I blog about various things but today I am focusing on the foundations that I believe have been so crucial in my recovery process so far. No matter where you are on the continuum of recovery, I hope that some of this information is helpful to you. Recovery is an every day decision and some days are harder than others, but giving up must never be an option. The hard days are an invitation to dig deeper and use the tools you have and lean in to the support around you, while the easier days are an opportunity to really "feel" the grace of having some freedom from the disease. Both are necessary to get you to the next level and after enough practice with the good/hard days my hope for you is that the good days start to stack up and the hard days are few and far between.
Here comes the list of what has worked for me in the past...Take what works for you and change/amend what does not.
1.) 3 meals and 2-3 snacks between every meal. EVERY day. Crucial to getting some space from the eating disorder!! It is very important to be mindful of your food related behaviors and keep them in check. (NON NEGOTIABLE!)
2.) Trusting the Process: Knowing that it will not be easy but it will be worth it. Trusting that your team knows what is best for you and for your body, and trusting your body to heal.
3.) Affirmations: Using affirmations like, "I am enough" or "I deserve recovery" and posting them where you can see them and reminding yourself daily of whatever it is you need to be reminded of.
4.) Knowing that perfection is a moving target and IMPOSSIBLE to attain.
5.) Choosing recovery everyday. Knowing that it is not something that you get to tailor to your feelings/wants/eating disorder voice. Going "all in" towards healing each day.
6.) Being gentle with yourself. Particularly with movement/exercise. If you feel like working out, working out and if you don't feel like working out, being ok with taking a break. Also, not doing any movement at all until you have been medically cleared and then being mindful that you are sticking with types of movement that will be helpful and not hurtful.
7.) Yoga/Meditation: These two things have brought me so much peace in the past and practicing them strengthens my love of self and my recovery. Give them a shot!
8.) Being HONEST with self and others. Making sure your team is aware of how you are doing and that you are being real with your self about how you are doing. The eating disorder will sneak in the moment you create space for it. Where there is honesty there is no room for the eating disorder to thrive.
9.) Living my core values: Knowing the values that are important to me are out of alignment with an eating disorder. Taking back my life and my values every single day. Asking yourself what your core values are, and then trying new ways to practice your values while creating space from your eating disorder.
10.) Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt coined the term, "Choose the loving behavior" and this one is huge. Ask yourself throughout the day, "Am I choosing the loving behavior?" If you are engaging in an eating disordered behavior the answer will be no. Stop what you are doing, and do the opposite. In contrast if you tell yourself you shouldn't have another bite, do the opposite! Have another bite and you are fighting the eating disorder by doing the opposite, and choosing the loving behavior by nourishing yourself.
I hope that this list is helpful and encourage you to share it with someone else that you think may benefit from it!
Here comes the list of what has worked for me in the past...Take what works for you and change/amend what does not.
1.) 3 meals and 2-3 snacks between every meal. EVERY day. Crucial to getting some space from the eating disorder!! It is very important to be mindful of your food related behaviors and keep them in check. (NON NEGOTIABLE!)
2.) Trusting the Process: Knowing that it will not be easy but it will be worth it. Trusting that your team knows what is best for you and for your body, and trusting your body to heal.
3.) Affirmations: Using affirmations like, "I am enough" or "I deserve recovery" and posting them where you can see them and reminding yourself daily of whatever it is you need to be reminded of.
4.) Knowing that perfection is a moving target and IMPOSSIBLE to attain.
5.) Choosing recovery everyday. Knowing that it is not something that you get to tailor to your feelings/wants/eating disorder voice. Going "all in" towards healing each day.
6.) Being gentle with yourself. Particularly with movement/exercise. If you feel like working out, working out and if you don't feel like working out, being ok with taking a break. Also, not doing any movement at all until you have been medically cleared and then being mindful that you are sticking with types of movement that will be helpful and not hurtful.
7.) Yoga/Meditation: These two things have brought me so much peace in the past and practicing them strengthens my love of self and my recovery. Give them a shot!
8.) Being HONEST with self and others. Making sure your team is aware of how you are doing and that you are being real with your self about how you are doing. The eating disorder will sneak in the moment you create space for it. Where there is honesty there is no room for the eating disorder to thrive.
9.) Living my core values: Knowing the values that are important to me are out of alignment with an eating disorder. Taking back my life and my values every single day. Asking yourself what your core values are, and then trying new ways to practice your values while creating space from your eating disorder.
10.) Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt coined the term, "Choose the loving behavior" and this one is huge. Ask yourself throughout the day, "Am I choosing the loving behavior?" If you are engaging in an eating disordered behavior the answer will be no. Stop what you are doing, and do the opposite. In contrast if you tell yourself you shouldn't have another bite, do the opposite! Have another bite and you are fighting the eating disorder by doing the opposite, and choosing the loving behavior by nourishing yourself.
I hope that this list is helpful and encourage you to share it with someone else that you think may benefit from it!