[mandazzle]

So some of you already know that I am in treatment for my eating disorder right now. In the past few weeks I have realized how much my T really does care about me, and wants me to recover.

Recently I have been struggling, and T has bribed me. She said if I reach a certain weight by weigh-in day the week of Halloween, then I can pick her Halloween costume. Now I am very determined to get to that weight. MUAHAHAHA!

[Victoria'smom]

Whatever works to have you physically healthy while working on being healthy.

[anilam]

Never heard of this technique. OTOH, if that works for you...
I guess in the beginning this could help till you manage to gather some intrinsic motivation for being healthy.

[unaluna]

What a good idea! I am on a 10 month plan, but I don't have monthly rewards, and my goals just keep slipping.

.
Ah, I have read about and experienced ED treatment and it can at times be unique.

For example, my last T would take me to lunch. It was a way to model healthy, safe eating when I was "fearful" of eating and gaining weight. T would talk moderation about every food item and "show" me that there were no harmful foods, etc. It's sound infantile, but it was being with someone I trusted and watching that food was "ok"... you know what I mean?

Battling EDs sucks. Unlike other "habits" you can't just not buy food or alcohol. You need food, so if you read the literature on ED treatment, there are many methods and strategies Ts may use.

Don't see it as a bribery. See it as a tool to help you overcome the issue... with an awesome outcome. Of course talk about it, so you explore the feelings associated with "the bribe" and pressure, etc........ but alas there are some really embarrassing costumes out there

[shezbut]

How about re-phrasing it to motivation?

I think that it's great to have small rewards for short-term motivation to keep on going. Imo, it works a lot better than simply having some big award to look forward to if you can make it one year ~ you can still do that...but use these small rewards for motivation to keep on going too!

Gentle hugs and very best wishes to you!

[photostotake]

I like what shezbut calls it- motivation. I'm also in ED treatment right now. If my ED t were to give me the same motivation to get to my goal weight by Halloween, I'd have some fun with it! I do see my ED t on Halloween day and I am very close to my goal weight. Hmm...

Best wishes to you on your ED recovery. Whatever motivates you to keep moving forward, use it. I personally know just how hard it can be. If you need anything, pm me at anytime!

[Hope-Full]

I read somewhere that in ED recovery, sometimes we have to start doing it for external factors - we do it for our T, our dietitian, bribes, whatever. The working for these external rewards should ultimately lead to the internal reward of recovery for our own self, instead of recovery for others.

(And if my T gave me that deal - get to goal weight and get to pick her Halloween costume? I'd JUMP on that chance!!)

Great idea!! I would be stuffing my mouth with peanut butter and lard to reach my goal weight so i could pick ,my t's costume!! Good luck

[FeelTheBurn]

Sounds like an effective and fun way to motivate you, and take some of the emotional charge off eating. Have fun, and make sure you share the costume with us when you hit the goal!!

[mandazzle]

Originally Posted by shezbut

How about re-phrasing it to motivation?

I think that it's great to have small rewards for short-term motivation to keep on going. Imo, it works a lot better than simply having some big award to look forward to if you can make it one year ~ you can still do that...but use these small rewards for motivation to keep on going too!

Gentle hugs and very best wishes to you!

I love this! I never really thought of it as motivation, but after thinking about it further I would agree with you. What matters most right now is gaining the weight, not necessarily what motivates me to do so.

I just really love my T, and I know she cares so much about me and my well being. She is also brave for letting me pick her costume because she knows how mischievous I can be! Hehehe.