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Don't Ask Ana! Just Ask Annie!
Eating Disorders are not a Lifestyle Choice!
I am a 47 year old teacher who suffered from Anorexia
and Bulimia from the age 28 to 37 years old. I know all the tricks, schemes and lies we tell others to hang onto the eating
disorder. I looked upon my eating disorders as my best friends. I thought that was the only thing I would ever be able to
accomplish and gave up on the world and myself. I understand the feeling of wanting to be well but still tied to the eating
disorder. It is an inner battle that we all experience. But you are more than an Anorexic or Bulimic. You CAN start again
and you can accomplish other things that truly make you feel happy and proud. You can become part of your family again and
not suffer the guilt of lying to people in an effort to stay away from food. I was in numerous groups for my eating disorders
but only truly found one group that was really helpful. Some self-help groups only feed our obsession of dieting and we pick
up new tricks of the trade. Let me tell you, being able to function normally in society has been my greatest accomplishment
since I stopped the bingeing and purging and constant obsession with calories. If you need someone to talk to or have
a question, please email me. If you are looking for some encouragement in your quest for recovery, drop me a line.
If you just need to vent, I understand that too. I am not a medical professional but am university educated and have
a teaching position. I can only share my opinions and views. I hope you all are being treated by doctors and other
medical personnel or are looking for help. We can talk about that too. Please continue to do what your health
care provider suggests. My position is a sounding board - a place you can go to really vent and express how you are
feeling to someone who's been there and done that! Trust me, I have heard it all and done it all! I was in a lot
of emotional pain and I still work on that pain even today. You can turn your life around! Never give up!
Don't give up on yourself. You are too important to do that.
My Hobbies
I have a great concern for the well-being of animals. I have adopted rescued cats who
have lived horrible lives. They are totally pampered now and will be for the rest of their lives. I also like to learn more
about the computer including building websites and finding useful sites for my career and my personal life. I love children
and some of my best conversations have been with 7 or 8 year olds. I work on my emotional turmoil all the time and am
on medication for depression and anxiety. Life is not purrrrfect but it's a whole lot better than it was when all I
could do was think about food, calories, diet, exercise, food, calories, diet, exercise, food, calories.........................
Most Admired
Sometimes we will see terrible images on television or read
about them in the newspaper and think "oh how horrible!" Then we go about our daily lives and forget about the plight
of different people around the world. I admire Bono who has done so much to help the poor. Oprah has also built
schools in Africa and has given homes to people in need. Mother Teresa devoted her entire life to helping the poor.
She didn't help the sick and dying and then go home to a beautiful building. She became like them - she was one of the
poor. She only owned 3 wraps to wear and they were $1.00 each. Modern day philanthropists are people I truly admire.
Want to get in touch? You can send me e-mail at:
Annieblca@msn.com
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