1) DO NOT ABUSE PILLS or MEDICINES.

I got this advice in an email (thanks so much, Holly!). I hadn't thought of this because I had never used them (hey-they cost money, and I'm way too cheap!). But, she reminded me that people can royally screw up their bodies by abusing diet pills, diuretics, laxatives, or even ipecac syrup (which makes you throw up because it's POISON). She said she had a horrible pill addiction, and she almost died many times because of it! I admit that I've abused raisins before with the dual purpose of enjoying them and hoping for their laxative effects. But, I admit I never tried anything else. If you're abusing any of these things, PLEASE work to stop this first before you work to quit bulimia.

2) Work with your cravings; don't deny them until they drive you into a binging frenzy!

Even though I get plenty of protein from dairy, beans, and peas, I still get wild cravings for meat every couple of weeks or so. I know from my 14 years of bulimia hell that I can only ignore it for so long before I run screaming for the nearest KFC or fast food burger place. I say work with your cravings, because you need to figure out how you can satisfy your cravings without triggering yourself to go nuts. Now, I can go to the grocery store and buy one of those roasted whole chickens when I'm feeling like I need some meat. But, I could NEVER have done that before, because either I would have eaten the whole thing and purged, or I would have tortured myself long and hard about it and THEN eaten the whole thing and purged. I recommend that you find a way to buy a small amount of what you crave-either at the deli department at the grocery store or at a restaurant where you will be served only one portion. This is a very worthwhile exercise in trial and error.

3) Do not let yourself get hungry

If you're at all hungry, you begin to think (ie. obsess) about food. If you get TOO hungry, it's usually too late. This is a real serious toughy. I would like to say that you should keep healthy snacks around. But, I know that when I was at my worst (which only lasted about 7 years), I couldn't have ANY food around - none. Even a bag of frozen peas was binge-worthy in a pinch. I hate to say it, but I don't have any good advice on how to actually accomplish my own advice here. But, I know it's an important thing. I do know that the healthiest way for anyone to eat is to have many small meals / snacks throughout the day. Now, that I CAN have healthy food around, I try to eat a small amount of something healthy and low-calorie whenever I feel even the tiniest bit hungry. This works for me now, but you might need a totally different strategy. I would LOVE to hear your suggestions and what you've found works for you. Please share it here. Thanks!

4) DO NOT LET OTHERS RAIN ON YOUR PARADE!

Too often we let others affect what we do. I think it's something in our nature - for me, it's because I so often doubt my own judgement that what I'm doing (or thinking or believing) is correct, or even just OK. I have often judged my ideas by others' reactions to them. What I'm doing is bowing to my lack of self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth! But, I digress.

What I'm trying to say is that we need to stop letting ourselves be influenced by others. I eat weird; I bet you eat kinda weird, too. But, I know I'm getting the nutrition I need, and I'm just eating what I'm comfortable with. People at work like to pick on me for my eating habits and food choices. But, I refuse to internalize their criticism, and I refuse to argue (I'm still working on doing this without getting mad or upset). I just say that it's what I enjoy and what I want, even though I know it may be weird as hell! If that doesn't shut 'em up, I either change the subject or, worse case, get the hell outta there asap. When people tell me I'm thin and "don't have to worry about my weight," so I should go ahead and have a piece of the cake or pie or doughnuts or whatever crap is around the office, I tell them that I 'm thin because I work at it. That usually shuts them up. I don't apologize for being thin and I definitely don't apologize for not indulging to make them feel better about THEIR indulgence. They are just demonstrating their OWN lack of self-confidence that they, too, can make good decisions for themselves. It doesn't make them bad or mean that they pick on me. I just won't engage them anymore. I KNOW my limits, although I admit I'm getting stronger every day. But, for now, I know that if I indulge in more than a small taste of the goodies, I'll end up eating them all and heading for the bathroom.

We don't owe ANYONE any kind of explanation or apology for how we choose to take care of ourselves or how we choose to live our own lives. . . as long as we ARE taking care of ourselves and living as well as we possibly can.