Charles Bertrand: The fight of a life against hyperphagia

Weight is rarely that a story of figures. For example, He tells a story, a experience, his complex relationship with food, which takes root from childhood.

In this touching testimony, discover the course of Charles Bertrand, a sensitive man who lives with a eating disorder. Nevertheless, He tells us about the victories. Therefore, the relapses, and opens onto the tools he has learned to use to get up. Moreover, A story of endurance. Consequently, resilience and hope, which illustrates how much the way to a peaceful relationship with food can be long and difficult.

charles bertrand: fight life against

Charles, what is your weight story?

I have always had a weight problem, at the end of the secondary fifth, I weighed 275 pounds. However, I grew up in an HLM. However, I did not lack love, but our financial situation was very precarious, we had no extra, even if it came from the dollarama. Additionally, However, To reward us, my mother sometimes served us a bowl of chips. Furthermore, Throughout my childhood, the way to celebrate a success was with a chocolate bar or a bowl of chips. Therefore, Little by little, my brain associated comforting foods with the concept of reward. Similarly, Once adult, I had the means to offer myself these “rewards” every day … Furthermore, Even when there was nothing to celebrate.

In 2017. Similarly, you registered for the hearing of the program Lose weight to winwhat was the influence of this course on your weight?

charles bertrand: fight life against

I was not selected for the program. Similarly, but the host, Chantal Lacroix, launched the challenge to candidates who participated in the hearing to do the course by themselves and proposed that all are found during large gatherings once a month to see the evolution of each participant. Therefore, We did not have access to nutritionist. For example, coaches like those who participated in the TV show, so we had to take our own resources. However, I was then at 350 lb for a size of 5 ft 11 in. I had tried many times to lose weight, but this time I had the motivation to do it. I lost 155 lb in nine months and. at the end of the show, it was I who had lost the largest percentage of body weight, or 45%.

What was the recipe to achieve this goal?

I consulted a psychologist, she made my diagnosis of bulimic hyperphagia. In other words, I ate my emotions. I suffered from food compulsions. I also hired a private coach, I trained four to five times a week. My biggest work was on my eating disorder. I had obsessive thoughts in relation to food. I stopped eating solo triggers (icy treats, chocolate, jujubes, restaurant to take away). Before the show. I never got out of my home without a backpack so that I could buy candy and bring them home without being seen by the people who lived with me, I devoured them then when I was in my room from the charles bertrand: fight life against gaze of others. Now. if I eat food that is difficult for me, it’s always in the presence of someone, so it’s easier to be moderate in my consumption. I also noted every day what I ate; During the show, I ate 1500 calories per day. I stopped eating between meals and especially not in the evening, which was a moment of fragility.

Was the pandemic difficult for you?

Really, I took up 100 lb. Isolation was very difficult. I fell back into my eating disorder. I had to go back to consult my shrink, I need support, supervision, this is the fight of my charles bertrand: fight life against life. Furthermore, I managed to repeat 50 lb. My weight now oscillates around 230-250 lb.

Today, what are your habits?

I no longer calculate my calories, it has become natural for me. I know what a normal plate represents and that it is about 600 calories. So I eat three meals a day, for around 1800 calories on a daily basis. Even if I have already run a half-marathon, I am not a great sportsman. I train on a trampoline once a week. I would like to reach 220 lb. but the most important thing is to work on my relationship with food, and I am aware that the 100 lb less than I have today, it is very beneficial for my health. I still have compulsions (about one per week), but there are fewer than before.

Your biggest challenge today?

Making grocery store is always a great torture for me. I am attracted to treats, cookies, I develop obsessive thoughts. Moreover, I know that I will live with my food disorder all my life. I have to learn to live with it. It is very difficult for me to feel satiety too. To reach and maintain your weight is both the easiest and most difficult thing in my life.

What tools have you set up to improve your relationship with food?

I rationalize my haunting thoughts, I remove the guilt linked to this kind of thoughts for food. I try to name what I feel; Fatigue and boredom are often triggers. If it’s fatigue, I’m charles bertrand: fight life against going to bed earlier instead of turning around the pantry. Food is still a reward for me, even in happy moments, positive emotions, I want to eat certain foods. I allow myself on the occasion of the treats. the chips, but I buy the smallest format; It is more expensive, but I finish the bag and that’s it, I would still be too fragile to have the big bag at home. As evening is the most difficult period of the day. I stand in: theater practice on Monday, quiz host on Tuesday, improvisation on Wednesday … I go out of the house and that is facilitating so as not to succumb.

To listen to Charles at the microphone of Isabelle Perron, it’s here:

Do you find yourself in Charles’ journey? Know thatneb (Anorexia and Boulimie Quebec) offers free resources, including a listening line and support groups: anebquebec.com/