by Andrea Roe

Recovery from an eating disorder is possible

I want you to know that you are not alone and that recovery is possible! Yes, recovery – full recovery – IS possible. I’m not just saying this because it sounds good. I am saying this because I strongly and truly believe it.

I am proof that it is possible. I am proof that full recovery is real, and not a myth. And I am not the only one who managed to successfully recover from an eating disorder. I am not the exception to the rule.

There are countless women who managed to successfully overcome their eating disorders. Some of them struggled for two, five or ten years, and some for twenty or more years. It really does not matter how long you had your eating disorder for, you are NOT a hopeless case.

Recovery is possible for all of us. Recovery is something that happens within you, and no one else can make you recover. No one can recover for you, and there is also no magic recovery pill. But I strongly believe that we ALL have it in us what it takes to recover.

Recovery is a process. It takes time. Recovery does not happen overnight. Your eating disorder started years before you first binged, purged, or starved yourself – and it will take time to overcome this disorder.

There is also no rule for how long it takes for someone to recover. We all have different stories to tell, different reasons why we developed our eating disorders, and we are at different points in our lives and have different support and recovery tools available.

Please don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Be more kind and patient with yourself. And please keep on believing in yourself. I know you can do it! There will be setbacks…. But no matter what happens, don’t give up!

My journey to recovery was difficult. I am not going to lie to you and say it was easy, because it was not. It was a lot of work, but it was well worth it! I had to take one day after the other. And I had setbacks, I had a lot. And every time I fell, I did my best to quickly get up again and continue on my journey.

I did my best not to look back but forward. And Brandon, my husband, was always there for me and with me, every step of the way. He believed in me, no matter what. His love and support were what I needed to find the strength in me to beat this disorder.

And during your recovery process, you will have setbacks. And that is normal. Setbacks are part of the process. So please don't beat yourself up over them. Move on and focus on your goal. Learn to be proud of yourself for what you have accomplished so far. Focus on the positive things and your achievements.

And no matter what happens or what you do, please never give up on yourself. Please keep on fighting, and always remember -- recovery is possible, also for you!!!

Andrea Roe has published a compilation book titled, You Are Not Alone, and hosts a website with information on eating disorders.