Progress in recovery can feel strange. Your eating disorder life is more familiar than freedom. As you move through these exercises, you will feel strong in new ways, like the stones. You'll also feel a sense of precariousness, like the amazing balance of the stones.

You will sense vistas like the sea and feel fear of the unknown. You will feel both reluctance and hope that can turn into a willingness to explore beyond what you could see before.

Step Ten:

As you proceed, you may feel physical sensations, strong emotions or both. Stay with them and write them down.

Step Eleven:

Notice what you want to do to end this exercise. Postpone ending the exercise from one to ten minutes. The minutes you spend in the exercise after you want to stop will provide you with more information. It's not necessary to push beyond ten minutes.

You are stretching your tolerance in this exercise. You are also being kind, patient and accepting of yourself. Postponing for one to ten minutes will give you the strengthening and confidence-building experience you need. More is not required.

As you postpone, you build your own strength and endurance so you can bear more information. That's where your freedom is. Write down this experience, too.

Step Twelve:

When you decide you have had enough, write that you have decided to stop. Also, write what you intend to do in the next minute. Be honest. Then, put your book in the safe place you created.

Reconfirm your next appointment with yourself.

Eating Disorder Recovery Action Steps in Online Self Help Workbook  1-3

Eating Disorder Recovery Action Steps in Online Self Help Workbook  4-6

Eating Disorder Recovery Action Steps in Online Self Help Workbook  7-9

Eating Disorder Recovery Action Steps in Online Self Help Workbook  10-12

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Written by Joanna Poppink, MFT. Joanna is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, stress, PTSD, and adult development.

She is licensed in CA, AZ, OR, FL, and UT. Author of the Book: Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder

Appointments are virtual.

For a free telephone consultation, e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.