Fighting Anorexia

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I share my top 7 recovery tips with you. I was inspired by Julie Parker’s amazing book “My Recovery” because many of the suggestions shared in this book resonated strongly with me and my own experience. My Top 7 Recovery Tips Explore your creative side Embrace Imperfection Don’t diet and eat intuitively Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help. Ever. Separate yourself from your eating disorder Let Love in and cultivate Self-Love Know that recovery is not linear and take one step at a time You can find me on aMINDmedia.com and you can check out my new podcast. Also, be sure to check out the 28 Loving Reawakenings, the Body Image Revolution Course, the True Beauty Mastermind Program and so much more. All can be found on aMINDmedia. I am not going anywhere, I’m just moving on. I hope you’ll move with me. Like I said, the new podcast will focus on self-empowerment and that is something that is crucial for recovery as well. Thank you for everything and please never forget that you are beautiful, worthy and deserving. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

In this special episode of Fighting Anorexia, I share an interview with my sister Valerie with you. Valerie has been my rock in the years of my struggle and has been there for my during the hard months of recovery. She’s three years younger than me and I have always felt horrible for impacting her youth in such a negative way, but I am proud of her for being such a strong, independent and amazing young woman. In the interview we talk about the first time she noticed that I was sick, how it was for her to see me getting sicker and sicker, how she has tried to help me and how the disorder influenced her in general. We then discuss the fact that there are moments where you are angry at the person that has the illness for many understandable reasons and how you can deal with those feelings. And we talk about the way that my recovery has influenced her and her life and so much more. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I talk about the positive and negative aspects of competition in recovery. We are all competitive. It is a characteristic trait that we have deep within us. Some have it more than others, but we all have it. Competing with others in recovery can be a motivating factor and a very, very unhealthy and destructive element on your way to health. The positive aspects of having a role model or competitor are apparent at first glance: it motivates you, it inspires you, it shows you that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that others have gone through the same dark period as you are going through right now and have made it out of that pit stronger and healthier provides you with the much needed confidence that you too can come to that place of freedom. Therefor, competing with those who have recovered successfully is an important part of recovery. You can compete with them to come to that place of health too and never ever leave it again, just like they are doing. The negative aspects of competition are plenty as well: if you choose the wrong competitor, you can end up sicker and more eating disordered than before. If you choose a recovering person as your role model who is not stable yet and he or she stumbles, you too tend to stumble and walk right back into eating disordered behavior. If you choose someone as your role model whom you believe is healthy and has a normal mindset when it comes to food (but your inner realistic voice is telling you otherwise), you can worsen your anorexic behavior or never recover fully. I know that you are extremely intelligent and smart and that you know whom to choose as your role model and competitor. Choose wisely and you have built one more important pillar of your recovery. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

Nothing hurts and infuriates those who suffer from an eating disorder and their relatives and family more than hearing all the myths and public misunderstandings about eating disorders and recovery. If you are caught in the circle of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or EDNOS, you are going through hell and hearing all the belittling misconceptions can throw you in an even deeper and darker hole than you already are. I asked my friends, fellow activists and sufferers on Facebook to identify their most hurtful and harmful myths that could not be further from the truth. It is just a phase. It is a choice. It is always about body image and wanting to be skinny Anorexia is the only eating disorder Anorexia is the most common eating disorder Only teenage girls suffer from eating disorders à at least 10 % are men and it is not uncommon in adults It is a white-only disease -> comparable rates of eating disorders have been found in ethnic minorities Anorexics do not eat It has always to do with control Anorexia is the deadliest eating disorder of all -> it has been disputed Recovery is fast It is easily treatable with full nutrition -> only 50% recover fully, 30% achieve partial recovery and 20% remain chronic Once you have reached a healthy weight, you are fine If you look healthy, you cannot have an eating disorder You will always have EDNOS and issues with Ed If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

