"My life was consumed with food, insecurities and my outward appearance. While other kids were learning what their favourite sports or colours were, I had my head in a toilet."

Melanie

• Eat Meals with Family or Friends

  A person who is anxious about eating will feel more comfortable doing so among other people they trust, such as family or friends. This...
  A person who is anxious about eating will feel more comfortable doing so among other people they trust, such as family or friends. This may mean planning ahead to ensure meals are served at times when everyone can be present. Try to keep the topic of conversation positive throughout each meal, and avoid talking about food, particularly calories and fat content. Meal times are a good opportunity for a person with an eating disorder to learn to associate eating with a pleasant environment.
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• Keep a Food Diary

  Keep a food diary of what you eat and when you eat it to help you focus on eating regularly. Also record any episodes of going without ...
  Keep a food diary of what you eat and when you eat it to help you focus on eating regularly. Also record any episodes of going without food for long periods of time, bingeing or purging and the thoughts and emotions you have about them. If you can learn to recognise the situations and feelings that lead you to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors it will help you to figure out ways of dealing with them. The things you find out about yourself may surprise you.
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• Take Regular Exercise

  Studies have shown exercise to have a positive effect on low self-esteem and poor body image, which are widely cited as being contribut...
  Studies have shown exercise to have a positive effect on low self-esteem and poor body image, which are widely cited as being contributory factors in the onset of eating disorders. Remember exercise is good for us, but too much can have a detrimental effect and place unnecessary stress on our bodies. People with anorexia often have a compulsion to exercise excessively and this needs to be addressed. A healthy amount is 30 minutes of physical activity on five days of the week.
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• Be Patient

  Unhealthy relationships with food do not develop overnight, and it can take many months and even years to regain full control over your...
  Unhealthy relationships with food do not develop overnight, and it can take many months and even years to regain full control over your eating habits. The road to recovery is a long one along which you must be prepared to take small steps, but you have every chance of making it. Remember, if you have acknowledged your eating disorder and have resolved yourself to do doing something about it, you are already halfway there.
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• Eat Healthy Foods

  The types of foods we eat are important. We all like to indulge in our favourite foods every once in a while, but we should also eat as...
  The types of foods we eat are important. We all like to indulge in our favourite foods every once in a while, but we should also eat as wide a variety of healthy, nutritious foods as possible. General nutrition guidelines suggest trying to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; choosing complex carbohydrates such as bread, rice and pasta (whole grain if possible) rather than processed sugars; eat protein in the form of lean meats, fish, poultry, legumes and nuts, and drink water regularly.
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Support groups for you

Support groups are a good way to find friends and comprehension. Find out if there are support groups in your area....

Support groups are a good way to find friends and comprehension. Find out if there are support groups in your area.

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Share Thoughts

The negative feelings that linger on your mind should be shared with your friends and close ones. Don’t suppress your feelings and le...

The negative feelings that linger on your mind should be shared with your friends and close ones. Don’t suppress your feelings and let people, who matter to you, know why you are insecure. Sharing thoughts will let them understand your feelings better and find a remedy to your insecurity.

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Be honest

The only way you can truly begin recovery is if you are honest with yourself first and then with others. Hiding behaviours does no one ...

The only way you can truly begin recovery is if you are honest with yourself first and then with others. Hiding behaviours does no one else any harm other than yourself.

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Don’t be afraid to ask for help

People are surprisingly supportive if you ask for help....

People are surprisingly supportive if you ask for help.

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Forgive yourself

Don’t feel ashamed for what you are going through. Rather forgive yourself and allow yourself to begin healing....

Don’t feel ashamed for what you are going through. Rather forgive yourself and allow yourself to begin healing.

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Throw away the scale

This will be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, things you will ever do in recovery. You cannot let numbers define you. Start to...

This will be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, things you will ever do in recovery. You cannot let numbers define you. Start to rediscover who you are as a person and what you truly enjoy.

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Write in a journal

This is a great place to be yourself without any judgement and to understand where some of your feelings are stemming from....

This is a great place to be yourself without any judgement and to understand where some of your feelings are stemming from.

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Give yourself time

Recovery is a process and there are stumbling blocks but that should not discourage you from the amazing steps you have taken towards h...

Recovery is a process and there are stumbling blocks but that should not discourage you from the amazing steps you have taken towards healing.

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Discover what makes you feel good

I found that volunteering at an orphanage was a great way for me to gain perspective on life. The children allowed me to be in the pres...

