There’s very little consensus about the definition of recovery in the eating disorder field. As eating disorder expert Sarah Ravin, Ph.D, told me in an interview here on Weightless:

Some research studies loosely define recovery as no longer meeting full criteria for the eating disorder. For example, recovery from AN could involve restoring weight to the point that the person is above 85% of IBW (Ideal Body Weight) and menstruating. Other research studies define recovery from AN as being at 95% of IBW or 100% of IBW and getting regular periods. Bulimia nervosa (BN) recovery is typically defined as abstinence from bingeing and purging, or infrequent bingeing and purging (e.g. once a month).

One of the problems with this definition is that it dismisses the cognitive and emotional parts of recovery. As Ravin said:

Many research studies fail to consider the cognitive and emotional aspects of recovery, which usually persist for at least a few months after weight restoration and cause a tremendous amount of distress for the sufferer. In addition, many behavioral symptoms may persist (e.g. avoidance of fats, food rituals, rigid or excessive exercise regimens) long after the person is weight restored and no longer bingeing or purging.

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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Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project featured the following quote on her blog:

“Action may not always be happiness…but there is no happiness without action.”
– Benjamin Disraeli, in Lothair

Yesterday, we talked about preventing and managing eating disorder relapses. Setbacks are common, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fully recover.

Like the eating disorder experts emphasized yesterday, the critical part is to learn from your relapses. (Speaking of which, Carrie, from one of my favorite blogs, ED Bites, has an excellent post today on learning from relapse.)

One of the things that can commonly trigger a setback is stress. And an eating disorder can seem like a savior when you’re struggling with a difficult situation or the anxiety of the everyday.

It fools you into thinking it’ll help you just this once.

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When you’re trying to recover from an eating disorder, setbacks can happen. In fact, relapses are quite common. But the key is to use them as learning opportunities, adjust your treatment and try to move on. Sometimes, you may be able to prevent a relapse.

For more information on relapse and what individuals can do, I spoke with Pam Cleland, MS, LPC, an aftercare coordinator at the Eating Recovery Center. Below, she provides valuable insight into how people can prevent and minimize relapses.

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In April, I interviewed  a researcher about attaining a work-life balance. Her first words to me were: There’s no such thing as balance.

And trying to reach a so-called balance is akin to reaching perfection. In other words, it’s not going to happen, and we’re going to drive ourselves insane along the way.

(Here’s the piece if you’re interested.)

Both Christie and Anna wrote thought-provoking posts also questioning the idea of balance. (By the way, I loved Ashley’s post on balance, too.)

But when people say balance, I think what they typically mean is a happy medium or not residing on either side of the spectrum. At least that’s the way I view balance.

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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“We seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack.”
— Arthur Schopenhauer

This simple yet perfectly-worded quote arrived in my mailbox a few weeks ago. (It’s from my thought-of-the-day emails.) And it couldn’t be truer for body image.

Today, I’m pleased to present a guest post by blogger Ariana Merritt about her body image battles and the importance of adjusting your perspective. Hope you enjoy it!

Don’t forget to comment on this post to be eligible to win a copy of Kim Brittingham’s Read My Hips: How I Learned to Love My Body, Ditch Dieting and Live Large.

Happy Friday!

Here’s part two of my interview with Kim Brittingham, author of Read My Hips: How I Learned to Love My Body, Ditch Dieting and Live Large.

In her memoir, Kim writes eloquently about her desire for thinness, the many years she spent dieting and hating her body and how she finally found self-acceptance and self-love.

I can’t say enough great things about this book: It not only has a powerful and meaningful message, but each page is beautifully written and essentially reveals her heart.

Be sure to stop by Kim’s website to learn more about her book and other fantastic writing.

And check out part one of our interview. Don’t forget that I’m giving away one copy of Read My Hips. All you have to do is comment on yesterday’s post!  (Of course, feel free to comment on this post, too, but I’ll pick a winner from that one. )

{Photo Credit: Jeffrey Seeds}

Today, I’m super excited to present my interview with the wise and inspiring Kim Brittingham, author of the beautifully written memoir Read My Hips: How I Learned to Love My Body, Ditch Dieting and Live Large. I loved this book and highly recommend it. (You can learn more about the book here.)

Below, in part one of our interview, Kim talks about finding self-acceptance, redefining the idea of the “fantasy you” and much more!

Check out more about Kim and her other writing on her website and blog.

By the way, because I enjoyed Read My Hips so much and because I’m so thankful to all of you for reading Weightless and leaving such thoughtful comments, I’m giving away one copy of the book! (I’ll be buying the book from Amazon.)

I’ll pick a winner randomly and make the announcement next Wednesday (last time to comment will be Tuesday, 12 a.m. EST). To be eligible to win, just share one of your favorite body image tips, how you found self-acceptance or a favorite part of my interview with Kim.

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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Last week Jess Weiner’s Glamour article, “Jess Weiner’s Weight Struggle: ‘Loving My Body Almost Killed Me,’” caused quite a stir (and for good reason).

It sparked a debate that had many of us questioning Weiner’s definition of body acceptance communities and what loving one’s body really means.