Recovery IS Possible
- also for YOU!

You Are Not Alone
- The Book of Companionship for Women struggling with Eating Disorders

You Are Not Alone, Volume 2 (plus Companion CD) - The Book of Companionship for Women with Eating Disorders

Excertps from You Are Not Alone  

A source of hope and support for those suffering with an eating disorder, 'You Are Not Alone' is an inspiring collection of personal stories, poems and artwork from 34 amazing women from around the world.

These women are either fully recovered or in recovery, and have not only survived eating disorders, but also depression, social anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, other addictions, mental disorders, emotional and physical abuse, sexual abuse and rape.

Excerpt from

"Introduction:
Recovery IS Possible"
by Andrea Roe

A few years ago I would have never have imagined I would be where I am today. I am a confident woman. I smile and laugh a lot. I love my life! And most importantly, I love myself! I have finally become friends with the person I see when I look in the mirror.

During my eating disorder, I often found it helpful to read stories of former sufferers who had felt just like me but who managed to recover. These stories gave me strength and showed me that I was NOT alone. I loved reading about other people's eating disorder experiences, recovery and healing journeys. They gave me hope, comfort and much needed support. I felt understood.

Now that I am recovered myself, I see it as a mission to be the one who provides support for those still suffering. I want to share my story and show you that you are not alone, that there is help, there is hope and that recovery IS possible - ESPECIALLY FOR YOU!

Meeting the author:

Who is Andrea Roe?

Andrea, a native Austrian, is 26 years old, married, and lives in BC, Canada. She struggled with severe body image issues and depression for ten years, and with eating disorders--both, anorexia and bulimia--for six years. Now that Andrea is recovered, it is her passion to share her story, help and support others, and spread the message that full recovery really does exist.

Andrea's message to you: "Always remember, recovery IS possible!"

"This Body"
by Lori Henry

I am sorry for all the pain I have caused,
for all those knives I stabbed you with.
I am sorry for all the times I have beaten you up,
for every time I have bruised you and made you sick.
I am sorry for hating you without reason,
for hiding you without reason,
for flaunting you,
for making you feel worthless.
I am trying so hard to treat you well,
but I just cannot seem to get it right.
Yet you stand by me every day,
giving me life and supporting me,
never judging me,
and even after all the wounds I have inflicted
you are still always there for me.
Please forgive me.

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Lori Henry?

Lori is 25 years old and lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She had bulimia for 5 years and fully recovered for over seven years.

Lori's message to you: "You can fully recover from an eating disorder!"

Excerpt from

"The Secret I Was Not
Allowed To Tell"
by Nadia Lovell

My recovery from an eating disorder took strength, patience, love, acceptance and courage; however I found all these qualities within my self ...

... when I made the choice to recover,
I realised that I had a choice. Either I could continue on a cycle of self abuse with most of my days feeling numb, sad, lonely and isolated or I could take a leap into the unknown and discover what life had to offer without my obsession to be thin. I chose the latter because the pain of my eating disorder became too much, it wasn't working anymore ...

... when I made the choice to recover,
I was filled with anxiety. Not only did I believe that I would never get better but
I also believed that I wasn't ill, there was still a part of me that questioned whether I really did have an eating disorder ...
I still questioned whether my bulimia was really that serious. There was a part of me that wanted to keep hold of my familiar friend; I was scared of what it would be replaced with. Obsessing about food was all I knew, who was I if I wasn't counting calories? All my hobbies were designed to lose weight; my eating disorder was my identity. I was petrified that recovery meant getting fat, my biggest fear of all. I could not comprehend how I could possibly like myself if I put on weight if I hated myself when I was at my thinnest ...

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Nadia Lovell?

Nadia is 29 years old and lives in Wales, England. She battled anorexia and bulimia for 12 years and is now recovered. Nadia is on the path of qualifying as a councillor so she can help others who are experiencing the distress of suffering from an eating disorder.

Nadia's message to you:
"I very much believe in giving people inspiration to continue with recovery, as I know how hard it sometimes feels when you are trying--but some days it feels like you are going backwards rather than forward. I want to spread hope that recovery is possible as I can recall very vividly when I was ill that I thought I would never get better and that is why I really believe that this book will be a saving grace for so many sufferers and their families."

Excerpt from

"Take Heart"
by Angela C.

The first time I was unsatisfied with my body, I was ten years old. I developed very early, and was fully developed by
the time I hit fifth grade. Most girls I knew hadn't even begin to hit puberty yet. That same year began the teasing and tormenting by my peers that didn't cease until I finished high school ...

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Angela C.?

Angela is 19 years old and lives in Pennsylvania, USA. She is in strong recovery from bulimia, anxiety, and depression.

Angelas's message to you: "Recovery is possible!"

... I became terribly depressed ... I still remember the first time I vomited after eating ... I did not think I was attractive physically in any sense of the word and knew the only part of my outer appearance I could change was my body ... I acted partially to lose weight, and partially out of utter despair. I had no other way of letting out emotions ...

... I overcame the depths of depression to enjoy some of the finest times of my life. I am having a blast with my new found sef confidence. I have so many blessings all around me ... Above all, I am happier now than I have ever been ...

