Q&A - Part 2 of 4

I've been away from KZbin for a couple of months, and so to help ease myself back in I asked for questions on Instagram and then used them for a Q&A video. I tried to answer as many of the questions as possible, and once I started editing the recording I realised it was going to make about 4 videos! This is the part 2 of 4.
This is the book I mentioned for parents (but I think it would be a good read for anyone in recovery): Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders in Young People - By Riccardo Dalle Grave, Carine el Khazen
www.routledge.com/Cognitive-B...
My instagram: megsy_recovery

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

I feel like posts that address “life after recovery” can be inspiring and interesting. We all have created life within our ED. Having content that focuses on life after ED can be like dangling the carrot in front of the horse. We do and have done soooooo much for this community!!!!💗💗💗💗

[@la1h]

You’re such an articulate, emotionally intelligent and inspiring young woman, Meg. So many people will get so much from listening to your channel. Sending you ALL the positive vibes for all those things that you’re hoping and dreaming for. 💕

[@Joelina456]

Or another idea: maybe instead of focussing on food, you could focus more on the relationship side of it. Like for example having an "interview" with Brendon about how it was for him, what he thought, what he did, what his Tips would be for anyone in that situation. Or your sister, about how it changed your core family dynamics whether she ever felt like you (anorexia) demanded too much attention, if she was ever jealous. Or worried. etc. ==> that would be so helpful because i think relationships suffer so much from an ED and it would be wonderful to see how you all overcame it :-)

[@anjhap]

Love you Meg. All the best. To other people here, I would recommend NOT following Stephanie buttermore’s journey because it’s been brought up in various places online that she may be sliding backward a bit in her recovery (or possibly never tried to emotionally recover, only physically). There are way better resources out there!

[@Joelina456]

I have an idea in regards to balance - could you venture out from food a bit, while also referring to ED "philosophy" just in different contexts? What I mean is, could you for example talk about how you learned to spend more money that absolutely necessary? Start lighting candles instead of saving them? Where you get your self-worth from now instead of your achievement of restriction and weight loss, etc. ? Stuff like that....that stems from the Eating Disorder but is no longer just showing in the area of food on your plate but in other areas of your life! Thanks! that would be sooooo helpful!

[@victoriabeckham8732]

Just got recommended this video and knew I had to watch! I am 2 years recovered from an ED, and I remember watching your videos when I was struggling a lot with recovery and them being extremely helpful and encouraging. So glad to see we are both in a much better place in our lives now! Thanks for posting, I appreciate you!

[@joseeprevost2350]

It doesn't matter what you post about. I love alllllll your videos! Keep posting what you want to post about, and we will keep watching. It's so helpful and inspiring to see where you are now. Your videos from the start of your recovery are also still on your channel, and I go back and watch them all the time! You're amazing! Thank you so much for continuing to post throughout your journey!

[@carolyn8859]

Hi, I’ve only just discovered your videos and they will be a game changer for me. I think you are truly inspirational. Everything you say resonates for me. Just hearing you articulate all the rubbish that goes on inside your head when you are not at weight which is right for you. I’m 53 and have to allow my body to get to it’s real set point and really live. I have new mantras ‘opposite actions’ and ‘I’m doing this for my future self’ and so many more just because of you. I want to thank you so much. I’m determined to move forward and that is because of you. Thank you xxx

[@noemiportmann1958]

I‘m in Starbucks right now, having my afternoon-snack while watching your video. I almost started to cry, because I relate to sooo many things you say and it really does give me hope and motivation to keep going, keep fighting.. You are such an awesome, lovely person and I wish you all the best.. Sending you all the love and strength, thank you so much for sharing this videos!! ❤️❤️

[@atc35012]

I recovered at home with the support of friends and family. I worked my way into it. When I was up to three meals plus snacks in a day and still felt hungry I added a meal. Usually it was a get up, cook a meal, eat and go back to sleep in the middle of the night. I don't know if anyone else had this... I used to have hunger dreams. In these dreams I would be eating everything I didn't let myself have for years but no matter how much I ate I didn't feel full. I decided the best thing to do was waking myself up and eating if this happened and the dreams stopped.

