Not Flesh of My Flesh
AnorexiaI knew these words before I ever remember hearing them spoken to me. They were lovingly repeated to me by my mother throughout my childhood and, as an individual adopted during my infancy, they provided a deep sense of security, love and connection…
Becoming a Champion
Anorexia, Recovery, Student LifeBlood, sweat, and tears. That’s what it takes to become a champion, right? And then what? After you push yourself until you drop, after you win, after you abuse your body and mind to get to that one place you are so determined to get…
Recovery Doesn’t Just Happen
Anorexia, Binge Eating Disorder, Body Image, Bulimia, RecoveryRecovery doesn’t just happen. It’s also not some cliché buzzword tossed around to “inspire” you. Recovery is real. It’s not a luck-of-the-draw deal where you put your name in a hat and hope to be chosen. It’s a grueling, relentless,…
A Work-in-Progress: Living My Best #FitLife Post Eating Disorder
Anorexia, Athletes, Binge Eating Disorder, Body Image, Bulimia, Orthorexia, Recovery, Social Media, Special Topics, Understanding Eating DisordersIf you ask my friends in NYC to describe me, you’ll be painted a picture of a boss lady taking on the city as a full-time professor, writer, and consultant, in addition to being a fitness influencer. They’ll also tell you I’m a people…
Eating Disorder Traits as Strengths in Recovery
Anorexia, Athletes, Body Image, Recovery, Research, Understanding Eating DisordersThe focus in the eating disorders field is usually on diagnoses, symptoms, and related impairment. There has been little research, or even discussion, about negative traits that were present during the illness, which can be positive during and…
When You Feel Like Giving Up in Recovery, Pause
Anorexia, RecoveryWhen I began my recovery from my Eating Disorder (ED), Anorexia Nervosa (AN), I had a lot of momentum. I was sprinting towards a “recovery finish line” that I had imagined for myself within a self-imposed timeframe of a few months. This…
My *Flexible* Recovery Letter
Anorexia, RecoveryThis one’s to you, anorexia – For changing my life. --I want to open this with a personal share – The other day, I went to post a picture on my recovery Instagram account. I was by the pool – one of the first warm Spring…
Anorexia Nervosa: From Symptom Onset to Recovery Management
Anorexia, RecoveryMy eating disorder (”ED”), anorexia nervosa (AN), emerged when I was 12. Over time, like others, I learned to personify and separate the voice of “ED” from my own. “ED” constantly yelled at me, told me that I wasn’t enough, that…
Feeling at Home in My Body: My Personal Revolution
Anorexia, RecoveryResolutions aren’t really my thing. I am all for “clean slates” and “fresh starts” and any other similar optimistic metaphors that apply that help put us in a positive frame of mind where we feel motivated and can make meaningful progress…
The Link Between Anorexia and Autism
Anorexia, Special TopicsNot long ago, I was sitting in a hospital room by myself wondering how I had once again let myself end up in the situation I was in. It definitely wasn’t my first “rodeo” with anorexia nervosa. You see, I knew what was going to happen.…