be kind

Because you aren’t really living, you are just existing. Feeling alive is worth recovering for.

Because you are worth so much more than calories, weight, scales, sizes and so on.

You can go out for social occasions rather than hiding away feeling too fat to go out.

So that you can concentrate on your education or job and do well!

So you actually have motivation to do things rather than shut yourself away from everyone.

Because having friends is important and not everyone will stick around.

So you can love yourself and feel good.

So you can wear pretty outfits and not worry about your shape or weight!

So your mind will have space to think about worthwhile things rather than numbers and calories all the time.

Because binge food is a waste of money, so are laxatives, diet pills, water pills, scales etc…

So you can feel confident!

So that your life doesn’t have to revolve around food.

So you don’t have a stupid demon in your head feeding you lies constantly and putting you down.

To be able to eat in public and not worry about other people seeing you eat.

To actually have energy to do things and not feel so tired all the time.

To be able to look into a mirror and not focus on your weight, and to not be criticising yourself.

To be able to fit into regular sized clothes.

To feel comfortable having a photo taken without worrying about how you look in it.

So that you can wear tighter clothes and not baggy clothes to hide away your body.

So that you’re not constantly comparing yourself to others and wondering if they’re thinner or not than you.

To not feel guilty in relation to food or exercise!

So you can exercise and play sports for fun and not focus on calorie burning.

Because having your teeth hurt and decay from acid erosion is nasty, and may end up pricey getting them fixed.

Having glowing skin and nice hair is a good thing!

So you don’t suffer from osteoporosis at an early age.

So you have regular periods and don’t become infertile!

So you don’t have to spend so much time at the doctors or appointments, or even in hospital

So your own family and friends can trust you again.

So that you don’t have to always think of excuses to get out of things that involve food, even if you really wanted to go.

So that you don’t suddenly feel as though you’re going to pass out when you’re out, and suddenly have to stop yourself somehow.

Because knowing the calories of everything isn’t useful in the slightest.

Having your days dictated by a scale isn’t a life.

Having blood tests hurt, and ECGs are dull.

Because having part of your tooth fall off when you brush your teeth is embarrassing and disgusting.

Because smelling of vomit is horrible!

Watching your hair fall out is also upsetting.

So you can spend time with your friends and family without worries about where you may be going or how to avoid food.

So that you can enjoy your birthday and even eat cake!

Easter will be so much more fun with chocolate eggs!

Because pizza.

To be able to walk in a bikini on a beach somewhere without a care in the world.

So you can reach your ambitions.

So that you can have your own family without your illness preventing you.

So you don’t die and end up as another statistic.

Your boobs won’t shrink!

So that you can go food shopping, and buy what YOU want, not what your eating disorder wants.

Because negative thoughts are no fun, but happy positive thoughts are!

So you don’t have to make excuses to purge and worry about somebody hearing you.

So you can be a positive role model to your siblings and/or friends.

So the people who care about you can stop worrying and hurting.

It’s not nice to look and feel like death.

So you can take medication and brush your teeth and clean yourself without worrying that you might absorb a few calories!

You can listen to songs and read magazines without getting triggered.

So you can help others in need without feeling like a hypocrite.

So you can go out dancing and not get light-headed or dizzy

It’s no fun having to take potassium tablets or get drips because you’ve got so ill.

So you don’t have to try on about 5 outfits before going out because you feel as though you look too “fat”.

So you can drink and eat what the hell you want!

Smiling is fun, and it’s even nicer when you don’t have damaged teeth.

It’s no fun being cold all the time!

Your body going numb is no fun either, nor are leg cramps from lack of electrolytes.

Because your body needs this fuel to just keep going.

So you don’t have to worry about people hearing your stomach growl.

Because bones aren’t sexy.

Diet drinks aren’t as nice!

So you can go to the cinema and eat popcorn.

Crying yourself to sleep is no fun.

So you can wear shorts and bikini tops and crop tops in summer.

So that people don’t see you as just your eating disorder including yourself.

Because acid reflux, chronic stomach pains and regurgitation is horrible as is permanent nausea.

So you can have a boyfriend/girlfriend and not have to worry about your weight and eating disorder affecting the relationship. A healthy relationship is a happy relationship.

Because it’s nice to plan what you’re going to do rather than what you’re going to eat.

So you can actually look at food and see it as food, and not numbers.

Because food tastes good!

So that you can go out for a meal with your friends/family/partner without panicking about the food and calorie content.

So that you don’t have to find out the restaurant a few days beforehand to analyse the menu in-depth to find something safe.

So that you can eat at any restaurant/café/bakery and so on…

So people trust you to eat when you say you will.

So you can go clothes shopping without wanting to break down.

So you have hopes for the future.

So people don’t get upset at how ill you are.

So you can get to sleep at night and sleep well without dreaming about food or weight.

So you don’t panic about where the nearest toilet is!

Because binging and purging at a buffet isn’t the point, and is no fun at all.

So that you don’t faint or pass out.

Because you deserve better.

So you don’t blame yourself for everything that goes wrong.

So your boyfriend/girlfriend can hug you and tell you that they love their body.

Because advent calendars are awesome.

So that you don’t panic about walking past any mirrors or windows because you might see your reflection.

So you don’t have grazed knuckles.

So you can go to the toilet after a meal just to pee!

So when people give you compliments you can accept them and believe them.

So you don’t twist what people say into something negative about you.

So that your goals in life aren’t just weight goals which you’ll never be satisfied with.

So that your first thought when your wake up isn’t to weigh yourself.

So you don’t have to punish yourself for eating, or make ways to compensate later.

So you don’t have to convince yourself that it’s okay to eat something and take an hour to do so!

So your partner gives you hugs just because they want to, not to comfort you when you’re struggling with your ED.

Details below the Keep reading as always.

This is the Dog of Protection.