I found that volunteering at an orphanage was a great way for me to gain perspective on life. The children allowed me to be in the present and I found myself thinking less about my eating disorder.

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Identify your triggers

If FTV is going to create anxiety around your eating disorder, don’t watch it. Ask people you trust to help you with this by telling ...

If FTV is going to create anxiety around your eating disorder, don’t watch it. Ask people you trust to help you with this by telling them what makes you most vulnerable and eliminate these triggers from your environment. Throw away those magazines and photos that are holding you back.

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Arts therapies

If you find it hard to express yourself in words, arts therapy can help you to express yourself through dance, movement, art or music....

If you find it hard to express yourself in words, arts therapy can help you to express yourself through dance, movement, art or music.

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Complementary and alternative therapies

Some people find other therapies, such as massage, reflexology and aromatherapy, may also be very beneficial....

Some people find other therapies, such as massage, reflexology and aromatherapy, may also be very beneficial.

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Address health problems

Anorexia and bulimia can be deadly–and not just if you’re drastically underweight. Your health may be in danger, even if you only o...

Anorexia and bulimia can be deadly–and not just if you’re drastically underweight. Your health may be in danger, even if you only occasionally fast, binge, or purge, so it’s important to get a full medical evaluation.

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Effective treatment program

An effective treatment program for eating disorders should address more than just your symptoms and destructive eating habits. It shoul...

An effective treatment program for eating disorders should address more than just your symptoms and destructive eating habits. It should also address the root causes of the problem.

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Communicate your concerns

Share your memories of specific times when you felt concerned about your friend’s eating or exercise behaviors. Explain that you thin...

Share your memories of specific times when you felt concerned about your friend’s eating or exercise behaviors. Explain that you think these things may indicate that there could be a problem that needs professional attention.

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Forgive yourself

Don’t feel ashamed for what you are going through. Rather forgive yourself and allow yourself to begin healing....

Don’t feel ashamed for what you are going through. Rather forgive yourself and allow yourself to begin healing.

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Avoiding mirrors on bad days is avoiding the problem

Instead, take a good 5 to 10 minutes, go over your body from head to toe, and try to describe yourself out loud without being negative....

Instead, take a good 5 to 10 minutes, go over your body from head to toe, and try to describe yourself out loud without being negative. You don't have to say you "love" anything, but just regular observations like "my hair is curly, my eyes are blue, my face is oval," etc. Looking at yourself objectively can help overcome the negative feelings and make it easier to face your reflection.

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Avoid conflicts or a battle of wills with your friends

If your friend refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem or any reason for you to be concerned, restate your feelings and the reas...

If your friend refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem or any reason for you to be concerned, restate your feelings and the reasons for them and leave yourself open and available as a supportive listener.

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Express your continued support

Remind your friend that you care and want your friend to be healthy and happy....

Remind your friend that you care and want your friend to be healthy and happy.

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Get rid of any negative encouragement

Does that magazine you always read have pictures that trigger you? Cancel your subscription or make a point to not buy it anymore. Stop...

Does that magazine you always read have pictures that trigger you? Cancel your subscription or make a point to not buy it anymore. Stop visiting the websites or watching the shows or reading the books that you know will encourage the eating disorder.

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Set a time to talk

Set aside a time for a private, respectful meeting with your friend to discuss your concerns openly and honestly in a caring, supportiv...

Set aside a time for a private, respectful meeting with your friend to discuss your concerns openly and honestly in a caring, supportive way. Make sure you will be some place away from distractions.

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If you're morning starts off bad, it doesn't mean the rest of the day is doomed

If you skip a meal, it doesn't mean you should continue doing so for the rest of the day and you'll just "get back on track tomorrow". ...

If you skip a meal, it doesn't mean you should continue doing so for the rest of the day and you'll just "get back on track tomorrow". Start over with the next meal.

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Take things day by day

Emotions tend to rise and fall regarding food and body image very easily. Your good days won't last and that's ok. Neither will your ba...

Emotions tend to rise and fall regarding food and body image very easily. Your good days won't last and that's ok. Neither will your bad ones. There is always a tomorrow to look forward to, to make new goals and try again.

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See a specialist

Work with doctors and specialists to help your problem in any way you can. They have qualifications and years of experience, and you ne...

Work with doctors and specialists to help your problem in any way you can. They have qualifications and years of experience, and you need the help.

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Follow the signs

Pay special attention to learning when your body is telling you it is hungry or full. Often, eating disorders will distort these signal...

