Eating Out When In Eating Disorder Recovery

Eating out in public is one of the worst fears for someone suffering from an eating disorder. The fear of unknown calories, unknown surroundings and the fear of being judged can all be too much and stop someone from eating out in public. 

Eating out in public did affect me when I was at my worse with my Anorexia. The thought of it made me feel ill and I always had an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. Sometimes it'd get too much I'd just break down. It got to the point even at school I couldn't eat in the common room so I had to eat alone in a classroom. 

Below I'm going to give some advice which my therapist gave me and also some things which I've found useful! Believe me, you can overcome this and eat out in public happy and healthily again. 

Start off with small meals which contain foods you know/like

This is an important step. There's no point challenging yourself on your first meal out to eat a huge burger with greasy fries etc. as the meal alone will make your thoughts worse on top of eating out. Start with something simple like a salad (or anything else you think you can manage!) and work up from there. (Remember; if you just have a salad to make up the calories you're  missing at another point in the day!!). 

Over time you will make progress and be able to manage different meals better!

Don't worry over portion size 
We all know that when you eat out at a restaurant that the meals are larger than what you'd normally have at home. Don't worry over this, at the start when you're beginning to challenge yourself to eat out just eat what you can manage of your meal, then next time eat a little more and a little more etc. 

Take it steady, you don't want to throw yourself in at the deep end then find out you've pushed yourself too far as this could set you back in your recovery. 

Don't focus on the food
This may seem a hard thing to do and it is. All you want to do in a restaurant when you have an ED is to think about the food and the calories in the meals. But instead, focus on the people you're with. Make conversations with who you're out with and join in. If you can, tell them that you're scared/nervous etc. so they can try and keep you preoccupied. 

Prepare yourself

I'm guessing you're going to have known about your meal out for at least a day, so you've got some time to "prepare" yourself. By prepare I mean mentally prepare. Think positive thoughts and try and rationalise the bad thoughts with good ones. For example, if your bad thoughts are telling you that everyone will be staring at you as you're eating - balance this out with "It's a restaurant, everyone will be eating I'm no different". 

Also, whilst you're there if you feel anxiety coming over you (or if you feel as though you're going to have a panic attack - take deep breaths. In....out.....in.....out. Keep repeating and try and keep the positive thoughts in your mind. If you have to leave the table part way through the meal then do so, just return and try again. 

Plan ahead 
This may be helpful if you're super scared. If you know the place you'll be eating at why not go on the website and have a look at the menu? Then you can pick a shortlist of meals you may want to try so when you get there you won't be overwhelmed with panic. 

I wish you all the best of luck!! This won't be easy and nobody said it would be, but you'll get there!! It won't happen over night and could take many meals out for you to feel comfortable about doing it!! I believe in you all. 

Izzy 

One Year On (Then Vs Now)

This post may include some triggering "eating disorder" habits, read with caution 

I saw a fellow blogger, Karly do a post like this a few weeks ago and I loved the idea behind it so I decided to do it for myself!

In this post I'll be comparing how things were a year ago for me (mental health wise) vs now! Although, a year ago things were really good for me so there's nothing to compare. So I'll be comparing now to around 18 months ago when I was about to be admitted to hospital.

I hope this post will show how may positive changes can happen in your life when you start recovery. So let's begin! :) 

Then; Keeping a "food diary" of every item of food in the kitchen, so when we had meals I could know how many calories were in everything without having to ask my mum.
Now; Not knowing and not caring what's in meals/items of foods. Also not keeping the diary! 

Then; "Body checking" multiple times a day, and taking pictures day-by-day to track "progress".
Now; Not taking pictures of my body (unless it's an ordinary selfie haha) and not looking for progress.

Then; Wanting to die rather than gaining weight.
Now; Gaining weight doesn't phase me (to some extent) and I'd rather live my life rather than die. 

