I am guessing that if you are reading this you are here looking for an answer for yourself or for a loved one who you are concerned about. First off I want to tell you that eating disorders are insidious and manipulative.
They will try to convince you that you don’t need help, that it’s really not that bad, you have been worse, or you aren’t sick enough, you don’t “ look” like you have an eating disorder, nobody has said anything about your eating or weight so that must mean it’s ok, etc. Maybe some of these thoughts sound familiar to you and you have been hooked by them.
Recovery can feel overwhelming, but finding the right support system—especially through eating disorder recovery coaching—can make all the difference in your journey.
The Hidden Costs of an Eating Disorder
The thing with eating disorders is that whatever they do for you it’s always short term. Their behaviours, habits, thoughts, and rituals have you believing that they keep you safe, and in control. They appease your anxiety and yes momentarily there is some relief but this always comes at a longer-term cost.
Maybe you are here because you are becoming increasingly aware that you are paying a price or maybe that is something that has not yet occurred to you.
Signs You May Be Paying the Price
Here are some signs that you are already paying the price of your eating disorder:
Food Preoccupation
> Food is on your mind ALL the time. What your next meal/snack is or isn’t, counting calories/ macros what you should have eaten /not eaten, have you done enough exercise to make up for the food you have eaten, looking at what others are eating, dreaming of food, googling food, buying recipe books/ watching food programmes on TV / wandering aimlessly up and down the supermarket aisles picking up items to read the labels but not allowing yourself to buy them.
Physical Effects
>You are cold all the time even in summer.
> Constantly exhausted but in spite of this you are not ever allowed to rest.
> You have a very specific exercise routine. It’s really distressing if you have to deviate from it at all.
>Haven’t had a period in a while/a long time.
> Your digestive system is generally very unhappy. Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, slow stomach emptying.
Behavioral Problems
> Your food repertoire is very restricted. I.e. there is a list of foods you feel safe to eat and a very long list of foods that you deem “forbidden”.
> You have lots of rules around eating. You don’t like to eat with others, you eat in secret, you have to eat with specific cutlery/crockery/you have to eat things in a specific order/eat really slowly, eat really fast if it’s something you don’t normally allow yourself.
Emotional and Social Impact
> Feeling anxious most of the time and often irritable.
> You don’t see your friends and isolate more and more. All because your eating disorder doesn’t allow for spontaneity or a social life.
> You feel very lonely and cut off from everybody.
> Your mood is low and it’s hard to see the positives in life.
Weight Obsession
> You are obsessed with the number on the scale. If you weigh yourself – if your weight is the same then it should be less, if it is more then your day descends into this spiral of shame or self-hatred. If you have lost weight you are pleased even though you recognise that it is not a healthy number.
Cognitive and Physical Decline
> It’s really hard to concentrate. You read a paragraph and realise you can’t remember anything about it, and work feels overwhelming.
> Everything aches
>Libido – what’s that?
> You have been diagnosed with osteopenia/ osteoporosis and you have started to have fracture.
Taking The First Step Toward Recovery With an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach
Maybe a few of these ring true, maybe a lot, maybe just one or two. But the question I want to ask you is: Is that how you want to live the rest of your life?
If the answer is no or even if only a part of you wants something more than this then let me help you.
As an eating disorder coach, I understand that the idea of leaving behind the safety and the structure of your eating disorder is absolutely terrifying, and seems impossible. I know that because I have had literally every single one of those signs listed above and yet I still wanted to hang on to my eating disorder. I was convinced that the only thing I knew and was good at was my eating disorder. It fuelled that thought by taking away my curiosity and ambition.
But now that I am well on the other side of it I can tell you that your eating disorder is a liar. You are so much more than your eating disorder. The definition of control is being able to choose what you want to do. Not being compelled to do something for fear of the consequences. Safety is what your body and mind feel when they are assured of adequate and consistent nourishment and energy.
Eating disorder recovery is hard, and living with an eating disorder is harder. If you would like to take the first steps towards recovery with eating disorder recovery coaching, I am committed to supporting you every step of the way at Healthy Self-Recovery.
Break Free From Your Eating Disorder With Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching in the United Kingdom
Take the first step toward breaking free from the grip of your eating disorder with eating disorder recovery coaching. Recovery is challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone—at Healthy Self-Recovery, I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way. Start building a life filled with freedom, balance, and self-compassion by following these three simple steps:
- Contact me to schedule a free discovery call to see if Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching is right for you.
- Begin meeting with me, Marianna Miles, a skilled eating disorder recovery coach
- Start breaking free from the grip of your eating disorder!
Additional Services Offered at Healthy Self-Recovery
As an eating disorder recovery coach, I am here to support you in navigating recovery and creating meaningful change. In addition to personalized eating disorder recovery coaching sessions, where we address the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and anxieties surrounding your eating disorder, I also offer text support for moments when you need accountability or are having a difficult time. Recovery can feel isolating, so I strive to provide a dependable and compassionate connection to help you feel supported. I also offer meal support sessions, providing a safe space to challenge food rules and practice new skills, and I collaborate with your medical team to integrate treatment goals into our work. Together, we will build a recovery plan tailored to your unique needs and empower you to live a fulfilling life beyond your eating disorder.
