This differs from person to person and is dependent on where you are in your eating disorder in terms of length of time and physical health, however one thing to note is that the more willing you are to take all the action required, the quicker your recovery will happen.

Physical recovery is likely to happen sooner than full mental recovery, but mental recovery is what is key to stop you falling back into your eating disorder.

I hear you, of course this is normal as for most people, it may be the reason for your eating disorder in the first place.

Yes this part is scary, and I guess you want me to tell you that you can recover and not gain weight? Sorry! For most people with a restrictive eating disorder, weight gain is a part of recovery, because if you have been restricting food, your body will be lacking nourishment and your body is vulnerable. The only way to get your body back to a healthy functioning body is to eat and that may mean eating a lot of food.

BUT before you close this page, let me tell you one thing, you can do this, and when you do, you will find yourself feeling much happier (yes a nourished body means a happy brain) and full of energy for the new life you have in front of you that is just waiting for you on the other side. I will hold your hand through the fear of weight gain, I promise.

I know the thought of eating unrestrictedly will instil panic in you, you have spent years trying to eat less food and now I am telling you to eat all the food, as much as you want and need and to get rid of the food rules. You may initially need to eat a lot of food, you may well (and should) enjoy all those previously banished foods in abundance. However please don’t panic, while this will get you to recovery quicker, it’s temporary that you will need larger amounts of food, when your body is fully nourished, it will return to sending you normal hunger signals.

When you reach this stage you will feel free around food, you won’t feel any need to eat to excess as you know that you can eat what you want when you want to, when you have no fear around food you will return to eating normally (by the way – “normal eating” does mean no food is off limits, you must eat when you are hungry, you can enjoy food when you want and eat what you want). When the fear is gone, eating according to your body needs should become much easier for you.

This is something we can discuss in your first session, as it does depend on your
relationship with those close to you .

While support from loved ones can really help, in some situations any pressure from those around you that is not always supportive can mean your recovery may be harder.

It is also important to establish clear boundaries with people who may think they are trying to help but don’t understand that things they may do or say can set you back.

There are many options for eating disorder recovery, some based purely on medicine and therapy, and some that are based on a passion to help others and a lived experience of an eating disorder. You should choose what feels like the right option for you, there are no wrong choices.

A recovery coach is someone who supports you through your recovery with compassion and no judgement, and because we have recovered ourselves, we understand your challenges in a way others who have not had an eating disorder cannot.