Breaking free from an eating disorder can be tremendously challenging but an amazing and rewarding experience. There is a beautiful freedom that comes with ending the war between yourself and your body; and can be accomplished through acceptance, understanding and education. First, identifying and accepting that poor body imaging and/or an eating disorder is a problem in your life is the first step toward the road of recovery. Taking this step can be scary and overwhelming because some people identity acceptance as a form of defeat; however, this is not the case.
Research indicates that poor body imaging and/or eating disorders causes distorted patterns of thinking which can include obsessive thoughts associated with food and a way of dealing with emotional issues. Therefore, acceptance is a form of success and strength. Women and men who are engaged in poor body imaging and/or eating disorders are able to make better decisions once they disengage in unhealthy eating habits that negatively affect thinking patterns.
Second, understanding how the mind and body, together, require a balanced diet and healthy nutrition to maintain its homeostasis and stimulate clear thought patterns. Our body requires glucose and energy on a consistent basis to carry out essential brain activity. When we restrict, binge and purge our thinking becomes immensely distorted. A second, way to begin to break free from poor body imaging and/or eating disorders is to try to disengage in the habitual behavior surrounding unhealthy eating patterns. Therefore, providing the body with nutrients coupled with a span of time to clear the mind; will change how the brain processes information in a more positive way.
Once this change takes place the mind will begin to clear and allow the individual to accept and learn new coping skills and mechanisms to replace poor body imaging habits with healthy alternatives. Often, men and women are afraid to change their behaviors surrounding poor body imaging and/or eating disorders because the root of the issue is connected with the need for control. However, research indicates that even though an individual might believe that she or he is maintaining full control by restricting, purging or binging but in fact, they are actually losing control because distorted thinking has taken over the mind and proper body function. Finally, knowledge is power.
The more an individual learns and understands how his or her poor body imaging and/or eating disorder is affecting his or her body, mind and overall well-being – the more likely he or she is to choose to seek help and recovery. Educating yourself on the serious health issues associated with poor body imaging and/or eating disorders will help you to recognize the significance of (1) how an eating disorder and/or poor body imaging can negatively impact your health and (2) will help you to identity how and why the road to recovery is so very important. In close, know that you are not alone and that millions of people suffer from poor body imaging and/or eating disorders. Acceptance, understanding and education are the keys to freedom.