Erika k.
If you are reading this, you are not alone.
Food and nutrition are essential to igniting your future, but the media and misinformation can make the simple question of what to eat be very difficult. If you are struggling to love your body and nourish it well, you are not alone. Many people struggle in silence while in the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting or binging and restricting. It can often be hard to enjoy the simple pleasures of life while stuck in this ditch.
This is exactly how I felt when I was diagnosed with an eating disorder along with shame, guilt, and denial. I was obsessed with calories, food and my body weight. It was literally impossible for me to be present and live in the moment. I was often preoccupied with thinking about how many calories I had eaten, how many calories were going to be in my next meal, and how I was going to"burn" that off.
The thought of going out to dinner where I did not know the exact calories and nutrition information was terrifying. For birthday cakes and celebrations for friends and family, I would even "save" calories. Skipping meals felt so easy and quickly became a habit.
Eventually, I got to a place where I was so sick and tired of existing rather than actually living that I decided to stop fighting against my body and start loving and nourishing it. How could I possibly fulfill the Lord's plan for my life while starving? I was simply existing in a little bubble that was focused on calories and my weight.
It would be impossible. Choosing to recover was not as easy as it sounds, and I definitely failed multiple times, but never gave up because I knew I was destined for more. If you feel this way, you are not alone. Restoring your relationship with food and your body is not an easy task, but it is well worth it.
Disordered eating is at an all-time high. If you or somebody you know is struggling, recovery is possible and worth it. You are not alone. I am here to help and just an email or phone call away.
In great health,
Erika K., RD, LD, Southern Methodist University
Did you know SMU has an on-campus dietician?
Well, we do! You can book an appointment with Erika (RD, LD) via her email at dietitian@smu.edu. She assists students with dietary preferences and allergies, as well as one-on-one nutrition counseling.
Connect With Us
To follow IfYoureReadingThis at SMU on Instagram, get in touch with our chapter, and learn about more resources available to SMU students, visit our chapter’s homepage.
author Contact
This author has opted to allow readers who resonate with their story to contact them. If you would like to speak to the author of this letter about their experience, please use the form below.