Time flies and a lot changes as each second passes by.
12 months ago I had bought tickets to a Bonfire and Fireworks display at Battersea Park and, me being me, I was really excited. But me, also being me, I ended up in hospital with a kidney stone that left me bedridden and in unbelievable pain for a few weeks until they had to operate.
They kept telling me to drink. I told them I was bad at staying hydrated. I didn’t tell them that was because of my ED. I didn’t admit that I used to be so scared of drinking for fear of that ‘fullness’ feeling that I stopped drinking even water.
I didn’t admit any of that. Not even to myself.
That was the first time I thought I may have damaged my body.
6 months ago, I started getting stabbing chest pains, on the left hand side, when I was walking around. Exercise was worse. I was so scared it was my heart but I didn’t tell anyone that. I didn’t want to tell anyone I was still having issues. Ultimately, I simply didn’t want to admit it to myself.
That was the first time I thought I was heading for a heart attack.
I truly think I was heading that way.
It had been 8 years since that Demon arrived.
Time really does fly.
Now, it’s been a month.
I haven’t purged for a month.
I’ve noticed I’ve lost weight.
I almost wish I hadn’t noticed that.
I’m second-guessing if I’ve been restricting in absence of the purges.
If I think about it, I have been sticking to soup every single lunch, although I really do love that soup shop next to work. Breakfast is on and off, as always, but I have increased dinner. I’ve managed to have dinner from the work canteen and I’ve tried to make it as healthy as I can.
Does that mean I was restricting though?
Yes, I reduced my carbs and fear foods but I still had some small amounts because I knew I needed them.
Is eating in a way to reduce panic, fears and triggers, a bad thing?
Have I lost weight because I’ve restricted? Or is it because I’m finally not purging and my body isn’t in starvation mode?
…
I got a fitbit. Yes, controversial for an ED sufferer, I know.
I looked at what I was burning on days with and without exercise. I then looked at my food diary for the previous month and I must have been having an incredibly substantial deficit. An unhealthy one.
Seeing that even on a non-exercise day I was burning much more than I thought I was has made me increase my intake. It’s made me realise, that on days I’m working until midnight I need X. Let alone those midnight days where I’ve managed to make it to the gym in the morning.
I don’t know why that weight has shifted. I do know my mindset has shifted a bit and I’m conscious I don’t want to restrict.
However, whether it’s because I’ve restricted inadvertently or because my body is healing…I haven’t had chest pains for a month. I haven’t felt what feels like a kidney stone for a month. I have been stronger at work and the gym for a month. I have eaten ‘fear foods’ without a second thought every now and then this past month.
It’s only my first month into what I would call ‘my recovery’ so, of course, there’s still a few bumps to smooth out. I’m still well on my way to developing a balanced life.
12 months ago I was stuck in a purge-restrict cycle and I ended up in hospital with kidney problems.
This year, I baked brownies with a glass of wine without even thinking about numbers and fears. I also went to Bonfire Night, just 1 year late.
The Recovery Lens 