Losing Weight the Right Way, a Guide for Losing Weight after Recovering from an Eating Disorder

Anyone who has ever had an eating disorder knows the toll it takes on your mind and body. And anyone who has "recovered" from an eating disorder knows that diets are not the safest way to lose weight. It is easy for someone who has recovered from an eating disorder to take any diet or exercise program too far. And so the problem arises, how does someone who has recovered from their eating disorder lose weight safely, without the use of common diets and over exercising?

First things first, step away from the scale. It is a good idea to begin your weight loss journey by focusing on what your body is telling you, not your mind. Stepping on the scale can shift your focus from how your body feels to how your mind feels about the current number.

Second, you need to focus on eating healthy foods and getting a healthy, moderate amount of exercise every day. One strategy that really helps you to choose healthy foods is to stop and ask yourself this simple question "does my body need this?" If the answer is yes then by all means eat it. If the answer is no, then it's probably not the best choice. Look at food as fuel for your body. Generally the "healthy" foods (i.e. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein) will help to keep your energy levels up. Naturally, when your energy levels are elevated, you will feel more inclined to exercise. Which brings us to our moderate exercise. We all know that exercise is necessary, but can also be harmful if taken too far. Be sure to give your body at least one day of recovery each week. I find that it's easier to resist the temptation to take your workouts just a little further if your exercising for fun rather than for necessity. For example, take a walk with a friend, play tennis, jump on a trampoline, go on a hike, take a day trip up river in a kayak. This way your enjoying the activity without focusing on calorie burn. There is far too much focus put on calorie intake vs. calorie burn these days. Focus on eating healthy foods for fuel and being active in enjoyable ways on a day to day basis, and you'll find that the weight comes off without all the stress.

Third, as was stated above, stop obsessing over calories. Look at any young toddler. They listen to their bodies and base how much food they eat solely on their hunger cues. They do not let emotions or any outside factors determine when or how much they eat. They don't obsess over how much food they are or are not eating. They trust trust their bodies to do that work for them. If you eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, and choose foods to fuel your body, you will lose weight without the obsession.

Finally, remember that your body is always changing. You cannot expect your body to be what it was 10 or 20 years ago. Start living your life, really living. Stop obsessing and worrying that you'll never lose those extra pounds. When you accept yourself the way you are, and begin to focus on your health and listen to your body, everything will fall into place.