Bulimia Recovery: Only a myth?

Bulimia Recovery: Only a myth?

By Heleen Woest

Do people really get totally free form bulimia, or is there only temporary treatment available?

Let me tell you my story and it might give you a little hope to keep pressing on to freedom and not give up hope.
I was trapped in this nightmare for many years of my life. The worst part, like many of you, I didn’t get a break from life to deal with this. No I was trapped in the midst of children, family feuds, relationship challenges, work and running a household. I had to keep this monster hidden inside of me. I had to smile while I screamed and cried on the inside.

Believe me if I tell you that I know about hating yourself for the purging and hating everything associated with it. I know about promising myself every time that this is going to be the last purge. I know about the strong relief after a binge, begging God to let it be the last time… just to do it all over again. I also know about the fear of giving up this dangerous method of weight loss. The fear of spiraling out of control, eating out of control, and gaining an enormous amount of weight…

The irony: Those fears are not irrational, they are in fact pretty legitimate for someone with bulimia. When you stop purging the binging doesn’t just go away. Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in itself. So in reality you are dealing with two eating disorders and you feel stuck somewhere in the middle. If you can stop the binging then you will obviously stop purging. However, if you stop the purging, it might keep you from binging because you will know that there’s no way to erase what you just did (binge).

The reality for me, as for many other people suffering from bulimia, is that binge eating disorder is what started it all. I felt for a very long time in my life out of control around food. I’ve used food to medicate. Food suppressed pain, made me happy, cured loneliness, gave my life color, helped me with stress. Food was always there. So there was no way that I could stop this cycle at binging, because it went much deeper. I had to remove it layer by layer. I had to interrupt the cycle at the purging so that the denial could stop. People with eating disorders and other addictions deal with very thick denial. If you suffer from bulimia you most likely deny the fact that you are out of control. Somewhere along the line I convinced myself that I found a perfect method of control. I first used diet pills and later bulimia to “control” my binge eating. The fact was, it controlled me. I was a prisoner of having to figure out when and where I can purge, how I can hide my binging and how I can keep my eating disorder from others. People who suffer from eating disorders, even overeating or binge eating disorders can not be truthful with themselves or others. This was the worst part for me: You loose God, relationships and yourself!

So I had to find out where exactly to interrupt this cycle: I had to do it at the purging to open my eyes to the reality and kick the denial. So my first step was to tell others about this monster inside me. To break the cycle of purging you need support and you need people you trust to know the truth and to help you. Secondly you have to start taking off the layers, looking at why you binge and how it happened that food became your first love, the one you always turn to and the one thing you can not give up.

With God’s help, the right treatment and asking for support, I walked away from bulimia and haven’t looked back now for many years.

When I was healed from bulimia, I still struggled with binge eating, but I wanted to help other ladies break away from bulimia, while I was still searching for more answers. I started support groups for women with Eating Disorders and facilitated these for many years. A few things became clear to me: Bulimia and other eating disorders can never be cured with shear will-power. In fact, no amount of will-power can do it. Another important thing: It’s never just one thing. When it comes to eating disorders there is no silver bullet. You have to give it some time, get some support and take the layers off one by one.

So after doing lots of research and observing and talking to many ladies who went through my support groups I put a 12 Week Program together for women struggling with food. This course is now also available online and it can help you get out of an eating disorder for good. If you or someone you love is looking for a Bulimia Recovery Program that can go the distance and deal with all the major issues, then you might want to have a look at my program. It consists of 300 pages of research and testimonies including my own story as well as 100 videos to encourage you to stay the course.

I have seen many women find healing through this course and I am humbled by the realization that God can use a broken vessel like myself to help others find life again. You can also reach out to others once you find healing for yourself.

I never seize to be amazed at the love, mercy and healing power of God that’s available to us…

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You can get help for yourself or a loved one through my 12 Week Online Study Course. I’ve compiled this course from my own experience with food struggles, insight and understanding I’ve gained through counseling ladies in my support groups, Biblical principals, as well as material I’ve gathered by well-known Christian authors, counselors, and doctors. This study is jam-packed with information, practical guide lines and honest testimonies.

 

Click on the image below to learn more about the 12 Week Online Program

Read my story. Click on the image below to download my ebook for free