I suffered eating disorders for most of my teenage life and my young twenties. When my partner of 4 years and I found out I was pregnant we were very shocked (I was told I would never be able to carry a child to full term). When I found out I cut out my bad habits and embraced my weight gain.
Fast forward, my daughter is now nine months and I am truly funding it hard to find the balance with eating and having my ideal body. I also felt I never got to experience true recovery to put myself in the right frame of mind.
Does any one have advice with out criticism? I am truly grateful I was able to have one child!
Thank you
Life after eating disorders?
Life after eating disorders?
Posted in:
Mental Health, Self Care, Parenthood Guilt, Food, Health & Wellbeing
2 Replies
Congratulations on your daughter. Also on coming as far as you have with your eating disorder. I don't know what sort of eating disorder you have, I have a bad cycle of loosing weight and gaining. One of my biggest issues is with accepting my correct body size and not comparing to anyone else. Also it took a long time for my body to recover hormonally after having my son (about 12 months). I stressed myself out so much about my body in that time and in hindsight I did more damage than good. It's taken me so long to get to the point of focusing on being healthy physically and mentally rather than worrying about my ideal which for me was totally unrealistic. I still catch myself falling back into old habits but can recognise it for what it is and move past it now.
I too struggled with several different eating disorders when I was a teenager and in my early teens. It went away but came back worse than ever after my child was born (about 6 months - a year after). It was HORRIBLE! I had no energy and was so focused on foods and exercise and controlling my weight. I look back and feel like I missed the first year of her life! I wasn't living in the moment and just enjoying life and enjoying this beautiful new born who grew up so fast. It also made it that much harder to do day to day activities and chores because I was too tired and sick all the time for lack of nutrition. I eventually focused on eating healthy and working out regularly but not excessively. I think this is something you can continue to work on so you don't have to give up on having the body you desire (as long as your not thinking like 40 kg :/ ). I would also make sure you try and sort it out because your daughter will pick up on your negative body image issues and any unhealthy eating habits. You don't want her to grow up looking in the mirror thinking she's fat because that's something she's seen you do or think. There's lots of support groups, support agencies and talk to your doctor.