If you’re reading this, I’d like to welcome you and give you a hug.

Maybe you’re the parent or loved one of someone suffering with an eating disorder. Perhaps you’re in the throes of anorexia yourself. Maybe you think you may have the beginning stages of disordered eating. Or perhaps you’re on the journey to recovery.

Whatever has brought you here, I hope that through the story of my brokenness, and redemption through the Lord, you are able to find hope, encouragement, advice, healing, support, and comfort.

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This blog chronicles my journey from severe anorexia to recovery, and every twist and turn along the way. The blog posts are meant to be read from beginning to end, as a book. (( Glorious Wounds is the Introduction.)) So I would suggest reading “up” — starting from my oldest post, and working backwards to the most recent. This is my first post.

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I must warn you that the beginning is very dark — intense, raw, and despairing. It is an uncensored view into my mind when I was deep in my anorexia. However, I chose to be vulnerable and share that utter brokenness — that wreckage — in order for you to truly grasp the gravity of the disease, and how sincerely meaningful freedom through Christ has been in my life.

I also hope that you’ll find the resources section of my blog helpful. If you or a loved one is suffering with disordered eating habits, please seek professional help.

With that being said, I am not a doctor. I’m not a therapist, dietician, counselor, psychiatrist, etc. I’m just a girl. Who had a severe case of anorexia. And who is journeying through recovery, one day at a time. I’m just sharing my story with the hopes that it will help even one person.

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***To get a copy of my book, Bloom: A Journal by BeautyBeyondBones, click here! 

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A big thank you to my new sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

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2,012 thoughts on “Read This First”

  1. This is a wonderful series. No one close to me has had eating disorders, but they do have anxiety disorders and other issues. This open and insightful look within is extremely enlightening and helpful to anyone who wants to find a way to let others know that they are loved and valued as they fight their demons. It is also a great reminder of what Christianity is about, of finding one’s way to the love that was always there, and sharing that love not for selfish reasons or to receive gratitude or admiration but just because it is what we are meant for. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. And that love is exemplified in the person of Christ. Thanks for following. You might want to read my memoir Naked With Clothes On, available on Amazon.com

      Leon Pippin

      Like

  3. Looking forward to reading your blog. I have an eating disorder, but it is the opposite of anorexia. It’s not bulimia either because I don’t vomit. But I don’t eat too much just because I love food. I will eat food I don’t even like just to be eating. It is some sort of self-destructive impulse that I have never been able to fully come to terms with. Perhaps I can find some healing in your words.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. I know a few people with eating disorders. Hang in there. There is hope. Societally, we push women to be overly body conscious. What women do understand is that men, while visual, see the best in the girls in their life. Don’t see yourself through your eyes. Find someone who loves you and see yourself through their eyes.

    A wonderful incredibly beautiful dancer friend of my daughter gave up just days before being accepted to a clinic. This young lady, athletic, beautiful, energetic, loving, felt she was getting fat. So she started purging. You know the rest. She couldn’t stop and she couldn’t take it anymore. She hung herself two days before the letter came. I’m not her parent, but my heart still weeps for the loss to the world of such a wonderful soul.

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    1. Hi Christopher, wow, thank you for sharing this tragic story. Oh my gosh my heart is absolutely breaking right now. I am so sorry for your loss. That is so sad. You’re right, we have to see ourselves with eyes of love and acceptance. My goodness, what a sad story. I will keep her and her family and you in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for stopping by. Sending so much love and hugs xox

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  11. Hi there! Thank you for dropping by my site. 🙂 I just went back at it again. I’m recovering from compassion fatigue and it’s inspiring to be walking alongside someone who has recovered from her own wrestling with life. It’s an inspiration. 🙂

    Love and light,
    Kathy

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  12. Kathy – thank you so much for liking my most recent post at Letters from Coach. I have enjoyed touring your blog. I know about disorders. I have a couple. I run my butt off, but I eat a ton and not always what is good for me. Mostly pizza. Were there a pill for that! Anyway, thanks again.

    Just followed you! Kick ass!

