Mondays can be rough for many of us, and this doesn’t create the ideal environment for building a better body image. To help you turn that around, every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit to help boost your body image – and kick-start the week on a positive note.

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

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I’m a planner through and through.

I used to be worse. When my boyfriend and I would be on our dinner date, I’d start thinking about where we could go in a few hours  - or next week or next month.

I also used to be terrible about experiencing pure pleasure. Not only would I be thinking about what’s next on my agenda, but I couldn’t just relax and enjoy what I was doing.

I’d feel this heaviness around my chest and shoulders, big boulders weighing me down.

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In honor of NEDA Week this week, I’ve already posted about ED myths and recovery (here’s part 1, 2 and 3 of my interview with ED expert Susan Schulherr).

I’ve also discussed how parents can help on Psych Central’s main blog, World of Psychology.

Today, I’m honored to publish a guest post by Elizabeth Short. She’s already shared her story of recovery from a 16-year battle with eating disorders on Weightless (see part 1 and part 2).

She’s also written several beautiful posts for Weightless on recovery tools and healing from within.

Below is no exception. Elizabeth writes honestly and eloquently about the trials and triumphs of eating disorder recovery day to day.

While recovering from an eating disorder is hard, remember that every day is another day you can choose recovery.

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In the last part of our interview, eating disorder expert Susan Schulherr – author of Eating Disorders for Dummies and a valuable blog on ED recovery – talks about how readers can quiet their inner critic.

Plus, she shares her insight on relapses while on the road to eating disorder recovery.

If you didn’t get a chance to check out the other parts of our interview, you can read Susan’s insights on overcoming the challenges of recovery and providing real support to someone who’s struggling with an ED.

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When a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, it can be tough to know how to help.

In part two of our interview, eating disorder specialist Susan Schulherr shares several ways families and friends can provide support and ways that aren’t just unhelpful but may be harmful to your loved one.

Susan is the author of Eating Disorders for Dummies and writes a must-read blog on ED recovery.

(If you haven’t yet, check out part one on the challenges of ED recovery and what you can do to overcome these obstacles.)

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In honor of NEDA Week, I wanted to talk about the common obstacles on the road to eating disorder recovery and how individuals can overcome these obstacles.

If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, know that you can absolutely recover. It’s normal to experience setbacks and challenges. Everyone does.

But the key is to keep going. Keep choosing recovery. Keep overcoming the obstacles, one step, one day, at a time.

Below, eating disorder specialist Susan Schulherr discusses several common challenges in ED recovery and offers strategies that can help.

Susan has a private practice in NYC and has written the book Eating Disorders for Dummies. She also writes an incredibly valuable blog with tips for ED recovery. Be sure to check it out!

Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

Instead of our usual body-image boosters post on Monday, I wanted to kick-start NEDA Week. Actually, it officially started yesterday (be sure to check out Shannon’s post at Mentoring & Recovery on what you can do!).

If you’re not familiar with NEDA Week, it’s an entire week every February dedicated to eating disorder awareness, sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Association.

One of the best ways to spread awareness, I think, is to talk about accurate information. Because there’s tons of misinformation out there about eating disorders.

So below I wanted to dispel several common myths about eating disorders – with the help of some amazing women who’ve recovered from eating disorders.

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Here’s the last part of my interview with journalist Paula Butturini. (Here’s part one and part two.)

Paula wrote the beautiful memoir Keeping the Feast: One Couple’s Story of Love, Food and Healing about the devastation of depression and the curative powers of buying, preparing and eating wholesome, fresh foods with family and friends.

Below, Paula offers her insights on our diet-obsessed society, the process of journaling and how she celebrates food and family in Paris, where she’s lived for some time.

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Yesterday, I introduced you to journalist and author Paula Butturini. She wrote the beautiful book Keeping the Feast: One Couple’s Story of Love, Food and Healing about food’s curative powers and its vibrant connection to family and life.

(If you haven’t yet, please check out part one of our interview.)

Below, Paula talks about one of her favorite memories and why she just can’t pick a favorite meal.

On a side note, I absolutely love her stunning descriptions of different foods. She describes food in such a lovingly, nostalgic and respectful way.

I also see food as more than fuel or nuisance (boy, how things have changed from years past – thankfully). I see it as a celebration of culture, tradition and meaningful memories.

When I eat certain foods, I feel like I’m transplanted back into another time.

Like when I eat potatoes cooked on the skillet, I instantly think of my grandma, who’d happily cook these for me when I’d visit her in NYC.

Or like when I eat shrimp scampi, I think of my dad, who’d order this meal virtually everywhere we’d go – or at least almost always at Carrabba’s.

Alright, without further ado, I’ll let Paula talk…

In our society, we’re taught to view food as either strictly fuel or – simply and sadly – as a villain. We’re taught to be suspicious of fat grams, carbs and sugar.

We’re taught that boneless, skinless chicken with steamed veggies makes a fine meal – every day. We’re taught that pasta is dangerous.

So I was excited when I came across the memoir Keeping the Feast: One Couple’s Story of Love, Food and Healing by seasoned journalist Paula Butturini. (I received a copy courtesy of the publisher.)

In Keeping the Feast, Paula celebrates food and its curative powers. She talks about food’s connection to companionship and meaningful conversation. She describes beautifully the art of preparing and sharing food with loved ones.

Continue reading… »

Mondays can be rough for many of us, and this doesn’t create the ideal environment for building a better body image. To help you turn that around, every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit to help boost your body image – and kick-start the week on a positive note.

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

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Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! In honor of V-Day, below are 15 ways that you can show yourself and your loved ones tons of love – not just today but every day. Hope this brings you some inspiration!