Thank you so much for all of the content you put out on here and Instagram. You’ve inspired me so much and you help me to stay motivated on this journey. I admire your courage and desire to help others. Also, thank you for putting a fun and light spin on heavier things. I know it isn’t easy, but it almost makes it easier when you can just laugh... and your laughter is contagious. :) You are such a beautiful soul! Keep doing what you’re doing. One day we won’t have such limiting thoughts and just be able to live life! 💃🏼
i think this advice also helps when it comes to social anxiety: challenging fear foods/social situations despite the feeling shit part, then repeating it until it's not so scary and not looking for a "quick fix" (restricting/avoiding) because you'll get stuck. thx again, meg!
Hey! You're doing a great job on all the challenges! One of the things that has REALLY helped me is to absolutely STOP listening to those thoughts. I know they come automatically and forcefully at the beginning but I had to actively shut them down as soon as I realized it, saying things like "shut up!!!!" in my head until it died down or if my brain starting thinking about it again/inducing guilt for something I would be like "that's bullshit. That's absolutely bullshit". Additionally.... And your eating disorder will hate this one (YOU won't because calories only scare your ED)... If the ED is saying "that's too much" or something along those lines, I will continuously push it one step or two steps further. Ie. If I'm having a muffin and a mocha and my ED is screaming, I will put PB on the muffin. And/or add whip cream to the mocha. Or jam on the muffin and a cookie on the side. I find I had to push it to the point that things that once felt hard feel like a breeze now. For me to go eat a muffin and a mocha, it doesn't phase me for a second because I've had soooooo much more in the past. And at the end of the day, I committed to FULL recovery by committing to as much weight gain as necessary at the beginning of this. No regrets - my life is so much better now.
Courtney Elliott I so so agree with you! I used to try & reason with the thoughts or challenge them, but now I just try to completely block them; because there’s always another thought! Good for you!! 💛
Honestly, I cannot tell you enough just how much you are helping me in my recovery! I so often struggle with the same things as you (I guess we all do in a way, but we feel so alone :D). At the moment I really struggle with comparing to others, when I don't have any idea what their life is like. For example, there is this girl in one of my classes at Uni who is clearly underweight, but I don't know if she has an ED, and because I'm not underweight anymore, my anorexia is like: "See, you could be that and still manage Uni! You don't need all of that!" Like, WTF? I didn't even like my underweight body! I know, that I cannot funtion and be severely underweight!
I literally wrote about this in my last instagram post. I always think it doesn't matter if some one is thin naturally, or thin through illness, or thin through ED type stuff.... it doesn't change the fact that for me if I am anything below my body's happy weigh or restricting I have to live with food constant obsession / worry / counting / planning / boringness. DIFFERENT BODIES. DIFFERENT PATHS!
Yes! I also have to give myself pep talks...and I’ve also made notes on my phone that remind me of why l don’t want to go back to the ‘dark place’. Your videos are SO helpful, Meg 🙏🌸💕
Good for you!! It might help to re-write that list when you have meals/snacks/struggles. It helped me so much. Even if it's the same list that you write out every time, it made SUCH a huge difference to me
Thank you Meg for another inspirational video. You are doing so incredibly well. I have been challenging myself to have a bigger portion of porridge for the last two days. It’s not been easy. It’s amazing how something so seemingly straightforward (on the surface anyway) can cause your legs to go to jelly! I’m pushing on because I want to make a full recovery. In time, I hope it will get easier. Challenge, repeat, as you say! I hope you had a lovely time at home. I felt very nostalgic when I saw you at the train station. I used to commute by train everyday! Lots of love & strength, D xx
You are not alone in pep talking your self before doing things. I have recently been challenging myself. I definitely have to pep talk myself in order to do it. I love your saying "Live the life I want to ultimately live even if I don't want to live it right this minute."
