Eating Disorder Recovery (A Different Sort of Success Story)

abchelseaxo

I'm fighting bulimia right now. Sometimes I use MFP in the healthy way it's intended, however, more often then not, I don't. It's a struggle. It's good to know this can be beaten, eventually & that I'm not the only one on here who had to deal with the voices in my head.

Thank you

knrob

Congrats! Thank you so much for sharing your success story! Keep smiling!!!!!

tig_ol_bitties

You are an angel for sharing your beautiful story. I know that this will help MANY.

thistimeismytime

You have an amazing story, and a fabulous attitude!! Congratulations on your journey to recovery! <Applause and Cheers> :flowerforyou: However, you are dead wrong about one detail. You aren't average looking at all... you're STUNNING! Truly, truly! And you're going to help a lot of people by being vulnerable enough to post this! Have a wonderful day

Redbird99ky

reserved

SparkleShine

You are one courageous woman! A beautiful and strong woman! Thanks for sharing your story and photo...you are beautiful. Keep strong and when you don't feel strong lean on your loved ones to lift you up! Hugs to you!

SLaw4215

Thank you for sharing your very personal triumph. I do not starve myself or make myself vomit to lose weight, I am an over eater. I called and made an appointment to see a psychologist/hypnotist but the wait is nearly 6 months away. I know I have the desire and strenghth to eat the right foods. I do well during the day and fall apart at night and on the weekends. Like most I can be strong for so long an then slide right back into old unhealthy habits. I don't understand why I'm letting myself fail. I don't feel like I need a nutritionist or a Weight Watcher's meeting. But I do need a little something...

I set the money aside for the appointment but I'm hoping to not have to use it. I want to get my *kitten* together on my own but if I am struggling...and I'm not afraid to let someone (a professional) help.

Candi8099

I have never had a struggle to where I didn't eat enough food, however I do commend you for being able to tell your story. You will inspire others whom are going through this & haven't seen the greener grass quite yet. You are much stronger than most and you have a beautiful smile! Congratulations! Such an accomplishment already. Good Luck on the rest of your jourmey! YOU CAN DO IT! :flowerforyou:

beckyhope

Thank you for sharing. I love the way you wrote this and how honest you are being. It's so hard to change those negative thoughts. Even for me, I haven't had an ED but I still constantly battle those negative thoughts that tell me that my worth is dependent on the number on the scale. You look so happy, keep going!

des24rob

Such a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing! So often I forget about how some people are not struggling with how many calories to cut back on but how many to consume. You look great, sound great and I wish you the best in your future road to recovery.

Redbird99ky

What a beautiful post from a beautiful lady. It takes courage to be so frank on a message board such as this, but by doing so, you have shared a little bit of your experience, strength, and hope with all of us. Someone who reads this post may be helped, and that is a priceless value in and of itself.

The road of recovery is a lifelong one, with many bumps in it, but the biggest 'bump' is in that first step - admitting that you have a problem, and that your life is out of control.

It is apparent that you have found the freedom that can only come from surrender, the confidence that comes from humility, and the self-worth that comes from self-lessness. Congratulations on coming to terms with yourself and FINALLY being able to love yourself. My wish for you is that God will continue to bless you throughout your recovery. You are an inspiration to all of us.

laurelderry

Personally, I think you are devastatingly beautiful. That smile would light up a whole room!

I'm so very happy for you, and even though I suffered a different type of eating disorder, I know how it feels to come through it fighting and to finally feel 'normal'

Hugs from Ireland! xxx

I have to agree with the above poster.

From someone who has been where you're coming from also- I understand. Isn't it ironic how trying to have so much control resulted in so little? Congrats to you, and keep up the great work of healing your body and your mind!

punkrockprincess23

congratultions honey! you look great and you have courage.

toffee322

i love what you wrote!

plushkitten

Wow, I loved this.
Made me a little teary eyed actually.

I'm so proud of you!
This is honestly so inspiring.

Much love you're way<33

susannamarie

Beautiful post, and you look fantastic.

MemphisMarly

I'm proud of you!

I've stayed with a dear friend during the same struggles toward recovery for nearly a decade. I'm really happy for you that you have found your happiness again and that you are sharing your story.

My friend is doing much better these days, but she has had relapses during periods of great stress. She says that she wishes she knew years ago what she knows today, about the struggles and pain and damage to her own health, and not just to the health of other people as statistics.

I'm glad you are realistic and understand that recovery is a long journey. You won't always be smiling, and that's OK. Just don't forget how you felt on the day that picture was taken.

Boo_2806

Congratulations! You look beautiful, thank you for sharing your story

Shelby814

You're beautiful & your smile is contagious! Congratulations!

bushidowoman

What a beautiful smile! Thanks for sharing your story!

Inebriated

This is so inspiring, I teared up a little when reading this. It really hit home for me. Good luck with the rest of your recovery, you deserve it.

FitMama2013

Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you for loving yourself enough to get help. I hope there are people who read this story and get the courage to get help too - you are amazing and beautiful!!!

keeems

I'm so happy for you. Keep fighting!

