Bulimia Nervosa Support Group

sooo I am definitely very nervous with the Christmas season and all the food (cookies, hot chocolate, ect) that will be around. I am doing really good in my recovery right now but so very worried that being around all of this junk will create a problem for me. For once in my life I want to be able to experience Christmas without worrying about gaining weight or b/p. Anyone else ever feel like this or have any advice on it??

Not sure if this helps at all, but it's quite freeing for me know that I don't need to worry about all that "stuff" anymore. I'm not saying I'm letting myself go, and just overeating...because I'm not at all (I'm actually very healthy these days). But if I feel like having a cookie, I'm going to have it. I'm going to OWN it. So! by thinking about what food and food quantity I choose to "OWN" (i.e. keep in body) when I get to said "Holiday gathering" when I see what all there is laid out...it stops me from binging. Purging is NOT an option. NOPE. DONE. So by taking this "responsibility" slash "owning" for what I eat, I've been (surprisingly) making very wise food & food quantity choices...and I allow myself that slice of "whatever dessert" occasionally. Because I don't need to restrict myself...that would be setting myself up for failure.

Not sure if this makes sense, but this is what I do...and it has been helping. Purging is no longer a safety net...it's DONE. It can not and WILL NOT EVER be a part of my life again. Since I can't do that anymore...I choose not to binge. Because that would be stupid.

Enjoy the moments you're in with friends and the fambam. Be IN THE MOMENT, and don't let food thoughts suffocate the chances of you having a great time. I can tell you it feels fucking FANTASTIC after I conquer a family "holiday gathering" dinner or restaurant meet-and-greet when I ate sensibly, didn't restrict myself, was able to put the fork down when I was FULL, and DIDN'T vomit it out. WOW...feels so nice!! Food is good! But it's not what life is all about!

Be smart. OWN what you eat, and...HAVE FUN! DUH!

Love!!!!

-Ana

IT is so wonderful to her your inspiring words!! I hope you read these posts again, down the road. You can hear how proud you are, in your voice! I am always amamzed at how this disease harms our self esteem, because when I am doing well I feel sooo much more confident!!! It is nice to be headed toward recovery! My head is held higher and my relationships stronger. I love knowing that this disease does NOT have control, it is my choices, my decisions that determine my life. GREAT JOB!

Great reply... Thank you

yes I agree very good advice!

b1234 - what a great thing to post about. I'm so glad you did this!!! Many of us, myself included, stress the heck out around the holidays. It's like people forget what we are really celebrating and start to worship the food!!! Just what we need, right? Have you thought about making a crisis plan for this situation? I can't remember who, but someone recently posted an AWESOME website that had all kinds of worksheets for dealing with ED stuff, and a crisis planning worksheet was on there. I think that would be an amazing idea for you... I'll see if I can find the post and figure out how to "sticky" it so it stays at the top of our forum.

Ha!!!! b, it was YOU who posted the website with the worksheets! Teehee, that made me crack up. I tried to put a sticky on it... we'll see if it works. If it does, it will be at the top of our "support" forums. Love love love it!

hahah yes it was and I will def. try and make a crisis plan! Thanks nina!

Here's the file, for easy access... it's called "Risky Situation Worksheet." Hope that this helps you!

I have disconnected myself from this site for some reason, but after reading this thread I am reminded of why I was buried in these posts over the summer. It is reading things like this that give me hope. Because girls like all of you, who are going through similar things, find a way to be strong and put the ED behind you. I just wrote in my post that I needed encouragement, and just by reading this thread, I have found some. It's just a beginning, but awnhuh, reading that purging for you is just NOT an option, so therefore binging isn't either, really put things into perspective for me. A month ago that's where I was too, so if I was there, I should be able to get back there, right? I also really like your idea of "owning" your food choices. Because after all, they are OUR choices, arent they? Why have I felt so out of control when I am the ONLY person in control of my own actions?!

Ok...thanks to all who have posted for being here in the middle of the night when I needed some support. And thanks, Nina, for that worksheet because I plan to use this over the next couple of days to put things into perspective for me...