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Yesterday, we discussed recovering from eating disorders. I shared my interview with Carolyn Costin and excerpts from her book,  8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies from Therapeutic Practice and Personal Experience, with co-author Gwen Schubert Grabb.

One of the topics we talked about was feelings. Learning to tolerate your emotions in a healthy way is important for recovery – and for living life. But many of us, whether we have an eating disorder or not, have a tough time identifying and processing our emotions.

Interestingly, our perspective can make or break negative emotions. As Costin said: “Your emotions are your body’s response to your thoughts.” Or, “What you tell yourself affects your emotional state.”

We run into trouble when our thoughts are inaccurate and self-critical but we see them as pure fact. These are called cognitive distortions. Psychologist and eating disorder specialist Sari Fine Shepphird, Ph.D, defines cognitive distortions as “a biased way of thinking about oneself or one’s environment, including one’s body image, weight or appearance” in her excellent book 100 Questions & Answers About Anorexia Nervosa.

Anxiety often underlies eating disorders. For many individuals, engaging in eating disorder behaviors helps to soothe them – only temporarily, of course.

Anxiety also contributes to emotional eating and can worsen body image issues. (How many times have you been tense and taken it out on your body? Or vice versa? Or mistook discomfort and nervousness for “feeling fat”?)

But while anxiety seems incredibly overwhelming when you’re caught in its clutches, you can do so many things to minimize your anxiety. It’s a matter of learning some skills. Here’s a list of strategies to try.

This week is Weight Stigma Awareness Week, sponsored by the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA). I’m thrilled that BEDA is spotlighting weight stigma, because, sadly, it’s something that has devastating and far-reaching effects. It’s a topic that must be talked about, and BEDA is doing it with compassion, sensitivity and accurate information.

I’m honored to present my interview with the amazing and always wise Marsha Hudnall, RD, MS, CD, who talks about this important week. Marsha is the director and owner of Green Mountain at Fox Run, a place where women can go to learn and practice how to accept and take care of their bodies. She’s also on the board of directors at BEDA.

Below Marsha discusses the inspiration for Weight Stigma Awareness Week; the meaning of weight stigma and its damaging effects; how the “War on Obesity” just fuels the fire; what you can do this week and year-round to fight weight stigma and much more.

I’m incredibly grateful to Marsha for taking the time to share her words with Weightless readers.

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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Today, I’m pleased to present part three of my interview with Amy Pershing, executive director at PershingTurner Centers and clinical director for The Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, MI. Amy treats binge eating disorder (BED) and writes extensively about weight stigma and intuitive eating.

(Please check out parts one and two of our interview! Amy discusses BED myths, her own struggles with binge eating and how to recover.)

Below, Amy offers wise advice on improving your body image and a few parting words on BED.

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As I said yesterday, sadly, people with binge eating disorder (BED) can feel a lot of shame and embarrassment about having the disorder. They feel totally out of control and blame themselves for their wilting willpower. They beat themselves up because they think they should be able to stop bingeing on their own or that binge eating somehow makes them a bad person.

But please know a few things: that the above are myths, that you’re not alone in struggling with BED and that, with treatment, recovery is absolutely possible.

I’m grateful to Amy Pershing, who in part two of our interview, shares her own struggles with BED and how she recovered. She also offers several tips to help readers.

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out yesterday’s first part.

Again, Amy is the executive director at PershingTurner Centers and clinical director for The Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, MI. Amy specializes in treating binge eating disorder (BED) and is an advocate of Health At Every Size and intuitive eating. (I’ve included her bio below.)

Today, I’m thrilled to present my interview with Amy Pershing, the executive director at PershingTurner Centers and clinical director for The Center for Eating Disorders in Ann Arbor, MI. Amy isn’t only an expert in treating binge eating disorder (BED) but she’s also an advocate for Health At Every Size and intuitive eating. (Read more about Amy below.)

Binge eating is a topic I keep returning to because like other eating disorders, it’s terribly misunderstood, and myths run rampant in the media and public overall. Misinformation not only creates stigma but it means that individuals struggling with binge eating are left confused and ashamed – and may not seek treatment.

Remember that BED is a real disorder that is highly treatable!

Here, Amy talks about the biggest myths about BED from several standpoints along with the common challenges that impede recovery and how to navigate those obstacles.

Her words aren’t just thoughtful and accurate but they’re also inspiring and eye-opening. I think you’ll find the same.

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Do you know what today is?

It’s the third day of National Women’s Health Week! Which is:

“…a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health. The theme for 2011 is ‘It’s Your Time.’”

So today I wanted to talk about what it means to be healthy.

Of course, I think the definition is individual. I also think that it’s important to take some time regularly to consider what being healthy means to you and to assess if you’re living your version of a healthy life.

Here’s part two of my interview with Katie, from one of my favorite blogs Health for the Whole Self. Katie has written an e-book called Taking Action: 30 Specific Strategies About Overcoming Emotional Eating. It’s truly a must-read! (Here’s more about the book and how to get it.)

In part one, we talked about her own struggles with emotional eating, what helped her get better, her favorite tools and more.

In part two, Katie discusses a major trigger for her emotional eating, myths about emotional eating, the toughest part of recovery for her and having hope.

I also just want to reiterate that if you’re struggling with emotional eating or binge eating, you can absolutely get better – regardless of how long you’ve been struggling. Binge eating is highly treatable. For instance, Katie saw a therapist and uses the tools in her e-book.

Seeing a therapist who specializes in binge eating is key for getting better. Creating a healthy toolbox also helps tremendously, whether that’s through Katie’s e-book (which I really do highly recommend) or another resource.

Don’t forget that Katie is giving away one free copy! Enter to win by commenting below. You have ’til next Monday at 12 a.m. EST to comment. I’ll pick the winner randomly and let you know who won next week.

Thanks so much for all the thoughtful comments so far!

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful comments on the post introducing Karen’s book about weight loss, weight gain and weightlessness! Remember you can still comment and be eligible to win a copy of her book until this Sunday, 12 a.m. EST.

Today, we not only have another giveaway, but a fantastic interview with Katie from Health for the Whole Self. Katie is also a good friend and a blogger I’ve admired for a long time! She always writes eloquently and honestly about issues like body image, the culture of thinness and intuitive eating.

Recently, Katie has written an e-book that provides 30 strategies to overcome emotional eating. I purchased the e-book, and absolutely loved it. Not only is it well written, relatable and thoughtful, but it’s packed with valuable tools. It’s a book that you’ll return to regularly. You can learn more about the book and how to get it here.

Below, Katie talks about her own struggles, what helped her to overcome emotional eating, her favorite tools and more. Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

The details on the giveaway: Katie is giving one e-copy away! Just comment below on today’s post or tomorrow’s post (for part two). You have ’til next Monday at 12 a.m. EST to comment. I’ll pick the winner randomly and let you know who won next week. I’ll also email the winner.