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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.

One of the toughest parts of recovery for many people is separating themselves from their eating disorder and, more specifically, hearing their own voice, not the mean, manipulative, vicious, callous voice of ED.

Continuing with this week’s focus on eating disorders, I wanted to post my review of Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder & Take Your Life Back by Shannon Cutts, who generously provided me with a free copy. Shannon founded a pro-recovery organization called MentorConnect and travels the country, doing lectures and presentations on eating disorders, recovery and related topics (you can find more info on her website, Key to Life). I highly, highly, highly recommend learning more about MentorConnect and getting involved.

This week at Weightless we’re extending eating disorder awareness week (which was last week) with several posts dedicated to eating disorders.

When a loved one has an eating disorder, families can feel scared, frustrated and confused. One of the questions I ask women who’ve recovered from eating disorders is how families can help their loved one. Today, I want to share with you some wise words from these women. Also, you’ll find a list of additional resources for families and friends below.

Last week, eating disorder survivor, advocate and author Andrea Roe shared her story of recovery (check out part one and part two). Today, she generously shares several tips she used to recover and improve her body image. I think everyone, in one way or another, can relate to Andrea’s story and use her tips to boost their body image and/or recovery. I’m so grateful to Andrea for sharing her advice. I highly recommend signing up  for Andrea’s Support Letter (sign up here).

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Here’s a guest post by Kate Thieda, who’s shared her recovery from an eating disorder and written a review of Jenni Schaefer’s Goodbye Ed, Hello Me. Below, Kate talks about her experiences seeking treatment at 28 years old, a bit older than the typical client who goes to an eating disorder center. She also offers some words of insight to older sufferers. Remember that eating disorders don’t discriminate: Anyone can suffer from an eating disorder, regardless of age, race or gender.

Back in December, I shared my story of recovery on Weightless. I asked Margarita if I could write another column, this time going a little deeper into part of my story that didn’t get full expression the first time around. During this week of Eating Disorder Awareness, there’s a lot of attention on treatment for those who struggle with EDs, which is awesome and hopefully the encouragement people need to seek or continue treatment and regain a life worth living.