Johanna Kandel - Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder

“A truly inspirational read. Johanna’s book is packed with sophisticated but practical advice on how to recover from an eating disorder. Most important, she offers hope to those who are struggling with these lethal illnesses.”

—Craig Johnson, PhD

Director, Laureate Eating Disorders Program, Laureate Psychiatric Hospital Past President, National Eating Disorders Association

“Johanna brings us an inspiring personal account of how her struggles with eating disorders impacted her life. In detailing the trials and tribulations she faced during her journey from illness to health, she forges an alliance with readers who suffer from eating disorders, offering them hope and helping them to become more amenable to seeking treatment.”

—David B. Herzog, MD

Endowed Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Eating Disorders, Harvard Medical School

Director, Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders, Massachusetts General Hospital

“Johanna’s warm, conversational tone invites the reader to join her as she openly shares her inner world, and the struggle and triumph of her recovery process. Compassionate, humane and wise, her inspirational story should not be missed. Life Beyond is a must-read for anyone, anywhere, along the journey of recovery from an eating disorder!”

—Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD, FAED, CEDS

Executive Director, Oliver-Pyatt Centers

“Finally a refreshing new voice speaks out about full recovery from eating disorders! I am proud to be on the same team as Johanna Kandel. If your life has been touched by an eating disorder in any way, you must read Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder.”

—Jenni Schaefer

Author, Life Without Ed and Goodbye Ed, Hello Me

“Johanna Kandel provides eating disorder sufferers the inspiration to believe in a future beyond recovery. Her exquisite use of metaphors, such as learning to use ‘all the crayons,’ ‘opening the middle drawer’ and the importance of ‘floaties,’ are so vivid that readers instantly understand what actions to take to move them into new spaces. She has indeed choreographed a dance of hope for all who read her book.”

—Susan Kleinman, MA, BC-DMT, NCC

Dance/Movement Therapist, The Renfrew Center of Florida

Past President, American Dance Therapy Association

“Whether you are struggling, in recovery, recovered or helping a family member or friend through this difficult time, this is an amazing resource for you. Johanna’s story gives each of us hope that not only can we recover from these illnesses, but each of us can help someone who may be struggling to find their way back to health and happiness.”

—Allison Kreiger Walsh

President and Founder, Helping Other People Eat (HOPE Inc.)

“Johanna has taken a brave step forward to reveal her journey through an eating disorder and recovery. Not only will her story shed light on this devastating disease, but her tireless work to make sure all people are aware of the effects of disordered eating is truly commendable. Being a recovered bulimic I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I salute Johanna for her tenacity to keep the switch on.”

—Kathy Kaehler

Trainer

Author,

Teenage Fitness

Ambassador, the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness

“This book is an excellent navigational tool for the journey toward recovery from eating disorders. With fierce enthusiasm, numerous insights and boundless encouragement, Johanna carries the recovery torch high, illuminating pathways so others can find a life beyond their eating disorder.”

—Anita Johnston, PhD

Author, Eating in the Light of the Moon

Reclaim Yourself Regain your Health Recover for Good

Founder and Executive Director, The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness

Foreword by Adrienne Ressler, MA, LMSW, National Training Director, The Renfrew Center Foundation

For all the amazing women in Monday Night Support Group.

You are my biggest inspirations.

Quand on veut, on peut. (When you want it, you can do it.)

—ROSALIE BELILTY, MY GRANDMOTHER

(MY HEALTHY VOICE)

Foreword by Adrienne Ressler, MA, LMSW

Preface: My Mission

Chapter One: Food Fight

Profile in Recovery: Allison’s Story

Chapter Two: Give Up the Guilt and Reclaim Your Power

Genetics—At Least Part of the Answer

Make That Information Work for You

Nobody’s Perfect—Not Even You

Change Doesn’t Come Easy

Chapter Three: Learn to Use All the Crayons in Your Box

How Many Crayons Are in Your Box?

Getting Comfortable Takes Practice

Put In Your Application for Recovery

Sinkies and Floaties—What Pulls You Down and What Gets You Through?

Don’t Fall for the Bait and Switch

Chapter Four: Kicking Off the Other Shoe

No, the Sky Isn’t Purple

Knocking Down the Wall

Don’t Start Out as a Downer

And the Real Secret Is

Profile in Recovery: Jasmine’s Story

Chapter Five: From Recovering to Recovered—It’s a Process

How Long Can You Be Recovering?

Each Moment Is a New Opportunity

Why Does It Have to Be So Hard?

Nothing Is Written in Indelible Ink

Remember—You’re Still You

To Build an Army, You Will Need to Recruit Some Soldiers

Your Recovery Affects Others, Too

Keep Track of Your Mile Markers So You’ll Know When You’ve Arrived

Chapter Six: Beware of Fake Security Blankets

Sometimes a Security Blanket Might Not Be a Blanket at All

The Danger of Trading One Addiction for Another

Never Put All Your Marbles in One Jar

Another Way of Looking at It: Diversification of Assets

Let Go of the Old to Grab Hold of the New You

Profile in Recovery: Jamie’s Story

Chapter Seven: Getting to the Heart of the Artichoke

Are You Willing?

Try Out New and Better Tools

Start with the Outer Leaves

Getting to the Core

Chapter Eight: Laila, Rosie, the Incredible Hulk and Other Powerful Healthy Voices

Name Your Voice

Change Your Focus to Change Your Mind

Sometimes It’s Hard to Do It Alone

Becoming Self-Considerate: Let Your Healthy Voice Take Care of You

Profile in Recovery: Molly’s Story

Chapter Nine: Talking Back to Ignorance

People Aren’t Mean; They’re Just Ignorant

We Live in a World Full of Ignorant Messages

Sometimes They’re Just Worried or Trying to Help

Listen with Your Healthy Ears

Chapter Ten: Bridezilla Meets Brideorexia and Other Triggering Occasions

The Madness Begins

Going for the Gown

Messages from the Bridal Industry and Others

Bridezilla or Brideorexia?

Stay Focused and Just Say No

Whatever the Occasion, Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Afterword: re(Define) (Real)ity ™

I Define What’s Real

Recovery Means Steering Your Own Course

Me 101

Accept the Gift That Is Offered

What I Wish for You

Getting Help

Acknowledgments

About the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness

About the Author

JOHANNA KANDEL BEGINS THE PREFACE of this wonderful book with a disclaimer, saying what she is not—not a psychiatrist, therapist, nutritionist or doctor of any kind. She does say that she is a recovered individual who knows the physical and emotional journey of those who struggle with an eating disorder. But, oh, Johanna is so much more than that, as those of you reading this will certainly realize by the last chapter. She is a visionary, an activist, a healer, a teacher, an organizer, a warrior, a negotiator, a mediator, an author and an optimist. She is an inspiration to all whose lives she has touched, but never has she wanted to be a role model to be admired, copied or looked up to. This book provides many tales of recovery to help readers understand that there are many paths to healing, each as unique as the traveler herself. The message reinforced here is that there is no room for competition or perfection in recovery—no glory in being the fastest, the best, the thinnest or the most popular. Recovery is a process and the right process is the one that works best for you.