Then; Thinking I was obese with a BMI less than 15.
Now; Understanding that I'm not obese and never was. I know have a healthy BMI and feel great and healthy!!

Then; Letting the voices in my head control everything I did.
Now; Having complete control over blanking the voice and ignoring it and not giving in to it's "orders".

Then; Restricting my calories to the extreme 

Now; Eating over the recommend daily amount for women and not feeling guilty 

Then; Crying over pretty much everything over 5 times a day
Now; Not crying over everything and anything and feeling as though I can deal with things!

Then; Being terrified of gaining weight 

Now; The thought not scaring me and I'm able to except it

Then; Hiding food in every way possible (in clothes, in pockets etc)

Now; Not looking for ways to hide food

And there are plenty more positive changes which recovery has brought to my life!!!

Izzy

Adult Colouring Books - The Positives!

If you've been reading my blog since I started a few weeks ago you'll know I did a post about me receiving my colouring book from an order I placed online! Well I've now had around 2-3 weeks with it and I'm finally doing a post about them and why they're so good! First I'll talk about the advantages and then I'll discuss the books I have! :)

The benefits;
• It's stress relieving - Even the book on the picture above says it! As we're focusing so much on colouring neatly, deciding what colour's to use and what patterns to draw our mind and thoughts is taken away from the thing which is stressing us out. For example, if the thing on your mind is an essay - your mind is taken off that when you're colouring thus reducing the stress!
• It's calming - Again as colouring is taking up the majority of your mind, you're able to calm down and unwind. This is why I love colouring when I've just finished school or work as it's "me time".
• Stimulates the brain - Colouring is an activity which allows the brain to be stimulated. You're working the creative part of the brain which is great for every day activities.
• It's fun! - You're able to put down all technology and just have time to yourself, and it still be fun! I can find myself colouring away and before I know it 45 minutes has passed! 

These are the two books which I own. The larger book called "Art Therapy" is the first one I bought and is the one which all the pictures below are from. This one was a great buy and was around £4 from Amazon which is great! The paper is nice and thick so the pen doesn't run through and the designs are beautiful. 

The next book is "The Mindfulness Colouring Book" and I bought it for £4 from Sainsbury's (A supermarket). This book I have only started small designs in, and to be honest the designs aren't as good as the other book. They're more patterns rather than pictures (if that makes sense..) and I don't enjoy them so much. But it is a perfect "handbag size" book so it's good to carry around I guess! 

I may do a more in-depth review in the future of the books! 

Below are some of the drawings which I have completed. I do like to take my time with the drawings and not rush them, I think it may also be because I take so long to decide what colour(s) I want to use haha. 

Have you tried colouring books?

Izzy

Further reading;

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/13/coloring-for-stress_n_5975832.html 

Places I want to Travel To

Travelling is something I've always wanted to do. I love exploring new places and seeing what different places has to offer. Recovery is something which I went into as I knew once I was recovered I was free to travel! 

I have a job as some of you may know and I hope to save my money so I could travel. I live in the UK, and I don't mind even just travelling a few hours from where I live to explore a new city or town! I love going to London, although I don't go that often I always love it when I go and I hope to go this summer! 

Other places where I'd love to visit are obviously America. I've always wanted to go to America and I haven't been yet. I don't mind where in America, but I'd obviously love to visit the usual places such as New York, California or Florida. There is a scheme called Camp America which allows young adults to spend their summer living in America and helping out at summer camps. This is something I'd love to do next year and I'm saving for it! 

Australia is another place I'd love to visit. Australia looks as though it has so much to offer and I love the accent! Last year I had an exchange student from Australia at my school and she described Australia as being an amazing place! Australia is super expensive to visit though, so it may be something I do in around 5 years time. 

