Muphy is having surgery bright and early tomorrow morning, so the vet’s instructions were not to feed him after midnight. He’s like a Gremlin! 
Murphy is visiting the vet for a routine surgery (neuter), but I am still so worried about my little guy. I hope he’ll be okay! 
Lunch
For lunch today, I had a homemade salad topped with relish and a Larabar Jocalat bar. Lunch tasted delicious, but it left me hungry just a few hours later. Boo! 
When I got home from work, I wolfed down 2 bowls of Raisin Bran. They hit the spot.
“Binge” Versus “Indulgence”
So, guys, there were some interesting and though-provoking comments on this morning’s blog post.
As you might remember, I used the word “binge” in relation to eating a ton of cookies last night. I might not have picked the best choice of words, so I want you to know that I didn’t mean to be insensitive. The situation just felt that way to me and perhaps I don’t understand the true meaning of this word. I do, however, think this is a nice opportunity for an interesting conversation.
What do you think about using words like “binge,” “splurge,” “indulgence,” “overindulgence,” “over-eating”? What do you think is the difference between these words? Can you use them incorrectly?
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Murphy will be ok. I don’t think you used the word binge incorrectly. I think our interpretation of it is a very subjective thing. It can trigger some people to think specific things. The main difference is that binge is associated with a disorder, hence its sensitive nature, and the other words are not. I think that the most PC of all of the words you’ve listed is splurge or indulgence. No qualifying with the prefix “over”.
I don’t think the word was used incorrectly either but I guess someone sensitive to that might take it differently!
That pic of Murphy is PRECIOUS! He looks worried!
I have a hard time defining those words for myself which is the struggle I have with weight loss and knowing when I have indulged, splurged, over ate or binged. You have lost weight, and have maintained your healthy weight – you know when you have overdone it. Whatever term you want to use, I believe is okay because you are the master of your own body.
I definitely associate binge with an eating disorder and feel that it has a negative connotation compared to splurge or overindulgence or over-eat. That being said I think I probably use all those words interchangeably when I talk about eating too much. I will now think twice before using binge. Splurge is fun to say …I’m going with splurge.
I do not think you used the word inappropiately at all. I think all of those words are very personal and mean different things to different people. A “binge” is whatever going overboard means to YOU. For some person that might be 1000 calories worth of cookies but for someone else it might be 30,000 calories of cookies. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to use those words because I think they all mean different things to different people.
Awww poor murphy. Neutering can’t be fun I imagine. I hope the surgery goes well.
Good luck to little Murphy.
I am in recovery from binge eating disorder and to me, the word binge isn’t about food at all. It is about a behavior. I have binged on salad just as I have binged on ice cream or cookies. For me, binging is completely out of control and feels as if I am completely outside of my body. I’ve often described it as being wrapped in a cloak and then watching myself from the outside. Binges often include tears running down my face and extreme feelings of hatred towards myself. For me, binging is not eating too many cookies.
With all that said, thankfully, because I have done the work that it takes to recover, I dont’ really binge anymore. I do overeat, make poor choices or even indulge in emotional eating but my binges are thankfully far and few between.
I definitely think that there is a huge difference between a binge and overeating. However, that’s not to say that you didn’t binge on that cookies. For me, it all comes down to the feeling of losing of control. Consequently, binges (in my life, at least) usually consist of thousands of calories! overeating, on the other hand, is simply eat more than I do on a normal basis.
For me, when I binge I adopt an “all or nothing” mentality. I figure, “well I had 5 cookies, so I might as well have 5 more, plus ice cream, plus a peanut butter sandwich, etc.” It also includes a deep sense of shame. Overeating, on the other hand, is more like “wow, I’m stuffed. Won’t be doing that again anytime soon!”
Splurges…I define those more as being planned. For instance, I definitely plan on splurging on Thanksgiving! Which, will probably lead to overeating
When I plan to splurge, it very rarely turns into a binge because I already have the sense of “freedom” that I can eat whatever I want.
I hope that wasn’t confusing
Haha!
I don’t necessarily think you used the word inappropriately; however, I think it can be taken the wrong way. I think this is because it is the “official” term used when defining eating disorders. But, it really does mean different things to different people.
Poor little Murphy, I’m sure his surgery will go well. Good Luck!
I knew what you meant by binge, but clinically I think that means you ate at least 3,000+ calories in one sitting and is physically harmful to your body ( an eating disorder). I qualify over eating as eating beyond the point of hunger usually out of excitement/ greed/ severe hunger, and while you may be uncomfortable it’s not habitual. Splurging is more like “planned over eating,” lol. Like if you know you are going to eat at your favorite restaurant so you save calories throughout the day to balance it out.
