The last few years, each holiday season has been better than the one before it. Having an Eating Disorder at the holidays is becoming a distant but sad memory. For how many years was I focusing on all the wrong things? How many holidays did I lose to my ED? Being recovered has allowed me the peace and joy to focus on the time spent with family and friends, instead of holding me back. Losing the Eating Disorder has been like losing an invisible enemy who is always with you; always ready to destroy the happiest moments in life.
This year, why not give yourself the most loving gift you can; give yourself the gift of love. Love who you are ENOUGH to have a holiday with your ED. Even if it's just for a day or two- tell yourself- my ED has no place in the festivities of the next few days. Relish every moment with your family and friends and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the season. Enjoy happy smiles on childrens faces! Enjoy the hugs and the kisses and the laughter. Let your friends and loved ones wrap their arms around you. Savor these tender and intimate moments as the gifts of love from others which they are intended to be. Give yourself moments to breathe, and remember there is no need to be perfect, to be the best, or to worry about how others feel. Give yourself an easy, happy, and sweet holiday!
Wishing all my friends peace and joy this holiday season!
Be healthy and happy,
Amy
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Holidays
So here we are. The fudge. The cheesecake. The cookies. There are so many ways to look at this.
We are called upon to enjoy ourselves over and over with friends and family. Plus pictures will be taken of you at those occassions.
Perhaps we should stop to focus on the fact that the occasions are really about love and connecting with others. Rather than on the food itself. To us, with our intense focus on seeing the food, simultaneously craving it and loathing it, and the anxiety over what we will DO with the food, the food takes on a life of it's own this time of year.
Remember that the food will always be there, but the people won't.
Obsessing over the food, will only destroy the moment put before you.
Eating this time of year will not be a "mistake". It will not be irreparable damage. But losing out on time with your family and friends, and listening to what they say, will be lost forever.
Here are some ideas:
Enjoy the season in ways that do NOT involve food. Enjoy making crafts with friends, developing photos, decorating and making your home warm and inviting.
Make food for others, and allow yourself to enjoy in the appropriate moderation. I love baking treats this time of year, turning my kitchen into a cookie warehouse actually decreases the odds I will eat too much of them. I enjoy packaging them. I only bake as much as I will use to give away though!
Enjoy some treats of the season that will not cause you stress. Warm mulled cider, flavored coffees, fresh fruits that are in season, nuts and cranberries. Go ahead and eat! But eat healthy!
Allow yourself to enjoy the foods that you are given, while also being honest with yourself and OTHERS. Be able to say, no thank you it looks lovely but I am FULL!
Most of all remember, the gift of your health is precious.
We are called upon to enjoy ourselves over and over with friends and family. Plus pictures will be taken of you at those occassions.
Perhaps we should stop to focus on the fact that the occasions are really about love and connecting with others. Rather than on the food itself. To us, with our intense focus on seeing the food, simultaneously craving it and loathing it, and the anxiety over what we will DO with the food, the food takes on a life of it's own this time of year.
Remember that the food will always be there, but the people won't.
Obsessing over the food, will only destroy the moment put before you.
Eating this time of year will not be a "mistake". It will not be irreparable damage. But losing out on time with your family and friends, and listening to what they say, will be lost forever.
Here are some ideas:
Enjoy the season in ways that do NOT involve food. Enjoy making crafts with friends, developing photos, decorating and making your home warm and inviting.
Make food for others, and allow yourself to enjoy in the appropriate moderation. I love baking treats this time of year, turning my kitchen into a cookie warehouse actually decreases the odds I will eat too much of them. I enjoy packaging them. I only bake as much as I will use to give away though!
Enjoy some treats of the season that will not cause you stress. Warm mulled cider, flavored coffees, fresh fruits that are in season, nuts and cranberries. Go ahead and eat! But eat healthy!
Allow yourself to enjoy the foods that you are given, while also being honest with yourself and OTHERS. Be able to say, no thank you it looks lovely but I am FULL!
Most of all remember, the gift of your health is precious.
Monday, November 22, 2010
What if...
All this was not as hard as we think it is.
Lately I have been wondering if the cure to eating disorders doesn't lie in the following four things:
1) Own lots of black, because it really is the ONLY color a woman should wear
2) Own LOTS of spandex (explanation unnecessary)
3) Eat more protein, because it does wonders for your overall health and weight management (in any direction)
4) Stay away from people who make you feel like shit. It isn't you, it's them.
yes- this is overly simplistic and I am a little facetious. But- I think there is truth to be found in simple observations sometimes.