Europe also has a lot to offer. I've already been able to visit quite a few places in Europe and some of them I'd love to go back to. In 2011 I visited both Stockholm in Sweden for 5 days and also the Netherlands for 4 days. Both of these trips were with school so I didn't have a lot of time to explore and I was still quite young then so I didn't really appreciate it. I'd love to go back to Sweden as the small parts of it I did see were beautiful! Maybe a weekend break away soon! In 2013 I visited Amsterdam which was an amazing experience. This time I went with my mum and sister and even though we only went for 3 days they were action packed. We managed to fit everything we wanted to see in just 3 days. It was exhausting but soooo good! We managed to go to the Anne Frank house which was an eye-opening experience, we also took a boat trip down all of the canals and tried out some of the foods there! I loved it there and would love to go back. Last summer (2014) me my mum, step dad and sister went to Krakow, Poland. Again another city break for 3 days. The weather was beautiful and again was another eye-opening break. We visited Auschwitz which was the Concentration Camp from WW2. This was a very moving experience and something I'll never feel the same for again, it was very interesting and I highly recommend everyone visiting at some point during their lives. Poland also had a lot more to offer with beautiful buildings and architecture which was lovely! 

Other places in Europe I'd love to go to are France (especially Paris) and Italy!! But I'd be happy with going pretty much anywhere! 

And there are just a few places I'd like to go within the next few years! Also a re-cap of some of my other holidays haha. I'd love to see all of the world which I know is near-impossible, but it's a dream!

Izzy 

About Me and Random Facts!

I was just looking back at the posts which I have currently done on my blog and discovered I still haven't done an "about" me post, so the majority of you don't know anything about me! My blog is already very personal as I talk about past experiences with mental health issues, so it's only right I share other things about me with you all! 

So My name is Izzy (Full name Isabel!) and I'm 18 (2nd January!) and I currently live in the Midlands in England. I've lived in the same town all of my life but I have moved house a few times!! As my parents are divorced I live in two homes. At my mums house I live with my mum, my sister and our pet cat Ruby who I love. I love cats (that's another fact about me) and however "sad" it is to say it I consider my cat to be one of my 'best friends'. We'll talk more about my love of cats later any way. Then at my dads house there's just my dad, me and again my sister! 

As I'm writing this post I am currently in my last week ever of education! YAY! This thought does scare me a little though. After Sixth Form is over I'm taking a gap year to continue working at my job. I did get into university to study Mental Health Nursing but I felt as though this year wasn't the "right" year for me to go and I needed another year to decide if I actually wanted to go to uni! 

So some random facts about me are; 

• I love things to be clean. No I'm not going around saying "OMG I SOOOOO HAVE OCD!!!" as that's not what OCD is about. But I do like my things clean and I look after everything I have. I like to think of objects as having "feelings" so I don't like to hurt them...That sounds weird yes but it's just what goes on in my mind lol :)
• Similar to liking things clean, I like to be organised. I have to know what I'm doing in advance and hate doing things out of the ordinary and things without planning. I like knowing when I'm working a few weeks in advance so I can plan things around that. The same with social gatherings, I don't like my friend just ringing me up and asking me to go out as I haven't prepared for it.

• I love cats. I mentioned this at the start of the post but I actually think I'm obsessed with them! They make me so happy seeing them and stroking them! It's an obsession I swear. My cat is one of my favourite "people" (well cat) ever and I hate the thought of anything bad happening to her. 

• I work a lot. I do like my job but sometimes I do work too much. I get scheduled into work quite a bit and it's hard to say no! Although I do like to be busy and hate just sitting around the house doing nothing productive, so why not be earning money instead?! Although there is a plus, because I work a lot I always have money - but I have no time to spend it! haha. 

• I love Sunday Roasts! Or just any Chicken Dinner!!!
• My favourite film and book series is Harry Potter. I've read the books around 3 times over and watched the films countless of times. I'm currently listening to the audio books! Last September I went to the Harry Potter tour in London and it was AMAZING. I want to go back!!!