Anorexia often makes us believe that we do not have to gain any weight in order to be healthy and live fully. However, the effects that being underweight has on your body are numerous. In fact, eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia can prove to be deadly. In this episode, I am making you aware of the serious consequences of not giving your body the nutrients it needs to function and survive. Here is what can happen and does happen when you are underweight: muscle weakness and fatigue lower immune system (colds and flu more often) loss of muscle mass because the body uses its muscle as fuel hair loss due to the fact that your body does not have enough nutrients to grow healthy and strong hair lower blood pressure, which causes tiredness, dizzy spells and fainting Osteoporosis, which is loos of bone mass It is much more common in skinny women and is caused by having a deficiency of calcium and vitamin D. Those nutrients are necessary for strong bones. Irregular menstrual cycle and infertility the hormonal system is disrupted from a lack of nutrients a dysfunctional ovulation can impede pregnancy Wrinkles: when you lose weight, you lose the fat in your face that reduces the appearance of wrinkles Anemia: characterized by a lower number than normal of red blood cells. The symptoms are fatigue, pain in the chest and shortness of breath lower immune system If your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, your body won’t be able to metabolize calcium, which can lead to rickets. If your body doesn’t have enough vitamin C, you can get scurvy. If your body doesn’t get enough iron, it leads to the aforementioned anemia. damage to liver and kidney joint pain death That’s an impressive list, isn’t it? The longer you go down that dangerous path, the more at risk you are for those possible results. Top 10 benefits of gaining weight: Personal freedom. Room for thought. More energy. More life. More emotions. More chances to succeed. More love. More laughter. More fun. More peace. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I talk about how my recovery has changed my relationships with those close to me.  In order to recover you must accept change and those around you have to accept it also. Now here lies the struggle.  When you are in the throws of this disease you are a certain person. As you start your journey to recovery you develop your own personality, dreams, hopes and strength. You slowly start to become the person you want to be.   Sometimes this is hard for the people around you to deal with and accept. They have know you has a different person, someone who is sick, weak, vulnerable and in some cases a people pleaser. Now they see this new person and they are unsure of what it means for them. It will take time and patience but you can work through these relationships, and some will be worth keeping and some won’t.  But in no way should you lose yourself.  You must change to recover. A few tips on how to deal with these changes in relationships: 1. It is nobody`s fault that you transform into a new person! 2. Talk, talk, talk with your partner or family! 3. Take some time out with the those you love in order to get away from it all! 4. Do not give up too early! 5. Decide what is best for YOUR recovery and do not ever compromise your recovery! We all go through ups and downs through our journey, if today you need some reasons to fight please check out this post … 1o Reasons to Fight/Stay Recovered If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I share 10 steps you can take in order to forgive yourself and those who have hurt you. What does forgiving even mean? Here is the definition: Stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake. Learning this skill is crucial in recovery. We all hold grudges. We all have baggage. We have all been hurt. We all have setbacks. However, unless we learn to let go of these unhealthy feelings, we’ll never be able to recovery completely and the past will haunt us endlessly. How to Forgive Yourself Remind Yourself that You Suffer from a Disorder Stop holding yourself to impossible standards Stop letting others expectations hurt you Accept your emotions Forgiveness does not mean condoning wrongdoings How to Forgive Others 6. Time heals 7. Distance is crucial 8. Work on Your Thoughts 9. Fill the Empty Space Within 10. Holding on only hurts you Forgiveness is a journey, not a destination!

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I share an episode of the True Beauty Podcast  with you. Judy and I share the truth about the word fat. We go into the real meaning of it and what we imply when we say it to ourselves or to others. We also share how you can work on your body image when looking into a mirror and how you can boost your confidence and your self-love. I share a story about my sister and they encourage you to stop being mean to women and rather unite with them in order to create a better world. Fat is a substance. It is not your identity. You cannot be fat because you cannot be a substance. Keep that in mind every single day! Check out my website: fightinganorexia.com If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thank you for subscribing to my podcast!

