Resources

This whole recovery thing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in real life, in real-time, and with real people. Sometimes that’s hard. Sometimes (read: a lot of the time), I needed some help, some motivation, some ideas, or just a feeling of connection while I’m figuring all of this out. I liked content from people who I knew got it, who understood exactly what I was feeling, and who had real, big ideas of how to manage it. I found that sometimes Eating Disorder treatment or suggestions were too “fru-fru” or “go make [another] collage.” Don’t get me wrong. I love a good collage. But sometimes, you want to dig into the real stuff. You know what I mean. I found the information provided in these sources to be gentle yet helpful, to the point, and very no-bullshit-included. I hope you find them as helpful as I did!

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Books

You may notice that a lot of the books I’ve linked to are not Eating-Disorder-Specific books. That’s purposeful. While reading about the illness was helpful at times, and I found some sources that helped me learn about what was happening and to make sense of what I was feeling, they were not ultimately the most helpful for living a life without it. (Be careful with your selection of ED “memoirs.” They can do more harm than good.) I found the books below to be helpful, inspiring, uplifting, and that made me feel connected to people as a whole, not just other people with Eating Disorders. These books are for everybody. I don’t know anyone who couldn’t get something from any one of these books, and that’s why I’m recommending them here. Happy Reading!

	8 Keys to Recovering from an Eating Disorder, Carolyn Costin I read this book several years ago and found it to be very helpful, providing actual strategies to challenge thoughts and behaviors, as well as explaining what the recovery process may entail. There are also written exercises to do throughout the book, helping you to process the information provided. The most helpful section for me was a description of the Ten Phases of Recovery from an Eating Disorder. I felt validated in how I was feeling, motivation-wise, at different points in the process. This is a good book to read early in recovery.
	Women Food and God, Geneen Roth This book was one of the very first that I read when I realized that I was serious about living outside the Eating Disorder. I liked that it was not necessarily an eating disorder-specific book, but that it was geared for a wider audience, to all of us affected by the culter in which we live and the immense pressure for our body to look a certain way. It was also not a book about God written in the strictly Christian sense, which I appreciated, but instead is intended to refer to the world beyond appearances and things we can physically see. I listened to the audiobook first, and I loved hearing the author read it. This book is chock-full of helpful ideas for changing your thinking, compassion for what you are feeling, and gentle yet thorough explanations of the complicated relationships many women have with food.
	The Power of Vulnerability, Brene Brown This is not a book, but a recording of a talk Brene Brown gave and turned into an “audio course” you can listen to through Audible.com. I have listened to it probably 10 times, at least, over the last few years. This was one of the first things that I listened to or read that I felt resonated with my highly perfectionistic personality and drive to push harder, faster, and better. Her description of “exhaustion as a status symbol” was a real kick in the pants for me. Ouch. You can’t go wrong with anything by Brene Brown, so I suggest you start here or with Daring Greatly and dig in. She is a cultural phenomenon for a reason. This is good stuff, friends.
	Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert Oh, Elizabeth Gilbert. I think I could qualify her as my very favorite author and a genuine human whom I admire. I love everything she has written, and Eat, Pray, Love was by far one of the most influential books I’ve read, but this one… this one is, well, magic. I am a highly creative person, and I have been since I was a child. This book talks about the creativity that everyone has inside them, even if you think you don’t. The biggest message I gained from this book is that fear is boring. My fear, my struggles with food and body image, all of that is boring. It’s boring and monotonous to me, and it makes my role in relationships dull, stunted, and low-energy. This book challenges you to give no effs about what other people think about you or what you create, and to create simply for the sake of creating. I heart this book.
	Girl, Wash Your Face, Rachel Hollis I discovered Rachel Hollis about a year ago, and dang, her content has helped me change my life. I know that’s a big, bold statement to make, but I’m 100% sincere. This book outlines the lies that many of us, as women, have come to believe about ourselves, and how we can begin to heal these hurting parts. Is this all brand new, ground-breaking information? Probably not. But the delivery of the information got to me in a way not many other authors have. Rachel Hollis walks the walk. She grew her business herself, through trial and error, and has a genuine heart for giving and lifting others up. I felt her kindness through her words and really, friends, reading this book is when I began to believe in myself again. I started to like myself again. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
	Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis Two books by Rachel Hollis? Yeah, sorry, not sorry. Where Girl, Wash Your Face left off, Girl, Stop Apologizing picks up. In this book, Rachel Hollis provides actual, real-life suggestions for how to aim for your dreams. The book is broken into two sections. The first is Excuses To Let Go Of and the second is Behaviors To Adopt. Dang it, she got me in all the right places with the excuses. What will other people think? Yeah… I care too much. I’m not enough to succeed? [raises hand]. I don’t have time? Woah, guilty. Behaviors I’m trying to adopt? Giving no effs about what other people think (although she says it much more eloquently). Ask for help. Choose one thing at a time. If I had to pick one point from this book that really, deeply resonated with me, it would be if everything is important, nothing is important. I cannot DO ALL THE THINGS. And I certainly can’t do them well. Focusing on one thing and going all in? Yeah, that’s how this website is now a thing when I’ve been thinking about doing it for years. She’s right, man. And it works.
	You are a Badass, Jen Sincero Holy cow, this was a good one. It is absolutely practical, down-to-earth, and very no-bullshit excuses allowed. It is also gut-achingly hilarious. Jen Sincero is completely irreverent but absolutely on point (my favorite combination!). She’s another regular person who has grown tired of her own bullshit and straight-up changed her life. This is the story of how she did it and ways you can apply what she learned along the way. Do yourself a favor and listen to the author read the audiobook. This is another I’ve listened to five or six times. It’s that good.
	Body Kindness, Rebecca Scritchfield This is a fantastic and unique book, filled with practical information, helpful charts and diagrams, and beautiful colors. The subtitle “Transform your health from the inside out– and never say diet again” sums it up perfectly. This book combines experiential descriptions and information with scientific research to back it up. It’s literally packed with quotes and how-to guides to help you aim for health from wherever you are starting. Move slowly through this one and really take it all in. The pages are tempting to plop through, but I challenge you to be methodical about your reading. I think this one is a book you could read several times through your recovery process and get something new every time. I plan on doing just that.

