A selfie is more than a photo op. For those with disordered eating thoughts, it can be a time to scrutinize and criticize. Many of my clients feel the weight of negative self talk every hour of the day regarding food choices and body image. The act of getting dressed or going out to eat with others can be exhausting and crippling.
I’ve worked with eating disordered clients for many years, and in an effort to motivate them to a state of acceptance, I try to be a cheerleader and fear defeater. Here are some of my tweets to knock the disordered thoughts off their seats!
— Develop and use the tools for engagement vs. rules of enragement.
— Elimination of food is not emancipation from negative body thoughts.
— Instead of aiming to perfect, how about working on strategies for these heath: reflect and self-accept.
— Instead of being the diet/exercise enforcer, how about becoming the re-enforcer of optimal fitness and fueling?
— Silence body shame or blame — reclaim your well-being and proclaim to your negative thoughts that you are deserving of self-preserving.
— Be a recovery renegade! Acquire skills, aspire to health, inspire others.
— A relapse with eating, behaviors or fitness is more a temporary elapse and doesn’t have to be a long-term collapse.
— Enough is not a bad word when it comes to portion, movement and sleep.
— Effort is not being perfect. It is trying harder, pushing more, learning from mistakes and fine-tuning. Do your best, and let it rest.
— An attitude of “only” with food choices can get pretty lonely when others don’t eat the way you do. Flexibility enhances ability.
— Do you self talk like an evil stepmother or fairy godmother? Don’t be mad or sad. Find your deal maker and be your best self-care taker.
— Put the you in your eating behaviors — you pick the size, you pick what you try and you decide the where, when and why. Customize to optimize.
— Do you alienate body and mind and self deprecate? Instead, try some self contemplation and appreciate what your body allows you to do.
— Find insight and delight in every bite to take away food fright.
— Being mindful can be a kind tool for your brain, body and well-being.
— Face down your food fear: Think power not cower at the plate: Satisfy your senses instead of being terrified by nutrition nonsense.
— Is your body talk and habit “walk” in reactive, proactive or impact-ive mode?
— Are you a flavor-phobe or interested in savor probes? Food should taste great to provide enjoyment, satisfaction and adequacy.
— Body vanity? Inhumanity or sanity — give yourself the gift of accept vs. neglect, and feel enabled when you sit at the dinner table.
— Are you seeking information, hoping for transformation or habit/body renovation? Be positive, not punitive, and think real vs. ideal.
— Your food rules may need to retooled if they leave you under-fueled and your body fooled!
— Elimination or negotiation mode with your food choices — make the deal that is real, not ideal, to improve your success.
— Treating yourself or defeating yourself with body talk, fueling and fitness — if you’re not nice, your body and mind pay a price.
— Food choices should make you feel satisfied and gratified, not terrified. Food security has a lot to do with words that reassure.
— Instead of being the diet/exercise enforcer, how about becoming the re-enforcer of optimal fitness and fueling?
If you have an eating disorder or know someone who does, realize you are not alone: There is treatment, and more importantly, hope. A treatment team can help you reclaim your body, brain and life to silence the defeat and find the treat in what you eat.
More from U.S. News
What to Say and Do If Your Daughter Thinks She’s Fat
The Eating Disorder Spectrum — From Pregorexia to Drunkorexia
How to Weigh Yourself the Right Way
How to Create Your Healthy Selfie originally appeared on usnews.com
