know of any self-help books??

relating to bulimia recovery, body image issues, self-esteem, healthy eating, anything relating to any of the above? Anyone know of any good self-help books? I remember randomly coming some titles floating around in some threads, but I don't remember where and which ones. I'll be visiting the public library today, and I wanted to borrow some books that may help. 

(p.s. this is not the only help that I am receiving, in case people are worried that I'm trying to solve this all on my own. I am seeing a doctor, nutritionist, and ed psychiatrist).

thanks 

I really enjoy reading books and articles by Geneen Roth. Not only is she hilariously funny, but she focuses on emotions and the reasons behind the way you eat without being trite or maudlin. I picked up "When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull up a Chair" a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, but you can read some of her articles online, too:

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author-bio/ab out-geneen-roth

http://www.geneenroth.com/articles_interviews .php

Gaining by Aimee Liu is an excellent book, although it's a bit more geared towards anorexia.

If you're a perfectionist and this is fueling your eating disorder, a good all-around book is Be Happy Without Being Perfect by Alice D. Domar, Ph. D.

Of course if you go to your local library they may have an entire section on eating disorders and you may be able to find some good recovery workbooks there.

An fantastic resource for books on eating disorders and body image is www.gurze.com. You should really check that site out, you'll probably find it very helpful.

Seconding the Geneen Roth recc. Breaking Free from Emotional Eating is really good.

Hi! I am also recovering and would recommend "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.  It is a not specifically for disordered eaters, but focuses on control, negative self-talk, negative self-image, and anxiety. 

Congrats on being in therapy! It helped me immensely.

thanks a lot! I basically borrowed out all of Geneen Roth's books from the library :P I'm already almost done reading "When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull Up a Chair", and it is absolutely wonderful! I love how it not only touches upon eating issues, but about kindness and curiosity towards one-self. 

^hilary77: I will definitely borrow that book once it's available! Looks like someone has already checked the book out from the library. Plus, I have a pile of books to read first. :)

p.s. I don't know if it's just me and lack of will-power, or if other people experience this too, but after each time I read these self-help books, I have a moment of epiphany and kind of wake up to reality and feel "cured". But this usually lasts at most, a month, and slowly but surely I spiral down back to my usual self-hating, eating disordered self. What would you suggest I do when this happens or before this happens? Should I re-read the book to remind myself? Is there something innately wrong with me? Is my personality just fleeting like this? (<== or this me being self-critical again?)

thanks a bunch!! :)

I do that too! I still think it's valuable to read the books, though.

The book I recommended has really made a difference for me.  It just teaches you simple ways to start interrupting your self-defeating behaviors by sort of disconnecting from your mind (that is the best way I can explain it). You just start by noticing when you are in a dangerous thought pattern (my worst habit is playing out situations into the future and imagining the worst possible outcome.  Just totally ridiculous stuff!  Not even realistic at all!), and you just take a few seconds and say to yourself "oh crap, I am doing that thing again." And you just build from there.  Within a few months I was able to stop myself from doing it about half the time.  You just have to retrain your mind not to go there so much. Basically you learn not to let you mind have control of you and lead you somewhere dangerous.  I know it sounds weird, but it is really helpful.

If you can, try to buy used copies of your favorite books and highlight the things that really reach you. They you can easily go back to them when you need it most!

I've only read one book on diet and healthy eating and only then because it changed my Dad's life around completely.  I think most books are "feel good" hocus pocus crap.  But I read this book my dad recommended and it completely changed my life too. It's called "The Healthy Heart Miracle" by Dr. Gabe Mirkin.  It's a no nonense view on healthy eating and exercise and Dr. Mirkin talks about different health issues in plain english and how they are affected by both diet and exercise.  When I was done reading, I was simply convinced that diet and exercise were everything and there was no turning back.  What it did for my Dad was really a miracle, it gave him his life back.  I could not recommend anything with more certainty than this book!!!

^ hilary77: I am actually considering purchasing these books on amazon, because I am the type of person that needs continual reminding. Thanks again =]

^ johnnypenso: wow! I never heard of this book, and I am extremely excited to read this book myself. I am glad and inspired by the fact that this book has allowed your father to change his life around for the better (and for you as well). Thanks for the recommendation. Will read this book as soon as I can get it. =]

i'd like to add-- eating in the light of the moon, life without ed and intuitive eating.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto - by Michael Pollan (Penguin Press)
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals - by Michael Pollan (Penguin Press)
What to Eat - by Marion Nestle (North Point Press) - also see Marion's blog: http://www.whattoeatbook.com/
The Hungry Self - by Kim Chernin (Times Books)
Losing It?: America's Obsession with Weight And The Industry That Feeds On It - by Laura Fraser (Dutton Adult)


Not so bulimia and ED related as more toward self-esteem and establishing healthy eating patterns.