Eating Disorder Lies
Updated: Oct 6, 2020
Lies Your Eating Disorder Tells You
Eating disorders are unique to the individual, but one common occurrence is that your eating disorder lies to you. If we think of an eating disorder as a little devil on your shoulder, it whispers in your ear to keep you trapped in your disease.
Often, an attitude of gratitude is the exact opposite of the thought processes surrounding your eating disorder. While your eating disorder thoughts are mostly negative, an attitude of gratitude is widely positive. An attitude of gratitude can be a little angel on your other shoulder. It's a great principle to adopt if you want to recover.
For example, your eating disorder will tell you that you have to look like a marathon runner to be considered valuable. But an attitude of gratitude is different. It will ask you to be thankful for the treadmill, the gym, and the ability to run. While your eating disorder is comparing yourself to others, an attitude of gratitude is putting your life in perspective.
Lie
Truth
Everyone is watching you eat. When you are out at a social gathering, you feel like all eyes are on your plate. You feel like your friends are judging you as you put food into your mouth. It's a lie.
No one is watching you eat. First of all, you shouldn't care what other people think of you. Second, everyone is more worried about themselves than they are about you and what you are doing. If anyone was watching you, they are probably asking themselves what you think of them. No one is watching you eat.
Everyone thinks you need to lose weight. When you go clothes shopping, you don't try on any garments because you are afraid of friends' comments. You think everyone is pushing a salad in your direction and parking farther away for your benefit.
The public doesn't get to decide who you are. Your health is yours and yours alone. You are responsible for conducting your life as you see fit. Other people are not concerned with your current health. The public doesn't get to decide who you are.
You have no self-control. Even though you don't want too, you are going to eat a whole box of Little Debbie's. You don't have any authority over your actions, so you purge for the fifth time in a week. It's a lie.
This situation isn't about self-control. When you put in place rules that are impossible to follow, it's not about self-control. Research suggests that eating disorders are behavioral disorders, not addictions. That means it's about changing your mindset. This situation isn't about self-control.
Eating will make you feel better. After you finish this pint of ice cream, your sadness will go away. After you figure out a way to skip supper, your loneliness will be solved. After you stick to your new food rule, your regret will vanish. It's a lie.
Eating won't help. Eating to feel better is like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound. It might solve it for a second, but eventually, everything will come bubbling up again. It's not an effective way to deal with your issues. You need to face them head-on. Eating won't help.
Being skinny will solve all your problems. My depression will go away, my clothes will fit, and my mom's cancer will heal. Every issue I have ever had will magically resolve. The grass is greener on the other side. It's a lie.
Size cannot solve problems. Weight loss only fixes some health issues; more will remain that must be dealt with sooner or later. You will have to work on any mental health or social issues. Size does not determine happiness. Size cannot solve problems.
No one knows what you are going through. You are all alone in your problems. You don't have anyone to turn to or any resources to lean on for healing. This problem is too big and impossible for you to solve. You can't. It's a lie.
Thirty million Americans struggle with an eating disorder. The probability of someone around you having an eating disorder is more significant than you think. Resources are out there for you; all you have to do is look. You are not the only one struggling.
You can't have fun. You can't go on vacation or go out. Weight and body image are holding you back. You can't do anything until you lose weight. You can't leave your house because the food is more important. It's a lie.
You can do whatever you want! Don't let your appearance dictate your actions. Don't let your eating disorder control you. You have the right to choose who you are and what you want. If you desire to go on vacation. GO! You can do whatever you want!
You can't change it. You have been doing this for too long; it's impossible to dig yourself out of your eating disorder. You are too far gone, habits run too deep, and too sick to heal. It's a lie.
Anyone can change. Anything is possible; it all depends on your willingness. If you think that you can't, then you can't. Your mindset has to change from negative to positive. You can do this; you just need to believe in yourself. Anyone can change.
You are fat. You don't look like that model or celebrity, so you are overweight. You have too much fat in your legs and not enough in your butt. Your legs are short, and your arms are lanky. Everything is wrong with your body. It's a lie.
You are not fat. You HAVE fat. You can also have hair or have makeup; it's something you can change. Just because you have it, doesn't mean it's what defines you. Who you are is insanely different from what you have. You are not fat.
Doctors are against you. Doctors don't know what they are talking about when it comes to your health. They don't care about you or your problems. You shouldn't go to the hospital because it will do more harm than good. It's a lie.
Sometimes, doctors don't know what to say. Doctors want to help, it's why they became doctors, but they aren't well versed in eating disorders. Nor are they familiar with the mental health issues behind them. They don't have any decent training in weight management or healthy habits. Give them some slack and be aware that though they are experts in medicine, they are not experts in eating disorders or healthy lifestyles. Sometimes, doctors don't know what to say.
When you're thin, your clothes will fit perfectly. Your clothes don't fit now because you are overweight and have too much fat everywhere. As soon as you get rid of your adipose tissue, your clothes will never slide down, ride up, or wrinkle. It's a lie.
