Sunday, June 9, 2013

Journal June 9, Sunday, 2013

Today is Sunday. I went to church with my family this morning and then came home to try to relax. But it is so hard for me to relax. I wrote in my journal around 1:30 because I didn't feel like talking to anybody. Here's what I wrote:

How am I going to be able to do it? How am I going to be able to become a Rescue Swimmer? I'm so weak! I can only do two  pull-ups, three on occassion, and one chin-up. I am a slow swimmer. It seems I am twisting my ankle around once every year.* I have an eating disorder. I'm a girl. I cannot do one correct push-up.** I'm not a fast runner. I have decimated my body and I'm afraid of gaining too much weight (Even if it is muscle). I can't do Tae Kwon Do for a long time because my ankle can't take it. I can't run. I can't work out at home to build muscle and endurance. I feel so hypocritical saying that I have beaten this one day and then being in the pit of desair and self-pity the next. How come this is so hard for me, Lord? What are You teaching me? Am I supposed to be quiet and wait on You? I don't want to, but that's what I feel like You want me to do. I'm so focused on my future and so focused on working towards it that I'm ignoring my God and my family now! How am I supposed to be quiet and rest in You? I'm hurting and I'm dreaming. I'm working and, inside, I'm screaming. I'm trying to heal. I work so hard on my schoolwork. I work so hard on trying to show my family my love for them. But I'm  missing something huge. I'm missing the joy of being. I'm missing the joy of having God as my Father, my Teacher, my Savior. I have been let down in the past on things that I love. I don't want to be let down again, do I don't get excited about very many things. The things I do get excited about, well, I almost slave over them because I don't want to fail at them. I don't want to be let down. I don't want to have a broken heart over and over again.

* I twisted my ankle two weeks ago.
** Correct push-ups (to me) are when your hands are right below your shoulders and when you go down your elbows bend and almost touch your hips. They are hard!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The way you think actually is important

Today I've been busy with schoolwork and Tae Kwon Do. The weather outside right now is fantastic! I can't believe that it is already 80 degrees outside! I'm so glad that I live in Michigan.

I've been thinking about these past couple of years and my continuous struggle with Ed and my very small self-esteem. It is horribly difficult to try to break out of this pattern of behavior. Right now its really a way of thinking and not a way of acting. I don't wake up in the mornin and tell myself that I have to try to run 3 miles and put off  breakfast for as long as possible. I don't eat five spoonfulls of soup and a piece of bread for dinner and then throw it up. I'm glad that that isn't the norm for me anymore. But, I am still struggling to get this nagging voice out of my head that says " Hey, Molly. You know that you'll never amount to much, right? You are really weak. Your arms SHOULD be a lot stronger. You'll never be a Rescue Swimer in the Coast Guard. You know that you are a detriment to your family and to this world? You're just one out of 6 billion people. You're not special." He says a lot more. I don't hear him much during busy days, but when I'm at home and it is a nasty day and I am feeling like I'm acting lazy (even though I'm really not) he pops in my head and won't go away. I still count calories. Even if I am still hungry, I'll keep counting but I'll keep eating until I'm satisfied. It's taken me 2 years to get THIS far!

Even if you don't have an eating disorder, the way you think, or the way you let the devil talk to you, can really mess up or detract from your life. For me, I have had such low-self esteem that it prevented me from growing spiritually, mentally, and physically. If a girl is obsessed with boys, all her relationships with boys will get in the way of her relationship with her other friends, parents, and God. And, really, she is probably going to be in contact with her parents and friends and not those boys 15 years from now. If you procrastinate with your chores and homework, think that school isn't worth working hard at, or maybe you're just really discouraged because you can't understand some subject, do not give up or slack off! Your primary responsibility right now is to learn as much as you can about this amazing world we live in and prepare for your future. Its not just for good grades. Its not just to have bragging rights. I, actually, would probably choose not to do my schoolwork if it was totally up to me and nobody said I had to, but I am really excited for my future and realize the importance of NOW. If there is no now, there can be no future, right? Now that I'm in the habit of pushing through bad days and lazy days, I have found that work can be very fun!


Saturday, March 2, 2013

March 2, Saturday, 2013

  Ed (eating disorder): "Molly, you ate way too much today. You know that full feeling? It means you're FAT. Oh, and you don't just need the feeling to know. You see all that flab on your belly? It's a belly. I know you don't like that word. You call your belly your stomach to feel better. But you're just decieving yourself! You're weak. You can never, ever, ever be strong. You might as well not try. You can never be a rescue swimmer. Only 2 women have ever achieved it and they never had an eating disorder and they were never fat - like you are! At lunch you ate way too much. It proved that you weren't anxious but now guess what you did? You just made yourself fatter! You just put yourself further away from your goal......not like you could ever achieve it anyway........."

Molly: "Just go away! I don't want you anymore. I feel fat. Why is it like you are always right? Why won't you just leave forever? Go away!"

