Struggle with food consumption resulted in anorexia, yet here's my path to recovery
In a heartwarming tale of resilience, Lydia Bogert, a 42-year-old eating disorder recovery coach from north London, shares her journey of overcoming an eating phobia. This article, first published in the August 2025 issue of woman&home magazine, offers insights into the strategies that can help others facing similar challenges.
Six months into her battle with anorexia, Lydia started experiencing palpitations and spells of dizziness. Her fear of eating became so serious that it was life-threatening. She lived in Russia as an English teacher, covering up her fear by avoiding food. However, things took a turn when she moved to London in 2012 and learned about mindfulness.
Lydia's anorexia developed within two months of losing a lot of weight. She soon found herself bingeing when her body was in starvation mode. A life-altering incident occurred when her flatmate, Ted, performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving Lydia's life.
Determined to recover, Lydia sought help and qualified as a cognitive behavioural hypnotherapist after overcoming her anorexia. She established a more normal relationship with food, thanks to her husband Jonathan's love and support. Today, Lydia enjoys food, preferring to eat slowly and in peace.
Strategies for Overcoming an Eating Phobia
- Seek Professional Help
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This form of therapy helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns related to food and eating. It has been effective in managing eating disorders and phobias by reframing perceptions and behaviors. CBT can be found through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
- Hypnotherapy: This can assist in reprogramming the mind to overcome phobias by relaxing the body and focusing the mind on positive responses.
- Clinical Psychologists: They provide a deeper understanding of the phobia's origins and help develop strategies to manage it.
- Supportive Environment Having a supportive network, like Lydia found with her husband, can be crucial. Supportive family and friends can help create a comfortable environment for recovery.
- Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching
- Lydia Bogert's experience inspired her to become an eating disorder recovery coach. This kind of coaching offers personalized guidance and support tailored to the individual's needs and recovery journey.
- Gradual Exposure
- Gradually exposing oneself to the feared food or eating situation, under controlled conditions and with support, can help build confidence and comfort over time.
- Nutrition Counseling
- Learning about balanced diets and healthy eating habits can help restore a positive relationship with food.
- Mindfulness and Self-Care
- Practicing mindfulness and engaging in self-care activities can help manage stress and anxiety related to eating.
Recovery from an eating phobia is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's important to find a combination of strategies that feel comfortable and effective.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating phobia, remember that help is available. Reach out to clinical psychologists like Dr Stuart Psychologists for a deeper understanding of the phobia's origins and strategies to manage it. Hypnotherapy Associates can also provide assistance in reprogramming the mind to overcome phobias.
Subscriptions to woman&home magazine, where this article first appeared, are available for £6 for 6 issues.
- Lydia Bogert, a 42-year-old eating disorder recovery coach from north London, shares her journey of overcoming an eating phobia, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), hypnotherapy, and clinical psychologists.
- In her journey, Lydia found that a supportive family and friends can be crucial in creating a comfortable environment for recovery, as shown by her husband Jonathan's love and support.
- For individuals struggling with an eating phobia, gradual exposure to the feared food or eating situation, under controlled conditions and with support, can help build confidence and comfort over time.
- Mindfulness and self-care practices can also play a significant role in managing stress and anxiety related to eating, as part of a holistic approach to health-and-wellness that includes mental health, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition.
- The article, first published in the August 2025 issue of woman&home magazine, offers a heartwarming tale of resilience and insights into strategies that can help others facing similar challenges, underscoring the importance of help and support in overcoming eating phobias.
