Andrea Roe's Page

During and before my struggles with eating disorders, I never felt good enough. I didn't feel worthy. Like everybody else was better than me. Like my opinion didn't matter as much as others' did.

If you feel the same, I'd like you to know that you are worthy! You are special! And you can learn to love yourself! It's just a matter of working on your self-esteem. Here are some exercises that helped me during my recovery.

- Stop thinking negative thoughts about yourself. Of course, that's… Continue

During my recovery from eating disorders I had setbacks - A LOT of setbacks. And whenever I fell, I had to learn not to beat myself up but be kind and patient with myself. It was often very hard to get back up again and continue on with my recovery and healing journey. Sometimes I was able to get back up again by myself… I'd spend some time in my misery and with my eating disorder but eventually got tired of feeling this way and somehow found the strength to pull myself back up again.

And somet… Continue

I always hated when someone told me that recovery means taking baby steps. I didn't want to take baby steps. I wanted to take big huge steps and be done with my eating disorder and get on with my life. But unfortunately, this is not how it works...we have to learn to be patient, we have to learn to be kind to ourselves. And these are all important lessons that recovery teaches us.

Recovery is a process. It takes time. Recovery does not happen overnight. Your eating disorder started years before… Continue

I'd like to share with you something I recently read in a newsletter. It's something that touched me and I hope it does the same for you...

A motivational speaker liked to begin his presentation by holding up a $20 bill and asking, “Who in this room would like this crisp, new $20 bill?”

Of course, every hand in the room would shoot up. Then the speaker would crumple the bill, throw it on the floor, and step on it. Then he would ask, “Now who still wants it?”

All the hands would naturally stay… Continue

Earlier this month, my husband and I were at a friend’s wedding in the interior of BC, Canada (and it is gorgeous there!!). I did not know anyone there, except for my friend, who is actually more my husband’s friend. BUT, I was looking forward to our trip and the wedding celebration.

During my eating disorder struggles, an event like this would have stressed me out w-e-e-k-s in advance. I would have restricted my food intake to make sure I fit into my tiniest clothes and “look good.” I would ha… Continue