Inside I'm Still Dancing

Me, Myself and I

“Sometimes the only means of transportation is a leap of faith”

Hi, I’m Ellie- welcome to my blog!

I wasn’t sure what to write here- in a nutshell, I am in my mid-20’s and have had anorexia since I was 12. I have spent most of the time since then in hospital, but now see myself more in a transitional period of healing and growth. This blog is about my journey through the maze I find myself in- the pit holes, the quick sand, the lows and of course, the moments of clarity and freedom which give me hope and strength. This is my journey towards a life free from the chains that anorexia bound me with…

The name of my blog refers to my passion for dancing- I started when I was 19 and fell in love after my first class. I frequented the studio and threw myself into a mixture of street, hip-hop, jazz and breakdancing. It was the first time I apprecciated my body for the amazing things it was capable of rather than seeing it as something I wanted to destroy. It was a form of expression and communication for me, as well as a great stress reliever and creative outlet. I was diagnosed with mild osteoporosis when I was 20, and continued dancing. I had a second bone scan when I was 23 and at that point, had to stop dancing altogether. I miss it a lot at times, but accept that physical activities need to be limited and I am now finding other ways to express myself. Writing is one of them.

findyourdreamholditclose

On a slightly lighter note, a random quiz I did on Facebook!

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: broccoli
2. Bakery: wholewheat wraps
3. Protein: tofu “chicken” salad

4. Frozen: amy’s burritos
5. Dry goods: oats

Let’s say we’re heading out for a weekend getaway. You’re only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what’s in your bag? * assume you can take the undergarments too*
1. hooded sweatshirt
2. t-shirt with a funky slogan on it
3. jeans

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. “oops!”
2. “how did I not see this coming?!”
3. “so there was this time…”
4. “I have a really uncool idea!”
5. “are you kidding me?”

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn’t get to do, you probably wouldn’t be in the best mood?
1. Sleep

2. Eat
3. Go to the bathroom

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We’re talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Internet
2. Drinking coffee
3. Long hot shower
4. Cooking
5. Grocery shopping

We’re going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it’ll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. gift shop
2. coffee shop
3. exit

(not a zoo person! :P )

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. QI
2. Mock The Week
3. Scrubs
4. 8 Out Of 10 Cats

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what’s in there?
1. buss pass
2. iPod
3. pens

4. expired dance membership card
5. random business cards from temp agencies in New York

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let’s pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Copywriter
2. Copywriter
3. Nutritionist
4. Copywriter
 
It is Wednesday afternoon, where are you usually?
in front of a computer, drinking coffee and eating granola mixed with yogurt

Do you miss your past?
Some parts, yes

Do you ever think “what if”?
Of course

Favorite Beverage?
diet cream soda

Favorite Board Game?
Cranium

What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?
walked towards my bed

Favorite lyrics right now?
“Take The Chance” (Peter, Paul and Mary)

26 Comments

26 responses so far ↓

  • Miss Edinburgh // June 15, 2009 at 10:03 pm | Reply

    Stumbled across your blog and I love it ! The food pictures are making me soooooooooooo hungry :)

  • Abby // June 19, 2009 at 1:53 pm | Reply

    Isn’t the “About Me” section the hardest to finish? I had no idea–it was like “Abby For Dummies” of something. At any rate, love what you did and appreciate the honesty.

    Feel free to Facebook stalk me as well.

  • Rebeca // June 19, 2009 at 6:45 pm | Reply

    I love your About Me section- Part 1- so honest! Part 2- funny funny

  • elise // June 19, 2009 at 8:30 pm | Reply

    what a fun trip to the zoo! haha. love the facebook quiz. you are such a lovely girl. i want you to move back to nyc so we can hang!

  • Elizabeth // June 20, 2009 at 12:31 am | Reply

    I am a copywriter. :-D

  • janie // June 20, 2009 at 12:53 am | Reply

    :)
    and lol at going to a zoo and not visiting any of the poor animals!

  • Lara (Thinspired) // June 20, 2009 at 1:47 pm | Reply

    That was a fun survey. My dad is a huge Peter, Paul and Mary fan (I grew up listening to them), but I have never heard that song! Must check it out!

  • Adventures of Alice // June 23, 2009 at 11:25 pm | Reply

    Cranium is AMAZING!

  • Priyanka // June 24, 2009 at 11:08 pm | Reply

    I came across your blog today! Loved the survey answers!

  • Amy @ What Do I Eat Now? // June 27, 2009 at 11:02 pm | Reply

    i love those answers, im with you on A LOT of answers too!!! so fun!

