I provide personalized recovery coaching sessions for clients anywhere in the world via virtual sessions.
The first thing is to get in touch for a free 15 minute discovery call to see if we are a good fit.
From there I will send you an intake form so that I can get to know you more and then we will set up a time to have a session via a secure platform.
The hard truth is that you cannot think your way out of an eating disorder. You have to act your way out of it. Recovery is about taking action that is counter to your eating disorder. Coaches work is Action focused, based in the here and now and therefore they can be pivotal in bringing about change. Coaches can provide support, motivation, accountability and act as role models for recovered living.
Eating disorders are serious complex mental illnesses and there are multiple reasons why it is difficult to recover. However one key factor is the very nature of eating disorders. Eating disorders are ego-syntonic which means that the eating disorder has worked hard to convince individuals that the eating disorder goals, values and priorities are in fact THEIR own. The eating disorder rules and values become so habitual and engrained and entrenched that it feels like they are what YOU believe. Straying from feels incredibly scary and wrong. Even when the person suffering knows logically that they need to get better making themselves do it feels terrifying and is met with a huge amount of resistance from the eating disorder part of themselves.
This ambivalence is what makes eating disorders so hard to treat.
Disordered eating can have serious effects on health The most common consequences are on mental health, the endocrine system - sex and thyroid hormones, and the skeletal system - osteopenia, osteoporosis.
Restriction and weight suppression are at the heart of almost all eating disorders and nutritional rehabilitation and repaying energy debt is the cornerstone of recovery.
If you are severely emaciated, or have a history of vomiting you should not take this on by yourself but should be medically supervised as there is the risk of refeeding syndrome.
Everyone’s body will react differently to recovery but generally speaking the body will initially use this added energy to restore function to vital organs, and achieve normal hydration. It’s normal to see fluctuation in weight as the body hydrates.
The initial stages of recovery is also where the gut which has not had the energy to function properly may take some time to repair and this can often mean some initial gastrointestinal discomfort. Some people also experience an increased metabolic rate and hunger, This too is normal as the body adapt
There may be a period of weight restoration where body changes might occur. If the body has been underweight it will prioritise weight gain around the midsecton in order to protect your vital organs, however this will normalise itself with some time.
The 4 stages of recovery for the body is improvement of physical symptoms, hormonal restoration and then improvement in symptoms such as sleep, focus, and less preoccupation with food.
Unfortunately there is no set answer to this and it varies greatly from individual to individual. Recovery can take months or years and it is very normal for there to be setbacks and relapses along the way. It is a difficult journey but recovery is an incredible achievement and the journey is one of deep self learning which will be invaluable to your future healthy life
Yes, part of the Carolyn Costin Institute (CCI ) framework is the belief that anyone can fully recover from an eating disorder no matter how long they have suffered. Many CCI coaches, myself included are living proof of that having fully recovered themselves.
By most counts and especially in the USA Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder. I would also add that contrary to popular belief less than 6% of eating disorders fall into the category of being medically underweight.
There are no specific skills needed, you just need to show up, be honest and most importantly be prepared to take action. If you are able to tolerate the pain of having an eating disorder you have the strength and determination needed for recovery.
Developing healthy coping skills that you can implement into your life on a regular basis is key to lasting recovery. Here are a few ideas
Recovery is one of the hardest things you will ever do but it may also be your greatest achievement. I have never met anyone who would choose to go back to their eating disorder. Recovery teaches you to be resilient and how to cope, it allows you to have connections and meaningful relationships, gives you space to reach your full potential, and allows you to find and be comfortable with your authentic self.