[@chiafairy7091]

I didn't do a meal plan, but instead I did meal scheduling in case anyone is looking for an alternative to a meal plan because it feels restrictive/scary. (never do anything without consulting your doctors please). So meal scheduling is much more flexible in the sense that I had certain times/amounts of meals I needed to eat per day, so basically 3meals, 3snacks, first within an hour of waking up, ect. and I could freely choose what to fill those meals/snacks with. I did this because personally for me writing down what i eat/meal plans in itself were sooo triggering to me, so i really needed that freedom to eat whatever i felt like eating. But, I had requirements for what counts as a meal/snack and I think max amount of time between those was supposed to be around 3 hours. So that gives structure.

[@chiafairy7091]

Oh but absolutely still food challenges, so like "topics" and things to tackle, like including more and more foods, adressing the foods that were scary to me ect, but overall that was my daily schedule haha. and if I wanted to eat more I was always allowed, but less wasn't. This really worked for me and even today that is what i always go back to whenever i need to take care of myself a little more (say grief, or stressful times ect)

[@christina7561]

Love these Q&A's. Also, my heart goes out to you. I also lost a baby and thank you for sharing your experience with that - it's beautiful a flower ritual you've created to weave Alfie's energy into your life. God bless.

[@monicareyna85]

Watching this while drinking black coffee with Splenda and just had a banana 🍌 I’ve been battling with anxiety and depression after moving to a new leading to physical exhaustion. I currently lost weight as a result of these changes, and now find myself with the fear of gaining weight and restricting, I just got a job, and after an emotional breakdown at work due to family conflict, they offered me to see a therapist courtesy of them paying for it and i really want to recover for myself to be happy in order yo make my fiancé happy. Thanks for sharing, I love watching these videos, they inspire me.🙏🏼💜

[@haleycombs7299]

It's so inspiring to see you on the other side! So true that ED thoughts are all about now. But when you're struggling to cope with the now and the ED is the thing that makes you feel worthy. . . So hard to leave it.

[@rev.rachel]

Oh my God, I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling so much with miscarriages and pregnancy loss. That’s so so hard. Sending many many hugs your way, and prayers that one of your babies is able to stick around on this earth for the long term soon ❤️🙏🏻

[@saragill87]

Love this video style!!! Anything for you Meg is amazing!

[@marieburkhead5272]

You have such great advice! Stepping back to see the big picture instead of focussing on the momentary comfort from your ed really resonated with me. Thank you so much; I'm really enjoying this series of Q&A's 😊

[@novacharlotte2097]

Hey Meg, just an idea for videos, and I know this is personal, but as a person who went through infertility due to eating disorders etc I know that the road of loss and infertility is very lonely and the more you’re willing to share about your current journey to motherhood if that’s something you still want the more you can speak to the lonely issues women face with infant loss etc it would be amazing for those of us who have been through it too. However if you aren’t ready to share all of that we all totally understand

[@novacharlotte2097]

Also this video had me crying at many points so much love to you Meg

[@Joelina456]

I would find that soooo helpful too! I know it is a sensitive topic but everything powerful is. 💖

[@minivegan]

Sending love, Meg. You and Bren have been dealing with so much. Your grace and willingness to continue to share and help others is a gift that reverberates. I hope you know you have impacted and saved many lives with your channel. Thank you

[@alanadorris1274]

I love all your videos Meg! You describe everything in such detail and in a way that I can grasp! Thank you for being such a wonderful human being and contributing to the recovery space! You are an absolute inspiration! Sending you so much love always

[@GloriaGloom]

Was having a hard night and this video really changed my perspective on things in the most positive way. Thanks for that!

[@katierough3284]

So needed this today. Back into 10 days COVID isolation (last isolation was 2 years ago) and realising how much better I am at coping/recognising ED thoughts. You are a total diamond 😊 x

[@zoelopez3993]

i think some videos that may be good to make now that you’re less consumed by recovery is revisiting old topics or challenges from your past videos, and discussing how it’s changed for you, your tips, how it’s helped, etc. also maybe just casual videos too. like just a chatty video with you making lunch or whatnot, and talking us through it and tips and past experiences in this process before. just when recovery thoughts come up :))

[@mercegomar]

I really admire you for being able to talk about Alfie and trying to deal with the pain head on, it must be soooo hard. Your channel was and still is so useful for me, just seing someone my own age getting through recovery and difficult periods in life without resorting to those ED behaviours. Re channel, some ideas could be life after an ED, managing long term health consequences (eg osteopororis), dealing with natural body changes such as growing older which i sometimes find difficult. And if you feel bored making content on the topic, that's ok too, rewatching your old videos will give people pleanty of material to think about and work through :)

[@Atheria444]

I have wasted so much of my brain power thinking about how much I've eaten, when I can eat something, how many calories have I eaten, worrying about if I've eaten too much, etc. It's shocking that I've accomplished as much as I've managed to accomplish in my 55 years. But, I probably could have found the cure for cancer if I'd not been overly body obsessed.