Ed: "I won't go away! You ate far too much ate dinner too. All those croutons? They're LOADED with fat and carbs. There was only a little soup, but how many calories are in it? You don't know? Then you obviously have to add some extra calories on your total count........ you don't want to underestimate, do you? That'll just lead you to overeating every day."

Molly: "Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!" (groaning/screaming in my head) "I'm fat!  I'm not worth anything. Why won't you go away? I already believe you ! I don't want to, but I do!"

Ed: "Throw up, Molly. It won't hurt you. You'll feel better. It'll make you stronger, thinner, prettier. Just do it. No one will find  out. No one sees  you.

Molly: " No, no, NO!! I HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO GET HEALTHY AGAIN. THE LORD HAS DONE SOOOO MCH FOR ME! I AM NOT, I REPEAT, I AM NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO YOU ANYMORE!! I AM FED UP WITH  YOU. GO AWAY, OR I'LL KICK YOU OUT. RIGHT NOW! LEAVE, SATAN. IN THE HOLY NAME OF MY LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, I COMMAND YOU TO BE GONE!! I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT TOLERATE  YOUR LIES!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

I feel SO BAD.

Right now I'm feeling anxious. I just feel like curling up in ball and crying. Why, God?!? Why? I went to a Christmas party this afternoon and it was supposed to be fun. But I threw up. I was doing so well! I hadn't thrown up voluntarily for months!(a few weeks ago I was legitimately nauseous) But today I did. I thought I was done with this. Why won't it just go away? I want it to go away!

This morning I ate a good breakfast and then we drove 3 hours to the Detroit area. At the party I tried to eat what I needed, but I ate too much. Unfortunately, this post is going to center around food. Whenever I get anxious that is all I can think about (how many calories I consumed, how much everyone else ate, etc.). I tried not to think about throwing up while I played "Apples to Apples," but I couldn't do it! After about a half an hour I got up, nonchalantly walked to the restroom, and....did it. I didn't throw up a lot, but I still feel really bad. l: (

I haven't told my mom yet. I know I should tell her, because if I didn't I would be lying and I might fall back on this bad thing more often and not on God. But I'm SO SCARED!!! Won't she be mad at me? Does this mean I have to start all over again? Why can't I accept that my mom loves me?

My mom won't be mad at me, but she will be sad. Her little girl still doesn't feel good in her own God-given body! Her little girl is hurting! I will try to tell her tonight. I will probably cry, but it will be from relief and a feeling that my family and God love me NO MATTER WHAT. I'm sure of this because it has already happened a few times!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Conquer the lies!

I have heard so many lies in my relatively short life - and, unfortunately, I have also told some. I do not like it at all when someone lies to me! Do you know that it is VERY easy to lie to yourself, and it is also possible to believe those lies? I lie to myself all the time. It is really hard for me to not to! I think I have been lying to myself for my whole life. Idon't remember what I told my self when I was younger, but I do know that I wasn't sure what to think of myself. Was I supposed to hate myself, since I am a sinner and my sin put God on a cross? Or was I supposed to love myself and have fun since I was still so young? As I got into my early teen years those questions just got more specific.

I try to keep a journal, and here is one of my entries:

Nov. 26, Monday, 2012
Am I fat? Why won't this worry go away?!? I am exactly 5 ft. 8in. and approximately 130 lbs. I consumed about 2,850 calories today, but I did Tae Kwon Do, diving, and swim practice -  I was very active.
   Am I fat? Am I fat? Am I fat? Something in my head keeps on saying, "You are fat, you're fat, you're fat, you're fat. You are terribleat Tae Kwon Do. You are a horrible swimmer. You are weak, and you are getting weaker. I'll prove it - today you could barely do one pull-up, and a few weeks ago you could do four!"
   LORD, why do I think this?!? Please banish Satan from my mind!?! You created me in Your amazing image. How dare I say that anything You have created is utterly worthless? Im so sorry LORD. Please reassure me that I am not fat, not weak, if it is Your will. Thank You for hearing my prayer Father. All the glory and honor and praisego to You forever and ever! You have done many miracles in this life You have given to me. Thank You so much for dying in my stead, Jesus. Thank you for giving me new life. I love You, LORD! Oh Mighty God, You are the only One who deserves my life - my utmost love, affection, adoration, praise, and loyalty.
   Debunking Satan's lies:
1. The Lie: You are fat - hopelessly FAT!
    The Truth: Look in the mirror - from a third person perspective. Is there really any logical reason to believe that I am fat? NO. People have (unknowingly) described me as wiry. No one has ever told me (mom, dad, doctors, nurse, coaches, etc.) that I need to lose weight. Victory #1!
2. The Lie: You are terrible at TKD.
    The Truth: Really? This AFTERNOON at  TKD Mr.Sidney told a littel girl to watch me do my form and try to emulate the enunciated and strong techniques. I have been on the Demo Team. Sure, I need to work on some things, but PERFECTION is not expected - it is IMPOSSIBLE!
3. The Lie: You are a horrible swimmer.
    The Truth: Again, REALLY?!?! My peers, my swim coach say that I am a GOOD swimmer. There are some things I need to work on, as I have never swam competitively before. But, again, perfection is not expected, nor is it expected. I'm getting better and I am having fun.
4. The Lie: You are weak.
    The Truth: O.K, this one is plausible. I'm not as strong as I want to be (physically speaking), but I'm not as thin or as weak as a twig! However, the LORD has blessed me with a strong mind and a strong stomach. And, guess what! You can get stronger physically, Molly! Look at where you were 6 months ago and compare it to where you are now. A lot of improvement, right?

