Tag Archives: binge eating

Happy 2 YEAR Anniversary to Baby Doodah!

Posted on September 16 by Jillian416 • 10 Comments

Can you believe it?!? This lil ole blog is officially 2 years old (actually as of yesterday).

When Emmett was born, I got an idea in my brain that I would launch a blog, but I was really nervous because I had started numerous blogs in the past that fallen flat. I gave up! I stopped writing and started thinking I didn’t have enough content. However, when having Emmett a whole new world opened up to me, I had (obviously) never been a parent before and could now share my experiences and I could also feature the other blogs and articles that I was learning from.

That’s how it started out, and I loved it! I still do, but now we’re even bigger. I talk about a huge variety of things, from stuff about my little Baby Doodah, to recipes, my tips and tricks as a new mom, how I’m coping with Binge Eating Disorder, or even tips for specific things like Potty training a toddler. I’ve learned a lot in the 2 years that I’ve been doing this, and I have enjoyed every moment of it.

If you look back or read some of my older posts, you can see that my writing style and photo quality has changed, in a good way. I’ve grown personally, as a mom and a writer, but also professionally. Now, I not only look at this little corner of the blog world as my place to share about my family, but also to provide tips or recommendations to others who may be going through something similar.

I’ve always loved writing. My best friend in grade school and I used to sit and write out fictional stories, mainly about the Little Mermaid (because it was huge back then), but we made up our own twists and turns. I wrote, she illustrated – we had fun! Throughout the years I forgot that love for writing, but I am really glad I found it again.

Nothing brings me more joy than sitting down with a hot idea, that is just dying to be written. It feels so good to have this place. I am truly honored that you stop by and read what I write. Knowing that there are people who genuinely care about what I have to say is a very moving thing.

I thank you from the very bottom of my heart!!

And to thank you, I have teamed up with Philips AVENT to offer you a pretty freakin’ (if I do say so myself) giveaway.

Here’s what’s included: A Philips AVENT Single Electric Comfort Breast pump and Philips AVENT Breast Milk Storage Bags. And because I really REALLY love you guys, I am also going to be giving away a $50 Visa Gift Card.

One lucky winner will win all three items. So, please, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter to win! Contest ends 9/26/14. I will announce the winner on Monday, 9/29/14.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I also want to mention that Philips AVENT will be having a 30th Birthday Twitter party, hosted by Philips AVENT, and Kerri Jablonski of @IamtheMaven, tonight (9/16/14) from 8pm – 9 pm. We’re going to be celebrating Philips AVENT’s 30th birthday party, you can follow along using the hashtag #AVENTparents for a chance to win prizes, hear advice and share your parenting stories. I hope to see you there!

Birthdays all around!! Woohoo! Let’s celebrate!!

Your turn!

How do you usually celebrate your birthday?

Do you have a favorite memory from the past two years of Baby Doodah!?

Looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to get your news? Check-out theSkimm and sign-up for your daily email box delivery of the world’s news, plus if you share your birthday, you get it listed at the bottom of the newsletter on your day. It’s like celebrating with thousands of people!!!

Filed Under: All About Me, Emmett, Family, Link-Ups

An Open Letter to the Woman in the Car Next to Mine

Posted on May 21 by Jillian416 • 9 Comments

Recently, I was at a local chain restaurant with my family. We parked further away from the door than normal, in an area where most people do not park because it takes a few extra steps to walk inside. Next to where we parked was a woman, sitting in her car, very obviously binging. This letter was inspired by that woman.

Hello,

You don’t know me, but I understand your plight.

I understand what it’s like to go through a restaurant’s drive-thru, or to order take-out and hurry back to your car, making sure you park far enough away that it is unlikely that someone will park next to you.

I understand what it’s like to have your mouth salivating at the thought of what is inside the bag.

I understand barely being able to contain the desire to RIP open the food the second it is handed to you. But you never do, because you’re terrified of what the drive-thru attendant may think of you if you started eating right there. Plus, you need to remember how important it is to keep up the facade that the food is not ENTIRELY for you, that you bought 4 sandwiches + fries, for other people to enjoy too.

I understand what it’s like to think that if someone were to see you, know you, or hear what you were doing, that they’d be disgusted.

I understand the self-hatred that begins the moment you pull into the drive-thru, but hits its crescendo the second you finish that last bite of food.

I understand the embarrassment you feel when someone pulls into the parking spot next to you, and sees you stuffing the steaming heap of french fries into your mouth.

I understand what it’s like to binge. To suffer, to struggle and try to cope with binge eating disorder.

But, I’m writing this letter so that you know you are not alone. That you are not disgusting, and that are people in your life that if you confide in them, will support you and lift you up.

I am writing to tell you that you don’t need to be embarrassed. Other people have experienced the same struggle, and understand what you’re dealing with, lean on them for support.

I am writing to tell you that you don’t need to hate yourself. That hating yourself will not heal you, but that accepting yourself, and working to overcome binge eating disorder will.