  • Maggie // July 15, 2009 at 11:30 pm | Reply

    I love these answers. Abby (commenter above) just rec’d your blog to me, so that’s how I found you. Very nice “about me” section :)

  • Ally // July 17, 2009 at 7:13 pm | Reply

    i loved reading your “about me” section – i had a hip bone disease as a child that now, into my adult years (I’m 23), i have to limit my physical activity due to the osteoporosis I’m develping as well.

    glad to hear you found other outlets :) & take care!

  • Kristen // August 23, 2009 at 1:50 pm | Reply

    Hi, Ellie. You are a great writer! I look forward to reading more. You “walking towards your bed” was the perfect response to the 2nd to last question!! :-)

  • Rosey Rebecca // August 25, 2009 at 2:26 pm | Reply

    Hey! Thanks for commenting on my blog!! I found yours through your comment!! It’s awesome! I’m going to add you to my ‘dreadful’ google reader!

    To answer your question, Saratoga PB Company makes awesome PB! Check out their website! They aren’t that expensive and I like it because it’s a local pb company for me!

  • Damjana // August 28, 2009 at 9:36 pm | Reply

    I’m proud of you, you seem to be doing so much better now than when you had the disease. It’s worth eating what you LIKE and not what you ’should’ eat. Too bad your bones are not so strong..but healthy relationship with food can fix many things!

  • whitney // September 18, 2009 at 7:35 pm | Reply

    wow your story is amazing! i am glad you are at a happy and healthy place in your life right now :) can’t wait to read more!!

  • Ali // September 23, 2009 at 2:25 am | Reply

    your story is so inspiring! …and gotta love facebook quizzes, haha

  • besenretail // September 23, 2009 at 8:28 pm | Reply

    Hey! Read that you are doing some sort of walk and blogger dinner in NYC. Let me know the details! caitlin@besenretail.com

  • Taylor // September 23, 2009 at 10:36 pm | Reply

    Hey there I really wanted to email you but couldn’t find an address. I hope you’re ok. I’ve lost a couple of my friends and I relapsed, I’m hoping you are ok. Please let me know. Love Tayor.

  • kate // September 28, 2009 at 6:27 pm | Reply

    I’m not having a good blogger day, I am challenged! I can’t find the Cake Batter Oatmeal and that is SO Up my alley — i love Fage yogurt, oatmeal, I have lots of protein powder (although if there is a cake batter flavored protein I’d be all over that) … can you direct me? Thank you!!

  • kate // September 28, 2009 at 6:28 pm | Reply

    Recipe, I meant! Recipe! See? I’m really challenged today.

  • Colleen // October 3, 2009 at 8:28 pm | Reply

    Hi Ellie,

    I stumbled across your blog somehow last night. I felt it was necessary for me to tell you that I can tell that your blog is going to be a huge help to me. For about 2 years I’ve been struggling with an eating disorder, it effected my relationships with my friends, family and boyfriend, it also effected my body in very negative ways (Food has a hard time staying in my body for more than 20 minutes.). As I am reading you blog I am saying to myself “Oh my gosh, that is exactly how I feel.” but I had never been able to explain in quite as well as you could. I want to live a healthy lifestyle, but in my mind a healthy lifestyle is a life without food, and that kills me. I love food, I love to cook, I love to experiment. I’m so lucky that my boyfriend (of just over 2 years) is still with me. I think that reading your blog everyday will help me and inspire me to take action to becoming the REAL healthy person I want to be.

    You are such an inspiration to me, keep it up (I need you. I need you and I haven’t even met you.)! Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

    Colleen

  • Allie // October 17, 2009 at 12:52 pm | Reply

    Hi Ellie,
    Can I email you? I’m feeling very alone and need someone to talk to.
    Oops, I just read that and it makes me sound like a creepy “single’s ad”. I’m not! I’m an anorexic who’s struggling and needs some advice!

  • rebecca lustig // October 28, 2009 at 12:34 am | Reply

    Hey girl, I just came across your blog and I have to tell you that you’re very inspirational, insightful and beautiful. I hope you have a fabulous evening and I look forward to your next blog post <3

    -Rebecca

  • Sally // November 9, 2009 at 11:09 pm | Reply

    Wow, I just found your blog and I love it so much. I’m also in my mid-20’s and have struggled with anorexia since about 12. You inspire me and I just felt compelled to say thanks. I will be checking in in the future <3

  • Michal // November 16, 2009 at 3:10 am | Reply

    Hi! I just found your blog and it looks totally awesome. You seem to be such an inspiration for a lot of people, myself included. ED’s are tough, and everyday as you know is a struggle. But its girls like you who keep me going and motivated when I know im starting to slip again.

    Cant wait to read your new posts :)

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