The phrase "live the life you ultimately want to life" has been my mantra while on holiday this week so thank you. After a day of YOLO and going with the flow with food, eating new things, trying not to worry about calories etc i hit my limit tonight when we went to a football match (husbands idea) and they conviscated my "safe snacks" to eat during the match. It is embarrasing to admit i actually was shaking and had a few tears as I put them in the bin. Anyway I had my first hotdog in 20 years and I survived to tell the tale. I even had a small beer too. It was tough and I am expecting breakfast and snacks tomorrow will be a struggle as my brain is already telling me to compensate for everything i have eaten today. Trying to focus on how nice it is to be in the world doing things and that is mor important then trying to balance out my calories over the week. Thanks for inspiring me and showing me that shitty thoughts happen in revovery but i can still do it anyway. You have no idea how much your videos have helped me. Xxx
BTW i do realise taking my own food to the football is weird but at the time it seemed like a sensible idea to "save calories" like you said the thoughts are so believable😣
Aww bless you, in a way I'm so glad they did. Sometimes it's good to have the push, and then withe exposure you can realize it actually is fine. The anxiety passes. Life goes on!! And keep going with bfast/snacks, don't use compensation to artificially bring the anxiety down. It WILL pass on it's own xxx
Concidering your 18 months into recovery now would you concider mentioning the differences youve seen in your thought patterns and day to day life since the very begining? I think thatd be superr useful :)
Megsy Recovery I was thinking the same - personally I surprise myself at how things used to be and how far I have come. Reminding myself of these things helps me push forward. I love your videos and always watch (repeatedly sometimes) to cement in my brain all the right thoughts and actions 💕👍
Literally just getting into bed (9:30pm Saturday I’m such a grandma lol). Thank you for being my Saturday night wind down. Love you girl. Your trip back home looked amazing. X
I argue with my brain all throughout the day. It tells me no, no, no, and I choose to be defiant to all those ed impulses. It is exhausting, but I do believe that our brains will rewire. I think we struggle with ocd also, and that makes it difficult not to have obsessive thoughts about food, perfection, etc. I appreciate your vulnerability and showing how your brain thinks, and choosing the healthy option anyway. We all have to do that, if we are going to recover. You are truly an inspiration!!!! ❤️😘
I can so relate to the thoughts being automatic and feeling real and completely true. And the compensation piece I totally get as well. I have done it so many times and like you said it just negates the challenge I do, do. It is like I don't have a choice- I am so glad you said this Meg. It is really hard not to listen to the thoughts, especially because it feels so wrong to go against them. I have struggled with anorexia for so long (25 years) the behaviors are habitual. Eating anything more than the bare minimum feels so wrong and bad. I love your channel Meg; you truly inspire me and have helped me so much. I am grateful for you and your story of recovery. YOU ARE A ROCK STAR 🌟!! Keep up the great work.
That’s so funny to see you painting your nails as I watch this while painting mine. When I feel like shit I take a long shower, wash my hair, dry and straighten it, spray some perfume and do my nails. Even if I’m just putting on pjs and going back to bed. Just makes me feel good to treat myself like a friend. You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You deserve life and happiness. Keep doing what you’re doing. 💕
Yes, I'm like that too...with the automatic thoughts. You challenging it is sooo encouraging and sur-real...yea...I told myself that this past weekend...food doesn't have to be this best, perfect, no anxiety, comfy experience allll the time...that's not living. It sucks that it isn't but it doesn't have to break me. Your honesty is helpful and seeing this encourages me more and more, your amazing and courageous, hope your enjoying this though too. 💞🌠🦋🥐☕ Also, thoughts when eating seem like they should be more like...this is yummy, it's good, is not the best, I want more, so refreshing, soft, tasty...etc...not about I should take the stairs after, I'm not going to have bread for dinner, I ate waaay to much, I shouldn't of had that muffin instead..etc...healthy mindset, healthy soul, healthy life 🕊️😊
Le Gasp! Almond croissant?! One of my favorite recovery challenge foods. Pitango near my house makes them...and they're perfect. Not soggy....super flaky and crisp and yet super light...and they don't skimp on filling or almonds.
I relate SO much to you, such a similar personality to me too it really makes me listen to you because your advice is like the healthy side of my head! You are so inspiring 🌟xx
Meg, I love how honest you are with yourself and with us. 18 months into recovery and you still get these thoughts. But it would be easy for you to just act like they are normal or you aren’t having them. But you are honest and committed to fighting them all the way down. You are so strong!
Hi Meg. You are so wonderful Person. You work so hard and your hard work is so inspiring. Thank you so much! I feel all the same, the same fear, the same shit, the same angry, anxiety. Sometimes I can't belive it could stop someday. Is feeling like a shit is my aim, is my reality? But as you say challenge repeat, feel like a shit and do it, opposite action. These are my mantras. Thank you for all you do every day. I'm looking forward to seeing your videos. It's like a therapy. You are my other psychologist 🙂 Thanks!!!!!!!
You are my inspiration for self prep talks!!!!!!!!!!! So super proud of you once again for your bravery and your courage. I admire your determination and it WILL pay off when you're living your life how you want it to be!! ❤️ If you think about how long you have had the eating disorder for, 18 months of recovery isn't long enough for it all to be fixed? Totally understand the split head thing!! Are you managing to actually enjoy the taste of any food at the moment? Keep fighting 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Clare Watt yeh I guess you’re right, it’s been years solidifying this stuff in my brain. Yeh I love food. There’s only about 2 fear foods of mine which I don’t think I’d enjoy the taste of, but otherwise most things aren’t scary enough for me not to enjoy
I can SO relate to the thoughts seeming like they have to be true because they definitely feel true! Like, it's ridiculous for someone to say it's not true because, duh, of course it's true! It's so hard to believe what other people are telling you when it feels so real!
