6 Ways to Reignite Your Motivation in Eating Disorder Recovery
Written by CCTC Staff Writer
It is no secret that recovery from an eating disorder is difficult. Many people find that the process of recovery feels a bit more messy and challenging than they initially expected. With unexpected setbacks, it can feel overwhelming to continue choosing recovery. To continue working towards recovery, it may be helpful to reconnect with your personal reasons of why you chose recovery in the first place and try to hold onto that sliver of hope that is still inside you.
Read on to learn more about why people lose motivation in recovery, and how to reignite it.
5 reasons why people lose motivation in recovery
1. It is taking longer than they thought it would
Many people begin recovery thinking they can get better in X amount of time. But recovery has no timeline, and that can feel frustrating. It may take months or years to get where you want to go. But patience can slowly run out and it may begin to feel easier to return to their eating disorder rather than keep working on recovery.
2. The process is far from linear and the setbacks become too hard to accept
Accepting that recovery is not a linear process can be difficult to wrap your head around. Most people in recovery expect the process to feel like putting one foot in front of the other and are discouraged to find themselves sometimes seemingly taking one step forward, and two back. In those moments, they may lose sight of the fact they are not back at square one and in the moments they think they are moving backwards, are actually opportunities for growth and learning. What may feel like a bad day, bad week, or bad month does not mean you have lost all the progress you’ve made. The ups and downs of recovery are hard, but are normal! Every day in recovery is a step forward, no matter how small.
3. Accepting body changes are scary
Accepting your body may change in eating disorder recovery is a common reason people struggle to remain on the path to recovery. Some experience grief over their old body and decide that the change is too much to bear. Others feel like the changes they have to adopt in recovery are in a way “letting themselves go.” What you lose sight of at this moment is that by making these changes, you are giving yourself an opportunity to build a better life.
4. Eating disorder thoughts are getting louder
When we begin making real change and progress, the eating disorder thoughts may feel louder than ever before. Fighting the eating disorder voice and urges can become harder than ever and it may feel easier to return to what is comfortable. The eating disorder doesn’t want you to get better, so it will try anything to hold you back. Don’t give in!
5. Life challenges arise
Life in recovery does not mean we are free of stress and unexpected events. When things get tough at home, with family, at work, at school or we experience a loss, recovery can feel 10x harder. When we are not fully equipped with ways to cope with these events and difficulties, all motivation may be lost.
6 ways to reignite your motivation in recovery
Looking to reignite your motivation to recover from your eating disorder? Well, kudos to you. Reading this article is a great first step! The key to not giving up on recovery is to find ways to stay motivated, even when it’s tough. Here are some ideas to help you stay on track:
PS: These are some great topics to write about in your journal or on a piece of paper, give yourself an opportunity to explore your thoughts!
1. Remember why you started
What motivated your journey towards recovery in the first place? What were your goals? What did you hope to achieve? Focusing on why you’re doing this can help you push through when things get tough. Here are some common goals people mention:
Reconnecting with family and friends in an authentic way
Being able to start a family
Going to college or finishing their degree
Reclaiming the amount of time their eating disorder takes up in their day to day lives
Recovering from medical issues
Enjoy sharing meals with loved ones
Finding freedom from anxiety and depression
2. Explore the pros and cons of giving up on recovery
Your eating disorder can be very convincing and encourage you to give up completely. It can be easy to get blinded by the reasons your eating disorder shouts in your head. Take a pen to paper and list out the pros and cons of returning to your eating disorder or staying in recovery. Eating disorders have many consequences, both physically and emotionally. Be as honest as possible with yourself about what you may lose by giving up on recovery.
3. Find people and things that motivate you
Look for someone who has recovered from an eating disorder. This could be a friend, family member, or even someone you follow online. Seeing someone who has gone through what you’re going through and come out the other side can be very inspiring.You may find some videos or podcast episodes that feature the stories of people who have recovered from eating disorders.
4. Talk to your treatment team
If you have a treatment team, such as a therapist or counselor and dietitian, being honest with them is extremely important. Telling your treatment team what you are thinking and experiencing can be helpful to explore what may be causing these difficulties in recovery. They can offer suggestions and support to help you stay on track. Being completely honest is so important, so do not hold back! Your team has heard it all before and wants to support you.
5. Think about the progress you have made
Those with eating disorders often share a common trait of being a bit hard on themselves. Are you discounting the progress you are making? Are you acknowledging the successes you have had so far? Here are some ideas of what to include:
Reaching out for help
Telling a loved one about your struggles
Eating a fear food
Attending therapy or nutrition counseling when you didn’t want to
Going one meal, one day, one week, one month etc. without engaging in a disordered behavior
Conquering a meal out at a restaurant
Buying a new pair of jeans
Following your meal plan
Reading this blog!
6. Visualize your future
What do you want for your future? What does your life look like when you are recovered? What do you spend your days doing? Who do you spend it with? What do you do with the time you have reclaimed from your eating disorder? Visualizing yourself in a happy and healthy future can help remind you what you are working towards.
These are just some ideas to get you started, but the most important thing is to find what works for you. Everyone is different and there is no one right way to recover. Be patient with yourself and trust the process of recovery. It is a long and difficult journey, but it is possible. Trust yourself and be patient, and you will get there in time.
If you are looking for recovery support to help you on this journey, the team at Central Coast Treatment Center is here for you. Learn more about our treatment programs and reach out to us today.