G’day!
For those who have followed along, thank you for those who might not know me, I thought I best give a bit of background.
My name is Carla. At the moment, I’m 23 years old. I grew up in a small rural town in South Australia, where I completed all of my schooling before completing University.
I have such a loving, supportive and close family and I am so proud of the close community I know. I now work full time as an Exercise Physiologist, prescribing exercise, and movement to those with chronic pain, illness and disability.
Outside of work I like to keep myself fit and strong, and have a massive passion in keeping active and playing sport – especially netball, but any sport will do.
Unfortunately, in late 2019 and early 2020, between completing my Uni degree and trying to find work, I ended up with far too much spare time. I decided to direct my spare time towards being fitter, faster, healthier and less body fat. With a Type-A personality, perfectionist personality, being ‘better’ and doing ‘more’ never had a limit, because there was also more I could do. I had all the spare time I needed and therefore I could always diet harder, run further, exercise more and more, because I could be better, therefore that’s exactly what I did.
Unfortunately, I got into such a rigid and obsessive routine with my eating and exercise it turned into a drive to lose weight, a fear of weight gain and eventuated into unhealthy, impulsive and disordered behaviours. In mid 2020 I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and began therapy and treatment with a dietitian and psychologist later that year.
There have been many, many ups and downs, lows and highs and lessons not only for myself but also my family, friends and those around me. I no longer consider myself to ‘have an eating disorder’, but to be ‘recovering from an eating disorder’. I still have regular therapy. However now, being in a much more stable, healthy and happy stage I have learnt that there is a massive misconception about eating disorders. People misunderstand what it is like to have one, and what goes on inside our brain and why we might perform some behaviours that don’t align with our personality and upbringing. I also know that struggling with mental health can be extremely isolating, scary and uncomfortable.
Therefore, I have decided to start this little website and blog to post advice, insights and reflections of personal experiences and thoughts to help people for these reasons.
I hope you can all get something from this and please feel free to reach out if you seek more understanding or help, I promise I am just an energetic, bubbly, hillbilly trying her hand at writing educational blab.
Carla x
Great idea for this Carla. Mental health issues have certainly come to the forefront over the years but still have a long way to go. You’re a strong young person Carla and cudos to you for seeking help and speaking out. I suffer General Anxiety from my service time and wish I sought help 30 years ago, it may have helped sort out the trail of destruction, failed relationships, etc that I sometimes left behind. I also have a son who has schizophrenia and was just diagnosed last year after struggling since being a teen. We all have a story Carla and the sooner we don’t let mental health define who we are the sooner and better we can get help, move on, and live a more fulfilling life. You are not about your mental health but it is part of what has given you the resilience and strength you have today.. Keep in touch kiddo!! Mark.