About automatic thoughts: I heard a spiritual teacher talk about them saying to dispassionately view them like leaves flowing down a river, or clouds moving across a sky ("Oh, there's another thought, and there it goes....") without being attached to that thought and letting it take up residence in our brains. I'm 60-years old and am learning to be much more compassionate with myself about these automatic e.d. thoughts. They don't rile me up as much. I just say, "Oh, there's another one...toodle-oo random thought!" and I go and do the next right thing (eat that yummy dessert, have an extra portion, etc.)
Your videos are sososo helpful. You're a saint! Would you be able to do one on amenorrhea (losing period) and bone health/osteoporosis if you've dealt with either of them? Thank you! xxxx
Yep!!! I hope they're getting less for you. I find the thoughts can go a lot when I'm doing stuff I'm comfortable with, but then some things are a bit more challenging and then the thoughts pop back up
@@megsyrecovery191 yes, it's when I am planning to eat something different or have to eat outside my 'safe' eating slots (people actually do that and don't seem to worry!!!??) That I immediately get a million cunning plans to avoid it or reasons why I can't, shouldn't, had better not, because... I am not hungry, allergic to it, don't like it ...... At least we recognise the thoughts now and can choose to do the opposite. Before I never dared to question them. I believe they will disappear or at least get hidden in the depths of our brains like bad memories. Love, love your videos. You have helped me so so much in the past 18 months. Ps do you plan to come back to England maybe if you have children? Elly (I would love to meet you, ) X
I feel like my urges to compensate have gotten worse since leaving inpatient treatment. We used a choice based system, so if we were a 3 choice snack and picked a 4 choice item, then we took a choice off somewhere else in the day. Now I feel like I'm stuck in this endless cycle of making sure the choices balance out by the end of the day.
Peptalks are very important to me as well! Good job Megsy for keep pushing and fighting the ED. I was wondering if pulling apart your food with your fingers is still something ED related? Would you be able to just take bites from the whole bread or other kinds of foods, instead of taking off little pieces with your hands?
Hey love your videos and this is totally off topic but how do you do your intros for your videos and your thumbnails? Would really appreciate it. Ps love your authenticity and everything about your channel xx
I totally relate to what you are talking about Meg!! And the ED voice is so annoying and I feel so shit like why its so persistent even if I come this far in recovery! The intensity of the feeling I feel shit and so disappointed at my "slow" recovery process might be partly (or a lot) supported by my unconscious tendency of "comparison." seeing other people who are recovering from ED and who survived ED on social media, I have been very inspired and motivated to go on my recovery. But at the same time, I might compare their recovery to mine without noticing it, while I know I consciously did it at the beginning of my recovery journey. It is very hard to believe my body is different from anyone else, my recovery is my recovery, which has been done at my own pace, but I try to keep telling it to myself. Oh, and I know that fear when the new setting like having muffin for breakfast instead of croissant! I am like whyyyyyy. Nevertheless, we dont stop challenge and repeat! It is actually the first time to see Meg do not eat muffin from the bottom. haha I love you so much.
Yeh you're so right, different paths!! Also it's good to notice the bits that are getting better, that really helps me keep going if I have a food fear that's making me very anxious I like to think about other foods that I used to have that with and which I have gotten over. We will get there. With time and repetition xxxx
Yep, pep-talk is sometimes (often) a must, especially when FINALY choosing to do something challenging or not compensating for it 😭😭😭 #i'mtryingaweekofdessertspostdinnerchallenge, kisses - remember.. im w u on that bumpy ride.. xoxoxo your Polish follower
Just wondering what you and your psychologists thoughts are on acknowledging ED thoughts and repeating them out loud because wont that in itself make it seem more real? (Strengthen the ED thought) Sometimes I think focusing on it feeling hard or challenging makes recovery more complicated. Just wondering because its something thats been on my mind recently. Im trying to focus on the positives and freedom that it gives me but its easier said than done!
