Cara Lisette

Gaining in Eating Disorder Recovery

Eating disorder recovery can overwhelmingly be focussed on weight restoration or stabilisation, which is often the most terrifying part.

The most difficult thing to do is the most necessary – you can’t fully recover if you still try to remain underweight, or if your weight is fluctuating wildly as a result of disordered behaviours. Gaining weight feels torturous, but it does come with its benefits.

I didn’t just gain weight. 

I gained new friendships.

I gained an appreciation for life.

I gained the ability to explore the world.

I gained more empathy.

I gained life experience.

I didn’t just gain inches.

I gained self worth.

I gained confidence in myself and my abilities.

I gained bravery.

I gained energy.

I gained a future.

I didn’t just gain dress sizes.

I gained an identity outside of my illness.

I gained a degree.

I gained a job I love.

I gained peace.

I gained pride in myself.

I didn’t just gain weight.

I gained life.

14 comments

  1. This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing! As someone who also struggles with an eating disorder, I know too often we can focus on cutting calories and losing weight that we miss not only our optimal weight, but our optimal life.

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