[@marionoo3147]

Hi Meg I'm just seeing the first part of the video and I feel that you shouldn't feel obligated to continue a recovery account if you feel you have recovered so much that it is actually not such an interesting topic for you. I guess Tabitha Farrar (e.g) does it still but she's a coach so it's her job... Also ... gosh every time you choke up because of little Alfie it just breaks my 💖 I think you are so brave and vulnerable at the same time. Lots of love 💕

[@kirstibutler2734]

I feel like I see these which is so exciting and I need to make a cuppa and a snack and sit down with a friend !

[@hanaeats2175]

I think a really useful focus for your channel could be about the other areas of life that people with ED's often struggle with, such as perfectionism, self-esteem, dealing with their emotions, family relationships, etc. Even talking about little Alfie and your miscarriages and how you have processed them (if and when it feels right for you to talk about). Lots of love to you Meg xxxx

[@angelaspielbusch1237]

I I’ve these questions and answers! Very helpful content! Thank you so much 😊

[@masonmmjmu]

Hi Meg, so inspiring to see you as usual

[@catherinejohnstone3891]

Loving this q and a videos. Hope you are doing well meg have missed your videos but completely understand and respect you taking time to look after yourself. As for suggestions for future videos. A lot of triggering news stories come up on a weekly if not daily basis. Adele weightloss, Jonah Hills statement, commentary on celebrity bodies i.e rebel Wilson etc maybe when a particular viral story comes up you could do a video on protecting yourself from Ed thoughts and your take on the story?

[@makyd6275]

I love all of your videos! q&a , why not ♥♥

[@brooklynbeyer2494]

Only 1 eating disorder thought a month?! That’s amazing!! Great job, Meg

[@alisonjohn]

I love this content. I've missed you.❤️🤗

[@greernorton8419]

Really enjoyed this video. I truly found it very helpful. Thanks ❤️

[@BloomingLisa]

Thanks so much for this. 💗

[@Brooklyn2433]

I am in desperate need of help right now but I can't get myself to go into treatment. Your videos give me so much hope when I dont have much right now, so thank you!

[@natashaj4113]

I understand it’s hard but to seek support. Take one small step 💕

[@kenapina]

I love all of your videos so much

[@lunarhealer6667]

i like the food content, but i love that you say you're getting bored of talking about eating disorders and food!! i want to be there one day

[@ileneeo]

Thanks I do like the q&a vids💗

[@mirchen01]

God you are such a HUGE role model

[@i_h2081]

So reassuring to hear how few your thoughts are... food is loosing a little novelty for me, it feels weird but freeing I guess too xx

[@sarahpastura6950]

Love Q&As. Maybe more fertility focused too.. been there as well. Blame my ED for the trauma in my birth/post birth too even though I was recovered

[@eviecarwash9547]

I really feel for you in this video Meg. I hope upon hope you hold a baby in your arms soon sweetheart x

[@racheltheshadesoforange8700]

Honestly I find it more helpful to see people after recovery. Your content still appears very food focused so I'd prefer you show us moving on and getting a life outside of recovery. Just my two cents.

[@inesofie5035]

I´m making a mocca iced latte now, looks so good!

[@majaflower5862]

I would be really interested if you have any thoughts on being completely torn apart between wanting to get better and giving recovery your everything and wanting to stay ill (for comfort, feeling safe, fearing the unknown etc)...I find myself really conflicted and switching mindsets like socks 😬 lots of love 🧚

[@Atheria444]

Please consider adoption too. It is another beautiful way to become a parent.

[@kateio3029]

Megs, a little idea about account content: if you are interested , maybe you can do some vids about aspects of life you're continuing to grow above ed topic, especially your interest? It doesn't have to be "pro"-level, better "exploring something with Meg")

[@katespalding2134]

Did you ever an issue with trust, yourself, your therapist etc.

[@akroshz4328]

You're intro 9irls?❔❔❔❔👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