I don’t think you were insensitive, you used the word as you saw fit for your situation (and after all this is YOUR blog). I agree with some of the commentors about how it is associated with a specific eating disorder so that’s where the sensitivity issue comes in.
I think to people who have struggled with dieting or eating disorders in the past may find it upsetting but i think the word choice is up to the discretion of the user and those who read your blog regularly understand that you would never try to be insensitive.
Good luck with Murphy
For me there is a huge difference for the words. I don’t think you were insensitive at all though!!
When I overindulge or splurge I see it as more of a treat and I just move on. In those situations I feel like I have control. When I binge I have no control at all. I have struggled with binge eating and for me and it is all about being depressed and eating until I feel sick and terrible about myself.
But I totally agree….you just have to move on and not dwell.
P.S. Murphy is SOOOO cute!
good luck, murphy! i remember when my doggie had his removed. make sure to keep the area clean – mine had an infection…
i used to be major binge eater – like 2 bags of cookies followed by a full 3 course dinner followed by 2 more bags of cookies and a shake. now i haven’t done that in a long time, but it’s funny; i never thought of what you said as “insensitive.” the feeling of “losing control” is what i associate with bingeing not the amount of food i’ve eaten.
Look at that little face. It’s like he’s knows!
I’m sure you didn’t mean to be insensitive at all, but I think there is a distinction in the terms. I haven’t suffered from a binge eating disorder, but I have suffered from an eating disorder and from depression, and I know there is a difference between your mind telling you things and affecting your moods and behaviour, in a way that your own body really isn’t completely under your control, which is very frightening, and just overdoing the comfort eating. But again, I’m sure you didn’t mean to offend anyone and we’re all probably guilty of using insensitive language or remarks at times, entirely unintentionally.
Regarding this morning’s post, I know it’s a horrible feeling to feel like you lost control of yourself a bit when it comes to eating, but as overindulgences go, it could have been a lot worse! At least there was a good amount of nutrition in the cookies from the oats and pumpkin; it wasn’t just empty calories.
I do want to say, Tina, that I really admire you and your blog, because I think you do generally embody a great example of a young adult trying to live a healthy life, for the sake of being mentally and physically healthy, not just because you’re obsessed with maintaining a low body weight. As many good ideas and inspiration as I can get from the healthy living blogs, I honestly feel that most of them now profess to be about “healthy living”, but are in fact mostly about weight. The bloggers are exercising so much and eating so healthfully partly because it makes them feel generally better and more energised, but largely because it keeps them thin. I just sometimes feel like there’s a lot of disordered thinking under the supposedly healthy mindset and that if some of the women were to gain ten pounds, for instance, even if they were physically healthy and full of energy, they would still resort to cutting calories and excessive exercise, the sort of behaviour that they profess to disdain. But I don’t get that vibe from your blog at all; although you do occasionally seem to apologise for not being perfect, and who is?
I wish I had commented on your post earlier this morning because I thought the same thing as some of the other commenters about the connotation of the word “binge.” I mean, everyone is different and words have different meanings to different people. As someone who is working on overcoming binge eating disorder, a binge to me is the uncontrollable urge to stuff your face with trigger foods (again, different for everyone, but mine are chips & dip, cookie dough, milk chocolate) to the tune of thousands of calories.
Again, everyone is different and I am enjoying reading everyone’s comments on this topic!
PS hope everything goes well with Murphy’s surger tomorrow, he’s such a cute little guy!
Aw, poor Murphy! I’m sure everything will be ok with him though, don’t worry!
@Laura: Thank you. This is one of the nicest comments I’ve ever received!
The definition of a binge is different for every single person. And what one considers a binge is different as well. Its good you addressed it in this post.
i think it’s nice you said that perhaps you might have used a word wrong but I don’t know why people have to jump all over you. do they really think you meant to be insensitive?
Hey gorgeous, regarding your question, personally i think that “binge” is very negative as in a sick manner or eating disorder. Just eating huge amounts without control. While indulge is eating too much but enjoying it. The pleasure or discomfort makes the difference in my opinion.
I don’t think it’s bad you used the word “binge” but eating a little too many cookies i wouldn’t call “binge” you probably are just a great baker…those cookies looked divine
don’t worry too much about it…
Poor Murphy! I’m sure he’ll be OK and a happier dog for it!
