Dating after Ed: Making Real Connections in Recovery and Life — by Jenni Schaefer

      In therapy, I was taught to treat my eating disorder like a relationship rather than an illness or a condition, and for almost ten years I have written about divorcing "Ed" (an acronym for Eating Disorder). I used to wonder what I would write about after he was out of the picture. Enter Adam, Eric, and Steve—also known as "The Policeman," "Superhero," and "Casanova"—as well as a long list of other guys. (My friends and I tend to give nicknames to those we date.) Surely, one of the most challenging aspects of my Ed-free existence is dating–real men, this time... Read More

RADER PROGRAMS 800-841-1515 www.RaderPrograms.com Rader@raderprograms.com

The staff at Rader Programs has been providing multidisciplinary eating disorder treatment for over 25 years. Our staff of caring and experienced eating disorder professionals includes psychiatrists, psychologists, internists, registered dietitians, registered nurses, master level counselors, family counselors, and exercise counselors who recognize the complexity of eating disorders and understand the emotional, physical, nutritional, exercise, family and social components. Our treatment approach is centered on the special needs of each individual and we provide a nurturing, supportive environment to help individuals and their families achieve life long recovery. For a free confidential consultation please call 800-841-1515.

Treatment Facilities, would you like to be featured here? Contact info@gurze.net for details.

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Recent posts on EatingDisordersBlogs.com:

• Motivation: The first step in recovering from an eating disorder — Marcia Herrin & Nancy Matsumoto
• Make "Normal" eating your project — Karen Koenig
• Running out of excuses — Shannon Cutts

"Best-Selling Author Jenni Schaefer presents a FREE teleconference for Houston's own MentorCONNECT"
July 7, 2010
8pm CST

Jenni Schaefer, McGraw-Hill popular best-selling author of "Life Without Ed" and "Goodbye Ed, Hello Me", will present a FREE teleconference on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010, at 8pm central time.
RSVP Deadline: July 7th at noon
To register: send email with "RSVP for Jenni" to: mc@mentorconnect-ed.org

(Re) Discovering Who You Are: Beyond the Disordered Eating Identity With Amelia Perri RN BScN
July 8th, 2010
Richmond Hill, Canada

In this 8 week program we will engage in various activities and conversations to connect with your identity beyond the eating disorder. Part of the program will include creating a scrapbook that can help you to remember important aspects of your life.

All programs are offered free of charge. To register call (905) 886-6632 or email support-group@edoyr.com

Avoiding Relationship Pitfalls: Knowing What Works
July 17th, 2010
Chicago, IL

This workshop at the Awakening Center discusses which communications styles help (and which one's don't) as you look at ways to resolve conflict and strengthen relationships. This workshop will look at research on building satisfying and fulfilling relationships while suggesting other helpful resources.

Workshop fee: $40. Contact Linda Winter at (773) 929-6262 or email LindaWinter@gmail.com

Building Bridges to Recovery: 2010 NEDA Conference-Early Bird Registration Now Open!
October 8-10, 2010
New York, NY

Binge eating disorder, anorexia, bulimia, and EDNOS affect millions in our country. Families and friends of people diagnosed are profoundly affected by these diseases too, so we design our conferences to educate, energize and inspire everyone who comes. We include sessions for families and friends as well as treatment, health and educational professionals. It's a chance to gather, share our stories and build connections in a supportive setting.

Registration is open! Early Bird Rate through 7/31. For more information or to register, visit www.neda.com

Photo by Leigh Cohn

Poem from the book Beating Ana by Shannon Cutts

"Sometimes I feel like I have more to say to myself
But I can't find the words. And all that comes to mind is—
I am beautiful.
I am worthy of living
and loving.
I am exquisite—unique.
I am believable—as me.
Why did I waste all these years . . . ?!?
Never mind. Ignore her.
I'm back. I am grateful.
The eating disorder, the depression, the anxiety—
they were all just signposts.
They were my South, East, and West
pointing me North to NOW.
Now . . . when I know I am beautiful.
Now . . . when I know I am worthy of living
and loving.
Now . . . when I know I am exquisite—unique.
Now . . . when I know I am beautiful—as me.
Now . . . when I know that, YES, I am capable of achieving great things
But, more importantly, I know that I have already achieved great things
because—
I survived.
I survived myself.
I survived others' pain.
I survived this media-saturated society we live in
with body, mind, heart, and soul stubbornly
intact.
In fact, I did more than survive.
I regrouped.
I restored.
I rebuilt.
I revived.
And even now I am regrouping.
I am restoring.
I am rebuilding.

reprinted with permission from Health Communications