Hey, not sure what you mean. I generally try to block and ignore the thoughts more than acknowledge and challenge them. I used to try and reason them down, but it doesn't really work. There's always another one, and I've found actions are more important than thoughts. As in DOING IT has got me further than thinking it, even if I feel a bit guilty
I really like your channel, but I am having a tough time agreeing with all of these "food experts". The whole goal is to eat intuitively right? But if one is being told that food is just food and encouraged to eat a donut and sugary coffee for breakfast when they'd rather have a slice of Avocado Toast and a glass of skim milk, how is this any different from diet culture telling us NOT to eat?? I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I have a bit more weight to lose and applying these principles would only make me fatter. I too am recovering from an ED and it is the most excruciating thing ever. My new rule is not planning any meals, and wherever I find myself, I find myself. I try to listen to my body, and know that if I've watched a few too many YT videos on Diet and Exercise, I'll be programmed to "eat healthy" for that day. Then, because I unconsciously restricted, the next day I am watching "BodyPos" vids, and I'm wolfing down waffles and Halloween Candy for a week because "I was honoring what my body wanted" except I would eat so much, my hormones would be all out of whack and I'd feel like Shyt. There is no right way to do this. Our minds protect us for a reason. When my body is saying scale back on the chips, it's genuinely because I need to. OR if I had an extra piece of fried chicken, it's because my body may have needed the extra calories at the time. One could follow the intuitive eating model, but based on your emotions, stress levels, and consumed calories, one could dive into a binge of Ben and Jerry's ice cream for a month and now you're literally sick. So what's the answer then? There isn't any. Except to look at your overall health in the long run and how you feel. Do you feel good mentally, physically, emotionally, Yes, then keep doing what you're doing.
I really struggle with the compensation thing. But I’m working on it. Because it’s not really a challenge if you are compensating (because my ED would be fine with a challenge as long as I skipped something else).
Ok so I’m just curious! Is there a reason why you break apart cakes and things with your fingers rather than just picking up and biting into them? Not criticising, just wondering x
I do this and have been doing this even pre-ed. I don't do it because of my ed, but because I feel awkward when eating something. I am such an awkward person hahaha. It could be the same for her...but I don't know.
I'm so depressed. I suffered from anorexia and "recovered" but started binge eating ( well not massive amounts but much more than normal) and have had a hard time getting it under control. I've gained 20 pounds in 4 months. I'm back to restricting as of today and going to lose the weight. This is such a mind fuck these disorders:((
@@megsyrecovery191 I've battled ED's for 30 years in one form or another. This is the heaviest I have been. I'm not wanting to seek help at all. I just want to lose the weight. I wasnt even incredibly underweight, just visibly very slim. I know the ins and outs and the psychology of these disorders. Its just unfortunate now that I'm heavier I feel gross but physically I was much sicker when I was forcing myself to maintain a very slim frame.
Maybe you can find a middle ground? You don’t want to restrict and be unwell . Also remember it’s just a feeling you are having that you feel gross. It doesn’t make you gross. I do think seeking help is a good idea to help you cope better with your feelings and go on to lead a happier and healthier life . Wishing you all the best❤️
I wonder, why such "plain breakfast" is so challenging for you as I find your home breakfast presented many times before much more "challenging" I mean all those oats full of milch, syrup, penut butter, chocolate, fruit...it is just because you did not prepare breakfast in cafe your self and that it is prepared by somebody else? I hope you enjoyed your hollidays :-)
I would like to know you one day and drink a coffee together! jeje.....you are so amazing girl, beautiful and an inspiration for doing the same! thank you for don´t stop! :)
Haha true I do, I think I eat pretty normal, maybe I'll show normal speed one day haha. I used to eat SOOO slow, and you're right it was so disordered!
Hey, I find you sooo so inspiring. But I have a question.. you always seems to pick up your food to pieces - like the croissant or bagels etc. Is it a disordered behavior for you? Because I know for some people it is. I don’t want to sound rude or something, I’m just curious 😅
“Don’t give up what you want the most for what you want in the moment.”
Forever my favourite saying. ❤️
SAME!
Every time you say "food's just food" I then hear Bren say in my head "Yeh Meg, fud's just fud!" 😂
Hahaha love the Scottish "Fud" haha
Thank you so much for all of the content you put out on here and Instagram. You’ve inspired me so much and you help me to stay motivated on this journey. I admire your courage and desire to help others. Also, thank you for putting a fun and light spin on heavier things. I know it isn’t easy, but it almost makes it easier when you can just laugh... and your laughter is contagious. :)
You are such a beautiful soul! Keep doing what you’re doing. One day we won’t have such limiting thoughts and just be able to live life! 💃🏼
Awwww what a lovely message. Thanks pal xxx
i think this advice also helps when it comes to social anxiety: challenging fear foods/social situations despite the feeling shit part, then repeating it until it's not so scary and not looking for a "quick fix" (restricting/avoiding) because you'll get stuck. thx again, meg!
Yeh totally. “Opposite actions” is actually a treatment for lots of things (depression, anxiety etc)
Hey! You're doing a great job on all the challenges! One of the things that has REALLY helped me is to absolutely STOP listening to those thoughts. I know they come automatically and forcefully at the beginning but I had to actively shut them down as soon as I realized it, saying things like "shut up!!!!" in my head until it died down or if my brain starting thinking about it again/inducing guilt for something I would be like "that's bullshit. That's absolutely bullshit".
