It's Not About Food And Weight

[Andrea Roe]

For the longest time I actually thought that my problems were about food and weight -- I really thought that was the real issue. It didn't occur to me that there were other things going on deep inside of me and the eating disorder was the sympton of these things. It took a while for me to really understand (and feel) that my eating disorder was not simply about food and weight but an attempt to use food and weight to deal with internal struggles and ultimately life.

Once I really got that my eating disorder was the symptom of something deeper going on inside and that food and my body were not the enemy (even though it often felt like it), I was able to realize the real issues. I was finally able to work on these things and ultimately find recovery.

Simply put, up to this point, I had used my eating disorder as a way of dealing with life -- it was my coping mechanism. A very unhealthy coping mechanism, of course. Once I understood this and was able to identify myself with this theory, I was able to work on my real issues and come up with better ways of coping. It was a slow process - baby steps, but I eventually got there. I had setbacks, I had a lot, but I kept on fighting. I never gave up, even though I was very close to it many times. But I had people in my life who helped me get back up again whenever I fell... and because I kept on fighting, I was able to recover. As long as we don't give up, we can and will reach our goals.

I had many motivations that kept me going.. and I'd remind myself on an almost daily basis about my goals and dreams. I had a journal in which I'd put all the things that I wanted to do in life and in order to achieve most of these things, I just had to be healthy... and I also had a goal list glued to my mirror in my room. It is rewarding to look back now and see how many of those things I have actually done.

I highly recommend you do this very powerful exercise too. Keep focusing on your goals and dreams and what you want in and from life, write these things down and remind yourself about them on a regular basis. Your goals will motivate you to move forward and keep taking action. Whatever happens, keep looking forward, keep moving forward and don't give up. You have it in you what it takes to overcome your struggles.

All the best and keep on believing in yourself!

Andrea

PS. I invite you to check out my monthly ezine called the You Are Not Alone Support Letter which is filled with recovery stories, interviews, poems, artwork, recovery tips, and more... for more information, visit www.youarenotalonebook.com/supportletter.html