How to Set Reasonable Goals on Your Way to Eating Disorder Recovery

Although a lot of attention in the healthcare world is paid to major diseases such as cancer and leukemia, eating disorders can be just as deadly serious. They plague young people, especially girls, and can cause lasting body image issues, physical ailments and worse. It takes a true commitment to overcome these problems, much as a drug addict faces on the road to recovery. But with the right support system, consistent professional care and focusing on healthy eating and lifestyle choices you can leave even a severe eating disorder in the past. The problems occur when you try to attack every issue at the same time. It can seem like nothing in your life is working, and your strong commitment can be derailed by disappointment when you face a setback. That’s why it’s incredibly important for you to set reasonable goals on the way to eating disorder recovery. Here’s how you can go about that process.

First of all, you’ve got to bring some compassion and understanding to the process. Just as this disorder probably took years to develop, it cannot be overcome all at once. You may have a laundry list of things in your life that you’re unhappy with. But tackling everything simultaneously will just increase the chance of disappointment. Give yourself a bit of understanding and respect. Have faith in the process, and be content with small victories. As long as you can stop thinking demeaning thoughts and allow things to evolve, you’ll be in good shape.

Next, take the time to be really present with your disorder. In any sort of recovery, admitting you have a problem is the first step. So detail all the problems as you and your loved ones see things. The challenge is going to be looking at this list and finding a place to start. But you cannot create a goal until you understand the scope of the issue. This is best accomplished with a caring therapist on your side. That person will help you keep everything in perspective. It’s perfectly normal to feel sad, angry or frustrated at your situation. But as long as you don’t let those feelings overwhelm you, you’ll find a healthy place to start your recovery.

Now you should be ready to set a reasonable goal. But you might need to redefine what ‘reasonable’ means in the context of your eating disorder. Perhaps you’d like to get through an entire day without overeating. But that day might feel like the longest in your entire life. This is a great goal to build up to, but only when you’re ready. Instead, start out focusing on one single meal. Tell yourself that you won’t eat that meal until you are physically hungry. While you eat you are going to listen to your body, and you’re going to stop eating once your body tells you are full. If you fail at this, it’s only one meal. You’re free to acknowledge what went wrong and move on. If you succeed, you can turn your attention to the next meal. Before you know it, you’ll have met your goal for the day. Over time you can tackle several days, and then several weeks.

Remember that it takes time to turn any effort into a habit. Some experts suggest it takes up to three weeks or more for this process to happen. So give each goal time to evolve into a habitual approach. Until this occurs you’ll have to consciously think through each step, and that can cause serious stress. For example, perhaps you are focusing on only choosing food for bariatric eating. During the first couple of weeks you’ll have to follow a meal plan, and you probably won’t be able to go out to eat and feel comfortable. But after a while this practice will become second nature. Once the positive habit forms, you can expand your lifestyle with ease.