Additionally.... And your eating disorder will hate this one (YOU won't because calories only scare your ED)... If the ED is saying "that's too much" or something along those lines, I will continuously push it one step or two steps further. Ie. If I'm having a muffin and a mocha and my ED is screaming, I will put PB on the muffin. And/or add whip cream to the mocha. Or jam on the muffin and a cookie on the side. I find I had to push it to the point that things that once felt hard feel like a breeze now. For me to go eat a muffin and a mocha, it doesn't phase me for a second because I've had soooooo much more in the past. And at the end of the day, I committed to FULL recovery by committing to as much weight gain as necessary at the beginning of this. No regrets - my life is so much better now.
Courtney Elliott I so so agree with you! I used to try & reason with the thoughts or challenge them, but now I just try to completely block them; because there’s always another thought! Good for you!! 💛
Honestly, I cannot tell you enough just how much you are helping me in my recovery! I so often struggle with the same things as you (I guess we all do in a way, but we feel so alone :D). At the moment I really struggle with comparing to others, when I don't have any idea what their life is like. For example, there is this girl in one of my classes at Uni who is clearly underweight, but I don't know if she has an ED, and because I'm not underweight anymore, my anorexia is like: "See, you could be that and still manage Uni! You don't need all of that!" Like, WTF? I didn't even like my underweight body! I know, that I cannot funtion and be severely underweight!
I literally wrote about this in my last instagram post. I always think it doesn't matter if some one is thin naturally, or thin through illness, or thin through ED type stuff.... it doesn't change the fact that for me if I am anything below my body's happy weigh or restricting I have to live with food constant obsession / worry / counting / planning / boringness. DIFFERENT BODIES. DIFFERENT PATHS!
Yes! I also have to give myself pep talks...and I’ve also made notes on my phone that remind me of why l don’t want to go back to the ‘dark place’. Your videos are SO helpful, Meg 🙏🌸💕
Good for you!! It might help to re-write that list when you have meals/snacks/struggles. It helped me so much. Even if it's the same list that you write out every time, it made SUCH a huge difference to me
Oh yes, I totally have to pep-talk myself through things!! I really resonated with a lot of this. You are smashing it, my friend.
Your videos are so inspirational and I love the attitude and realness you show in your videos. 💪🥰
Thank you Meg for another inspirational video. You are doing so incredibly well. I have been challenging myself to have a bigger portion of porridge for the last two days. It’s not been easy. It’s amazing how something so seemingly straightforward (on the surface anyway) can cause your legs to go to jelly! I’m pushing on because I want to make a full recovery. In time, I hope it will get easier. Challenge, repeat, as you say!
I hope you had a lovely time at home. I felt very nostalgic when I saw you at the train station. I used to commute by train everyday!
Lots of love & strength, D xx
It will DEFINITELY get easier, stick at it. Challenge repeat, and no compensating to artificially fix the anxiety xxx
You are not alone in pep talking your self before doing things. I have recently been challenging myself. I definitely have to pep talk myself in order to do it. I love your saying "Live the life I want to ultimately live even if I don't want to live it right this minute."
Girl, you are so freaking inspiring to me and my recovery! Every topic you do hits home, please NEVER stop these videos!
The phrase "live the life you ultimately want to life" has been my mantra while on holiday this week so thank you. After a day of YOLO and going with the flow with food, eating new things, trying not to worry about calories etc i hit my limit tonight when we went to a football match (husbands idea) and they conviscated my "safe snacks" to eat during the match. It is embarrasing to admit i actually was shaking and had a few tears as I put them in the bin. Anyway I had my first hotdog in 20 years and I survived to tell the tale. I even had a small beer too. It was tough and I am expecting breakfast and snacks tomorrow will be a struggle as my brain is already telling me to compensate for everything i have eaten today. Trying to focus on how nice it is to be in the world doing things and that is mor important then trying to balance out my calories over the week. Thanks for inspiring me and showing me that shitty thoughts happen in revovery but i can still do it anyway. You have no idea how much your videos have helped me. Xxx
BTW i do realise taking my own food to the football is weird but at the time it seemed like a sensible idea to "save calories" like you said the thoughts are so believable😣
Aww bless you, in a way I'm so glad they did. Sometimes it's good to have the push, and then withe exposure you can realize it actually is fine. The anxiety passes. Life goes on!! And keep going with bfast/snacks, don't use compensation to artificially bring the anxiety down. It WILL pass on it's own xxx
Concidering your 18 months into recovery now would you concider mentioning the differences youve seen in your thought patterns and day to day life since the very begining? I think thatd be superr useful :)
Yeh I could think about one of these. I'll start making some notes on my phone
Megsy Recovery I was thinking the same - personally I surprise myself at how things used to be and how far I have come. Reminding myself of these things helps me push forward. I love your videos and always watch (repeatedly sometimes) to cement in my brain all the right thoughts and actions 💕👍
Alex Jones so glad they’re relatable & can help 💛
Literally just getting into bed (9:30pm Saturday I’m such a grandma lol). Thank you for being my Saturday night wind down. Love you girl. Your trip back home looked amazing. X
It was SO NICE. So nice to be able to join in and also just to have some head space for people. Hope alls good with you hun xxxx
Omg that croissant cupcake looks amazing!! ❤️ you're doing great! Thanks for inspiring me!
