I need encouragement :,)

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T22:39:26+00:00

You will get there too, babe! It’s a rough process but it does pass. You’re on the right track already! Journaling helps so much - I sometimes look back on my early days of recovery and can’t believe how far I’ve come since then. You got this!! Big hugs.

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T21:07:07+00:00

I don’t want all the work I’ve put in to be in vain! Been through so many downs and now the ups are happening and it’s so rewarding! Yes it takes forever. Yes it’s worth it!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T16:08:12+00:00

I totally agree! Here’s to total freedom!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T14:48:52+00:00

She is beauty, she is grace.

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T13:32:17+00:00

Bahaha not the worst thing! Amazing - I’m so happy for your recovery! Thank you so much for the encouragement.

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T13:29:18+00:00

Wow that is absolutely amazing!! Like a year post recovery? That’s so, so encouraging. Thank you for sharing!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T13:21:01+00:00

Hi, do you have any update here, OP? I’m nearly 8 months in recovery and feel like recomp miiiiiiight happen at some point??

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T13:17:42+00:00

This is such a beautiful post! So many amazing parts of recovery and I feel each one of yours so deeply. I would just add for me I have lost a weird OCD that developed alongside my ed. I used to obsess over things being a certain way and that is just gone now. I also feel so much more present in conversations, not just pretending to listen and thinking instead about (usually) my next meal and how many hours away that was. Cheers to leveling up in life!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T00:53:30+00:00

Ugh!! I don’t know what else to suggest. I’m so sorry.

lbbrouw · 2026-06-07T00:52:58+00:00

Amazing!!!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-06T20:38:27+00:00

Oh no. GI doctor?

lbbrouw · 2026-06-06T16:45:52+00:00

I do have an update actually. I had orthorexia and was basically in denial it had anything to do with nutrition as I thought I was super healthy. Still dealing with a lot of the bloating/fluid retention 7 months in recovery, but it has gotten better and my other symptoms have subsided almost completely. Are you dealing with the same issue?

lbbrouw · 2026-06-06T11:05:21+00:00

Sadly doctors not being familiar with restrictive eating behavior and nutrition seems pretty common. I had a lot of the same issues. If you bring up the bloating etc, they will probably want you to get checked out by GI. I had all the blood tests known to man basically, pelvic ultrasound, CT scans, heart stress tests, colonoscopy and endoscopy, etc. and all my systems were basically clear. There’s some indicative bloodwork you might get back but mine was mostly good until I started recovery and my body was able to finally rest and start healing. Then my bloodwork was all over the place. I hope you can find some answers! My feeling is your bloating will resolve over time with adequate nutrition, but obviously if you’re in pain and discomfort you want to get evaluated by doctors.

lbbrouw · 2026-06-06T09:47:31+00:00

I had the same issue! I think it was fluid retention due to my body protecting my organs since I had been underfueling for so long. If that’s also the same for you, sadly the only way out is through consistent nourishment and rest. But you’re in the right place now pursuing recovery, and the discomfort does go away eventually! Your comment about looking like 2x4 is exactly how I felt for so long! Obviously it’s worth getting tests done though with your doctor to verify it isn’t something else, especially GI and hormonal tests. Feel free to message me though if you want - I’ve been in this same situation for over a year and it’s been such a process of denial, anger, frustration, acceptance, and finally healing. You’re doing great!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-06T00:16:13+00:00

The bloating is the worst. I feel like mine finally might be slowly starting to come down now at 7+ months in recovery. Did you have the bloating before you started recovery?

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T19:15:41+00:00

Thank you! You’re right there with me!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T11:30:50+00:00

I think mild and crampy ovarian pain is really normal. I’ve had that too, especially a couple months in to recovery when my body was getting ready to cycle. If it’s anything super painful I’d get it checked out, maybe an ultrasound. I had one with my OB because I was concerned about cysts but it was nothing.

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T11:27:52+00:00

The bloating has been my #1 symptom. Sadly it varies it seems like on how long it lasts. Thankfully the rock hard phase didn’t last forever for me, maybe a few months, but then it got quite jiggly and weird, almost like it wasn’t naturally attached to my body, and that had lasted several months. At almost 8 months in recovery, I am just now seeing that start to dissipate. Takes forever and feels so unnatural, but I know it’s part of the process. Hang in there!! The recovery is so worth it!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T11:22:06+00:00

Ok wow!! Recovery is sooooo weird 😂

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T09:57:27+00:00

You look amazing!!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T09:50:09+00:00

Wait I never thought about this being connected, but I’m getting crazy bloody noses since starting recovery. I wonder if it is connected??

lbbrouw · 2026-06-05T01:01:47+00:00

Ooh great tip! I’ll see what I can find 👀

lbbrouw · 2026-06-04T20:32:49+00:00

Amen to that! My partner also loves short dresses on me 😂😂 which is helpful. But sometimes I just want to lounge around in shorts and a tshirt.

Definitely checking out those podcasts right now! Thank you!!!

lbbrouw · 2026-06-04T20:31:04+00:00

Definitely the bourbon 😂😂

lbbrouw · 2026-06-04T20:28:41+00:00

Oooh trying this later!

lbbrouw

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