1. It's Not About Being Perfect
Perfectionism may have brought you to your obsession with food, but being perfect is impossible. The goal of your workbook is not to create the perfect you in a few simple steps. This workbook will empower you to be the person you really are and can be. Use the workbook to your advantage; let it help you lose the unhealthy habits you have started and begin your new and improved life.
2. Dig Deep
You will find the deeper you delve into your feelings, fears and insecurities, the more progress you will make. It is not easy to dissect yourself on paper, even if you are the only one to read it. You may feel overwhelmed and upset by some of your journals. The more thoroughly you examine yourself, the best results you will have. Your eating disorder did not happen over night and the recovery will not happen in an instant either. Looking at the whole scope of your life, relationships and memories will give you the true picture of what you need to work on to be healthy again.
3. Do Your Homework
The workbook exercises are designed to help every aspect of your battle with your eating disorder. The exercises in the workbook are arranged in order to help you succeed as you complete the journal. It is important that you complete all of the pages in the book. Some of the exercises you think are the biggest waste of time or useless to you, may prove to be the most constructive part of your workbook experience.
4. Take a Trip Down Memory Lane
Sometimes you may get drug down by the effort you are putting into working through your eating disorder. All of the work you do may not always add up right away. Make sure you go back every so often and reread some of your past journaling and exercises. This is a great way for you to see your progress when you feel like you've fallen back a step or two. You are your best motivator, and your own words can give you the push you need to keep on going.
5. Learn to Lean on Others
A strong support staff is the most important thing you can have while you complete your workbook. Enlist your friends, family, support group and councilors to help you through your recovery process. Remember, you are the one in charge of your recovery. You can ask for help or assign jobs to your support staff. Tell each person what you need them to do for you and why you need their help. This will help cut down on the unwanted or unnecessary actions and advise from those around you.