Lately I have been wondering if the cure to eating disorders doesn't lie in the following four things:
1) Own lots of black, because it really is the ONLY color a woman should wear
2) Own LOTS of spandex (explanation unnecessary)
3) Eat more protein, because it does wonders for your overall health and weight management (in any direction)
4) Stay away from people who make you feel like shit. It isn't you, it's them.
yes- this is overly simplistic and I am a little facetious. But- I think there is truth to be found in simple observations sometimes.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
We need so many more idols like this!
She is lovely, she is strong, she is CURVY!
I love her!!!
http://soul88.blogspot.com/2009/03/mad-mens-christina-hendricks-named-tv.html
I love her!!!
http://soul88.blogspot.com/2009/03/mad-mens-christina-hendricks-named-tv.html
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Holidays
They are upon us. The unholy trio: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Never mind the extra food activities that seem to get slipped in there- the office parties, the fall apple pies, hannukah chocolates.
This is indeed a DIFFICULT time of year for us. This is how I am going to get through it this year, let me know if you like this strategy!
I am definitely going to revisit my meal plan. I know that on my meal plan I CAN eat a single little treat each day. I also am supposed to keep up my moderate exercise when I follow the meal plan.
I am going to make sure I pick up a couple of flattering outfits that make me FEEL GOOD about myself- so I am not additionally overwhelmed by poor body image.
I will plan for the days that I'm not going to worry about food. For me I know which dates those are: Thanksgiving and Christmas eve and Christmas Day. EVERY OTHER SINGLE DAY, I'm going to follow my meal plan.
I'm going to look for a few new "healthy" recipes that will still give me those wonderful fall flavors without overwhelming me. Mulled cider? Baked apples (without the pie crust!)?
I'm going to refuse to engage in conversations with other folks about "how much I'm putting on because of the holidays". It will trigger me and make me feel worse. I will learn to smile and say something encouraging and walk away.
Let me know if you have any other great ideas!!!
Amy
This is indeed a DIFFICULT time of year for us. This is how I am going to get through it this year, let me know if you like this strategy!
I am definitely going to revisit my meal plan. I know that on my meal plan I CAN eat a single little treat each day. I also am supposed to keep up my moderate exercise when I follow the meal plan.
I am going to make sure I pick up a couple of flattering outfits that make me FEEL GOOD about myself- so I am not additionally overwhelmed by poor body image.
I will plan for the days that I'm not going to worry about food. For me I know which dates those are: Thanksgiving and Christmas eve and Christmas Day. EVERY OTHER SINGLE DAY, I'm going to follow my meal plan.
I'm going to look for a few new "healthy" recipes that will still give me those wonderful fall flavors without overwhelming me. Mulled cider? Baked apples (without the pie crust!)?
I'm going to refuse to engage in conversations with other folks about "how much I'm putting on because of the holidays". It will trigger me and make me feel worse. I will learn to smile and say something encouraging and walk away.
Let me know if you have any other great ideas!!!
Amy
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Progress
I finally picked a title for my book (sorry too superstitious to reveal it yet!)
And have been researching different options such as print on demand and e-books. I know that's kind of taking a different approach, and maybe I should be submitting it to publishers. I just don't feeeeel like it!
Be happy healthy and smart everyone!
And have been researching different options such as print on demand and e-books. I know that's kind of taking a different approach, and maybe I should be submitting it to publishers. I just don't feeeeel like it!
Be happy healthy and smart everyone!
Monday, October 4, 2010
update from Amy
Hello dear friends,
I know i have been silent lately. It isn't for a bad reason. In fact, it's for a very very good reason. I have finally been able to really get to work on finishing my book! it's taken three years to compile and organize it, but I can honestly say it's shaping up.
I'm very excited because I actually feel like I'm going to be able to offer something new.
I am going to try to self-publish as a downloadable (e.g.,"kindle") book so that the price will be affordable and I won't have to work with middle men in publishing.
Be happy and be free!
Amy
I know i have been silent lately. It isn't for a bad reason. In fact, it's for a very very good reason. I have finally been able to really get to work on finishing my book! it's taken three years to compile and organize it, but I can honestly say it's shaping up.
I'm very excited because I actually feel like I'm going to be able to offer something new.
I am going to try to self-publish as a downloadable (e.g.,"kindle") book so that the price will be affordable and I won't have to work with middle men in publishing.
Be happy and be free!
Amy
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