improving health and fitness

Question
Hi
I'm a seventeen year old girl and have had eating problems since I was about twelve (a combination of anorexic and bulimic behavior). I have never been overweight and am usually at the lower end of my 'normal-weight range'. My eating problems have somewhat resolved in the past nine or so months.
However, even though my natural build is small I still appear to carry a bit of 'puppy fat' so to speak. My face especially which is rather unfortunate! I'd like to know what I should eat and what exercises are the best to get rid of this. I must assure you that I am NO LONGER suffering from my eating disorder and would like to merely improve my physical health as well as my physical appearance. I have no idea what foods I should be eating and often end up so overwhelmed by the different kinds available that I retreat to 'safe' meals like beans on toast!
I have tried to improve my fitness in the past two years. I wasn't very sporty at school but since my PE days I invested in such items as skipping ropes, 3lbs hand weights, a mini-trampoline and even a rowing machine. I used the rowing machine for a few months but I didn't like what it was doing to my body so I stopped. It's taken until recently for my body to go back to how it was, or 'recover' as I'd call it. Is the mini-trampoline a good way to lose fat and therefore unnecessary weight? I love using it because you don't wind up with stitches or out of breath; it's low intensity and easy to do. Would this provide me with the cardio I need? I would do about one hour a day on it.
Another item I have (and I have this only because of my slight scoliosis) is an exercise ball. I've heard of so many exercises to work the abs but I've no idea about which are best or how to even do them properly! So as you can see I'm pretty much a novice in both nutrition and fitness. I need a little help and was wondering whether you could help me?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Tori,
Let me address the nutrition first.
You provide a few clues as to what you consider good food- unfortunately, that is probably the reason for your health.
To ensure you are getting what your body needs is as follows:

Every day you should aim for 3 balanced meals with a couple of small snacks inbetween and plenty of water.
The meals should be as natural as possible (i.e. unprocessed)

You will need to be patient as you have put your body through a lot and it will take a while for it to readjust.

As for the exercise, I would recommend you have a look at www.workoutpass.com
They have exercises for absolutely everyone!
What was the rowing machine doing you didn't like? I have a suspicion that you might be looking at things incorrectly and doing yourself injustice.
The trampoline is excellent- but getting stiches and out of breath is a good sign that your body is beginning to cope. Just do a little bit more each time.

Remember- nothing is an overnight fix and anything worth doing will mean getting out of a comfort zone and feeling different for a while.

If the nutrition side seems to complex to prepare, you can have a look at my solution on www.thinkslimntrim.org

Get back to me if you want any more details

All the best

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