I argue with my brain all throughout the day. It tells me no, no, no, and I choose to be defiant to all those ed impulses. It is exhausting, but I do believe that our brains will rewire. I think we struggle with ocd also, and that makes it difficult not to have obsessive thoughts about food, perfection, etc. I appreciate your vulnerability and showing how your brain thinks, and choosing the healthy option anyway. We all have to do that, if we are going to recover. You are truly an inspiration!!!! ❤️😘
I can so relate to the thoughts being automatic and feeling real and completely true. And the compensation piece I totally get as well. I have done it so many times and like you said it just negates the challenge I do, do. It is like I don't have a choice- I am so glad you said this Meg. It is really hard not to listen to the thoughts, especially because it feels so wrong to go against them. I have struggled with anorexia for so long (25 years) the behaviors are habitual. Eating anything more than the bare minimum feels so wrong and bad. I love your channel Meg; you truly inspire me and have helped me so much. I am grateful for you and your story of recovery. YOU ARE A ROCK STAR 🌟!! Keep up the great work.
💛💛your videos are so amazing and you're one of the strongest persons I know. Keep going💛
That’s so funny to see you painting your nails as I watch this while painting mine. When I feel like shit I take a long shower, wash my hair, dry and straighten it, spray some perfume and do my nails. Even if I’m just putting on pjs and going back to bed. Just makes me feel good to treat myself like a friend. You’re smart. You’re beautiful. You deserve life and happiness. Keep doing what you’re doing. 💕
Awww that's so nice!!! I like that too, and using a good moisturizer
Yes, I'm like that too...with the automatic thoughts. You challenging it is sooo encouraging and sur-real...yea...I told myself that this past weekend...food doesn't have to be this best, perfect, no anxiety, comfy experience allll the time...that's not living. It sucks that it isn't but it doesn't have to break me. Your honesty is helpful and seeing this encourages me more and more, your amazing and courageous, hope your enjoying this though too. 💞🌠🦋🥐☕ Also, thoughts when eating seem like they should be more like...this is yummy, it's good, is not the best, I want more, so refreshing, soft, tasty...etc...not about I should take the stairs after, I'm not going to have bread for dinner, I ate waaay to much, I shouldn't of had that muffin instead..etc...healthy mindset, healthy soul, healthy life 🕊️😊
Le Gasp! Almond croissant?! One of my favorite recovery challenge foods. Pitango near my house makes them...and they're perfect. Not soggy....super flaky and crisp and yet super light...and they don't skimp on filling or almonds.
I relate SO much to you, such a similar personality to me too it really makes me listen to you because your advice is like the healthy side of my head! You are so inspiring 🌟xx
Awww brilliant. Well I still have the unhealthy side of my head that pipes up too, I just try to block it and take the healthy actions anyway
Meg, I love how honest you are with yourself and with us. 18 months into recovery and you still get these thoughts. But it would be easy for you to just act like they are normal or you aren’t having them. But you are honest and committed to fighting them all the way down. You are so strong!
Hi Meg. You are so wonderful Person. You work so hard and your hard work is so inspiring. Thank you so much! I feel all the same, the same fear, the same shit, the same angry, anxiety. Sometimes I can't belive it could stop someday. Is feeling like a shit is my aim, is my reality? But as you say challenge repeat, feel like a shit and do it, opposite action. These are my mantras. Thank you for all you do every day. I'm looking forward to seeing your videos. It's like a therapy. You are my other psychologist 🙂 Thanks!!!!!!!
You are my inspiration for self prep talks!!!!!!!!!!! So super proud of you once again for your bravery and your courage. I admire your determination and it WILL pay off when you're living your life how you want it to be!! ❤️
If you think about how long you have had the eating disorder for, 18 months of recovery isn't long enough for it all to be fixed?
Totally understand the split head thing!!
Are you managing to actually enjoy the taste of any food at the moment?
Keep fighting 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
Clare Watt yeh I guess you’re right, it’s been years solidifying this stuff in my brain. Yeh I love food. There’s only about 2 fear foods of mine which I don’t think I’d enjoy the taste of, but otherwise most things aren’t scary enough for me not to enjoy
I can SO relate to the thoughts seeming like they have to be true because they definitely feel true! Like, it's ridiculous for someone to say it's not true because, duh, of course it's true! It's so hard to believe what other people are telling you when it feels so real!