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I talk about unleashing your inner force in order to kick your eating disorder’s butt and being your own master again. I remind you of the sheer force of nature you are and were since the day you were born. I make you realize your power and your accomplishments that started at a very, very young age (minute 0.1) and won’t stop until your life ends. We go into the following points: Your force and your eating disorder’s force Become aware of YOUR force Believe in your own force Reclaim your force with daily affirmations Schedule one day a week where you do anything within your power to act against the force of your eating disorder Choose a mantra that underlines your own force: I am a warrior. Celebrate every single accomplishment of reinforcing your own force. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher! Don’t forget to enter promo code FIGHTINGANOREXIA when you register.

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I give you some tips on how to have a conversation with your loved ones about your behaviors and the lies your eating disorder is telling you. I share with you the following: 1. We can seem a bit crazy to the outside world. 2. I had a very rough week with a lot of crazy behavior. 3. It’s your job to make your friends, partners and everyone else you’d like to know more about your disorder understand. 4. Be honest. There is no right or wrong way, there is only the honest way of communicating. 5. Tell them they can always ask. 6. Have patience with them. 7. Have the conversation over and over again. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher! Don’t forget to enter promo code FIGHTINGANOREXIA when you register.

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, we make a reality check and talk about the glamour factor that anorexia still possesses, but also about all the people known worldwide and how they dealt with the sheer unachievable standards of beauty the media portrays: with falling into an eating disorder. Celebrities with eating disorders.  If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I talk about 5 people who were huge blessings in my life and played an important part in my recovery. 1. My husband who showed me that there is something to live for. 2. My sister who has been there from the beginning with a lot of patience, love and inspiration. 3. My mother who has never given up on me. 4. My caregiver at the treatment facility who took me under her wings and had a myriad of patience and acceptance for me. 5. My current therapist who is responsible for me being able to make such great progress and helps me come to terms with and make sense of my emotions. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!  

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I talk about Crimes against Clients. I share my personal experience and those of my listeners and readers. I go into the following points: Weight There are many patients who experience not being helped because they are not underweight. People can starve themselves even if they are not underweight. It doesn’t mean that those who are underweight are more sick than those who are not. Everybody who eats disorder is in danger. Age The perception that eating disorders can’t happen to older people is absolutely wrong. If your doctor doesn’t take care of you because you’re not a teenage girl, then see another physician. Everybody deserves to be treated, no matter the age. Money It is so sad to see that people are still denied treatment because of their financial background. However, there are many ways to receive treatment. Don’t take no for an answer. Not Being Taken Seriously I wasn’t taken seriously by  a few doctors, including my own father. I think physicians are still not educated enough to see the signs of eating disorders. If you feel like your therapist isn’t listening to you or is thinking you are making stuff up, then look for another one. You don’t have to be belittled. Your professional help should always be understanding and should take your feelings very seriously. Being Ridiculed My therapist once laughed at me. Yes, he really did. That’s when I gave up on myself. Whatever you are experiencing, if you don’t completely trust your therapist or doctor or if you feel you cannot tell them what is really on your mind, then the therapy process will be extremely difficult. You should always be confident that your doctor has your back. Gender As I shared in last week’s episode, men are treated especially bad because of the stigma surrounding eating disorders. It is up to us to change the dialogue and make people aware of what it is they should and can expect from their physician. Don’t let them walk all over you. You are the one who needs help and you deserve to get it. What crimes have you experienced in the past or maybe even the present? If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!  

In this episode of Fighting Anorexia, I share my view on how difficult it is for men to admit they have an eating disorder and how they must feel in this world where being skinny seems to be the greatest accomplishment in life. Here is the interview with Benjamin that I spoke about. If you would like to leave me some feedback, you can mail it to feedback@fightinganorexia.com You can follow me on twitter: @anneso87 Thanks For Subscribing To The Fighting Anorexia Podcast: Note: My podcasts are now also available on Stitcher!