Breaking Free from Binge Eating: Eleonora’s Journey to Recovery

This week’s I’m bringing you an inspiring interview with one of my clients, Eleonora, who has bravely navigated her struggles with binge eating. In this special blog and video, my client opens up about her incredible progress and the steps she has made in her recovery journey.

A Lifetime of Dieting and Restriction

From a young age, Eleonora was introduced to dieting and food restriction. Growing up in Argentina, where body image is emphasised, she was encouraged by her mother to slim down, despite not being overweight. This early experience set the stage for a lifelong struggle with food, marked by periods of dieting, restriction, and eventual bingeing.

“My relationship with food was always marked by the good and bad, the forbidden and the allowed,” she recalls. Throughout her childhood and into her teens, she cycled through restrictive diets, from “soup diets” to the latest fad, leading to feelings of guilt and a lack of control. As she grew older, the cycle became more intense, with her willpower waning, leaving her trapped in a pattern of deprivation followed by binge episodes.

The Impact on Everyday Life

For years, food dominated Eleonora’s thoughts, constantly occupying her mind whether she was eating or not. “It was exhausting,” she says. “I was always thinking about what I should or shouldn’t eat, how much to eat, and when to eat. It was relentless.”

Despite managing to lead what appeared to be a normal life - going to university, getting married, and having children - the constant mental battle with food left her feeling drained and unfulfilled. Food was tied to every emotion, and there was never a moment of peace or relief from the thoughts swirling in her head.

The Physical Toll: Digestive Struggles

Over time, the mental strain began to take a physical toll. My client started experiencing severe digestive issues, with painful cramps and urgent trips to the toilet. These episodes left her feeling completely depleted, both physically and emotionally.

“I realised that this wasn’t just about food anymore,” she says. “It was affecting my whole life, my energy, my ability to go out, and my overall quality of life.”

It was at this point that she reached out for support. She recognised that something needed to change if she was going to take back control of her health and wellbeing.

Shifting from Perfection to Progress

One of the most significant challenges in healing from disordered eating is breaking free from perfectionism. Eleonora expressed that for years, she tried to make every diet or plan work, only to find herself frustrated and trapped. She said that even though she had tried different things for 40 years, none of them had provided long-term relief. But as we moved away from rigid dieting rules and focused on building sustainable, mindful habits, the healing began.

Her insight was clear: "Dieting is not for life, but these tools feel like something for life." When we stop striving for perfection and embrace progress, it’s liberating. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a victory. It’s not about following a set of rules but about listening to your body and learning from each experience.

Beyond the Scales: Letting Go of Weight-Centric Thinking

For those who have struggled with dieting for years, the thought of breaking free from weight-focused thinking can be both freeing and scary. But as my client shared, the shift toward focusing on emotional healing and self-compassion was incredibly freeing. "I don’t focus on the weight anymore. What I’ve lost is the other weight—the burden," she said.

This shift isn’t about giving up on health, it’s about redefining what health means. Health isn’t defined by the number on the scales but by the freedom to listen to your body, trust your instincts, and nourish yourself in a loving way. When you focus on healing your relationship with food and your body, weight loss may come as a natural side effect, but it no longer becomes the primary goal.

The Courage to Create Change

As we talked, my Eleonora reflected on the fear that initially held her back from trying something new. It was difficult for her to trust the process at first, especially after so many years of dieting and trying to fix what she thought was her broken self. But she began to realise that through no fault of her own, dieting had never worked, and this new approach based on mindfulness, emotional healing, and self-acceptance, was very different.

"It's hard," she admitted, "but now it feels like it's forever. It's life changing." It was clear from our conversation that the courage to trust this new process was one of the keys to Eleonora’s success.

Healing isn’t about undoing the past; it’s about moving forward with compassion, and the tools to thrive. As my client said, it doesn’t matter how many years you've spent struggling - there are still many years ahead to love yourself, to be happy, and to live free from the burden of dieting.

If you're struggling with food and body image, know that change is possible. It’s not magic, but it’s worth every step. You can break free from the cycle and step into a future of emotional freedom, self-compassion, and a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food.

Support Your journey…

For a deeper dive into overcoming disordered eating and finding balance, my best selling book The Binge Freedom Method™ provides a comprehensive, science-backed framework to help you build a healthier relationship with food and your body. It offers practical steps, real-life strategies, and support for breaking free from binge eating and diet culture for good. You can learn more about it HERE.

Breaking the Cycle Starter Kit: This free resource is designed to help you take the first steps toward food freedom. Inside, you’ll find actionable strategies to begin shifting your mindset, manage cravings, and stop the binge-restrict cycle in its tracks.

Download it HERE ******

Join the Food Freedom Collective: This FREE supportive Facebook community is a safe space where you can feel safe with others who understand what you’re going through. I am in the group to answer your questions and support you every step of the way.

JOIN HERE*****