Perth blogger Eloise Pascal compares her experience with a binge eating disorder similar to that of a drug addiction.
In 2017, after spending more than a decade in an unhealthy binging cycle, Pascal had gained 60kg in just six months and tipped the scales at 130kg.
Burnt out from the failure of crash diets, and an addiction to a prescription weight loss drug, she spiralled. Tubs of ice cream, family meals from McDonald’s and trays of doughnuts were always on the menu.
She became recluse, too “ashamed” to attend family and social events due to her size 26 figure.
“I’d steal food and hide food,” Pascal, 25, told PerthNow.
“I would go on a binge diet cycle. I’d diet all day and I’d get home and binge.
“It’s an addiction like you’re a drug addict. I remember when I was a waitress at 15 and I ate somebody’s leftover potato wedge out of the bin.”
It wasn’t until her early twenties she had the epiphany that unless she cured her binge eating, she would continue in the same cycle.
“You get massive mental dips as well, being guilty saying I hate myself, I’m disgusting, I’m a pig. They are horrible thoughts to have,” she said.
Gaining weight so rapidly was “harsh” on Pascal’s body, describing it as if her skin was tearing apart under the pressure and was also plagued with injuries.
Pascal began researching her illness through professional help, books and podcasts and says she finally banished the illness and began losing weight.
Just over 12 months ago she also underwent gastric sleeve surgery and now fits into a size 14. She said she went under the knife to “speed up” the weight loss process so she could focus on being healthy and enjoying life.
Pascal, who is now a binge eating recovery coach and has 16,000 followers invested in her journey, understands some may feel like she’s not qualified for the job — but says it was something she just “fell into”.
“It’s because I’ve been through it myself, I just get it,” Pascal said.
“It’s not something you can learn or buy, no degree can give you that lived experience.”
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