As we start another NEDAW (National Eating Disorders Awareness Week), I am grateful for this week to highlight the many efforts that the eating disorders treatment community make to further recovery. I encourage you to find an event in or near your community this week.
Currently, I'm reading Carolyn Costin's "Eight Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder." This is an amazing book that I'd recommend for anyone seeking to learn more about the path to recovery. As we enter this week I would suggest that you write your own story of recovery.
Recovery is a process that requires a daily commitment to health. During the journey, tools such as visualizing your success will help along the way. Far too often we live in the memory of dark days. Honor those experiences and attempt to work to give yourself permission to live a new life.
Take time during this week to write about a life without your eating disorder. Who will you include along your journey? Will you work with a professional to develop a food plan? What steps will you take in order to adhere to your plan? How will you reward yourself for your efforts? Where were you and what were you doing when you decided to recover? Who will you enlist for support (Friends, Family, Physician, Psychiatrist, Nutritionist, Therapist)? Finally how different is recovered life from living in your eating disorder?
Eating Disorders are treatable illnesses. You can recover. Start today. Start now.
Peace be with you.