I dislike the word binge, but sometimes it just applies to the situation. Good for you for trying to figure out the difference because people do use them interchangeably when they are not interchangeable.
Murphy should be fine! I work for a vet and routinely assist in neuters and spays. He may be a little groggy and be careful with feeding him afterwards, sometimes they are still affected by the anesthesia and throw up (thats why we tell owners not to feed or give water after midnight either because we don’t want them throwing up in the middle of the surgery!) He’s such a cutie. I saw someone walking a pug on the way to school the other day and immediately thought of Murphy!
I had a feeling you would get some crap for using the word binge.. although I think you used it perfectly! A binge just means you ate a lot at one time. So no worries!
I agree with everything in comment 15. Your blog is very different from the other “bigger” blogs out there. Your focus on living a healthy lifestyle without being overly strict with yourself has helped me with my own struggles. Thank you Tina.
Anyway, I struggled with bulimia in high school and when I would binge, it was like I turned into another person. I ate everything I could get my hands on. It wasn’t just a plate of cookies. It was a plate of cookies, a box of mac & cheese, half a cheesecake, you get the picture. However, I don’t think you were insensitive using the word “binge.” It’s just a word and maybe all those cookies were a binge to you. If you had to watch every word you typed as to not offend or annoy someone, your posts wouldn’t even be a paragraph long. It’s impossible to please everyone.
Actually, when I read your post this morning, I DID take note of your use of the word binge, however, I knew what you meant so I just let it go and moved on. That being said, as someone who is dealing with an ED (bulimia in particular), I definitely know that the word binge has a completely DIFFERENT meaning. Binging is something I (or any other bulimic, or chronic binger) does in private and is thoroughly ashamed of. Also, binging is a way of “filling the hole” we feel is present in our current life. This is also why with a binge disorder often times comes depression, a very heavy depression that can sometimes be worse than the ED itself. Both the depression and ED play off of each other and make it very difficult to move forward in working towards living an ED free life.
I guess what I am trying to say is, that while I know you by no means meant any harm by your use of the word ‘binge,’ but at the same time, I don’t think you or anyone else who has never been diagnosed with an ED understands exactly what it is a binge is unless you or others DO suffer from a binge-related ED and can therefore understand the true connotation of the term.
On a lighter note… I hope Murphy does well tomorrow. I’m sure he will be great, he’s a trooper!!
I never like to label my eating with any of the words you mentioned. Binge, indulge, splurge, overindulgence…they all make me cringe. For me, if I eat a lot of something one night, then I just consider it eating. The chances of it happening the next night are slim. Labeling it as any of the above mentioned words, however, makes it seem as though it’s bad. I refuse to to label food or eating and then have it tied to an emotion (other than happiness, haha), so I’ve pretty much eliminated those words from my vocabulary. This is just me, though!
i love the way grace #9 comment put it. i completely agree!
Aw!! Poor Murphy’s eyes looks so sad…lol.
Interesting bowl – I like it:-)
I think binge has negative connotations due to its associations with eating disorders. I like the term “indulgence” for referring to something yummy that isn’t super-healthy. “Indulgence” implies that you don’t have a problem with it, you acknowledge that it’s a special treat, but also that you’ll balance it through healthy eating the rest of the day/week/whatever.
For some reason, most of those words make me uncomfortable – certainly binge. I like the word indulgence, however. It implies a special treat, or a rare occasion. I imagine a group of friends around a dinner table toasting to indulgence. I see absolutely nothing wrong with rewarding yourself with an indulgence, be it a few extra cookies or a rich and creamy alfredo pasta dish. It’s all about balance, something I think you advocate in such a positive and healthy way. Thanks Tina!
good luck to lil Murphy!
When our dog was neutered I sent along a t-shirt my husband had worn so he would have something with our scent on it. The vet allowed him to have it in his crate while he recovered from surgery. Not quite sure if our precious pet was comforted by this, but his human mom and dad were!
