What is one thing you wish you could go back and say to yourself when you were at your lowest?
I’d Probably tell myself that being healthy would open a lot of doors for me even though I didn’t believe it .
What is one thing you are still struggling with?
Other people’s comments, even though I’m becoming comfortable with my body, many people still make insensitive comments about how I can change my body or even something they think is a compliment like saying “you look so skinny!”
Who was your biggest support system through your eating disorder recovery?
Probably my peer mentor because having someone who has been through the same thing and understands where you are coming from is a different kind of support than my parents, who can only sympathize.
What is one thing that is not spoken about enough about anorexia?
That it is more than just gaining the weight and after you are physically at a healthy place, there is still a mental aspect to deal with.
Can you describe some self-care habits that help you cope?
Taking a break and drawing helps me calm down during eating disorder meetings because it helps me not get upset.
What is your favorite part of your life that you got back in recovery?
Being able to do sports and enjoying it because I now don’t work out to count calories or lose weight but now I can play sports for fun.
Who keeps you inspired in recovery?
It’s not just one person but all of my friends who want me to be the healthiest and happiest version of myself.
What signs should people look for in a loved one who may be struggling with anorexia?
For me it was talking about weight constantly, working out everyday and asking for less and less food, especially foods lower in calories.
What do you do when you feel a relapse may be coming?
I go back into my notes where when I started recovery I wrote down all the things I looked forward to be able to doing once I recovered and that keeps me motivated
How can we talk about anorexia without triggering others?
The more information on it the better but I think everyone needs to become more educated about it before ranting about their thoughts on the subject.
What kinds of dialogue do you find triggering and unhelpful for those who are recovering?
I don’t like it when people say oh you’ve gained so much weight or you look so skinny, even though it may seem as a compliment I don’t think you should ever comment on someone’s body. I think it’s different for everyone what angers them.