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Tiffany Ima’s Story: 9 Steps to Healing From an Eating Disorder
The journey to recovering from an eating disorder is not linear. It is filled with twists and turns, highs and lows. There will be moments of doubt and moments of strength. But through it all, it is important to remember that recovery is possible.
In this blog post, we will hear from Tiffany Ima, a body image coach, mental health advocate, and wellness enthusiast, as she shares her story of overcoming a decade-long battle with an eating disorder and the steps she took toward recovery.
1. Acknowledge The Problem
Tiffany’s eating disorder developed in college. She recalls a specific moment when some friends commented on her weight gain, which triggered her to begin thinking that her body was “wrong”.
“I just remember being like, Oh, no. Like my body is wrong. Like there’s something wrong,” Tiffany said.
At first, she began exercising excessively, but when she couldn’t keep up with the rigorous workout schedule, she also began restricting her food intake.
“It was very, just like, never truly about, oh, this makes me feel good in my body. It fuels me,” Tiffany said.
For a long time, Tiffany did not think she had a problem. It wasn’t until years later that she admitted to herself that she had an eating disorder.
“I was starting to like actually admit like I have an eating disorder because before it was just like, oh, like, I’m fine,” Tiffany said.
The first step to recovery is acknowledging that there is a problem. This can be difficult, as there is often shame and stigma associated with eating disorders.
2. Seek Support
When Tiffany finally admitted she had an eating disorder, she initially tried to recover on her own.
“The first thing I did was I started reading. I would get the books, I would search the websites. I would be like, how do I do this?” Tiffany said.
However, she does not recommend this approach.
“I would never suggest that for anyone else because you don’t need to spend five years recovering because you’re trying to also study how to recover,” Tiffany said.
Eating disorder recovery can be a long and difficult process, so it is important to have a strong support system in place. This might include friends, family, therapists, or support groups.
Unfortunately, Tiffany did not have a strong support system. When she finally told a friend she may have an eating disorder, her friend told her to just pray.
“So I didn’t seek therapy for my eating disorder healing, and I did it just by sheer grit and will, and it took way too long,” Tiffany said.
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3. Find a Therapist
Therapy is an important part of eating disorder recovery. A therapist can help you identify the underlying causes of your eating disorder and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
For various reasons, Tiffany did not seek out therapy, which she said prolonged her recovery.
“I didn’t have to suffer like that. Um, and no one should have to suffer like that by themselves, trying to just heal something, trying to navigate an extremely hard thing,” Tiffany said.
4. Demoralize Food
Many people with eating disorders develop a moral relationship with food, viewing certain foods as “good” or “bad”.
“There’s a big reason why part of my philosophy, too, is to demoralize food. We have this stigma around food. That’s like, oh, this donut, this is bad. This salad, this is good,” Tiffany said.
This can lead to a cycle of restriction and binging, which is not sustainable. It is important to develop a healthy relationship with food and to see food as fuel for your body.
5. Practice Intuitive Eating
Intuitive eating is an approach that focuses on listening to your body’s natural hunger cues. For some, this can help them develop a healthier relationship with food.
However, for people with ADHD, intuitive eating must be approached strategically.
“Like for me, when I sat down with a nutritionist who specifically deals with like IBS. Um, and I was telling her how, like, you know, I have trouble remembering to eat sometimes. And she’s like, so set a timer, like put it on your watch,” Tiffany said.
6. Identify and Address Comorbidities
Eating disorders often occur with other mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. It is important to identify and address these comorbidities in order to have a successful recovery.
Tiffany, for example, was diagnosed with ADHD, which she believes contributed to her eating disorder.
“People with ADHD are four times more likely to be diagnosed with the eating disorder,” Tiffany said.
7. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
People with eating disorders often use food to cope with difficult emotions. It is important to develop healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, journaling, or meditation.
Tiffany found it helpful to establish a routine that included reading, journaling, and meditation.
8. Practice Self-Compassion
Recovery is not a linear process and there will be setbacks. It is important to practice self-compassion and to be patient with yourself.
“When you’re in eating disorder recovery, you’re in recovery because if you’re prone to eating disorder behaviors, like it doesn’t just disappear,” Tiffany said.
9. Focus on the Benefits of Recovery
It can be helpful to focus on the positive aspects of recovery. Recovery can lead to more joy and freedom.
“There was so little joy to be had when you’re in the middle of that, because you’re consumed and it’s all you can see. And so coming out on the other side of it, it allows you to experience joy in your life and to have more freedom in your life,” Tiffany said.
Recovery is possible. By following these steps, you can begin to heal your relationship with food and your body, and live a more fulfilling and authentic life
In conclusion, the road to recovery from an eating disorder is a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey. As Tiffany Ima’s experience shows, it requires courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to seek support. By acknowledging the problem, finding a therapist, demoralizing food, practicing intuitive eating, addressing comorbidities, developing healthy coping mechanisms, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on the benefits of recovery, individuals can break free from the grips of an eating disorder and cultivate a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Remember, as Tiffany emphasizes, “You deserve to experience joy.” Recovery is not just about overcoming a disorder; it’s about reclaiming your life and embracing the joy and freedom that await you on the other side.
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