    John
    Letters from Coach

    Like

  14. You know as I was reading this I was thinking about your title, “Beauty Beyond Bones.” There is nothing more beautiful than a beautiful soul, spirit, and heart. You possess all three of them. You need to recognize that about yourself, first and foremost. Then the other “beauty” is, your willingness to share all three of them with others. You are willing to do it to help, to share, and to give hope. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it? Oh my goodness, am I confusing you with Jesus? Love and God Bless, SR

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  15. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I do a lot of teaching of the 12 Steps in my spiritual formation classes and love Richard Rohr’s comment that we are all addicted to something, even our own thinking. We all need the process of surrender and letting go because without God’s help we are powerless. I am learneding that recovery from any addiction – even stinking thinking – is possible!

    Like

  17. Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my very first post. I came to read your blog and it’s such a relief to find this place. You are so brave. I started my recovery less than a month ago, and have no support from anyone around me, so it’s comforting to read your words. It gives me hope. I just wrote your title in my journal, as a reminder to myself too. I’m not sure how to keep a ‘recovery blog’ and started one impulsively, but I’m glad I did, and I’m glad I came here. Thank you for fighting – and for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi there friend! Aw thank you so much. I’m so glad you’re embarking on the recovery journey! I’m cheering you on! There’s so much freedom and joy in a life free from that prison! Thanks for stopping by! Stay strong warrior xox

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I am looking forward to reading your story! Thank you for stopping by to read my post on Invisibility on Between The Detours! Christ and the redemption He brings is an amazing thing!

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  21. Thanks for stopping by and liking my poem A Vengeful Prayer. Reading confessional poems and non-fictional accounts is something that I love and take inspiration from. Looking forward to reading your articles. Hugs and bravos!!

    Like

  22. All day today, I’ve seen posts which say things like “people cross your path for a reason” or “no one you meet is by chance”…….I don’t know how or why you came upon my blog post, but here I am within yours, and I can’t explain how serendipitous it feels to be here……

    Like

  23. Hello BBB

    I am sending back a thank you for your several post likes on my fledgling blog; much appreciated. While I was never diagnosed with anorexia, I was certainly questioned on my eating habits and other things I am sure you are familiar with. There were some statements that you and some commenters made that resonated deeply with me.

    The area I have covered on your site has been quite encouraging. You write beautifully and with passion. I like what I have seen, especially the Scriptures and all glory to God. And to be clear, that is inclusive of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Thank you for this.

    Cheers

    Laurabeee

    Like

  24. I have suffered from anxiety a few times in my life and still haven’t found the courage to share my story as unfiltered and raw as you have, here in this blog. I take inspiration from you and the fact that you have fought some terrible demons and are now in recovery pouring your heart to give hope to others.
    God bless you!
    Lot’s of love and good vibes your way!

    Like

  25. I don’t have someone in my life with an eating disorder right now, but I plan to keep you in mind, should I meet someone, or should someone I know start down that path. So encouraging to see what you are doing!! Blessings.

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  26. How beautiful your steps are. Christ is such a gift, and I am so happy that you have found healing through Him. God bless your journey sweet sister, I know that He has tremendous plans for you!

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  28. I absolutely love your blog. The name itself has so much meaning in so many ways! I suffered with bulimia in high school for two years. I overcame it with support from my family and peers. We all fight battles every day, whatever they may be. We are also always on a road of recovery of some sort, with detours and bumps all over the place. It is up to us whether we make it our final destination (and God of course). You are very inspirational. I love to see when bloggers share their growth and glory with the Lord. He is bigger than ALL. I blog more to vent, not really to reach people per say. I have only been on a few months, and I find a lot of knowledge and inspiration from other people’s stories. Maybe one day, when I have a direction, I can work on inspiring others, as you! Even if it is just one person! Jesus was but one man, who saved the world!!! Continued blessings to you.
    Jenny

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    1. Hi Jenny! Oh my gosh thank you so much for this kind note. I’m so glad you’ve found the freedom of recovery! You’re right – God is bigger than ALL. What a comforting thought. Yes! Definitely share your story! You never know who needs to hear it:) hugs and love xox

      Liked by 1 person

  29. I will enjoy (in a painful way) reading your posts. I overheat to compensate for my pain. Like you I have been on a journey of recovery. It started through a family programme as my husband had a severe problem with alcohol.