Podcasts

These podcasts are some of my regular listens during the week. Some of them are Eating Disorder related and some are not, for the same reasons that I recommended the books that I did. I find these inspiring, informative, fun, and definitely not “triggering.”

Podcast	Synopsis
	Food Psych was one of the first podcasts that I found that really helped me understand the bigger, global effect of Diet Culture. This is more than just eating disorders. Diet Culture affects everybody who lives in our society. The podcast interviews a wide array of professionals and focuses on the concepts of Health at Every Size, Intuitive Eating, and Body Liberation. Numbers of any kind are bleeped out of the show.
	This podcast is great for absolutely applicable skills related to body, food, and life. Both podcasters have a history of disordered eating and body shame and are now certified Intuitive Eating Coaches, so they talk from personal experience. The podcast is informal and conversational yet very to-the-point. One thing I love about this podcast is that there are free, downloadable worksheets to go along with every episode, so you can really dig in and get something real out of it. The episodes around half an hour and are easy to listen to and fit into a busy day.
	Rebecca Scrithfield is the author of Body Kindness and incorporates the elements of body kindness and anti-diet in every episode. Her podcast covers topics from pregnancy and post-partum, information for parents, body inclusivity and fat-acceptance, and weight-stigma research, among other things.
	The Recovery Warrior Show was the very first podcast I listened to religiously, tuning in every week and waiting for the newest episode to drop. I went back and listened to all the previous episodes, too. Jessica Flint, an eating disorder survivor herself, does a beautiful job of marrying the struggle of living with an eating disorder with the real possibility of life without it. The guests she interviews are the top names in the field. Her show is down-to-earth, relatable, and enjoyable to listen to. This show was the first time I remember feeling connected to the big world of virtual recovery support and it propelled me towards other resources that would ultimately become life-saving.
	Yep, more Rachel Hollis! Ugh, this one is so good. This is my current favorite podcast and I have legitimately listened to almost all of her episodes at this point. This one is awesome for general life motivation and kickass encouragement. The individuals she interviews are amazing, and her real-life honesty is refreshing. Many of the episodes are also geared towards life improvement and small business grown and development. You can’t go wrong to listening to this one. I guarantee it will put you in a better mood and absolutely make your day.

Websites

	NEDA, or the National Eating Disorders Association, is the first stop when you need resources for finding help, helpful information for friends and family, or to get involved with Eating Disorder advocacy.
	Recovery Warriors is your place to go for nearly everything recovery related. You’ll find articles covering every topic you could imagine, written by both professionals and fellow “recovery warriors.” The articles are short and easy to digest, perfect for a quick burst of encouragement. There are also online courses and support networks to join if you’re really ready to dig in. You’ll find a Help Finder section if you or a loved one needs help locating professional assistance in your area. This is a great place to start for all things Eating Disorder, presented in a beautiful, well-designed, easily accessible site.
	The Project Heal website has a wealth of information. Started in 2008 to assist with funding treatment for those unable to afford it, the company has greatly expanded its outreach. From treatment grants to 1:1 support, support groups, and helpful blog posts, this one is worth your time.