Yesterday was a small but meaningful step forward. I stuck to my plan and got outside for a 30-minute walk around my local area . It was peaceful, refreshing, and surprisingly enjoyable. That alone felt like a win.
Dinner wasn’t exactly the healthiest (Saturday night films and comfort food go hand in hand in my house), but we’re in the middle of a Pirates of the Caribbean marathon, and my little lad is obsessed with the sword fights.
That said, there were moments I was proud of. I had fruit for lunch. I drank plenty of water. Most notably, I resisted the leftover party food at my son’s friend’s birthday, the adults were helping themselves, and I could’ve easily joined in out of habit or boredom, but I didn’t. That felt good.
Today’s plans include a family Sunday lunch at my sister’s, there’ll be loads of vegetables… and probably pudding! I might try to balance it out with a longer walk and take my son out on his roller skates. Fresh air and movement help clear my head.
Let’s Talk About Binge Eating
I’ve been reflecting on something more serious: binge eating. It’s a topic that’s hard to admit out loud, but the NHS outlines some common signs that really hit home for me:
- Eating when you’re not actually hungry
- Eating very quickly
- Eating alone or in secret
- Feeling guilt, shame, or even disgust afterwards
If I’m being completely honest, I relate to all of these.
I don’t want to self-diagnose and say I have a binge eating disorder, but I also don’t want to ignore how much food dominates my thoughts. I’ve gained a lot of weight over the past few years. I often eat alone, partly due to co-parenting and being single. I eat fast. I eat out of boredom. And emotionally, I’ve been through a lot: a separation, a promotion at work, and a lingering feeling of not being “enough.”
Food has always been something I’ve thought about, constantly planning the next meal, anticipating what I’ll eat, sometimes using it to fill time or emotion. It’s exhausting. I think it’s time I try to shift that mindset and rewire my brain.
Rewiring the Brain: Where Do I Start?
Thta might seem like a bit of a change of direction, but I think what will work for me is if I try to rewire my thoughts about food/eating.
I recently came across an article on Healthline by Crystal Raypole titled How to Rewire Your Brain: 6 Neuroplasticity Exercises. It really got me thinking. Here are the six methods she suggests:
- Play video games
- Learn a new language
- Make music
- Travel
- Exercise
- Make art
Amazingly, these aren’t out of reach for me. In fact, a lot of them feel… exciting.
- Play video games: My little lad loves gaming and we often play together. He finds it hilarious that I’m terrible and he always wins, so this one’s easy.
- Learn a new language: I’ve always fancied Spanish or Italian. I’m not committing just yet, but it’s definitely on the radar.
- Make music: I’m Grade 8 in both piano and trumpet, and I have a piano in my living room. This is a no-brainer, I just need to make time for it again.
- Travel: I’ve got a van that I’m slowly converting into a little adventure-mobile. There’ll be posts soon about upcoming trips, Ullswater camping is first on the list!
- Exercise: I’ve started walking, but I also have a barbell tucked away at home. Why not bring that into the mix?
- Make art: Crafting used to be a big part of my life, especially when my son was younger. I’d love to revive that creative side again, even just for fun.
So, What’s the Plan?
I’m going to experiment over the next few weeks. Instead of letting food and guilt take up space in my brain, I’m going to fill it with movement, creativity, and connection. I’m not expecting overnight change. But small daily choices , like a walk, a craft project, a music session, they all add up.
And I want to keep documenting it here. It helps me process, and maybe it’ll help someone else too.
Thanks for reading. If you’ve ever struggled with binge eating, emotional eating, or just feeling a bit lost in your relationship with food, you’re not alone. I’d love to hear what’s helped you, feel free to share in the comments or message me privately. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Here’s to small steps and rewiring our brains, one choice at a time.
Right now, I am going to go outside and play some football with my lovely little lad.
but who cares? 
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