This is how I conquer the lies!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Today's a good day.

Today is my birthday! I'm turning 15. My mom gave me the best present that I could have received today. She bought me a "look and find" book based on the movie "BRAVE" and turned it into a scrapbook! Inside it were photos of me with family members or friends and also letters of encouragement, memories of me, or affirmation from those people. Thank you, Mom, for putting that together! And thank you, also, to everyone who contributed to it! I LOVE IT!!  (If you are wondering why my mom chose "BRAVE," I should tell you that my hair looks like Merida's and I love the Celtic/Irish/Scottish culture)
       
I'm glad that I had a birthday, and I'm glad that I could enjoy it. Last year was probably the hardest year of my life, and when I turned 14 last December I wasn't sure if I wanted to live anymore. This morning I went to Pine Rest, in Holland, to meet with my counselor, Krista. I was raining and snowing on the way there, but none of the snow stuck. :( Last time I saw Krista  I was feeling pretty anxious, but today I could honestly tell her that I felt wonderful.

I'm amazed at what I'm writing - hardly a year ago I couldn't eat without feeling an almost animal need to throw up, I couldn't smile, I didn't want to get up in the morning sometimes. And now, a year later, I am filled with an inexplicable joy! How did this happen? One thing I kno for sure is that I  didn't and couldn't do it alone. My mom and dad never gave up, even when I wanted to just die. My mom showed me this afternoon the website of Eating Disorder Hope. I had no idea that this organization existed, but I think it is great! They have so many stories of women who have gone through eating disorders, and they have so much information on support groups, counselors, and programs that can help those with eating disorders or low self-esteem.www.eatingdisorderhope.com


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Ed's back.

This weekend was supposed to be fun. But it wasn't. My great-grandma turned 100 on the 15th of November and we had a big family reunion and actually a couple parties/dinners. A bunch of my cousins, 2nd, 3rd, and whatever other cousins were there - and the hotel had a pool. Fun, right? It would have been fun for me if ED hadn't come back for three days.

"Guess what, Molly, you're FAT. There is nothing you can do about it, other than eating nothing and working out," said ED, "even if you do that you will still be a worthless human being - no, you wouldn't even deserve to be called human. Since all the amazing women out there are so much thinner and stronger than you I don't think you will ever be able to be amazing, unless you can be thinner than THEM." That was what I was thinking sub-conciously as I tried to eat normally. That was what I was thinking as I watched my siblings and cousins run off and play (or hang out) together. I was the odd one out, the fat one, the lonely one. I HATED THAT!!! WHY DID IT HAVE TO HAPPEN TO ME? Why do I think this way? It is not good. I should be happy with WHO I am. Sure, I'm not perfect, but I am a person. Why can't I accept this?


"YOU'RE FAT, YOU'RE FAT, YOU'RE FAT, YOU'RE FAT, YOU'RE FAT, YOU'RE FAT, YOU'RE FAT, ETC." Constantly. Sometimes I hate my life. When I weighed only 105 lbs. (I was 5'8") I was on the verge of death. I just wanted to go. I didn't care about what my family and friends would feel. "GOD, just take me away!"


Do you know what it is like to hate yourself? To hate yourself so much that you abuse yourself mentally and starve your body? There are so many ways that people hurt themselves, and this is one of them. Does no one care? Does anybody like me enough to want me to be their friend, or, in the future, a wife?Do I have any value? Would it matter to ANYONE if I just died right now? These kinds of thoughts go through SOOOOO many people's minds today. If that is you, please don't give up! You have so much to offer the world. If you are in a VERY, VERY tough situation your fight will be very, very hard, but the victory will be SOOOOOO rewarding and amazing. Think about someone who you are very close with. If you aren't that close to anyone, then think of some one you know who you are certain you can trust with a tough problem. You have to tell someone. When I told my mom on the way to the ER that I was worried about my weight I was so scared, I was so intimidated by my fears. Confiding in someone will NOT be easy - I repeat, NOT. But it will help you. You will get help to pull you out of your pain and suffering if you ask the right person. You don't even have to make big steps at first - just as long as you are trying to change (yourself or your surroundings - in most cases) or being forced to change. At one point my mom and dad really had to push me to eat. I didn't want to eat, and I was REALLY upset when they wouldn't let me just not eat

I was almost back to this stage at my Great-Grandma's birthday party. If you can believe it, it was really because I had forgotten my anti-depressant meds! Now that I feel better I'm laughing at myself. I don't want to be on those meds right now, but I REALLY don't want to let ED come back and terrorize me again.