LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO MANAGE EATING DISORDERS
Recovery from an eating disorder can take anywhere from several months to years. Certain lifestyle changes can help you during and after your recovery.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHFUL WEIGHT AND BODY IMAGE
Work on developing and maintaining a healthful and realistic body image and weight. During the times when you feel fat, ask yourself if your life would really be much different if you were underweight. Would you automatically be more successful, popular, and loved? Realize that the things you want to achieve in life have little to do with being underweight and more to do with setting and achieving realistic goals. Remember that being thin does not equal being happy.
MAINTAIN A RATIONAL APPROACH TO DIETING, FOOD, AND EXERCISE
Do not diet, even if you need to lose some weight. Rather, you need a meal plan that gives you adequate nutrition for health and normal growth. You can work toward a healthful weight by limiting your intake of high fat foods, sugar, and refined carbohydrates and eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and adequate protein. If you need help planning your diet, a registered dietitian or nutritionist is the best source for advice.
Also, make sure you get regular, but not excessive, exercise. This can help you maintain a healthful weight. Thirty to 60 minutes of exercise three to five days a week is sufficient.
KNOW AND AVOID TRIGGERS
Certain situations can trigger disordered eating behavior. Do not let yourself get too hungry and don’t deprive yourself of good-tasting food. Feelings of deprivation can lead to cravings and food binges. If you crave a certain high fat, high-calorie food, it’s okay to have it occasionally.
There are probably certain foods and situations that tempt you to overeat. Keep these foods out of the house and stay away from tempting situations as much as possible. If you tend to overeat at buffets, for example, stay away from them.
Emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, and even happiness, can be powerful triggers for food binges. Pay attention to your feelings and how you may turn to food to deal with them. Find alternative ways of dealing with strong emotions, such as talking with a friend or therapist or writing in a journal.
RECEIVE TREATMENT, AS NECESSARY
Don’t feel defeated if you fall back into your old habits. This does not mean that you have failed. You are learning to build new habits(something that can take some time. If you have a relapse, call your therapist right away and schedule an appointment. He or she can help you re-evaluate and fine tune your recovery program.
WORK ON BUILDING A MEANINGFUL, FULFILLING, AND SATISFYING LIFE
Rather than focusing on food and weight for fulfillment, spend time building a meaningful, satisfying life. This involves developing feelings of competence and self-esteem by discovering and utilizing your talents. Work on appreciating and enjoying your abilities without having to do everything perfectly. Develop some hobbies and do things that are fun and pleasurable. Join some clubs and groups with people who share common interests and work on developing healthy relationships.
DEVELOP EFFECTIVE COPING SKILLS
Stressful life events can trigger eating disorders in susceptible people or trigger a relapse in those who have recovered. You can control self-induced stress by developing a more realistic self-image and expectations. This can be achieved through counseling and learning how to take charge of the things you can control, such as your attitude and ability to make healthy choices.
Various relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing, progressive relaxation, yoga, and biofeedback, can also help you cope with stress. These techniques increase your awareness of tension in your body and help release it through exercises that quiet your mind and relax your muscles. Regular pleasurable activities can help you relieve stress as well.
