I am quite sure that this 340 page hero will help many who suffer from binge eating. This blessed healer gave me step by step ways to work through the feelings and thoughts and the dance that can lead to bingeing. I learned about the sneaky disorder and its many faces, and there are even worksheets in the back and wonderful suggestions throughout that will give hope to millions. I would recommend this powerful friend to anyone who has a concern on any level that they may have a problem in this area. Thanks so much Leora, I loved all the personal stories, thanks for sharing yours and bringing this spiritual nugget to the world. ~ Riki Frahmann, LibraryThing

Recovery from eating disorder is a complex process that requires guidance and support. In her introduction to Reclaiming Yourself from Binge Eating: A Step-by-Step Guide to Healing, author Leora Fulvio reveals her own history of self-destructive eating behavior and her inspiration to help those who struggle with binge eating. With a do-it-yourself approach, this book provides practical steps that may help an individual to stop binge eating, increase their emotional awareness, and understand why they binge eat. Exercises and suggested meditations are included throughout the book to supplement the text. It should be noted that this book is not intended to substitute for the care of a licensed health professional. Full disclosure of having a history of eating disorder is a calculated risk. Fulvio does this artfully, and shares her personal narrative with great aplomb. As a reader, it is easier to trust the advice of an individual who has walked the recovery path that their book implements. Organized into two sections, the first part of the guide offers an in-depth view of the defining characteristics of binge eating, the criteria that comprise the disorder (i.e. “How do I know if I am a binge eater?”), and an explanatory model for both its etiology and maintaining factors. The approach is grounded in empirical science, but meant to be accessible. Before moving into this educational material, Fulvio begins by the suggesting to her readers that they will want to develop a practice of mindfulness. Clinicians of differing theoretical backgrounds who may recommend this manual to clients will find common ground with some of the meditative and thought restructuring methods she includes here. Fulvio discusses the differences between ‘disordered eating’ and ‘eating disorder,’ and also examines what we might consider a healthy body, at any size. The material covered includes physiological, social, and psychological factors that contribute to maladaptive eating, and identifies the cycles (e.g. Binge-restrict vs. non-compensatory binge) that may come about through these influences. While some of the titles listed for ‘binge personality types’ may seem overly simplistic at first glance, Fulvio makes a good attempt to identify and describe common personality profiles that an individual might assume as a binge eater. Section One might be adequate on its own as an educational tool for individuals who just want to know more about what it means to binge eat. The second section of the book is where a reader assumes a less passive, more instrumental approach. This section organizes skill building into a series of steps that are designed to be addressed one at a time, and repeated if necessary. The 34 steps should be digested gradually; each chapter might take a week or several apiece, and are to be accompanied with a journal and writing utensil in hand. Acknowledging that a journey of recovery must be deeply individual in order to be maximally effective, readers learn how to self-motivate and to more efficiently identify and manage urges and triggers. Fulvio may garner some criticism for her strongly anti-diet stance. She defines dieting as “the deliberate act of restricting food in order to achieve weight loss,” and feels that as a behavior, dieting can be just as harmful as binge eating. She recommends throwing away the bathroom scale, and gives detailed instruction on how to learn to eat intuitively. As the steps progress, readers learn how to prevent maladaptive behaviors surrounding emotions that link with food, to better navigate through relations with family and friends, and how to handle potential relapse. Self-monitoring exercises and lists of alternate or replacement behaviors, as well as detailed attention to thought restructuring seem to be some of the most helpful chapters in this section. Several appendices include extensive further resources and readings for those interested. Binge eating disorder is a recent addition to the recognized eating disorder diagnostic categories and as a result, few authors to date have directly addressed the mechanisms behind this specific issue. Fulvio makes an important contribution to the literature concerning recovery from binge eating disorder by helping to provide resources that have previously not been available. This book’s defining strength comes from its focus on healing the cognitive and emotional components underlying the maladaptive use of sustenance as a coping mechanism. If an individual is ready to address their problematic eating patterns and wishes to make some lasting and healthful changes, this manual appears to be a very good place to begin. ~ Sasha Dmochowski, International Journal of Psychotherapy

Leora Fulvio takes the mystery out of binge eating in her wonderful new book. Reclaiming Yourself from Binge Eating is readable, engaging and eye opening. Ms. Fulvio obviously cares about people who binge eat and knows how to help them stop, heal and reclaim personhood through health and freedom. I highly recommend this book. ~ Joanna Poppink, MFT Los Angeles Psychotherapist

This book is a gift to people with Binge Eating Disorder and other forms of disordered eating. Leora Fulvio provides step-by-step practical, compassionate advice that by its nature will help the reader slow down, gain self-understanding and ultimately the self-acceptance necessary to make positive change. I will recommend this book enthusiastically to patients and friends alike. ~ Avril Swan, MD, ?

Ms. Fulvio's voice is clear and comprehensive enough to replace the voice of the eating disorder. There are nuggets of wisdom in every paragraph. ~ Sheira Kahn, MFT, co-author of The Erasing ED Treatment Manual