• I love Coronation Street (British soap drama)
• Summer nights are my favourite. I love it still being light outside at 9pm, it makes the day so much happier! I also love it being sunny in the morning as I feel as though I wake up in a much more positive mood :)
• I own around 95% of all the The Sims PC games you can buy - I used to be obsessed. My obsession for it comes in waves and right now I'm not that hooked but maybe over the summer!
• I hate feet. The sight of other people's feet (especially the toe!) makes me feel a little sick haha.

And that's all I can think of right now! Hopefully I'll make another post like this in the future with more facts about me:)

Izzy

A Little Reminder

Just a little reminder for you all. 

You have the choice to take control of your life and change it. You have the ability to change your happiness. Choose recovery. It won't be easy and maybe one of the hardest fights of your life, but believe me it's so worth it.

I'm so so so proud of you all!!

Izzy

Help Protect Mental Health Services & Sign The Petition!

This post is something I believe strongly in, if you agree please sign the petition. I'm pretty sure you can sign it even if you live outside of the UK! Thankyou :)

You may or may not know that David Cameron (Prime Minister of the UK) is looking to cut the funds to CAMHS by £50 million. 

If you don't know what CAMHS is, it stands for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services and is a service which provides support for young people with mental health issues. It's a  nationwide service ran by the UK which is in desperate need of help.

My personal experience of CAMHS isn't the best (I plan on doing a post in the future about it in more detail) and I can agree that CAMHS really needs more money being put into the service, rather than money being taken out.  Even though the service may not be 100% effective, it's something to help people and the UK really lacks in mental health support any way. 

With the government cutting funds going into CAMHS, this obviously causes bigger problems. If people aren't getting the help they need at the time, this can lead to bigger problems which can have worse consequences. 

These cuts could effect anyone you know, and even yourself. Would you like it if in the future your son/daughter couldn't access the help they need if they have a mental health problem?

Please click this link to sign the petition! 

Thankyou for taking the time to read

Izzy 

Thigh Gaps

Thigh Gaps are a big 'craze' which has swept social media over the past 1-2 years. Basically all it is if you have a "gap" between your thighs. Whilst in the depths of my Anorexia this was something I strived for and I felt as though if I had a thigh gap people would like me and I would be considered as being "skinny". I was obviously wrong. 

Having a thigh gap is one of the most ridiculous things ever. Striving to get one won't do you any good, and anyway; the majority of the time however much weight you lose you may never get a thigh gap. 

The reason behind this is because it's all to do with your Skeleton and your bone structure. That's right. Someone who weights 110lbs may not have a thigh gap, but someone who ways 200lbs may have a thigh gap. Why? Because the 200lb person has wider hips.

In most cases, the wider your hips, your legs are further apart therefore your "thigh gap" may appear larger than someone else's who has narrower hips. Here's a picture to explain what I'm thinking;

Hopefully that makes a little more sense now haha..

Now we've got that out of the way, and now you all know it's 99% of the time based on bone structure - why do you strive for a thigh gap? Why do you push your body to dangerous levels of starvation in order to achieve a thigh gap? Why? Your body isn't thanking you and you can have dangerous consequences. 

A thigh gap doesn't say how "skinny" someone is nor does it make you less of a person just because you don't have one. I'm not looking to "shame" people who do have thigh gaps naturally because hey I have one and I'm a healthy weight. I'm just saying - don't strive for one and put your health at risk. It isn't worth it.

These make me laugh ahaha.

Remember every body is beautiful, make the most of what you have! <3

Izzy

How To Relax and Have "Me Time"

After a long day (whether it be at work/school or doing whatever) it's important to relax and have some "me time". If you know you've got a busy week ahead, try and plan in slots of "me time" so you can have some time to yourself to be alone and relax.

Especially during stressful times during the school year (such as now) it's important we find time for ourselves to stop the stress getting to us, too much and leading to much greater problems. Here are some ways which I love to relax and I've found helpful and also some ways which I've found online!