I am writing because I’ve been you, and there are times when I still am. But that with the love of my husband, and some good friends, I am slowly healing, and that you can too.

Take care of yourself. Put yourself first. Don’t accept excuses.

We’re all rooting for you!

I am linking up with peas and crayons.

Filed Under: All About Me

What I Ate Wednesday – Binge Eating Disorder

Posted on February 27 by Jillian416 • 2 Comments

What someone with Binge Eating Disorder really looks like?

February 23^rd – March 1^st is designated as Eating Disorders Awareness week. For the first time in my life, I am working to get in charge of my eating, so that I am no longer following in the shadow of my disorder.

I’ve shared with you over the last few months my struggles with Binge Eating Disorder (You can read them all here.) It is something that I have defined my life by for years. I never had a name for it, but I knew the struggle. Every single day would begin with a thought about when the next time I was going to get fast food (since that was my fancy) would be. Literally, my alarm would go off, I’d roll out of bed and start thinking about food. It has consumed my life!

I am not healed, but I have begun the healing process (more to come on this in future posts). In an effort to grow the parts of me that are NOT food related, I thought I’d dedicate this post to talking about my identity that does not involve food.

So what DOES someone with Binge Eating Disorder look like anyway?

I am a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt.
I have an amazing sense of humor, and can laugh at even the dirtiest of jokes.
I love having friends, but am terrible at keeping ties with everyone. I do my best!
I adore making jewelry, and miss making it (It’s been since Emmett’s birth since I’ve created).
I am a supervisor at a health insurance company, and proud of my job. I am slowly but surely learning my way.
I love comfy jammies, soft blankets and weekends curled on the couch.
I swoon over the way Emmett says the word cuddle – “duddle” – and the fact that he enjoys partaking in my cuddles so much.
I love reading AND writing. My reading list is never ending, as is my list of topics to write about.
I love getting up early, but I wouldn’t consider myself a morning person, because I also enjoy staying up late.
Coffee is often the first thing I sip in the mornings.
The feeling of working hard and accomplishing a goal I set for myself, gives me the ultimate feeling of satisfaction.
I want 4 kids simply because I loved growing up in a big family, but realize I will likely have less.
I have an amazing support system, in my husband, family and very close friends.
I’ve suffered with depression off and on for most of my adult life, but I am working hard to overcome the struggles.
I am right handed, my eyes are a beautiful blue-green hazel and my hair is naturally blonde (with some highlights added in).
I trust too swiftly and fully, so that when I am crossed I fall hard.
My middle name is Therese and I love love love it!
I love the feeling of my body when it is sore from a tough workout, but have such a hard time motivating myself to get out the door.
And finally, I am a woman who is on a journey of a lifetime.

Those are not in any particular order, but I would say that’s a pretty cumulative list of who I am as a person outside of my disease. I created this list, so that you, my lovely readers would know me better, but also so that I have it to refer to when the going gets tough.

As always, thank you for reading – your support and encouraging words has been so so helpful in my quest.

Thanks to Jenn of Peas and Crayons for hosting!

Filed Under: All About Me

What I Ate Wednesday – Binge Eating Disorder

Posted on January 8 by Jillian416 • 10 Comments

Binge Eating Disorder is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating without subsequent purging episodes.

Hi all, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve participated in What I Ate Wednesday, but finally getting back to it. This week’s post is a bit different than previous week’s because I want to come clean in an effort to get my eating in check.

I want to be successful with my resolutions this year, in order to do that I need to grow as a person. One area where I truly suffer is my eating, I have binge eating disorder (or BED). Many of you may have never heard of BED, neither had I until I discovered Kristin Gerstley’s blog End Binge Eating Now.

I’ve always known that I have an unhealthy relationship with food, that I prefer to eat alone because then I can eat an unheard of amount of food without anyone knowing (or judging), but I was unaware that it had a name. I randomly came across the term Binge Eating Disorder while on Instagram. An individual that I follow has overcome the disease, she was sharing a photo and a story from her journey, and it hit me, her story was describing what I deal with on a near daily basis. As I googled it, and read through Kristin’s blog reality slapped me hard in the face. Now, the question is how do I overcome Binge Eating Disorder?

This isn’t something new, I’ve dealt with this for a large majority of my adult life, but I’ve reached my breaking point. The thing is that I don’t just want to cope with BED, but actually overcome it. BED is like many other addictions, the only difference is that I can’t cut food completely out of my life, I can’t just stop eating. Instead I need to wrangle it in, and I have no idea how to do that, this is where the research begins.

I’m tired of dealing with this on my own, there are many online support groups, classes and blogs that have helped thousands overcome BED, allowing them to live a happy and full life. I want to be one of those people, and my journey starts here, today. I’m sharing this with you, readers, because I would love if you’d be willing to help hold me accountable.

Thanks to Jenn for hosting! Please be sure that you stop over and visit all of the wonderful What I Ate Wednesdays.

Your turn!

What’dyah say? Are you willing to be my cheerleaders, and help me on this journey?

Do you suffer from binges? If so, how did you overcome them?

Filed Under: All About Me