Many individuals do not associate the behaviors he or she engages in as a cause of the eating disorder. It can be overwhelming to realize the majority of the thoughts, words and actions he or she is using keeps them stuck in the addictive cycle of an eating disorder. The ultimate goal for every individual is to live a healthy well-balanced life. The individual who has an eating disorder needs to review the day as he or she is going through it and check is what I am doing good or bad for creating a healthy lifestyle balance?

This may sound like an unachievable goal however, if he or she looks at each hour and see if he or she is exhibiting perfectionism? The idea of all or nothing keeps individuals stuck in perfection. Perfection is an illusion all anyone is ever asked to do is the best he or she can. I recommend if he or she is overwhelmed to take a step back and breathe through it. Individuals tend to reach for food as a quick feel good and give up; I am suggesting that he or she not give up.

Please be encouraged to know the possibility of working through the thoughts and not taking the action that causes harm physically, psychologically and spiritually. Taking the words should, would and could out of his or her vocabulary. Eating disorders seem to escalate with the level of shame and guilt he or she feels. Be gentle, kind and loving to yourself, making better food choices, getting more sleep aides in reducing stress, exercise a little each day and add more. Get help with an eating disorder assessment to determine what level or care he or she needs. The shame occurs when he or she knows they need help and continue the behavior anyway.