Taking a bath/shower

One of my favourite times of the day is when I have a bath/shower. I usually have one in the evening about 2 hours before I go to bed so I have enough time to unwind. Baths are my favourite as you're lying down in a nice warm environment with lovely smells around you. I love to take a magazine in with me so I have something to read, and can easily spend 20-30 minutes in the bath at a time! And afterwards you're squeaky clean and feel great. Once a week I usually treat myself and use a bath bomb from Lush. These are my favourite baths as they feel much more luxurious. Here are some pictures below. The bath bomb I'm showing is the "Bubblegrub" and I bought it around Easter so I don't know if it's still available sorry!

Going for a walk 

I love to do this especially now the weather is getting nicer! As summer comes into season the nights get longer and if it all gets too much for me nothing beats a nice evening walk! I am lucky enough to live in an area surrounded by the country side and nature trails, therefore I love to explore them when I can! Now I'm starting to go for runs more, I can't wait to try out these tracks when I'm running! The perks of going for a walk are that you can either go alone or with someone else. When going along you can just put in your headphones and completely zone out, and take your mind off whatever is stressing you out. If with someone else it allows you to get everything off your chest you were thinking and what was making you so stressed!

Reading/listening to an audio book

Reading takes you to another world (if you get into a good book!) and can help you relax. I love listening to audio books as I can take the book in easier if I'm being read to! Currently I'm reading Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone. Find a nice quite area (either in or out of your house!) and just sit down for 20 minutes a day to give yourself some space and allow yourself a break.

Painting your nails

This is obviously more of a girly one..but I love painting my nails! I also love getting my nails done at the salon but it costs too much money haha. Again painting your nails gives you around 30 minutes to yourself to be with your thoughts and away from any situation which is stressing you out.

Here are just a few ways in which I find helpful! Obviously there's tonnes more such as painting, drawing, baking, singing or doing whatever makes you happy! Remember to take time for yourself as your mental and physical health is worth much more than any exams or job :)

Izzy

Further reading;

http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/archive-redirects/stress-guide-2012/how-to-relax/#
http://www.webmd.boots.com/women/guide/me-time

How to Stop Calorie Counting in Eating Disorder Recovery

Whilst I was in the depths of my eating disorder, counting calories was all I did. Numbers were running through my mind all of the time, as soon as I'd see a piece of food I'd instantly wonder how many calories were in it. It even got to the point where I kept a diary, and once a week I'd go around the entire kitchen at home and note down the calorie content of every item of food we owned, just so I had a record of it so I'd always have it to hand if I needed it. This just shows how obsessive calorie counting is for someone suffering from an eating disorder is.

I am now happy to say, I don't count calories. The thought has completely gone out of my mind, and to be honest; I can't remember how many calories are in any foods any more anyway! I can't remember a distinct moment during recovery where I stopped calorie counting, I think it just happened over night to be honest! 

To recover from your eating disorder you have to want it yourself. You have to be prepared to but 110% into it in order to recover. Therefore; if you're committed to recovering you're going to  be committed to wanting to stop counting calories.

Seriously having "spoon envy" over this hahaha...I want it!!!

As I mentioned above, if you already count calories you will remember how many calories are in certain foods, but over time your memory will fade. Whilst you do still remember the calorie contents though it's important that you block out those thoughts. For example; if you see a packet of crisps the voice in your head will instantly think "oh crisps, thats xyz amount of calories you're not eating those" and this is where your willpower comes in. You have to override the voice by saying to yourself "no, calories don't matter" (or something less cheesy haha) and just push the thought out of our mind. I found actually eating the crisps helps to push the thought out as it's mind over matter.

Due to the increase in social media and apps on mobile phones, more and more people are also using apps such as My Fitness Pal to document their calorie intake. First off delete the app. Deleting the app will put the thought out of your mind that you need to document that meal you just ate. As soon as the app is off your phone and not easy to see, you won't be able to check the calorie content. It may take time to "train" yourself to not use the app but in the long run it's for the best.