About automatic thoughts: I heard a spiritual teacher talk about them saying to dispassionately view them like leaves flowing down a river, or clouds moving across a sky ("Oh, there's another thought, and there it goes....") without being attached to that thought and letting it take up residence in our brains. I'm 60-years old and am learning to be much more compassionate with myself about these automatic e.d. thoughts. They don't rile me up as much. I just say, "Oh, there's another one...toodle-oo random thought!" and I go and do the next right thing (eat that yummy dessert, have an extra portion, etc.)
Love this! Just because you get the thoughts doesn't mean you need to act on them xxx
Your videos are sososo helpful. You're a saint! Would you be able to do one on amenorrhea (losing period) and bone health/osteoporosis if you've dealt with either of them? Thank you! xxxx
you should do a video about old automatic thoughts you used to have and how challenge repeats have helped them/overcome them :)
The loud self pep talks are better than ED’s mean voice in our heads ❤️
Its true that the thoughts are automatic and just appear as if they are the best idea ever. After 18 months recovery they still appear all the time.
X
Yep!!! I hope they're getting less for you. I find the thoughts can go a lot when I'm doing stuff I'm comfortable with, but then some things are a bit more challenging and then the thoughts pop back up
@@megsyrecovery191 yes, it's when I am planning to eat something different or have to eat outside my 'safe' eating slots (people actually do that and don't seem to worry!!!??) That I immediately get a million cunning plans to avoid it or reasons why I can't, shouldn't, had better not, because... I am not hungry, allergic to it, don't like it ......
At least we recognise the thoughts now and can choose to do the opposite. Before I never dared to question them. I believe they will disappear or at least get hidden in the depths of our brains like bad memories.
Love, love your videos. You have helped me so so much in the past 18 months.
Ps do you plan to come back to England maybe if you have children?
Elly (I would love to meet you, )
X
I feel like my urges to compensate have gotten worse since leaving inpatient treatment. We used a choice based system, so if we were a 3 choice snack and picked a 4 choice item, then we took a choice off somewhere else in the day. Now I feel like I'm stuck in this endless cycle of making sure the choices balance out by the end of the day.
Peptalks are very important to me as well! Good job Megsy for keep pushing and fighting the ED. I was wondering if pulling apart your food with your fingers is still something ED related? Would you be able to just take bites from the whole bread or other kinds of foods, instead of taking off little pieces with your hands?
Hey love your videos and this is totally off topic but how do you do your intros for your videos and your thumbnails? Would really appreciate it. Ps love your authenticity and everything about your channel xx
Which is the song´s name? I mean the last one
I totally relate to what you are talking about Meg!! And the ED voice is so annoying and I feel so shit like why its so persistent even if I come this far in recovery! The intensity of the feeling I feel shit and so disappointed at my "slow" recovery process might be partly (or a lot) supported by my unconscious tendency of "comparison." seeing other people who are recovering from ED and who survived ED on social media, I have been very inspired and motivated to go on my recovery. But at the same time, I might compare their recovery to mine without noticing it, while I know I consciously did it at the beginning of my recovery journey. It is very hard to believe my body is different from anyone else, my recovery is my recovery, which has been done at my own pace, but I try to keep telling it to myself.
Oh, and I know that fear when the new setting like having muffin for breakfast instead of croissant!
I am like whyyyyyy. Nevertheless, we dont stop challenge and repeat!
It is actually the first time to see Meg do not eat muffin from the bottom. haha
I love you so much.
Yeh you're so right, different paths!! Also it's good to notice the bits that are getting better, that really helps me keep going if I have a food fear that's making me very anxious I like to think about other foods that I used to have that with and which I have gotten over. We will get there. With time and repetition xxxx
Great Job, Meg!
Yep, pep-talk is sometimes (often) a must, especially when FINALY choosing to do something challenging or not compensating for it 😭😭😭 #i'mtryingaweekofdessertspostdinnerchallenge, kisses - remember.. im w u on that bumpy ride.. xoxoxo your Polish follower
ALWAYS dessert!!! Good for you xx
Just wondering what you and your psychologists thoughts are on acknowledging ED thoughts and repeating them out loud because wont that in itself make it seem more real? (Strengthen the ED thought) Sometimes I think focusing on it feeling hard or challenging makes recovery more complicated. Just wondering because its something thats been on my mind recently. Im trying to focus on the positives and freedom that it gives me but its easier said than done!
Hey, not sure what you mean. I generally try to block and ignore the thoughts more than acknowledge and challenge them. I used to try and reason them down, but it doesn't really work. There's always another one, and I've found actions are more important than thoughts. As in DOING IT has got me further than thinking it, even if I feel a bit guilty
@@megsyrecovery191 Thanks, thats exactly what I was getting at! BTW love your videos, its so so helpful!
FIRST COMMENT YAAS! This is my favorite way to start a Saturday!
