Counting and skipping

One of the things that I get frustrated with when dealing with other helpers is there lack of understanding when it comes to females who are diagnosed with a eating disorder. This particular addiction in this writer's opinion is all about control. Client's with anorexia suffer from this perceived notion that counting foods and skipping meals are healthy for them, and in the long run will help them address their unmet needs. This is completely false. When a client, male or female, is skipping a meal and then counting their snacks, or eating half of their portion, drinking half of their portion, they slowly think they are in control. What are they really controlling? They are only controlling a negative behavior, that will soon cycle into a eating disorder that will not help them solve any of their unmet needs. When self begins to count and skip meals the negative energy begins. Self begins to fool self, or trick self, into thinking that the shape they see in the mirror, is what will make them happy, and content. That body image will bring them their needs instantly. Well, that simply is not true. Self needs to learn how to feel good about what they eat, and how they can accept their own body, on their own terms. Purging meals is not the answer to get self validation. Self needs to learn how to eat things that bring positive energy. Keeping track of how many things we eat, and obsessing over how many of what self can eat will not work. Many clients with anorexia and who are bulimic are picky eaters, that is a fact. But, it does not need to be a reason to continue the path you may be on. It all starts with how you view your self. Don't make things bigger in your head. Learn to understand that your body and mind can work together in learning to like and love self again. Exercise is healthy, but we need to give the body food in order to keep exercising. Clients need to let the impulsive behavior go, and focus on the things they can control. Counting and skipping meals is not something we want to control. Your own body can be a beautiful thing, but you need to learn how to accept it, on your terms. When your body can eat healthy, positive energy comes from it. Give yourself credit when you are able to recognize that you are beginning to count and skip meals. Then, resist that urge, and find something positive in your life, you control that thought, and understand that eating a full meal, will only help you retain positive energy. Your body can be what you want if you are willing to learn to like who is in it! Self has the power to control healthy thoughts, and let the negative thoughts go before they turn into a impulsive behavior that does not help you with your unmet needs. One thought at a time, don't count your food, don't skip meals, learn to validate yourself with positive energy while eating all meals and feeling good about it. The reward is that is something you can control, and feel the positive energy! Don't beat yourself up from your last purge, recognize that behavior is not helping you, only draining your energy and how you view self. Focus on your next thought, when it is time to enjoy your meal, slow down, and think positive. Stay in your health, stay in the moment.