    Like

  32. An eating disorder that one develops as a young child can and does affect the person throughout their entire life. Healing takes place on a daily basis, even if one doesn’t notice it (the healing), as long as one stays focused on what truly is important in life.

    Sometimes the media can sway us to be distracted in life. What I noticed is that muting commercials on television is good medicine for what ails humans

    Really seeing what’s happening, really “noticing” life, seeing things clearly, is what helps a person stay healed and stay headed in the right direction.

    Just one opinion here.

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    1. Thank you for this reflection. Healing definitely is a very personal thing and everyone is on their own journey. ED and the repercussions of it definitely can pop up in other areas of life, but I fully believe that total heal is possible! And that’s a great idea about muting the commercials! We don’t need to have the media prescribe to us what we should value. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love. Xox

      Like

  35. Thank you for liking my blog post. My Christian book. I hope to try and read your story as my middle daughter has an eating disorder and it would be helpful to read how you managed to overcome yours. God bless Margaret.

    Like

  37. I really admire your decision to start this blog, I think it shows how determinted and motivated person you are! Happy to have found you! (+ I love the layout and pics you post! 🙂 )

    Like

  40. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I am happy with you that you have found deliverance through Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading and liking my posts on “God’s Word.” I wish you many blessings. LaShea

    Like

  41. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post on the benefits of emu oil. I hope you found it useful. Congrats on your progress in fighting your eating disorder.

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      1. God bless you for your courage and self-less compassion while sharing your journey. Without a doubt these chronicles have, and will continue, to benefit others. The Holy Spirit will see to that!
        Oh, and thanks for liking my post about my brain tumor ( I forgot to give it a title).
        It’s quite validating when someone acknowledges your experiences,don’t you think?

        Like

  42. Hello! I just wanted to say thank you for liking my post about my momma’s crowdfunding campaign. Just stopping by to read it means the world to me and my family. Please share our cause wherever you can. I just know it would make a HUGE difference.

    – Christopher Michael

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    1. Hi friend, thank you for this question. ED stands for Eating Disorder. In a lot of recovery inpatient centers, they personify the disease as ED, as a way to help you visualize standing up for yourself and fighting something, rather than just an abstract notion of anorexia. It is a recovery method. At first I thought, “boy this is seriously silly/stupid” but it actually helped a lot! hope that helps!

      Like

  46. Dear Beauty Beyond Bones,

    Thank you for dropping by and liking some of my posts. When you get a spare 5 minutes, I’d strongly encourage you to read the following online cartoon:

    http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0001/0001_01.asp

    Just scroll down with your mouse to see the pictures.

    It’s about God’s free gift of eternal life for all people, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done in life.

    May He bless you.

    Kind regards in Christ,
    Naomi

    Like

  47. So I just realized that this is the first of your blog posts of this series (it’s those blonde hairs that I have). So I’m really looking forward to reading the rest! I love when people are just honest and open, being real, and you seem to be that way so I know I’ll appreciate your writing! I was in a pretty long relationship (almost 6 years) with a girl who had an eating disorder and from just loving her it hurt me so much. It’s something I never really understood at the time so I’m looking forward to hopefully becoming more familiar with it through reading your posts. Plus I’m going to be going to counseling school and will hopefully one day be able to help people find healing through Jesus from things like this.

    Thank you so much for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I hope that I can! It’s not my primary occupation, I work in missions but may someday end up pastoring. We’ll see lol. Anyways, keep writing! I enjoying reading your posts! 🙂

        Like

  48. […] BeautyBeyondBones If you or someone you know is suffering with an eating disorder or on the road to recovery, I invite you to visit this blog where will the blogger will share about her experiences on Anorexia and how she found her freedom through Christ. Also check out her Resources page: https://beautybeyondbones.com/resources/   […]

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