Welcome

Many people still view eating disorders as an illness that exclusively affects women and girls. And it’s not hard to understand why. The media often perpetuates an image of people with eating disorders as white, upper-middle-class females. But in reality, cross-cultural studies show that eating disorders impact people of all genders, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic statuses.

This is Part 3 of our three-part Mindful Eating series. If you missed the first two, read Part 1 and Part 2 now!

Hi Everyone,

We have come to the third portion of our Mindful Eating Series: Determining Practical Applications. So far, we have practiced Defining mindful eating and aspects of the practice as well as Demystifying.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

By Megan Haskins. Megan has completed intensive programming at The Emily Program and is a wife and mommy to triplets.

When I look back at myself two years ago, five years ago, and even ten years ago, I see a beautiful image.

Perfection.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

By Dallas Rising, a former The Emily Program client and woman in recovery

I choose not to say “I have an eating disorder.” As if it’s something I could discard or give up at will. Instead, I say “I live with an eating disorder.” As in, this thing is with me. It goes where I go. Sometimes it’s active, sometimes it’s dormant. But it’s there. And I have to figure out how to live with it.

OK, fair and carnival season is underway in many towns, cities, counties, and states across our country. You know how it goes- what does everyone talk about when they go to the fair?  The FOOD! I was driving in my car yesterday and decided to pause my favorite Prince music to listen to the good old ole’ fashioned radio. The first thing I heard, was a 1 min song all about the food at the state fair!  It was pretty clever, and catchy, I have to admit, but seriously a song all about fair food?!

Re-posted from the Cleveland Center for Eating Disorders (CCED) blog archives. CCED and The Emily Program partnered in 2014.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

By Maia Polson

During weight restoration, it can be difficult to confront the idea of taking up space with your physical body. On the surface, it seems like a body image issue. But that fear is often rooted much deeper in a fear of taking up symbolic “space” with someone’s personality and even his or her basic needs.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

By Carla Bellino, a former The Emily Program client and woman in recovery. Carla’s own blog can be found here.

I’ve suffered from anorexia nervosa for a little more than 3 years, paired with depression, anxiety, and self-harm struggles. I’ve been through every care level of treatment available at The Emily Program.

If you’ve ever sat in the Gallery of the House of Representatives, you get a simultaneous sense of grandeur and individual impact. Grandeur in the enormity, the incredible art, and architecture, the urgent sense of purpose that pervades the space. Individual impact in the stories of people whose lives will be saved, changed and improved with the legislation being discussed and debated. Last Wednesday, July 6th, I had the incredible opportunity to watch, from a seat in that Gallery, the House of Representatives debate and then vote on the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act championed by Rep. Tim Murphy from Pennsylvania. The bill passed by a stunning 422-2 vote. There were tears in the eyes and on the cheeks of my colleagues gathered there and elsewhere to see this moment occur. Our collective spirits soared as the yes votes poured in. The gavel marking the finalizing of the vote and passage of the bill echoed in our hearts and minds.