YummyTpn

I'm a therapist and I specialise in working with eating disorders, so I want to congratulate you on your recovery and wish you continued success. I know it's an ongoing struggle, and probably one of the hardest challenges you'll ever face.

And by the way, you have an extraordinarily beautiful smile...especially because it look so darn genuine!

Squidgeypaws007

See this photo? It’s me.

No, I'm not a model. I'm not terribly skinny, but I'm not terribly fat. I'm not extraordinarily beautiful, and my hair doesn't always lay flat. In fact, in terms of looks, I'm pretty darn average. This is the first photo I've ever shared publicly in association with my eating disorder, and I'm posting it for a very specific reason: I want you all to see my smile. Why? Because this is the first photo in months, maybe even a year, that honestly captured a genuine smile.

Want to know why? I'm now over two months into recovery for my eating disorder, and I am honestly so genuinely happy that I wanted to share.

Looking at this photo, you wouldn't know that just a few months ago I was eating too few calories per day to function. My hair was falling out, my body couldn't heal itself, I was failing my classes, and I hated everyone, most of all myself. Every morning was a struggle to shower without passing out, and every night was a fight to stay awake long enough to do even a tiny bit of homework. I was miserable, and despite the fact that my disorder was born of an obsession with control, I had zero control over my own life.

I won't lie: the past two months haven't been easy. In fact, they've been downright challenging. I've cried myself to sleep, spent hours alone staring at food, and sworn I'd give up on recovery a thousand times over. The number of bagels I've eaten is astonishing, if not terrifying, and I've eaten more almonds in two months than most people will in their entire life. I've been grouchy, bloated, and so moody you'd've thought I was pregnant.

But you know what else I've been? Myself. I'm slowly rediscovering the person I was before I let this manipulative, mean, lying voice in my head take over my entire life. This girl loves Nutella, and baking, and cuddling without worrying if her stomach has a roll. She likes back rubs and bikinis and bacon, strapless dresses and sundaes and sleeping naked. So she doesn't wear a 00 or have a BMI below 20 - that's okay! There's so much more to life than counting calories or staring at numbers on a scale, and she's starting to understand that.

Is she perfect? Hell no, and she never will be... and that's okay. There are good days and there are bad days, but the grass truly is greener over here. Recovery is hard, but it's so, so worth it. You only get out of it what you put into it, and I can honestly say I've given it 110% of my effort. You know what else can be said? The grass is greener where you water it. Sure, putting enough food in my mouth each day is half the battle, but the more challenging battle is against myself and this liar who's taken up residence in my head. I'm having to rewrite the script of my daily thoughts, and undoing years of negative self-talk is no easy task. That said, I am already a hundred times happier than I was two months ago. Two months certainly isn't far into the recovery process, and I know I have a great ways left to go. That being said, taking that first step towards recovery is the best decision I've ever made, and I can only wish the same for everyone else, whether you struggle with an eating disorder or are simply trying to get a handle on loving yourself and moving in the right direction with your health habits.

I wish for each of you that you may learn to love yourself and have the courage to seek help with whatever you need. Rest assured in the fact that you are stronger than you realize. Do not be too proud to ask for help, and know that you are loved.

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.
-Khalil Gibran

Firstly: Well done, amazing work - you're so strong, keep it up Big big congratulations on your success so far, I can't imagine how hard it is for you.

Secondly: None of the "i'm not lovely" stuff from the beginning. You're lovely looking, and you have a great smile!

Keep up the good work lady, we're routing for you!

giddyred

I'm so happy for you. It really takes a lot of courage to be open about an eating disorder. I'm really proud of you, and I'm glad that you have begun to like you for YOU. You are beautiful

sunshine__angel

You are gorgeous! Recovery from an eating disorder is not an easy thing and you are very brave for sharing your story. Thank you for showing everyone that recovery is possible; happiness is possible, and you can be in control of your life. I wish you all the best in the future and am glad you are on the right path. You really do look genuinely happy in that picture and it just goes to show how strong we really can be. Thank you again for posting! This is very nice to see.

estitom

Wow, you're amazing! This is inspiring to read, I'm glad this was the first thing I read today, it motivated me You're truly beautiful! Thank you for sharing

bridgie101

For a start, you are lovely to look at, and your smile is wonderful.

Thanks for a clear, intelligent and eye-opening essay for us. I am very happy that you've come back the land of the living - we're a motley lot but mostly warm of heart and the best thing about people is how short our memories are.

I learned long ago that while I was at home dying of shame for what I'd done at the party last night - so was everybody else. They didn't remember me, they were dying over what they had done. I think that was a life-changing moment really.

good luck for your studies and the future.

gogojodee

Thanks so much for posting this. I'm trying to overcome anxiety and I've never had a problem with ED but my emotions and this really hit home for me. I've been having a rough time lately keeping myself in check and have wanted to give up so much, but just came back after a week of not diary-ing. This is just what I need for my recovery. You're gorgeous and happy. I hope you have many happy and love filled years. I only hope I can be where you are at someday. :flowerforyou: