Restart the Clock

I had no idea what it meant…

While I was in treatment at my Intensive Outpatient Program for anorexia I was introduced to the phrase “restart the clock.” I had no idea what it meant, but it means- eat your next meal or your next snack.

With regards to eating plans, it is a skill to follow your plan even if you engaged in eating disordered behaviors. If you skipped lunch, restart the clock and have your mid afternoon snack. If you purged dinner, restart the clock and eat your after dinner snack. If you compulsively exercised after your mid-morning snack, eat your lunch.

The anorexic mind will control you and will do everything in its power to stop you from using this skill. Your anorexia wants to stay in complete control. It wants you to restrict and skip meals for days at a time. It will also brainwash you to use forward-thinking—“next week I will try harder.” “Tomorrow I will eat dinner.” Restart the Clock focuses on the now. Do it today. Tackle the present moment.

In recovery you need to take action…

I have expanded the skill to mean “do the next pro-recovery thing.” In recovery you need to take action. DO. DO. DO. Change is possible if you work it. Some examples are:

  • Use a positive affirmation
  • Go to your therapy session
  • Reach out for social support

Your action step is to use “Restart the clock” one time today. You can do it! Act opposite. Choose recovery. Each time you say “yes” to recovery it will get easier and easier. I understand the struggle. I understand the defeat. I understand how you feel. And I also know that action is the key to live a more fulfilled life.

Serenity Always,
Meredith

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