[Valid Atom 1.0] Life With Cake: Eating Disorder Blog: A Thought is Just That... A Thought

Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Thought is Just That... A Thought

In the beginning of my recovery, recovery cliches used to bounce around in my head to help me stay free from bingeing and purging... Keep it simple, Act yourself into right thinking, Progress not perfection, ODAT, etc. Throughout this process, I've had years when I go to OA meetings and years when I don't. Nonetheless, the program sticks with me.

I always say that eating disorder recovery is a process of harm reduction. Rarely does one stop entirely. And even then, the mental obsession is still busy trying to suck you back into the insanity. So, my current struggle is that I eat exactly how I want all day, but after dinner and my snack I still want more. It isn't that I'm hungry. I just always want more.

So, this week, something I learned in early recovery has been popping into my head... I might want more food, but that doesn't mean I have to act on it. It is just a thought. I'm going to have ED thoughts as a recovering food addict. To expect anything less is to discount the power of this beast.

Anyway, it's comforting to remember that I don't have to act on my thoughts today. I have the ability to CHOOSE.

13 comments:

Cheap Soma Online said...

Take heart! It's your choice. Take a moment before eating and think if you are really hungry or just acting on an impulse. if it's just impulse, find another way to distract yourself. Your can do it!

Stina said...

Your post completely speaks to me today! It's hard to take one step at a time and remember that a thought is not an action. . .I have a hard time deciphering between the two :)

April said...

Sometimes when people are emotionally distraught or under stress, they have a tendency to eat.It's a coping mechanism for some people. But I disagree. The mind is such a powerful tool that whatever you feed into it, takes life. Thinking positive, being focused and having a sense of discipline,will get you to your goal!Hang in there!

Miki said...

Pardon me, I am writing a feature story on eating disorders for a school food magazine. I was wondering if I could interview you over e-mail? This is my e-mail: Miki_Birds@yahoo.com , please contact me

Heather Heaton said...

Hi! I think I posted a comment on your blog a while ago..... I was just wondering if I could pick your brian about a few things.... I am still really struggling...with the bulimia and unfortunatley I have no one to talk to about it that would understand. if you could email me that would be fantastic! Dont laugh at my email address..it is really old! lakers_girl03@yahoo.com. Thank you so much

Heather

Gecko said...

Your blog is extremely helpful and gives me a smile after a much struggled through day. I hope to be able to say I can relate to this recent post soon. I love the fact that you can choose and think you have a lot of courage.
I hope that soon I can be that mentally strong so that I can choose not too as well :)
Keep going!
Gecko
x

EMR said...

It is a difficult fight to keep up with and I am sure you are doing a great brave job at it.keep snacking healthy stuff...maybe veggies and fruits that keep the stomach sort of full...with fluids and also look after health.

Jana said...

Hi

I'm an advertising student..and currently ...I'm working on a project which theme is bulimia.

I've just created a page on facebook called white ribbon

In order to raise awareness about bulimia I'm trying to promote my idea: I wanna reach the surroundings of a bulimic person instead of the bulimic herself/himself. I believe its more effective as is really hard the bulimic to seek for a professional help...

I think that a kind demeanor is capable of motivate them..

I wanna show we all embrace this cause...

I need bulimic people to realise they are not alone.

Could you please help me to promote my facebook page?

Many Thanks. God bless we all!!

Caitlin said...

Hi, I've been reading your blog for a bit now and wanted to stop in and say HI! I'm new to the blogging world but am finding it full of inspirational women like yourself.


I too am recovering from an ed. I sometimes think of thoughts as being on a conveyor belt- something to notice, observe, and watch pass by.

Plus, as we know all too well, to act on a thought in the ed world is to make everything that much harder on ourselves in the long run.

It's such a hard road, but well worth it.

Kevin Parker said...

bulimia needs to be treated after detections and diagnosis as the disorder can have serious health implications and can even reach life-threatening proportions. Diagnosis often takes time as the affected person does not acknowledge the disorder willingly. A person affected by bulimia is caught up in a vicious cycle of binging followed by purging.

Maris said...

I can very well apply that truth to my every day battle with food. Though I am not bulimic, I am a certified emotional eater, and my choice to act on my thoughts or not is something i have undermined since my college years. Now, suffering from a bad digestive anomaly, borne of my irresponsible attitude towards eating and food, I am trying my best to use my right to choose when it comes to food. Keep up with your positive attitude. Tackling the hurdle one day at a time is the best way to go.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is tremendously inspiring to me as I am recovering from my eating disorder. Please write more.

HikerRD said...

How empowering it is to take control of our thoughts!
Lori Lieberman, RD, CDE, MPH, LDN
www.dropitandeat.blogspot.com