From my journal this week, thoughts about the struggle that is recovery:
I binged and purged last night. It was the fat thoughts that got me. I’ve gained about ten pounds and the weight that is supposed to help me is killing me, or at least that’s what it feels like. Thinner, thinner, thinner is all I think about now. Diet hard, exercise. Forget quitting smoking, forget friends and family. Forget writing, forget recovery, forget life. Forget everything but getting thin, back to bones.
All I feel is the flesh of my middle. My legs feel enormous – fat and cellulite-ridden. Imperfect and unworthy.
Everything in my life seems pointless. Nothing is any good if I can’t be thin.
I’m trying to argue, to rationalize, to logic and talk my way out. To try something new. Exercise but to make myself strong and healthy. Keep eating. Visualize Jennifer Lopez’s body – she’s not a stick and she’s the same age as me. Want that.
It’s not working.
I want sticks. I want bones.
The eating disorder thoughts make my anxiety worse which is ironic since anxiety drives the eating disorder in the first place. Increased depression comes next and then feelings of worthlessness which lead back to not liking myself much and calling myself “fat” so it’s off to the mirror again to tell myself, “I love you,” notwithstanding my purchase of low-calorie meal replacement bars to consume in lieu of food, which probably comes under the category of “situational irony”.
From Famine to Feast. 
You’re so brave to share these struggles. Keep fighting those negative thoughts!
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Thanks, I will try.
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You are so brave. Thank you for sharing the truth as always. 💜
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Thank you for reading and commenting and supporting. It helps 🙂
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You are not alone. I share a lot of these same thoughts and feelings. You are brave to share them and to persist in recovery.
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Thank you. It helps knowing that others feel the same way; I don’t feel so alone.
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Hey girl-
I totally get it; I am also reallllllly struggling right now, especially with my LEAST favorite season coming around the bend! Arg.
When you feel super anxious and like quitting, think of the reasons why you chose recovery in the first place and also how you felt in the middle of everything.
I sure have gained since treatment but I’m not as anxious and depressed, I’m not suicidal, and my body isn’t screaming at me all day long.
Take a self-care day and just do you.
I’m glad you’re blogging about it though- you have a recovery friend here! 🙂
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Thank you. I appreciate the encouragement. The hardest part is getting your brain back, I think.
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Thank you for sharing this- it shows your strength to admit that you are struggling. I often have similar thoughts and have to remind myself of why I finally chose recovery in the first place…and I do lots of self-care.
Hang it there…it WILL get better! 💙
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Hey Em! This is so hard. Its so important that in the midst of chaos, you are still honest with yourself and with your readers. I really value that. I am thinking and praying for you! ❤
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Thank you. I appreciate that.
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I related so much to the way you described your cycle of spiraling. That happens to me too. Stay strong & just remember that voice is a liar. 💜
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Thank you. It is, isn’t it? It always strikes me as odd how bits of ourselves are often our worst enemy.
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