Winner winner have some chicken for dinner haha x
@@megsyrecovery191 Wouldn't you know it - I'm making chicken fajitas!
I really like your channel, but I am having a tough time agreeing with all of these "food experts". The whole goal is to eat intuitively right? But if one is being told that food is just food and encouraged to eat a donut and sugary coffee for breakfast when they'd rather have a slice of Avocado Toast and a glass of skim milk, how is this any different from diet culture telling us NOT to eat?? I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I have a bit more weight to lose and applying these principles would only make me fatter. I too am recovering from an ED and it is the most excruciating thing ever. My new rule is not planning any meals, and wherever I find myself, I find myself. I try to listen to my body, and know that if I've watched a few too many YT videos on Diet and Exercise, I'll be programmed to "eat healthy" for that day. Then, because I unconsciously restricted, the next day I am watching "BodyPos" vids, and I'm wolfing down waffles and Halloween Candy for a week because "I was honoring what my body wanted" except I would eat so much, my hormones would be all out of whack and I'd feel like Shyt. There is no right way to do this. Our minds protect us for a reason. When my body is saying scale back on the chips, it's genuinely because I need to. OR if I had an extra piece of fried chicken, it's because my body may have needed the extra calories at the time. One could follow the intuitive eating model, but based on your emotions, stress levels, and consumed calories, one could dive into a binge of Ben and Jerry's ice cream for a month and now you're literally sick. So what's the answer then? There isn't any. Except to look at your overall health in the long run and how you feel. Do you feel good mentally, physically, emotionally, Yes, then keep doing what you're doing.
I really struggle with the compensation thing. But I’m working on it. Because it’s not really a challenge if you are compensating (because my ED would be fine with a challenge as long as I skipped something else).
Exactly, it's still using the ED to bring the anxiety down and keep the "control"
Ok so I’m just curious! Is there a reason why you break apart cakes and things with your fingers rather than just picking up and biting into them? Not criticising, just wondering x
I do this and have been doing this even pre-ed. I don't do it because of my ed, but because I feel awkward when eating something. I am such an awkward person hahaha. It could be the same for her...but I don't know.
I don't do it for everything tbh. Like I would bite a sandwich or burger or pizza. It's not like a rule or conscious thing tbh
Megsy Recovery ahh that’s what I thought! I felt a dick even asking 😂 I’ve just always noticed it haha
I'm so depressed. I suffered from anorexia and "recovered" but started binge eating ( well not massive amounts but much more than normal) and have had a hard time getting it under control. I've gained 20 pounds in 4 months. I'm back to restricting as of today and going to lose the weight. This is such a mind fuck these disorders:((
Georgia Shelley please seek help, restricting gets you absolutely no where. Take care x
Agree with Alex hun. EDs are never straight forward or black & white. They’re also never fun or worthwhile. Hope you can get some help 😘
@@megsyrecovery191 I've battled ED's for 30 years in one form or another. This is the heaviest I have been. I'm not wanting to seek help at all. I just want to lose the weight. I wasnt even incredibly underweight, just visibly very slim. I know the ins and outs and the psychology of these disorders. Its just unfortunate now that I'm heavier I feel gross but physically I was much sicker when I was forcing myself to maintain a very slim frame.
Maybe you can find a middle ground? You don’t want to restrict and be unwell . Also remember it’s just a feeling you are having that you feel gross. It doesn’t make you gross. I do think seeking help is a good idea to help you cope better with your feelings and go on to lead a happier and healthier life . Wishing you all the best❤️
I wonder, why such "plain breakfast" is so challenging for you as I find your home breakfast presented many times before much more "challenging" I mean all those oats full of milch, syrup, penut butter, chocolate, fruit...it is just because you did not prepare breakfast in cafe your self and that it is prepared by somebody else? I hope you enjoyed your hollidays :-)
I have never related to someone so much!!!! xxx
I would like to know you one day and drink a coffee together! jeje.....you are so amazing girl, beautiful and an inspiration for doing the same! thank you for don´t stop! :)
💜💜💜
Do you eat slow or fast or normal would you say. I no this can be disordered and you always speed up your eating for cam lol x
Haha true I do, I think I eat pretty normal, maybe I'll show normal speed one day haha. I used to eat SOOO slow, and you're right it was so disordered!
@@megsyrecovery191 I use to now I eat too fast lol it's a weird thing! :)
Hey, I find you sooo so inspiring. But I have a question.. you always seems to pick up your food to pieces - like the croissant or bagels etc. Is it a disordered behavior for you? Because I know for some people it is. I don’t want to sound rude or something, I’m just curious 😅
Have you ever tried to just eat whatever whenever not to follow meals/snacks regimen?
lena jazuk I’m moving a bit towards that tbh, which is nice. But I still have a meals & snacks basic structure in my head