This weekend I was so fortunate to be able to attend the annual BEDA conference in Philadelphia. BEDA stands for the Binge Eating Disorder Association, and it has brought together some of what I consider to be the most important and influential treatment professionals in the country surrounding food, psychology and body image issues. We are working hard to prevent, treat and bring awareness to eating disorders.
Something magical happened here this weekend. I found the support, reassurance, and facts to back up all that I knew in my heart was right.
When I stepped off the plane in Philadelphia from California, I arrived already knowing many of the critical pieces to re-learning how eat and have a positive relationship with food. However, these bricks of wellness have been reinforced over and over again at the BEDA meeting – so now I’m SURE, I’m really, really SURE!! (jumping up and down, cheering!) And, I want to share that with you.
My hope is that someday all of you reading this can feel the same way:
I’ve never been so sure:
- I’ve never been so sure, that the answer to a person’s problems lies not in losing weight.
- I’ve never been so sure, that by treating the whole body and mind we can get at the root of the “weight” issue – which isn’t really a weight issue at all.
- I’ve never been so sure, that when a person is deprived of emotional support and love, they fill that need with food (or another pleasurable, comforting substance).
- I’ve never been so sure that I will not look to the scale as the measure of success or progress.
- I’ve never been so sure, that trauma and damage can happen to anyone, anywhere, in any way. If you feel it, it is real.
- I’ve never been so sure that restriction and dieting are harmful to a person’s natural body rhythm and impair bio-feedback.
- I’ve never been so sure that a simple affirmation can create hope and make long lasting changes in an individual. That affirmation can come from someone else or yourself.
- I’ve never been so sure that if you listen to your body and want what’s best for yourself you can change.
- I’ve never been so sure that it is only when you acknowledge your sources of pain you can begin to heal.
- I’ve never been so sure that we can never do it alone.
- I’ve never been so sure that if we look deep within, and ignore weight, we can find who we really are and begin to care for that self.
- I’ve never been so sure, that the body and mind are one – not separate.
- I’ve never been so sure that by stepping out of your comfort zone you may be pleasantly surprised.
- I’ve never been so sure that everyone deserves the chance to heal and feel valid.
- I’ve never been so sure that there is an answer, a better way to be healthy.
- I’ve never been so sure that food is nothing to fear.
- I’ve never been so sure that what we are doing is right. It is good.
In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness – I’d like to dedicate these thoughts to all those who haven’t yet found out how to be sure. We have to keep talking and use our voices to support the cause of Eating Disorder Recovery.
Links and Resources:
BEDA
NEDA
Health at Every Size
Me First
Born to Eat
Marci’s Blog
Association for Size Diversity and Health
Intuitive Eating
