To empower you to stay focused, when you’re ready, ask for help and support from a loved one or a friend.

"WHAT YOU DID IN THE PAST REPRESENTS WHO YOU WERE THEN.

WHAT YOU DO NOW REPRESENTS WHO YOU'RE BECOMING"