That's all the advice I can give really...Like I said it's up to you! It's your choice. You have the choice to try and banish the negative thoughts and to put counting calories to a stop. Take that choice and try and push it out of your life! When your head isn't full of numbers and intakes - believe me it's a much better mind and world to live in! It takes time but you'll get there, I believe in you :)

Count your blessings, not your calories

Izzy

Increasing my Meal Plan to Gain Weight

This is going to be more of a personal post so sorry if you're wanting something less personal haha :)

In the past few weeks I've been super motivated to start exercising (not to lose weight, but for my own health and to feel better about myself) and in order to do this I feel as though I need to gain more weight.

In this post I'm not going to discuss my weight as obviously this is a recovery blog and numbers can be triggering to both myself and others. But currently my weight is the "low" end of healthy, and now I'm recovered I am accepting that I want to gain more weight now. I was discharged from mental health services a few months ago and as soon as my weight reached the "healthy" range. At the time I felt huge and that I could never gain any more weight otherwise I'd be obese. Obviously this was just Anorexia talking and really, I could do with an extra 1/2 a stone on me! 

I no longer look like I'm a walking skeleton or like I'm dead, but I do still look a bit "bony" and I want to get rid of that. I am now at the stage where I'm a bit self concious that I still look skinny and people do notice this, and with 1/2 a stone added to my weight I'm sure I'll look great!

Adding 1/2 a stone will also allow me to exercise more (and hopefully better!) and I won't have the constant fear that I may lose weight and become underweight again.

Oh yeah that's me by the way ^ I feel super scared about posting this hahaha.

So obviously to gain weight I'm having to increase my meal plan. I don't really follow a "set" meal plan any more to be honest, I kind of just eat whatever, whenever. Because of this I'm going to try and double some of my meals (for example, for supper I usually have two rounds of toast, but instead I'm going to have 4!). My dad also suggested adding protein powder into my smoothies to add some more calories so this may be an option in the future.

Obviously I'll do it in small steps and it'll be gradual. But I think this is a massive recovery win right now for me as I'm feeling okay about having to gain more weight and I actually want to! Nobody is forcing me it's my own decision which I feel great about! 

Izzy 

My First Run!

My usual Saturday morning consists of me waking up at around 10am then going to work in the afternoon. But not today! I decided to set an alarm for 7am and get myself to go on a run! I asked my dad to join  me (he's into fitness so he runs quite a bit) and we just ran round our area! 

Before we set off I had a glass of water and a banana for some energy, and we were out of the house by 7:20! My dad used his "Map My Run" app (which I've just downloaded also!) to see how far I could manage.

Anorexia took away my ability to exercise. I was put on a strict order not to exercise and was even banned from taking part in PE in Year 11. So I haven't done any "proper" exercise in nearly 3 years! Crazy! I knew starting running would be hard due to  me having literally no muscle or stamina but I'm determined to give it my best shot.

I only managed to run "around the block" twice, which my dad's app said was 0.8 miles..lol. It may seem bad but like I said, it's been a while and I'm trying to break myself into it!

Before I got ill I used to do a lot of sports (I was a keen gymnast and loved athletics season at school). I also took part in Cross Country which at the time I hated but I wasn't too bad at it. 

All the old feelings of the burning sensation at the back of your throat and jelly legs came back to me haha. I tried to push through it and after the second lap I was done! As my dad is interested in fitness, he owns some gym equipment so after we went and used some of that as we were all warmed up! I did some sit ups, push ups, burpees and even lifted the lightest weight haha. All in moderation!

I'm not expecting to be amazing straight away but I hope to keep practising around 1-3 times a week and hopefully I'll see a difference! 

One thing I do need to invest in though is some proper workout clothes..haha. I ran in leggings, a jumper and my Converse. I know Converse aren't good for your feet to run in but it's all I have for now! My dad said if I keep it up we can go and get some "proper" ones which I'm excited for! That's my motivation right now :) 

I'm not exercising to lose weight, I'm doing it for myself and my own fitness!!