Murphy will do just fine….he just might not be able to climb your stairs for a few days.
well personally a splurge to me is when i choose to eat something that is not so healthy but I don’t have it alot so its ok, because I eat it in moderation, hence the term “splurge”
I feel ok abotu it because it is a special treat!
overindulgence: this is when I take the spluge too far
I eat more than I intended to!
binge tends to have a negative association with it, I maen when have you hard binge as a positive term? all we hear is binge drinking, binge eating etc, it is shed in a bad light. I much like using the term indulgence. It shows taht you chose to eat this and its ok, because everything is in moderation
MURPHY IS SO ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you used the word binge in a way I would use it. I get like this with something super delicious that I don’t normally eat. It is hard to just eat 1 of something!! So I may have several until I come fully satisfied. I can see where using the word binge here incorrectly. I would say over-indulging be a more accurate term because it something not done very often but when it is done, its over eating a certain item! As for a binge, I think it more for people who have mental problems with their emotions physically and emotionally, they binge on purpose to make themselves feel better. Which eating 6 cookies wouldn’t affect my mentality besides thinking, my next meal will be a salad and I can’t wait to get to the gym!
i think they are all closely similiar but mean different things!
jenna
Aww, his little face is like “Mom, don’t do it!” He’ll be fine though!
Murphy has the cutest little face! He looks really upset about not being able to eat, poor little guy!
Good luck Murph– you might be barking a bit higher pitched, but you’ll be ok. I’m there for you bud. Your pal, Finn (ps. you might even get some extra treats out of the whole thing!)
Murphy’s face is priceless, poor thing! He will be fine I promise. I was nervous when my dog went for surgery but they are tougher than they look sometimes.
I think I also use the word binge too casually sometimes. When I say binge, I often mean overindulgence in the sense that I don’t have a binge eating disorder. I think it’s really difficult because the meanings of each of the terms you mentioned are so dependent on each individual’s relationship with food.
I dropped off our little Gus for surgery this morning… and cried the whole way home. I think it’s AMAZING how quickly/easily we get attached to our pets!! Although, they are definitely a part of the family.
I think it’s easy to use words like those you listed–but I also think that the negative connotations are all in the ears of the listener… they honestly didn’t strike me as offensive in the slightest when I read your post this morning. Maybe that’s a sign that I use them too readily?? I’m not sure…
Aw, Murphy is so cute! I know you’ll be worried, but he will be fine:)
I do consider my overeating a binge. Whenever I am eating much more than what I need to be satisfied, I feel it’s a binge. Often, I eat that way when I’m avoiding feeling certain feelings or when I’m in an uncomfortable situation. I am not overeating because I am hungry, I am overeating because I don’t want to deal with whatever is bothering me.
That is just about the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen. I’ll have to make sure my 3 Jack Russell Terriers don’t know I said that!! They would be very upset with me!! Murphy will be fine and you know you’re doing the best thing for him and you!! Although, I will say my male is 12 so he was neutered 11.5 years ago. My husband still tells him that it’s all my (mama’s) fault! Too funny!
yes poor murphy but that picture you posted of him was sooo adorable
Good luck for Murphy’s surgery – he will be fine! Such a cutie
I found nothing insensitive about your comment (and I am one of the girls who addressed the cringe-worthiness of that word). I really appreciated the comments that followed, too. Nothing insulting, nothing condescending, a lot of solidarity.
(Save the one not-so-nice comment following this post. Some people should be kinder to those struggling with eating disorders.)
I did not see anyone accuse Tina of being insensitive or thoughtless; she’s simply not! Some of the bloggers seem judgmental and actually nasty, and Tina is so different. So open-minded and thoughtful.
I feel like if perhaps another blogger (no names!) used the word, I’d annoyed, but it’s obvious that you simply meant it as another word for splurge.
He’ll be fine but I know what you mean about worrying for the routine stuff. He’s your baby
I think those words can be misused if someone is not careful. But I think it totally depends on the intent. If the intent was to illude to an actual problem that someone doesn’t have it’s wrong.
Oh poor Murphy!! He is totally giving you the sad eyes in that picture. Awwww!!!
And I think people often use the term binge when it would be better to say that they overindulged.
I read that you baked 16 cookies. Even if you ate all of them, that wouldn’t be a binge to some people. There are some who would eat twice that, then have a lot of other food on top of it – all at one time. So for them, using the word binge means eating just way, way, way more food – to the point of being sick and then still eating.
I think people, when they have overeaten, call it a binge. But compared to those taking in enormous quantities of food, and thousands of calories, at one sitting – the two are very different.
For those dealing with an ED, a binge is really just that – it’s not just eating a few too many cookies or whatever. It goes far beyond that. It’s cookies, then pop tarts, then waffles covered in syrup and butter, then pancakes, then something else – whatever. Until you’ve been there, or know a person who has, you maybe just won’t get it. For someone suffering with true binge eating, it can be offensive when a person who has just eaten a bit too much, more than normal, to say they binged. Because in the eyes of the binger – that person hasn’t a clue what a binge really is like.
Just my thoughts!
Just my 2 cents!
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