Why willpower isn’t the answer
Hey, Empowered Eater!
Welcome back to our weekly newsletter, The Path to Empowered Eating!
I see you. You’ve tried everything to “control” your eating habits—cutting out food groups, trying stricter diets, and promising yourself this time it’ll stick. Yet somehow, you find yourself back at square one, frustrated and defeated.
Here’s the truth no one tells you: it’s not about willpower.
I know because I’ve been there too.
Years ago, I found myself in the same cycle—telling myself I would never touch chocolate again one day, only to eat an entire bar the next.
The harder I tried to restrict, the more I felt out of control. My cravings weren’t a lack of discipline; they were my body’s way of saying...
“Hey, I need you to listen to me!”
When I finally stopped blaming myself and started understanding the restrict-binge cycle, everything changed.
The Science Behind the Cycle
Here’s what I learned (and what I teach in my practice):
- Restriction isn’t the solution—it’s the trigger. When we deprive ourselves, our bodies go into survival mode, creating intense cravings that often lead to a binge.
- It’s not about willpower—it’s biology. Your brain and body are wired to protect you from perceived scarcity, even if that scarcity is self-imposed.
- Shame keeps the cycle alive. Feeling guilty and ashamed after a binge often leads to more restriction, fueling the cycle.
How to Break Free
The first step is awareness: recognising that this isn’t your fault—it’s a pattern you can change.
From there, it’s about small, intentional shifts:
- Ditch the “all-or-nothing” mentality. Allow yourself regular, balanced meals in addition to the foods you love.
- Practice pattern interrupts. When you feel the urge to binge, try taking a deep breath to drop into your body and PAUSE to check in with yourself.
- Embrace self-compassion. Instead of beating yourself up after a setback, remind yourself that you’re human, and you still need to learn a better way to handle discomfort before binge eating becomes a non-existent option.
Want to dive deeper into this?
Free Mini-Masterclass:
The Quick-Start Guide to Breaking the Binge Habit (in 30 Minutes or Less)!
I’ve created a free masterclass and workbook to guide you through understanding and breaking the restrict-binge cycle. But this will only be available for 48hrs! Grab it now before it gets deleted.
Inside, you’ll learn:
- The psychology behind binge eating (it’s not about willpower).
- Practical tools to disrupt the cycle and reduce urges.
- How to build a more balanced, loving relationship with food.
Click here to access the mini masterclass
Big News:
My New Membership Launching in January
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new membership —a safe, empowering space where we’ll focus on food freedom, body respect, embodiment and self-love.
As a subscriber, you’ll be the first to know when doors open and get exclusive early access before anyone else.
What would you to see inside the membership? I’d love to hear from you!
Let me know in the comments.
Let’s make 2025 the year you find freedom, ease, and peace of mind!
We're in this together.
Emi Souza
CBT-E Therapist | Empowerment Coach
P.S. Healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. If today you took one small step toward self-love, you’re already winning.
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