Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder and the Power of Habit Change with Amber Abila

Join Dr. Marianne Pinkston and guest Amber Abila, an adult binge eating coach and expert, for a deep dive into Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Dr. Pinkston shares her personal journey of gaining over 300 pounds, losing weight, and realizing she was struggling with an eating disorder later in life. Amber, who also overcame bulimia and binge eating, discusses how this disorder—only recognized in the DSM-5 in 2013—is often misunderstood as a "willpower problem." They explore the origins of the binge-restrict cycle, the power of mindset and habit change, and practical strategies to dismantle the shame, fear, and addictive patterns surrounding food. Learn the six pillars of Amber's coaching program, including how to sit with urges, develop an abundance mindset, and use celebration to rewire your brain for lasting change.

00:00 Introduction: The Better Life with Dr. Marianne Pinkston

00:32 Introducing Guest Amber Abila: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and its History

01:00 Dr. Pinkston's Personal Story: Realizing an Eating Disorder at 47

01:27 Amber's Story: The Dieting Origin of Binge Eating and Bulimia

02:54 The Shift from Therapy to Habit Research: Understanding Binge as a Habit

04:10 The First Binge and Purge: The Shame and Desperation of the Cycle

05:43 The "Aha!" Moment: Changing the Reaction to Triggers and Urges

07:08 Defining BED and Taking the First Step: Unshaming the Behavior

09:51 Tools for Awareness: The Simple Food Diary and Changing Mindset

10:45 How Thoughts Create Desire: The "Last Glass of Water" Analogy

12:10 Dr. Pinkston's Secret Binge: Stress, Pleasure, Guilt, and the Need for Support

14:16 The Crucial Role of Objective Support and Coaching

15:10 Amber’s Six Pillars of Freedom: Mindset, Moderation, and Urges

15:37 Pillar 2: Moderation & The Scarcity Mindset ("Enough is a Decision")

16:33 Pillar 3: Processing Urges by Grounding in Body Sensations

17:57 Pillar 5 & 6: Confidence, Body Image, and Shifting Identity

18:24 The Power of the Urge: Intermittent Reinforcement and Rewiring the Brain

19:19 The New Reward: Using Celebration as Neural Superglue

20:37 Binge Eating and the Addictive Cycle (Dopamine Surge)

21:57 Showing Yourself the Whole Story: Chapter One vs. Chapters Two Through Ten

23:50 Slowing Down: Mindful Binging and Noticing Negative Food Consequences

25:15 Distinguishing Overeating, Emotional Eating, and Binge Eating

26:42 The Role of Trauma in Eating Issues and When to Seek a Specialis

t28:36 Resources and Next Steps: Amber's Free Guided Urge Audio

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