What eating disorder recovery looks like – real examples.
Would you like some examples of what it looks like to be recovered from an eating disorder?
They might seem super simple to individuals who don’t struggle with disordered eating, but for me, they are reminders of how far I’ve come and how much better it is on the other side 😊
1. I have loads of chocolates left over from Christmas time sitting in the cupboards.
When I was in the depths of my eating disorder, I told myself I COULDN’T have any sweets in my home. I persuaded myself, “I’ll just eat them all.” Or “I won’t be able to stop if I start.” I’d either throw them away, scared of their power, or I’d binge on them in one go and feel immense guilt and shame afterwards.
Fast-forward to nowadays, having chocolates in my home doesn’t mean I’m not eating any of them. It doesn’t mean I won’t eat more than a serving size in one go. It just means they don’t have power over me anymore – no food does. I’m not obsessing over them, I’m not distracted by their presence, I’m not worrying about how tempting they are and that if I eat them, I will have ‘failed.’ I’m not tempted to shove them in the bin, unopened. They are just there, ready for me to crack open when I fancy some delicious Terrys Chocolate Orange or a Lindt chocolate ball. This is an example of food freedom for me, and I know that it can seem impossible for those still struggling, but it’s really not!
2. I don’t obsess over my gym membership or exercise.
I can be a gym member and not feel obliged to go at a minimum number of times per week OR ELSE. I don’t worry about how much I’m using it and if I have burned a certain number of calories, performed a number of sit ups etc.
It’s more something that I know I can use to support my movement when it’s too cold outside or when I fancy a yoga class. It’s something I know I can go to when I want to move with my friends or when I am looking for structure. A gym membership is certainly not something I NEED anymore. In fact, for a number of years I was so busy with my small children that I found movement in my daily activities rather than through a gym membership.
3. I don’t feel guilty when I’m sick.
I was ill over the Christmas period. I felt awful. Aches and pains all over my body, dizziness and headaches. 10 years ago, there would have been NOTHING stopping me going to the gym before the Christmas holidays. I felt like I had to prepare my body for all the food I was going to eat (and feel guilty about). I would force myself to exercise, to undereat, even if my body was screaming for rest.
This year I stayed in bed and slept longer. I let my husband do the majority of the Christmas cooking (he’s a star!) and I informed our guests about my illness so I could manage everybody’s expectations when it came to activities. I choose to respect my body now and I know that getting ill is a reality, and that is can sometimes be my body’s way of asking me to slow down. I made sure to eat nourishing food, take naps, and practice gratitude for all the things my body does for me.
Do you have your own examples of what recovery looks like in your life? Drop me a message at info@mayyoumend.com – I’d love to hear from you!
Kirsty x