Pay special attention to learning when your body is telling you it is hungry or full. Often, eating disorders will distort these signals and they must be re-learned, but they are crucial to eating healthy portions.

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Go shopping together

for meals. This means that the person with the eating disorder can see the full process of their food being bought and cooked, and the ...

for meals. This means that the person with the eating disorder can see the full process of their food being bought and cooked, and the person/people they live with can help them to embrace eating in a positive, healthy way by giving them input and choices in the cooking process.

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At mealtimes:

Don’t focus all attention on the person with the eating disorder, particularly an anorexic who has only recently graduated to eating ...

Don’t focus all attention on the person with the eating disorder, particularly an anorexic who has only recently graduated to eating meals with his or her family. Make minimal fuss and treat everything as normal.

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After meals

family time, like a board game or perhaps watching a film together, is a good way of keeping your eye on the person with the eating dis...

family time, like a board game or perhaps watching a film together, is a good way of keeping your eye on the person with the eating disorder, making it difficult for them to disappear and purge in the toilets, or exercise excessively.

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Setbacks

Setbacks happen. Don’t worry too much, carry on as you were, and the next day, continue doing what you were doing, but with renewed v...

Setbacks happen. Don’t worry too much, carry on as you were, and the next day, continue doing what you were doing, but with renewed vigour to succeed.

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Self Esteem

Low self-esteem is one of the primary reasons for eating disorders. If your child is beginning to look like they have bodyweight issues...

Low self-esteem is one of the primary reasons for eating disorders. If your child is beginning to look like they have bodyweight issues, do your best to keep their self opinion high by encouraging and supporting them in anything they do.

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Unpleasant feelings

Try to find healthy ways to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or self-hatred....

Try to find healthy ways to manage unpleasant feelings such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or self-hatred.

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Self-esteem

A well-rounded sense of self and solid self-esteem are perhaps the best antidotes to disordered eating....

A well-rounded sense of self and solid self-esteem are perhaps the best antidotes to disordered eating.

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Childs with eating disorders

Parents must avoid threats, scare tactics, angry outbursts, and put-downs. Bear in mind that an eating disorder is often a symptom to e...

Parents must avoid threats, scare tactics, angry outbursts, and put-downs. Bear in mind that an eating disorder is often a symptom to extreme emotional and stress, an attempt to manage emotional pain, stress, and/or self-hate. Negative communication will only make it worse.

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If you want to help...

Examine your own attitudes about food, weight, body image and body size. Think about the way you personally are affected by body-image ...

Examine your own attitudes about food, weight, body image and body size. Think about the way you personally are affected by body-image pressures, and share these with the affected person.

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Share your experiences

Attending an eating disorder support group can help your loved one feel less alone and ashamed. Run by peers rather than professionals,...

Attending an eating disorder support group can help your loved one feel less alone and ashamed. Run by peers rather than professionals, support groups provide a safe environment to share experiences, advice, encouragement, and coping strategies.

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Nutricional Counseling

Dieticians or nutritionists are often involved in the treatment of eating disorders. They can help your loved one design meal plans, se...

Dieticians or nutritionists are often involved in the treatment of eating disorders. They can help your loved one design meal plans, set dietary goals, and achieve a healthy weight. Nutritional counseling may also involve education about basic nutrition and the health consequences of eating disorders.

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Therapy and Family Therapy

Individual and group therapy can help your loved one explore the issues underlying the eating disorder, improve self-esteem, and learn ...

Individual and group therapy can help your loved one explore the issues underlying the eating disorder, improve self-esteem, and learn healthy ways of responding to stress and emotional pain. Family therapy is also effective for dealing with the impact the eating disorder has on the entire family unit.

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Plan your meals and snacks

Planning your responses to hunger helps you shed pounds faster. Avoid "Fat-Free": fat doesn't make you fat; you need fat in your diet t...

Planning your responses to hunger helps you shed pounds faster. Avoid "Fat-Free": fat doesn't make you fat; you need fat in your diet to help you process certain nutrients. Avoid "Dieting": by dieting, you're setting yourself up to gain more weight than ever.

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Be sure to eat plenty of organic vegetables

One of the best ways to improve your health is to make sure you're eating plenty of fresh, minimally processed high quality vegetables,...

One of the best ways to improve your health is to make sure you're eating plenty of fresh, minimally processed high quality vegetables, ideally locally-grown and organic, with a majority of them consumed raw. One simple way to boost your vegetable intake is to juice them...

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