It doesn't matter what size you are; your clothes will never fit perfectly. Every person, no matter what their size, has a problem finding clothes. Even the shirts that fit have an issue or two. You will struggle to find outfits at any size. It doesn't matter what size you are; your clothes will never fit perfectly.
You are lazy. Everyone thinks you're lazy. People are waiting for you to get off your butt and do something. They think you lack ambition, drive, and pride. Everyone thinks nothing will come of your life. It's a lie.
You are not lazy. You are not lazy because you have an eating disorder. Everyone has problems, and this is one of yours. It doesn't make you any less of a person. And it doesn't make you lazy. You are not lazy.
The world judges you for what you eat. Everyone is watching you consume carrots, donuts, cake, grilled chicken, and chocolate and jumping to conclusions about you for it. They don't think you should eat junk food; they think you are behaving yourself by eating healthily. It's a lie.
No one is judging your food choices. Everyone is preoccupied with worrying that you are sentencing them for what they are eating. People focus on themselves. Don't let others' opinions determine how you live your life, because more often then not, they don't have a view to give. No one is judging your food choices.
Everyone knows you have a problem, but no one cares. Your loved-ones are watching you struggle with eating and body image. And that is the only action they will take. They don't care about what you are doing, and they don't want to intervene. It's a lie.
It's not apparent to everyone, and if they knew, they would want to help. Not everyone is watching everything you eat or is skeptical about the excusing you are giving. For the most part, people don't know you have a problem. Those closest to you probably know what is going on, but they don't know how to help. It's not apparent to everyone, and if they knew, they would want to help.
You can't wear/eat that - You're fat. Your weight determines what you can and cannot eat and wear. If you are above a size four, you can't wear a crop top. A donut can't pass your lips until you fit into a specific size. If you are below a size four, you can't wear a flowy dress. It's a lie.
You can do what you want. Does it fit? WEAR IT. Do you want a donut? EAT IT. You can eat and wear whatever you want. Restrictive diets lead to eating disorders. Oppressive wardrobe options lead to mental disorders. Do what you want. You can do what you want.
You have to eat a particular diet to get the body you want. You have to eat salad to be skinny. You can't have a dessert if you desire weight loss. There are specific rules you have to follow to get the body you want. It's a lie.
Healthy women eat a balanced diet. Skinny women don't eat salads, and they eat desserts. People in good health consume food in reasonable proportions. They don't overeat or undereat. They have learned to listen to their body's signals. Healthy women eat a balanced diet.
No one loves you. Everyone has other priorities, and there is no room for you. It doesn't matter what you do; no one will ever love you. You will be alone for the rest of your life. It's a lie.
More people love you than you can imagine. You just can't see it through your eating disorder. There are people out there that would die for you. They want you to live, thrive, and succeed. More people love you than you can imagine.
No one wants to be your friend. If you were skinny, you would be popular, and your friends would hang out with you. To have relationships, you need to be a specific jean size. If you just lose a few pounds, that perfect friend will come along. It's a lie.
Size doesn't determine popularity or friendship. The factors that determine an association doesn't include appearance. People choose companions through shared experiences and values. It is possible to find someone to hang out with, whatever size you are. Size doesn't determine popularity or friendship.
You have to go to the gym, or you will become fat. If you don't work out regularly, then you will gain weight. To lose weight, you have to stick to your exercise routine. If you don't, you will fail. It's a lie.
Exercise is not a be-all-end-all. You can be healthy and not go to the gym because it is not the only place to work out. Training is an excellent tool to become healthy, but if you miss a day, you won't die. Exercise is not a be-all-end-all.
If you were skinny, you would have a significant other. Your ex wouldn't have broken up with you. Jean size determines relationship status. You need to be a specific size to find love. After you lose this weight, the right person will come along. It's a lie.
Size doesn't determine love. Size doesn't determine relationship status, nor does it determine romantic choices. People make those decisions. They live their lives, and you should do. You can define your fate. Size doesn't determine love.
No one will find you attractive unless you are skinny. You are single because of your size. The only factor in your romantic life is your weight. It's a lie.
The right person will find you attractive at any size. Not only that, but there are plenty of people who don't care about the size of their partner. They pick a mate based on other qualities like values, priorities, and morals. The right person will find you attractive at any size.
You can't date a skinny person unless you are thin. Your mate has to be the same size as you. They can't be more or less in shape than you. They can't be fatter or skinner than you. To date a skinny person, you have to be thin. It's a lie.
Any person can date any person. People come in all shapes and sizes. The exceptional quality of people is they are attracted to anything and everything. Don't disqualify a potential mate because they are a different size than you are, and they should do the same for you. Any person can date any person.
Fat people can't be anorexic. Obese individuals can't have bulimia; they only binge. You are strict to specific mental health disorders, and you cannot have one that doesn't fit your appearance. It's a lie.
Every eating disorder comes in every size. You could look like a picture of health and have a problem with binging; you can be obese and have anorexia. Eating disorders can be found in all types of people. Appearance does not determine mental health. Every eating disorder comes in every size.
What are some of the lies your eating disorder is telling you?
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