How do you cope?

Hi!!! I know many of you are/have dealt with an ED of some kind. I know the typical ED way to deal with attempting to gain is exercise. Many of use actually lke exercise, and start to go stir crazy, being forced to be sedentary and eating so much/

   What I want to know is how (OUTSIDE of exercise) do you cope with the stresses of life, accompanied with the insurmountable task of beating ED?

    For me, mostly my animals. I love them so much. Before I had to quite working, i worked at two animal hospitals, and am working toward my pre-reqs for vet school. I am obsessed with horses and Dresage, but depresingly, I havent REALLY ridden in over two years (thanks ED). I desperatly am convinced i will get back into the horse circle. Until then, my other loves are my dogs (a black lab, a Bulldog, and 5 bassets!), my two twittens(cats), gerbils, and my chinchilla! I adore them, and i like to tink they adore me too. i have spent inumerable nights and days sobbing into their fur, and they always are there. They even help me eat! the kitties LOOOOOOOOOOOVE to provide funny/entertaining distraction during mealtimes-running around, chasing each other. Meanwhile, the dogs remind me what its like to loooooooooooooove food, as they all lay there (obediently outside the kitched) drooling:P I have a fascination especially with nutrition, and have specialized my field of study toward canine nutrition. learning that information, about HOW the body uses food, why it needs it, and what to feed it with is amazing(granted, dogs need different diets, but many things still apply).

What helps you make it through the tough times?

     Oh! the other #1 most important thing to me is Scripture. When i am so stressed that i cant eat, I run to some of my favorite verses that remind me why/how i SHOULD and can do this!

     Also, "my girls". this past year, i became a leader in a program called AWANA. I lead a group of six elementary school girls. They are precious to me. i only see them once or twice a week, but i already love them to death! they are funny, and remind me what it is like to live carefree-how to laugh, how to smile, and how to enjoy the simple thing (like playing three-legged race, and singing!). i find myself thinking of them almost every day. they help me through my ED even though they dont know about it. i am reminded ofa VERY SCARY thing.......i am a role model for them...................for a couple hours a week, i am their example-who they look up to. now, this has given me a fresh respect for parents. i think of them, and i realize how much i care about them and how DESPERATE i would me to make sure they NEVER experienced anything like this horrendous ED.

for me my dog has been a big factor ive had her since she was 10 weeks , and shes become my faithful friend , shes always behind me and brings such joy to my days she such a bouncy bean and just so much fun. and at night she cuddles up to me and makes me feel special.

the awana program sounds grt

For me, it's my support system. My family and friends, especially my boyfriend <3. Animals are a big thing for me too. Once I get more strength I plan on volunteering at our local animal shelter again =).

For me it's keeping busy. I know if I am going to be bored at home I will start drifting to think about ED and my body image will hit the floor etc.

Even if I am watching TV I make sure I am doing a crossword or drawing at the same time, just to keep all aspects of me occupied so that anorexic voice can't creep in.

one word facebook

I am similar to emma, I love keeping busy, it makes me feel really organized to have a full schedule and lots of things to do, which is a healthy manifestation of my obsession with control! (Which I'm sure many ED sufferers understand!) I always make sure to have lots of classes, music rehearsals, lunch dates, etc and I feel really happy then :)

Also my friends and boyfriend are great support for me, and also listening to my nutritionists wise advice that I DO need to eat a lot, and I am not not not a bad person for doing so. 

And facebook like tessa :D

it's SO hard...i try to stay extra busy with things that are important to me. for instance im a theate rmajor at college and am involved in shows, and being at rehearsal helps me. in the past, i didn't always put all of mye nergy into the shows - in the worst parts of ED, i mean - because too much energy was going in to worrying about food/exercise/exercising too much/not getting enough sleep or nutrients. honestly, since i've started recovering, i've had more energy to be present and give my all. i overloaded with credits more than i ever have this semester, and am putting a lot of work into my studies, too. and socially, i feel like i can do more (even though the anxiety from weight gain does drive me into a hole some time) - because i don't have to worry about food as much. i schedule my day to be very busy from the moment i wake up til i go to bed - which i have done in the past, but i don't think i ever was healthy enough to do actually live that active lifestyle. now, im starting to realize that i CAN live that active lifestyle, as long as i get to the weight i need to be and treat my body well!

When I was recovering I was into journaling, artwork, yoga and reading. Once I got out of inpatient and went to uni, having the schedule of classes and homework to do made a big difference.

One thing I will say is, try to get distracted by people as well as other pursuits. Hobbies are great, but EDs are so isolating and a key part of recovery for many people is making solid friendships, reaching out to other people and getting involved in community life once again.

Merylwhite took the words right out of my mouth. People are so important and necessary to keep from isolating oneself.  Try maintaining friendships with a variety of ages too. Most of my really crucial friends when I had my issues were at least ten years older. Of course, young children offer a great perspective as well. But, personally, I found peers over rated compared to my older friends. At least during that difficult time when every choice i made was very crucial.

oh, is so agree with you! i have a couple older women that i look up to and can talk to. they have been INVALUABLE to me through the moat difficult times of my life. i hope that maybe i can be that for some other young girl someday!