How Are You Doing?

Eating disorders are tough. They tend to isolate people and make them feel shameful and guilty about their secretive behaviors and their concern for their health issues.

It is important to find a “safe person”. A safe person is someone who will not judge you and will listen with empathy and support. I believe in privacy, but if you can think of one person that you trust or feel sure enough to take a small risk, and share about yourself; I suggest you try.

You might tell a friend, your partner, a therapist, someone from your church/temple; anyone you choose. Remember, you’re looking for someone who won’t judge you. You will feel so much better when you can feel the love and support from another person!

Together you and this person might gather information about getting help. Perhaps you are already in counseling and this can be your “safe person” outside of counseling.

It’s okay to be who you are and where you're at right now, even if you don’t like it very much.. There are reasons to be explored regarding why and new understandings and choices to make. But give yourself a break! In fact, give yourself a hug, I’m serious, wrap your arms around yourself and hold it long and tight. Tell yourself, I love you just the way you are… Feel good? Do it once a day. I bet you’re much kinder to others than you are to yourself!

You’re a good person and you most likely don’t give yourself enough credit for the things that you do well. Make yourself a list of the things that you like about yourself. I am going to leave you with a list of affirmations that you can print and post around your house this week. Good luck!

Please share your story if you tried these exercises!

Affirmations to Post on the Fridge

1. My worth as a person is not diminished in any way by my body size or my eating patterns.

2. I will love myself no matter what my eating patterns are.

3. I will judge my days not by what or how much I eat, but by the accomplishments I have made and the love I have given.

4. My life is a gift, and I will not let my enjoyment of it be diminished by feeling guilty over my body size or how much I eat.

5. I am finished blaming others, situations, and myself for the way I eat. I will take action minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, and day-by-day until I can eat normally again.

6. My eating disorder is a temporary condition in my life.

7. There is a normal eater within me. I will let her/him take over my life more and more each day as I am ready.

8. I can imagine a life without having an eating disorder.

9. When I feel stressed, I will close my eyes and picture how my all-powerful, normal eater would handle the situation.

10. I believe I will be a normal eater again. I know I will be a normal eater again!