Excerpt from

"Message In A Bottle"
by Laurie Daily

I stand naked and unafraid before you
I used to abhor you
Now I explore you
You show me the crinkle in my nose
You show me the belly that I hold
My head is up high, I am alive

I stand still and un-retouched
You love me so much
I am enough
You were never the enemy
Just a reflection of my sanity

I've mistaken me in the past as an empty glass
Washed up on an emtpy sea, I tried to shatter you
But you always knew the truth
There's a message in the bottle.

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Laurie Daily?



Laurie recovered over 15 years ago from all eating disorders. She is a professional singer, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and director of Harmony Grove, a supportive living residence in California.

Laurie's message to you: "I've been there, I know how you feel... You can recover!"

Excerpt from

"One Life to Live:
My Story of Struggle and Victory"
by Angela C.

... I was terrified to start purging again because of how out of control it got last time but I had not resolved the internal issues and I still needed something to relieve all the pain and stress I was feeling. So I started cutting myself. I got deeper and deeper into feelings of hate for myself. I thought I was worthless and tht no one cared about me ...

... Later that year, I started restricting food again. I had gained weight and I didn't like it. The eating disorder was now more to lose weight, unlike before where it was a punishment and control ...

... So how did I overcome my eating

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Jessica Beal?

Jessica is 19 years old and lives in the United States. She struggled with eating disorders and self-harm for a total of four years. Now that Jessica is recovered, she is passionate about sharing her story and helping and supporting others in their recovery.

Jessica's message to you: "You can stop and need to stop. It is not an easy thing to do but it is possible. There is hope! Please don't give up!!"

disorder? countless ups and downs, tears and struggles; but I think what got me through it all was a decision to get better no matter how hard or what happened ...

Excerpt from

"My Story"
by Anna Paterson

From the age of three, I was mentally and sometimes physically abused by my grandmother. She treated me badly in many different ways, repeatedley telling me that I was worthless, unlovable, ugly and fat even though I was none of these.

... it was then that I decided I had to disappear. I felt worthless and as if all I did was cause problems. I believed that I no longer deserved food and so stopped eating. I didn't feel this was enough punishment though and also began to seriously self-harm ...

... by the age of 21, I was very ill. Two days after my 21st birthday, my parents told me that I was ruining their lives and making them both ill. The guilt I felt was tremendous but I simply couldn't eat, even for them. I totally felt controlled by an anorexic 'voice' in my head that sounded just like my grandmother. It told me I was fat and ugly and that I had to starve myself. It yelled loudly every time
I ate, repeatedly telling me I was a very bad person ...

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Anna Paterson?

Anna, who is 37 years old and lives in England, struggled with anorexia for 14 years and is now recovered. She is also an emotional, sexual and physical abuse survivor.

Anna's message to you:
"I am sure this book will provide much needed support and help for sufferers of these misunderstood disorders. It is always important to show that recovery is possible and that eating disorders can be beaten."

Excerpt from

"Perfectly Imperfect"
by Amanda Travers Bell

Perfectly imperfect...
That's me.
Years and years of pleasing leave you nowhere.
And waiting... for the day you can wake up
and see that your life is worth more...

I am more than a number on a scale,
or the size of my clothes.
And I am more than a statistic.

I am a survivor.

And I am more than one of the lucky ones...

Today I have the tools to fight that bondage.
The difference is not that it is easier
but that I have seen and felt the beauty
that each moment of recovery has to offer.

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Amanda Travers Bell?

Amanda is 21 years old, married, and lives in Tennesse, USA. She battled anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating for 8 years. She also struggled with depression and self-harm and is a survivor of rape and sexual abuse. Amanda is in recovery for over two years, and is getting stronger every day.

Amanda's message to you: "I am so excited to be part of this project, and to have the opportunity to share with others the beauty of life in recovery."

Excerpt from

"My Eating Disorder Story"
by Kim Ratcliffe

My eating disorder started when I was 16 years old. In the beginning, I did not know that what I had was an eating disorder. I thought what I was doing was normal ...

.... now we come to the time when my anorexia became very present. It was in March of 1994, the day of my oldest son's 5th birthday. I was 34 years old. I woke up that morning, looked at myself in the mirror, and said "I am fat. It's time to go on a diet." ...

... I had the power and something I had control over. No one could make me eat ...

... My life is good now, fullfilled. I don't count calories or fat. I eat what I want and when I want. I have learned that the number on the scale doesn't mean anything (by the way, I do not own a scale anymore). This is the happiest I have ever been in my life!

Meeting the contributors:

Who is Kim Ratcliffe?

Kim , who lives in BC, Canada, had anorexia on and off for over 20 years. Through hard work, determination, strength, tears, courage and five years of therapy, she managed to beat her eating disorder over 15 years.

Kim's message to you: "Recovery is possible, never give up the fight. WE all deserve a happy, healthy, eating disorder free life!"

Did you enjoy what you just read and want to find out more about these women, and are interested in reading more stories of women who overcame their eating disorder?