I’ve been living with both anorexia and diabetes for more than 10 years. When I was first diagnosed, it felt like there was no hope. I never thought I would be able to manage both chronic diseases simultaneously.
It took a few hard years of lots of trial and error, but eventually I figured out a nutrition plan that worked well for my body so that I could keep both diseases under control. It helps that I love to cook and experiment with food, as this allowed me to find the perfect balance between healthy eating and managing my medical concerns in the same meal.
Still, everyday I face struggles with either disease. Especially during stressful times or when feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it’s easy to forget about one or the other or give in to unhealthy demands from either disease.
However, over time, supportive friends and family; psychologists; dietitians; and doctors have helped me build confidence in myself to trust my own instincts on how best to manage my two chronic illness. Having patience with myself starts first - reminding myself that recovery is a process and continuing to fight even when days are harder than others has made all the difference (especially when I feel like giving up). Gathering support around myself has also had such a positive effect on managing both anorexia and diabetes alongside each other – especially knowing that someone is right beside me cheering me on every step of the way.
At times it can still be really difficult – living with both anorexia in diabetes consumes much of my energy throughout my day! But, this is what life looks like now - and finding strategies that work specifically for me has changed everything.
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Hey there,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ll been dealing with anorexia and diabetes for so long. It sounds really tough to manage both at the same time and I completely understand how helpless it can feel at first.
It’s great that you’ve been able to find a nutrition plan that works for your body and I’m sure experimenting with food has helped immensely! As someone living with chronic illnesses myself, I know it can be extra difficult during stressful times - even when we have coping mechanisms in place. It’s a huge credit to you finding ways to stay strong through all of this!
The support system around us is often what makes the most difference in our lives. Having loved ones beside us encouraging us, or even just having people we can talk to freely at any time – those are invaluable relationships which help keep us feeling positive and relentless in our recovery journey.
Above all else though, remember to show patience and compassion towards yourself. Living with two chronic illnesses is no easy task but the fact that you’re continuing to do everything you can for both speaks volumes about your strength and determination! Take one day at a time - good days or bad - and use those around you as reminders of your resilience
Hi there,
I completely understand what you’re going through. Dealing with two chronic diseases is a huge responsibility and it sounds like you have been handling it incredibly well. It’s admirable that you find the strength to manage both anorexia and diabetes day after day – that’s no easy task!
I am so happy to hear that you’ve found a nutrition plan that works for your body. That must be such an amazing feeling to make progress while tackling both illnesses. I also admire your ability to continue fighting even when days are harder than others – persistence and perseverance are powerful qualities, and they will certainly take you far!
It sounds like the support of the people around you has had such a positive effect on managing both diseases together - I’m sure it means so much to know someone is there cheering for every step of the way! That’s one of the most important things in life, having patience with ourselves and being respectful of our needs. Self-love is key for managing any illness in a healthy way.
I just want you to know that even when days are challenging, hang in there! You have made incredible progress already and you can do even more if you keep pushing forward with kindness towards yourself. You got
Hi there,
I can completely relate to your experience of living with both anorexia and diabetes for more than 10 years. When I was first diagnosed with my chronic illness, I felt like there was no hope of finding a cure. But I’m glad to hear that you were able to find a nutrition plan that works for managing both diseases.
I know how much of an uphill battle this can be when anxiety or stress creeps in. As someone who struggles with her own chronic illnesses, I’ve found great strength from developing supportive relationships with friends and family, as well as aligning myself with the right healthcare professionals who advocate on my behalf. It helps having someone in my corner cheering me on even during the toughest days! And although living life with two chronic illnesses is never easy, by learning how to trust my gut instincts and proceeding forward on good days and bad, I have been able to find a balance in caring for myself while also embracing joy and happiness.
You’ve come so far already – let’s keep going together!
Hey there! I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles with living with two chronic illnesses. It sounds like you’ve already come a long way in managing your diet and health over the past 10 years, and that’s something to be really proud of. Each day can bring its own unique set of challenges, but it’s important to give yourself grace and patience when things aren’t going right.
Having a strong support system around you is so important, especially for those battling chronic illnesses. Having people who believe in you and are rooting for you every step of the way is key in maintaining both emotionally and physically. While it’s easy to feel hopeless sometimes, remember that reaching out for help from peers, family, or even professional help can make all the difference.
Also - don’t forget the power of self-care! Dedicating some time everyday for yourself can have huge benefits on your overall wellbeing). Doing something that brings joy into your life (whether that’s hanging out with a friend, watching a movie, reading a book; anything!) can do wonders for not only your mental health but also increasing confidence and helping build resilience against tough days.
Above all else, just know that you are incredibly brave for fighting back against such difficult diseases
Hey there,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling with both anorexia and diabetes for over 10 years. That must have been — and continue to be — really tough. It’s great that you’ve found a nutrition plan to manage them both together, but such a challenging endeavor doesn’t always come easy.
It’s totally understandable if recovery feels like an uphill battle at times, and knowing when to take a step back is part of the journey too. I truly believe that having empathy and understanding for oneself can make all the difference in how we handle these chronic diseases. Surrounding yourself with supportive people — whether it be family or psychologists, doctors and dieticians — is also extremely important in building resilience and helping guide your own decisions on how best to keep things under control.
Having patience with yourself and believing in yourself are honestly two of the bravest battles to fight against either disease, especially on difficult days when giving up might seem easier. But do remember that you’re not alone - I’m here for you every step of the way! Above all, hang on tight: You got this!