alternatives
my goal, besides sharing my story, is to help others at the same time. that being said, here's a list that i've referred to and sent to others. it's filled with alternatives to bingeing and purging. i collected most of the ideas from various websites (something-fishy, mirror-mirror, etc.) and stuck in a few as well (my favorites are highlighted). i hope they are helpful. if you have any that you would like me to add, let me know and of course i'll add them.
(7-16-09 note:) one of my friends read this list and wrote to me: "augh even reading through those, it seems so hard. its kind of sad to read your 'favorite' ones.. sad that you have to go through that, even though the alternative is worse." i understood where she was coming from, but one thing is for sure - the alternative is worse. i see this as a good thing. look at all these options we have to help us refrain from disordered eating! and this list barely cracks the surface. so don't think of this as a desperate attempt - think of it as a list of hope, options, and opportunity. it helps me and i hope it helps you too. 
• Read a book
• Lay outside in the sun
• Swing on the swings
• Lay in bed with my stuffed animals
• Clean my room
• Laugh, laugh, laugh - even if at first it's forced, it will soon become real
• Make goofy, goofy faces in the mirror
• Brush my teeth
• Read autobiographical recovery stories
• Take my dog for a long walk in the park
• Sing
• Visit a shut-in neighbor (help make their day sunny)
• Garden or do yard work
• Extra long shower
• Talk to friends who are positive
• Put on my makeup
• Wear extra comfortable, loose clothes
• Put on scented body cream
• Paint my nails
• Nap
• Run through the rain with a friend
• Post about it on an e.d. recovery site to get feedback from others
• Watch a funny film
• Go shopping
• Read a book in the park under a big, shady tree
• Dance
• Put on my fave comfy pj's (and allow myself to relax)
• Light candles/ incense
• Put my head between my legs and breathe deeply
• Do a handstand; let the blood flow in the opposite direction
• Prepare tea (and drink a cup or two!)
• Go for a drive
• Shave my legs (the state of my recovery is always reflected in how hairy my legs are)
• Go to a recovery meeting
• Ask for a hug
• Allow myself to cry
• Go and sit outside and look at the stars
• Wear a bright color
• Take photos of my favorite things
• Make gifts for others
• Make friendship bracelets
• Do art therapy
• Play a video game
• Scrapbook
• Do an at-home facial
• Ride a horse
• Eat three meals that day even though I don't feel like it
• Make a collage
• Scream
• Throw something (preferably not breakable!)
• Punch a pillow or punching bag
• Dig out my photos
• Jump on a trampoline
• Play in the snow (or in the sand)
• Make lists about why I want recovery
• Think to the future...the life I want, the life I deserve
• Surf the net
• Daydream
• Write five reasons why I am a special unique individual
• Write five reasons why I am glad to be a
• Write five things I am stressed about
• Write five things that I can do about that stress remedy
• Start on those five things
• Go to church/ synagogue/ mosque/ temple
• Pray
• Make a bulletin board w/ positive things and quotes and add to it
• Write each healthy alternative on a small piece of paper.
• Fold each piece of paper in half.
• Place in a jar, bag, cup, basket, etc.
• At least one time each week when I have an urge to engage in an unhealthy behavior head toward my container of alternatives. Pick one and do it!
• Pick another one and do it!
• Pick another one and do it!
• Go thru as many as necessary until the urge subsides.
• And remember, if I even get thru part of one I have delayed the behavior longer than I normally would have!
• Wash my car
• Be crazy
• Write in my journal
• Sark journal - coloring pens, stickers, etc
• Pottery/ceramics
• Ask someone else for ideas
• Study
• Talk to a friend in recovery
• Go to a bookstore
