https://eatingdisordersanonymous.org
Prompt 1
The old-timers in AA used to tell me, “This isn’t a program for people who want it. It’s not even a program for people who need it. It’s a program for people who do it.” And so I did it, day after day, whether I wanted to or not. EDA Big Book Pg. 277
Eating Disorders Anonymous
Gluttonous and greedy negatively describe the hearty eater offered the seduction of her favorite food. --Maya Angelou
Like Maya Angelou, I have experienced the shame of being described as gluttonous and greedy, often by the inner voice brainwashed by diet culture. Why should a normal function of life become so attached to toxic shame? The ultra-thin ideal body which we have come to believe is correct for women of all ages and backgrounds is rare. Only a very small percentage of women naturally have this body type. For the rest of us, our natural physique becomes a source of shame.
I did it my way. --Frank Sinatra
Like Frank Sinatra, I’m always doing it “wrong.” I don’t do recovery the “right” way. I don’t follow the steps to the letter, although I do consider their meaning and I have gained invaluable benefit from attending meetings. For instance, today, I did not write specifically on the provided prompt. I did it my way.
As is often true for me, my attention is divided. In this case, it’s divided between paying attention to the meeting and making lunch for my family. I will have to jump up in a minute and get the waffles out of the oven. I’m all over the place and have trouble with time management, today and always.
Prompt 2
Unlike drugs and alcohol, I couldn’t cut food out of my life; after all, that had been the problem in the first place! But I started to use my behaviors as learning experiences. After each slip, I asked myself, What happened that made me feel like food was the only way to cope? What can I do differently next time? EDA Big Book Pg. 276
In the late 90s or early 2000s, I tried attending a certain abstinence-based eating disorder recovery program that shall not be named. I found their premise nonsensical and their use of size shaming as encouragement insulting. It quickly became clear to me that this was another diet in the guise of a recovery program. Although I had not yet discovered the concepts of Health at Every Size and size acceptance, I already knew that another diet was the last thing I needed.
I do not believe that food is addictive in the same way that alcohol or narcotics are addictive. Through my intuitive eating practice, I also learned not to label foods as good or bad. The most effective approach for optimal physical health involves selecting foods with a high nutritional value. However, this is not always possible. People living with food insecurity, as I have often done, may not have access to the most optimal food choices.
Highly processed foods provide quick satiation but have low overall nutritional value. Intuitive eating discourages seeing these foods as taboo, an attitude which only makes them more enticing. Further, there is nothing shameful in choosing a food that is going to satiate one’s hunger. For many people, diet plans don’t satisfy hunger. The lack of satiation leads to an obsession with food and often to binging. Repeating this cycle leads to weight gain and an inability to lose weight. This is not the dieter’s fault.
Ornery Owl Has Spoken
Here are some helpful and interesting resources. I will earn a small commission for any purchases made through the following links.
Health at Every Size
Intuitive Eating book
Mom and Me and Mom (Maya Angelou)
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