What's your motivation?

jess1992uga

I have found recently that when I don't have goals that are non-weight related, my recovery begins to slip. So, I thought maybe we could share what our motivations are to recover from our eating disorders and gain a normal relationship with food. For me, I want to be able to graduate and become a veterinarian. I want to be able to have kids. I want to be able to smile when I am happy, cry when I am sad, and feel free enough to express any emotion. I want to be able to go out with friends and family without worrying about what they think about my body, if there will be food, what my weight is, and so on. I want to have a healthy relationship with myself so that I can build a healthy relationship with the my soul mate and with my higher power who I choose to call God. All in all, I just want to be able to live a life that has food in it instead of a life where food is the central focus.

joanneonline

I want to be healthy. I've been around several people (many just a little older than me) in the past few months who are really struggling with their health. I realize how blessed I am that my body has really hung in there through my weight gains and losses. I've also have several friends retire recently. I realized that I want to spend retirement with my husband enjoying life and being active, traveling, hiking, etc.

Lastly, I want to be a good example to my children (all of them ).

cowlover22

I agree goals are a good thing. Actually on my post I try to get people to set a daily goal with me, but that kind of faded. Anyway my motivation...I really wish that I could say that it was for myself. But I am not to that point yet. But I have many nieces and nephews, 3 in preticular that would be devastated if anything happened to me. My niece is by marriage and I am the only family she has left. Other than her husband and 2 girls. She has pretty much lost all of her blood re;atives at a young age. So I try to think of her the most. Then is my job..I absolutely love it! Won the nightengale award last year(to bad I couldnt accept it.I was in the hospital) My biggest achievement and ed robbed me of that. So work is another motivation. That is why they just let me go back. They were hoping that working would make me more motivated to get better.Although it isnt always about motivation as you know. And finally my critters!!Who would take care of them?They would be split up. They have a fit as it is everytime I go in the hospital. What would happen if I wasnt here at all?
I am hoping to get better and to find someone. going on 3 years now alone..and even though I like alone I dont. But nobody wants to be with somebody who is sick! Besides some day I hope to be able to help people with eating disorders once I am recovered!

jess1992uga

That is amazing! I am actually hoping to use abused/abandoned animals that I work with as a vet at an ASPCA (my dream occupation) to help abused people and people with eating disorders so I understand using animals, work, and helping others as a motivation. I am only recently being able to use myself as a motivation, but before that I honestly fought this for my stepmom and my dad. I remember the look in their eyes, the one of pain/fear/joy, when I was checked into treatment in Florida this summer. I promised myself I would never have to see that look again in their eyes (except for the joy part). My dad's eyes were watering up and I promised I would never make him shed another tear because of ED. That was my motivation for awhile and now I am motivated for myself. So keep fighting and know you can do this

cowlover22

Actually while I was in the hospital they had therapy dogs. Once or twice a week they would bring them to the unit. I was in a psych hospital as my insurance wouldnt pay for Renfrew in Phili. I counldnt afford it myself. Although I think I would benifit more from that than where I keep going. Any how I loved it when they dogs came in to see us! Keep up the good work
Theresa

joanneonline

I wish you both could see yourselves from where I sit. In your words and your battle there is so much strength and courage, and a heart to help others. God WILL use you both in amazing ways. I know that because God has shown me that because of my own childhood abuse, I am able to connect with others who were abused in a way only someone who has been through it can. This may sound strange, but in those times when I can actually offer comfort to someone in such pain, I feel that the experience was all worth it.

One step, one day, one miracle at time. BTW, Theresa, please add me to the list of reasons to stay motivated. I think you're amazing

beccalucy

I started a post like this in another message bored but it got turned into a negative.

I want to be a doctor, my eating disorder has already nearly destroyed one degree and I'm not willing to let it get in the way of another. I've had so many bad doctors and I want to be the difference, everyone deserves to be cared about and given the best possible care no matter what their personal circumstance.

I also want to be able to have a family, I feel truly that God has brought me to my soul mate and my eating disorder is currently creating an obstacle for us which, although making us stronger, may have long term consequences for us.

jess1992uga

That's amazing. Something I have done with my motivations is write them on notecards and put them up in places where I struggle (by the mirror so I don't criticize myself, where I prepare my meals, where I eat, etc). Maybe if you just simply wrote the word doctor or family and put it up it could help keep you motivated. I know you (actually we all) can do this I hope to keep all the message boards positive, even when they are about struggles. I think if someone posts about struggling but then gets positive support, this message board could be amazing