Izzy 

How To Deal With Weight Gain in Anorexia Recovery

I felt like this post may be one of the most relevant posts I'll ever post on my blog. My blog is a lifestyle/recovery blog therefore the majority of my readers will be those who are suffering or looking to recover or who are recovering from their Eating Disorder.

I'd just like to say well done for making the best decision of your life and deciding to recover. 

Weight gain is obviously a vital step in recovery. To help nourish your brain and to progress in recovery it's important to gain weight to get it back up to a healthy weight for you! 

When I was faced with the idea that I had to gain weight I freaked out. I hated the thought and did everything I could to stop me from gaining weight, even though everyone around me was practically force feeding me I'd just hope I wouldn't put weight on. After a while though, something clicked in my mind and I realised; I have to gain weight otherwise I'll die. This is something that I keep in my mind (even now) to help myself keep pushing forward. 

The first thing to do when gaining weight is to forget about the number on the scale. You're worth so much more than that and that number doesn't define you as a person. 

Now here are some bits of advice which I've found work and recommend you try if you're struggling to accept weight gain;

1. Try to avoid spending too much time in-front of the mirror. This is when the negative thoughts come in. When you spend a good 10-15 minutes in-front of the mirror looking at every part of your body, this is when the bad thoughts will leak back into your mind. Just look at yourself quickly in the morning or whenever, and leave. If you want - tell  yourself some positive thoughts! Such as "I look really beautiful today" because I bet you do! Positivity works wonders. 

2.Throw out the scales! There's no need for you to keep a set of scales in your house. If you're still in treatment, you probably get weighed when you go for your sessions (I used to at CAMHS). It's doing you no good weighing yourself once a day (or even more). You're worth much more than that number and having that number play on your mind all day won't help you accept that you've gained weight. 

It's important that you tell yourself that weight gain isn't a bad thing, but a thing which your body needs and will love you for. Gaining weight and going into recovery is one of the best decisions of your life. You won't be gaining weight all of your life; once you're at a healthy weight you'll just maintain. It's just for a period of time and then think about it - you'll be weight restored and hopefully mentally healthy too! 

Also remember - when you first start to eat a large amount again you're going to bloat. Bloating is totally normal (I'm going to do another post about it in the near future) and you may feel "huge" as you're bloated but you're not! 

These are just somethings to think about :)

Izzy

We Can Treat Ourselves!

I feel as though in recovery, we forget that sometimes it is OK to treat ourselves to the occasional sweet thing or item of food which isn't in our "normal" eating plan. During recovery it is important to challenge yourself to eat new things and maybe even face fear foods, as this is how you learn how to overcome the irrational fear of a certain food and lead your way onto living a more "normal" lifestyle so to speak. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I consider myself as nearly fully recovered. Because of this I know what it's like to face a fear food, or to eat something more challenging. As yes it is hard, but I believe you can do it.

In order to build a more healthy relationship with food again it's important that we eat outside of our meal plan, and begin by adding foods back into our diets which we cut out.

Treating yourself to the occasional "treat" is a good thing, and you shouldn't feel bad for it. Your body is probably crying out for those extra calories and just remember each mouthful is a foot in the right direction. You can't live the rest of your life being in fear of certain foods, and I have found the best time to try my "fear foods" was when I was gaining weight as I knew I had to gain the weight therefore I felt OK about it. 

One of my favourite treats at the minute is the Dairy Milk Marvellous Ice Creams Jelly Popping Candy ice cream. It's beautiful! I love sweet stuff and I love ice cream and this is by far my favourite (apart from Ben and Jerry's...). I love treating myself to this after a busy shift at work. 

I don't even know if this post made sense, I just wanted to get the point across that it's OK to treat yourself to certain foods! You deserve the best and I'm sure you'll feel great after you've had that chocolate bar or ice cream!!! <3

Izzy