Bulimia is a very serious condition; however, it can be managed and brought under control. If you're suffering from bulimia yourself, don't try to go through this alone. Your will power and determination will help you keep it under control, but you will need a friendly presence, someone to motivate and help you get through the bad days and the moments of self-doubts and despair. It's important to become aware of the fact that in order to kick bulimia completely, you will need to bring a little structure into your life and into your eating habits, which means claiming your body rhythms back and helping your body produce the digestive enzymes that break down the food you ingest properly.

Step one - structure your meal times. If you eat at regular intervals - let's say, three times a day with some fruit snacks in between meals - you will gradually learn to control that heavy feeling that eventually triggers the need to vomit. Fluctuating amounts of food also mean fluctuating moods and energy levels - so a regular food intake will do you good on all fronts, physical and psychological. Three meals a day is a good place to start, with cereal for breakfast (which release energy slowly and will keep you feeling full longer).

On the whole, the point is not to start eating foods you potentially dislike just because they are healthy - this will not work. Start with foods you like (but avoid the ones you normally binge on) and try to work out recipes for nutritious meals that will not make you feel guilty for eating them. Now may be a good time to ask a friend for help. Browse Internet recipe sites together, or buy a cook book and have fun selecting recipes you like, researching calorie counts and so on - you can even colour code your book or make up your own scrap cook book.

Try to work lean protein (chicken, lean red meat or fish) into your diet one step at a time, in addition to things like steamed vegetables, rice or pasta - a little of each in one meal. This may prove quite difficult in the beginning, as carbohydrates may feel rather heavy on the stomach - if this is the case, don't force yourself to eat. Try lighter foods for the next weeks - yogurt and fruit, for example. Eat from small pots in order to exercise control over the impulse of eating too much. Finally, stay away from alcohol, as it weakens will power and irritates the digestive tract all in one. Stay focused on your daily eating routine and be positive - you'll see that the results will start to show soon.