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Recovery from an eating disorder takes time. There are days that it is hard to push through discouragement with the treatment process. We will share some practical tips to stay motivated during recovery from eating disorders.
Remember Your “Why”
Battling your eating disorder thoughts can be tiring day in and day out. At Toledo Center, we understand this battle. And we will encourage you to remember why you are putting in the work of recovery.
If you aren’t sure, that’s okay. Here are some aspects to consider:
- What types of experiences do I want to have one year, five years, and 10 years down the road? How would overcoming my eating disorder improve these experiences?
- How will my relationships improve when I’m not constantly worried about food and my appearance?
- What am I thinking about when I’m with my family and friends? What would I rather be focused on?
- How will my eating disorder affect my college experience? What would I gain by starting college with a healthy relationship with food?
- Consider someone in your life who has a healthy relationship with food. What would you gain if you viewed food in a similar light?
Reflect on the freedom that you will experience when you are no longer controlled by your eating disorder. This isn’t a magical fix to hard days but maybe just enough motivation to remind you that recovery is worth the perseverance.
Create a Recovery Plan
Your recovery plan needs to contain the key components that will help you heal your body, improve your relationship with food, and provide the tools you need to move through life without an eating disorder. Below are four essential components of a recovery plan:
Use Your Coping Skills
During treatment, your therapist will equip you with tools and coping skills to recover. Consider keeping a written list, whether on a card or on your phone, to remind you how to get through hard moments.
Stick To Your Meal Plan
While in the midst of an eating disorder, your hunger and fullness cues may not be a reliable indicator of how much to eat. It’s easy to second-guess your food choices or talk yourself out of eating enough food.
Your meal plan serves as a written guide to help you nourish your body throughout recovery. Just do your best to stick to the plan so that your body has enough nutrition to heal.
Keep Showing Up To Treatment
Let’s be real; there are going to be days that you want to skip treatment or quit altogether. It’s okay to be honest about how you feel. Trust that all your hard work will pay off and that you are on the path to having a peaceful relationship with food.
Ensure You Have Accountability
Give permission to a couple of your closest friends and family to hold you accountable to your recovery plan. Share your meal plan with them, and tell them your goals for the week. Truly listen when they express concerns about your eating. They may be noticing harmful patterns in your life that you don’t see yet.
Finding Recovery From Eating Disorders
Don’t battle your eating disorder alone. Our team of eating disorder specialists would be honored to walk you through the journey to recovery. Give us a call today at 419-885-8800 or fill out our contact form to learn more about our admissions process.